sip & see

Last week my mom had a little party to show off her grandson.  She learned from her Southern friends that these are called sip n' sees, and while I doubted that at first, a google search proved that to be true.  So.  If you are not from The South, she had a little come-and-go.  

I was glad to see my favorite little cupcake pedestals from our wedding make a reappearance . . . one of these days I'll reclaim them, they are so sweet.  Thank you TJ Maxx. 

Homemade German chocolate truffles (cake pops without the sticks).  These were delectable and I had more than my fair share!  My mom sent a little package of goodies home to Matt and I snagged one . . . and Matt told on me and I got in trouble with my mom.  Narc.

My Grandma Lowery flew down from Cincinnati to meet Bo.  I was so glad to see her!  And she was a great help with party details.

Our oldest guest was my mom's 93-year-old friend, Miss Genella.  She had called ahead to inform us that she must hold that baby, and that with a name like Bo, she expected him to play football.  I talked with her awhile and asked her where she was from. When she said, "Da-yuke," I was a little confused.  "Da-yuke?  Where is that?"

"Western Oklahoma," she said.  "You here about Da-yuke all the time because of sports, but we're not that one, we're just a small town near Altus."  After a little Google map research, I confirmed there is an East Duke, Oklahoma.  Just another case of adding the extra syllable.

I was a little worried about how Bo would do with all of those strangers, but he was great.  He was passed around for two hours without complaint.  

And then he finally passed out in the arms of a willing guest.

14 weeks

And yesterday was 14 weeks.

Bo does good 'praying hands.'  So angelic. 

Also I love these little jonjons.  I love him in his polos and shorts, too, but these little things are so sweet. I wish I had a monogrammed seersucker jonjon, but Matt probably wouldn't let him wear it.  Wait till you see the sweater I had monogrammed for him while I was in Oklahoma . . . and a jacket.  And his diaper bag.

3 months

A whole week ago, on the 20th, Bo turned three months old and got to wear his #3 onesie around Oklahoma.   My friend Kerry gave us 12 months of onesies as a baby gift.  They are SO cute, handmade, and I love her.  Each month I wash them and put them away for later use!  

Bo was being kind of goofball . . . so I thought I'd put up a bunch of the pictures I took on my phone, trying to get him to keep his hands down so you could see the three on his belly.  

 

 

Last Wednesday the 20th also happened to mark 13 weeks.  Don't ask me how 3 months = 13 weeks but it does.  I counted twice.  I love how his new blanket from Miss Mona coordinates so nicely with his outfit.  :)

the wedding we've been waiting for

I'm disappointed that these pictures look so grainy . . . but as always, if you click on the picture, it should enlarge to its original size (for Speicher relatives and fans).  

I had a cute little date for Meg's wedding.  

Megan and Esteban were wed on the shore of Redfish Lake, with mountains towering out of the clear blue water behind them.  It was an incredible setting and the weather was gorgeous.  

And the wedding fell right at naptime, which was perfect.  

Here Erin gently rocks her sleeping babe amongst the pines before the ceremony starts.

The beautiful bride and her father.

A setting like you wouldn't believe!

I know there are many heads in this picture but they're so happy and I love them.

Now while all that magic was happening, I was splitting my time between taking pictures and listening, until I heard the telltale squawk of a baby waking up from his nap.  Unfortunately, it wasn't Haddon . . . it was Bo.  So right at the good part I was whisking the baby out of the stroller and simultaneously trying to keep him shaded from the sun and sucking on his pacifier.  Oh, and my choice of dress for the evening proved to be an example of poor decision making . . . a wrap dress at a windy outdoor wedding is a bad idea.  I found a 'comfy' log in a stand of trees to park myself for the last few minutes of the ceremony, until I could get back to the car and rig up a row of bobby pins to keep the dress in place.  I also managed to drop Bo's pacifier under a van in the parking lot, which led to me scrambling around trying to retrieve it whilst comforting the crying baby . . .

But anyway.  Back to the reception.

The couple started off the night with their first dance, which is always so special and sweet to watch, especially when it's outside in a clearing surrounded by evergreens.

It was sweet and darling and then suddenly . . . they surprised us with a traditional Bolivian dance, complete with noisemakers.  I had to record it, it was too cute.

Because Megan's husband is from Bolivia, they had incorporated several special touches to represent both of their backgrounds.  The wedding ceremony was in both Spanish and English, and the reception had a Bolivian menu and a selection of Idaho dishes.  Both were delicious. I know, because I tried almost everything.  :) 

I do love some mason jars and lanterns.

Bo spent most of the reception like this:

Being carried around by his grandpa.  It was such a relief to have my parents there.  They don't mind if he's fussy, and I got a chance to enjoy the wedding without worrying if Bo was ok.  

What a little imp.

(I would prefer to be in my PJ's, swaddled, and tucked into my crib, thankyouverymuch!)

No, really, he was pretty good, just awake the whole time! 

And of course Haddon wooed the ladies with his long eyelashes and swarthy good looks.

 

We monopolized one corner of the reception area with baby gear. :) 

Haddon and his pretty mommy.

My parents, who have always loved Megan, and are always up for a trip to a new state.  

It was so wonderful to see another dear friend marry her man!  When Megan left to teach in Bolivia, she didn't think she'd come back with a ring and a multi-cultural family.  But God had great plans for them, and I know He has marvelous plans for her future.  I am selfishly glad that those plans involve staying the U.S. for now!  I'm hoping to get a bit more Megan time in the future!  

We love you, Meg! And your state is great!

where in the world is idaho?

The main reason that Jenny stopped in New York was to give me a hand as we traveled all the way to Idaho for our friend Megan's wedding.  Meg is one of my sweetest friends.  I've known her since Taylor days and we also lived together in Charlotte.  The rest of us have heard about her crazy travel adventures trying to get back to Idaho to see her family.  Despite the distance, I'm so glad Megan decided to get married at one of her favorite spots in her home state.  Idaho is an important part of her, and it was time we made the visit!

Even though it took 18 hours door to door.  With a baby.  But we survived!  It actually went very well.  

Thanks to an extra set of hands . . . 

Over the fields of the midwest . . .

To the craggy landscape of the real West.

Bo missed out on the show . . . but it was better that way. :)

Five airports later, we met up with our friend Devan, who is pregnant with twins, and Erin, who brought her 2-month-old baby along.  I got a little emotional meeting Haddon for the first time! :)  We hopped into our rented minivan and tackled the 3.5 hour drive through windy mountain roads Stanley, ID.  At 1:30am we finally made it to the cute cabin Meg had scored for us, had a joyful reunion with the bride, and fell asleep.  In the morning, I was shocked to see this view from the living room:

WOW.  

I just didn't know Idaho was like that!! 

We spent the next couple of days enjoying the wilderness, the stunning views, and sweet company of friends I don't see often.  Bo and Haddon had some quality playtime.  

Haddon was the angel baby who never cried, slept a ton, and played quietly.  Bo started "talking" (screeching and shrieking) at 6:30 am so we spent some time in the laundry room trying to keep him from waking everybody up!

Bo and I went on a little walk . . .

And he looked like a little old fisherman in his bucket hat.  But the mountain sun was hot!!  We all had pink noses after the weekend.  

Meg and Esteban's rehearsal dinner was at Redfish Lake, near their wedding site.  We had a yummy barbecue and dark chocolate s'mores around a campfire.  So fun, and so beautiful!

Bo was cheesin' it up in his tie onesie and shorts after *ahem ruining his jeans.

And here's the sweet couple we were there to celebrate!  Megan and Esteban!