It's That Time Again

I'm pretty sure I used the same title when I blogged about Shutterfly cards last year, but it still works so I'm sticking with it. And yes I realize today is Halloween but honestly, I get way more pumped about Christmas. Also, we took our family pictures yesterday and the ones that I've seen so far have me more than ready to create our Christmas card!

I'm sure we all know by now how amazing Shutterfly is but on the off chance that you don't, I'll share a story that might help convince you. I received a promo code for a free photo book from them when I was pregnant, and used it to make a book of Jaxon's newborn pictures. I was ecstatic when it arrived but was disappointed to find that the cover was a little messed up. If it wasn't Jaxon's newborn album, I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought but since it was, I wanted it to be absolutely perfect. I called Shutterfly's customer service and explained the situation, and the nice representative quickly said they'd send me another one at no charge. It arrived a few days later in perfect condition. So basically, I got two photo books for the price of shipping one of them! We gave the original book to my parents, who don't give a flip about the cover and are just crazy about the book. So it was a happy ending for all, and now I'm an even more loyal customer than I was before!

Anyway, all that to say, "Use them, they're great!" Whether you need Christmas cards, greeting cards or photo mugs -- you know your grandma loves them ;-) -- they've got you covered.

If we exchange cards, you might just find one of these in your mailbox!

If you'd like to exchange cards this year, email me at Ber611 at aol dot com with your info! If we've exchanged them in the past, I probably still have you on my list but there are no guarantees :-)

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Note: I received a promo for 25 free cards for writing this post but I really do love Shutterfly! If you're a blogger and want to participate in this promotion I think they're still offering it. Check this link.

I noticed some other bloggers are having Shutterfly giveaways and I wish I had one to offer you, but I wasn't given that option. Sorry!

My Fairy Tale: Pre-Wedding

I just remembered that before I had Jaxon, I started a mini-series of posts about our wedding since I hadn't shared it yet on the blog. I got through our engagement pictures and story and my bridal pictures. Then the bug came along a week later, and the wedding series was quickly forgotten.

I do still want to finish it and I think I'll break the wedding into three posts: getting ready / wedding party pictures, the ceremony, and the reception.

So here are a few pictures from the pre-ceremony part of the day!

My dress ready and waiting:

Touching up my makeup:

Getting into my dress:

My bouquet:

Each of my girls' bouquets had a pin with their initial:

Peeking at the boys while they took their pictures:

Me and my girls:

Me and my flower girls:

My handsome husband and his boys:

Seeing each other for the first time that day- we decided to do it before the ceremony:

Just being with JD helped to calm some of my nervousness:

My amazing parents:

And my amazing in-laws:

And there you have it! Hopefully it won't be months until I get to the ceremony! :-)

Month Five

This post is LATE YET AGAIN! Yes, I'm shouting. Because I'm so frustrated with myself that I can't get these things done on time. My baby is quickly approaching six months now. BUT better late than never, I suppose.

Jaxon,

Your fifth month was the most fun yet. Do I say that every month? I feel like I might. But it's true. You just keep getting more and more amazing. You're basically the most fascinating thing I've ever witnessed in my life. You constantly surprise your dad and me, and your grandparents have told us they feel the same way. We never know what you're gonna come up with next and we love it!

I'll keep the wordiness to a minimum because I *might* have gone a little overboard last month. I'll mostly just share some pictures.

This is pretty tpical of you lately. Your mission in life seems to be to grab anything within reach and get it in your mouth ASAP!

 "Do we have to do this NOW, Mama? I'm sleepy."

We tried to take some more pictures in the living room but you got distracted by Muffin and wouldn't pay any attention to Mama.

So we went outside where you showed me how you can (kind of) sit up on your own!

Here you are on your actual 5 month birthday, with your beloved Sophie.

You're such a silly little thing and we love it!

"HEY YOU, you wanna see my big clunky orthopedic shoe?"

You're easily the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Thank you for being the light of my life and my literal dream come true.

I love you to the moon and back,

Mama

P.S. I want you to know

that the nights of dancing you to sleep

in the darkness of your room

will forever be
some of my happiest memories.

Family Fun

I can't believe I'm just now sharing this because it meant SO much to me, but my brother Chase and his beautiful wife Katie came to visit us at the beginning of September!

Chase and I haven't seen each other very much in recent years (see this post for some back story if you're interested), so this visit was ridiculously exciting.

Friday night, we went to dinner with the two of them and my parents (Chase and I have the same dad but not the same mom). We decided to chance it and go to a nicer (read: less baby-friendly) restaurant because the food is so good and we wanted them to have a chance to try it. Jaxon cooperated (for the most part) and we had a wonderful dinner, including some delicious blackened alligator (yep, we actually eat gator where I'm from)!

We stayed up late chatting and woke up with plans to grill outside for lunch, until we were greeted with buckets of rain pouring down. We ended up just having a really relaxed, laid-back day (I didn't even get dressed until about 12:00!). We talked and laughed and just enjoyed spending time together.

Next time they visit -or when we visit them- we might plan something that involves actually leaving the house, but I wouldn't have changed anything about this first visit. It was perfect just the way it was. Chase and Katie are such a beautiful, warm, fun couple and we're looking forward to spending as much time with them as possible in the future! I'm so blessed to be reconnected with my wonderful brother and to gain such an awesome sister in the deal is a huge bonus! We love them so much!

Loving Lately: September

It's already time for the next installment of things I'm loving lately! Have I said before how quickly time is flying?? Yes? Well regardless, here are some of my recent favorites, in no particular order.

Having beignets with friends I haven't seen in way too long

It's always so wonderful to catch up. I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture with them but Erin did snap this one of me and Jaxon. And I'm glad she did, because those sunglasses were stolen out of my husband's car this weekend. This is the only picture I'll have to remember them by, since I just had them for a few months.

Rest in peace, my little pretties.

Visiting the downtown farmer's market

I do, however, use the term "farmer's market" very loosely. I read about it on a local website and got myself all pumped up. The write-up promised 20 booths of locally-grown produce, fresh baked pastries and jewelry, among other goods. I drug my boys out bright and early, and we arrived to find 3 stalls. THREE! One was full of bows and other girlie baby items, another had grandma-looking jewelry (no offense, Grandma!) and the last had candles. I bought from 2 of the vendors just because we were one of the only families out there and it would have been super awkward not to.

However, it was nice to just get out and do something as a family. We walked around downtown until it got too hot and even got this fun picture to remember the day. Too bad we weren't actually in it.

Oh and funny story about the sign... a week after we took this picture, someone made "hot" into "ho." Surely I'm not the only one who finds this utterly amusing? :-)

Eating dinner outside at a yummy local Mexican place

Jaxon loooves being outside and is often an angel baby when we take him out, especially if we're outside for part of the time. This place we go to has a big fountain / waterfall thing that we sit by and he is just a happy little camper listening to the water and taking in his surroundings. JD and I are so thankful to still be able to enjoy fun dinners together even with a baby in tow. I was certain those days would be over once the bug arrived!

This yummy Cheesy Enchilada Casserole

Source: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com via Amber on Pinterest

I. Love. Pinterest. For many reasons. This recipe alone is a good one. JD and I had fun working on it together. He cooked the meat part (I haaaate raw meat. Completely ooogs me out. Ew.) while I mixed up the rest of the ingredients with Jaxon in his sling. Super easy.

It was so good, I was disappointed when there were only enough leftovers for us to have it again for lunch the next day. We will be making it again very soon. (Oh and side note: we left out the lettuce and tomatoes... you know, the healthy part? Yeah, we didn't add the healthy part.)

So that about wraps up my recent faves. I'm sure we'll blink and then I'll be back with my October ones!

Welcome, Baby Girl

If we're friends on Twitter you might have heard this news, but it's definitely worthy of being mentioned here as well. After what felt like years of waiting, my best friend finally had her baby! She was completely sure that she was having a boy but I've been telling her since the beginning that I thought it was a girl.

Over a week after her due date (which, of course, is more of a "guess date" anyway), Miss Ali Marie arrived at 7:36 p.m. on October 1st! :-) She weighed 7 pounds, 5.5 ounces and was 20.75 inches long. She's absolutely perfect. I couldn't believe how tiny and fragile she seemed. I don't know if I just don't remember Jaxon being that small or if the 2 pounds he had on her really made that big of a difference, but goodness! I felt like I might smoosh her if I wasn't careful.

Look how she's holding her sweet little hands! Cher bebe!

Already representing the Saints like a good little Louisiana girl should! And already crossing those legs! A little lady for sure.

(BTW, her bow and onesie were gifted by yours truly. I'm thrilled that she's already able to use them!)

Our little family went to meet her yesterday and it was love at first sight. I'm going to have to restrain myself from arranging a marriage between her and Jaxon because really, that would be just a little bit too perfect, don't you think?