I didn't have to check into the hospital until 10am, couldn't eat, and knew that I needed a distraction to help keep me from TOTALLY FREAKING OUT.
Drew suggested a pre-babyday blowout at Drybar.
Best idea ever.
Some girls love them a mani-pedi.
This girl bites her fingernails (I know gross...  totally aware of the grossness) and can do her own toes.  But a fancy wash and styley-style while I read gossip mags?  That for sure will take my mind off of the upcoming scalpels and scariness.

All checked in and waiting...
Sort of FREAKING OUT, sort of crying that this pregnancy is over, sort of excited to meet the little guy, sort of ready, sort of totally give me a few more weeks.
But all of this with pretty hair.

 Sweet Shauna gave me this vintage flash card.  Did the mister think I was loco as I asked him to turn around on the way to the hospital because I forgot it?  Maybe.  Am I glad I ran back in to fetch it?  Absolutely.

 For the first time ever... I can say I heart my guys PLURAL!!!!

Careful.  This guy for sure will make you catch baby fever.

Because the baby man had some breathing issues, and I had some crazy reactions to drugs issues, we got to stay an extra day.  I am so thankful for that extra day.  I would have taken ten more if they let me.  The hospital was so calm and dreamy, the nurses were phenomenal. I had no other job but to rest and stare at the wonder that is Shane.   It was really hard to leave.

But leave we did.  It is crazy how small they seem in their car seats for the first time.  Crazy how quickly that changes.  Crazy how cute he is in this little squirrel-owl hat from Drew.

Our little boy is home.
Our family is adjusting.
It hasn't been easy, but it has been beautiful.
Shane has three big sisters who love him fiercely.

Thanks so much for all of the prayers, the love, the notes, the comments, the visits, the food....
We are overwhelmingly blessed in so many ways.

He's not sure if he likes it here yet.
But we're sure that we like him here.
A lot a lot a lot.

Shane Jay Carson
8 pounds 4 ounces
19.5 inches




He just got here and he's already awesome!

We had a happy, full week as a family of five, busily preparing to add another tiny human to the chaos.
Here is a peek into our days through Instagram.

 The handsome mister had a birthday, complete with a Star Wars pinata, boat ride, emergency cupcakes for our brave trip through Carmageddeon (biggest media fueled sham since Y2K, we have never driven to LA faster) and topped off with an old school arcade cabinet for the iPad.  It was a good one if I might say so myself.

 Just a bit of the carnage that was Bakingpalooza 2011 with Drew.  So fun.  But soooooo messy.  Times like these I especially miss my very-efficient-at-floor-cleaning dog.  Other times too, I'm not heartless, but especially these times.

Confession:

I am not normally that fun mom that loves messes or craziness in the kitchen.
I don't like PlayDoh.  Not a huge fan of finger paints.  Don't even get me started on the evil that is Moon Sand.

Baking alone while everyone sleeps is one of my favorite things.  Just my boyfriend, Dave Matthews and I.

But once in a while you need to let that all go.
You need to let your kids go through all of your flour.  All of your sugar.  All of your eggs.  Nearly all of your sprinkles.  Three batches of frosting.

Because that is what happy childhood memories are made of.

I am so thankful for Drew B.

She has talked me off of the "BOYS ARE SCARY" ledge one million times and it has been so fun being pregnant at the same time. I love that she is having a girl, because I love being the mama of girls.  I love that she knew that we needed a special girly day before little boy madness enters our pink and sparkly home.  I love that my little boy will be wearing her sweet boy's clothes.

She is the fun mom that makes messes with her son and sees the beauty in it.
Now I get it.
I so get it.


Thank you Drew for this day.  My girls won't stop talking about it.  I'm still finding sprinkles in crazy places and each time I do it makes me smile.

Visit Drew's blog to see the rest of the happy shoot.
Be sure to watch the slideshow because it is just happiness.
Janey- trying to sweep up the explosion of sprinkles?  It just doesn't get better.

Ya.
Four days.
I'm like 8% ready.

Throw in the fact that my sweet baby girl has a really high fever.  Super sad face.
So we are spending our days cozy on the couch, which honestly is just what I didn't know I needed.
She has four more days of being the baby.  Her fever is allowing me to baby her.

The nesting can wait.

I've got a cozy little one and a dvr full of Yo Gabba Gabba episodes that need my attention.

Happy July!
How was your week?
Here is a little peek into what has been happening around these parts via my iPhone lens and Instagram app.

Ariel got in a tussle with a certain chocolate handed toddler.
Washing machine to the rescue.

Our air conditioning went our for six hours.
I turned into a total psycho.
Heat and I are mortal enemies, so I volunteered to make a Home Depot run to buy a new filter, just so I could blast the a/c in the van and swing by Sonic for bags of ice.
I pretty much cuddled the ice until the house cooled down.

Burlap and Basil has a brilliant solution for my iced tea and mason jar love.  This Island Mango & Peach tea is perfect for those of you who don't live near a Trader Joes.  (My condolences, you might consider moving... Just saying.)

I made Little Miss Momma's taquitos.
YUMMY!!!!
(Previous to finding this recipe, I had no idea that roast beef came in a can.  I still don't know how I feel about that, but I know that with a plate full of taquitos and guacamole in front of me, I don't care.)
Lucy is full of silly sunshine.  Love this kid.

 Bunco.  Love my friends.

 Saturday morning breakfast.  Love making special treats each week.