Pregnant In Heels

I never realized how addicted to baby shows I would get once I was expecting our baby. Now I can't get enough of "One Born Every Minute" "A Baby Story" "Bringing Home Baby" and more. However, the show that I can't get enough of has been "Pregnant In Heels" featuring maternity expert Rosie Pope.

I would talk and talk about each episode in the office. Poor Becky and Kaleigh had to listen to me go on and on about these New York elite women who hire Rosie for all sorts of maternity projects.

Kaleigh (one of my favorite people in the world) just got back from a duo vacation to New York and Bermuda.The first week she saw the city that never sleeps then left on a 7 day Bermuda vacation from an NY port. When she was visiting the upper east side, she so happened to run into Rosie Pope's store. She went inside and bought me my all time favorite piece of clothing...a white Rosie Pope shirt accompanied with a bag. I flipped out when she brought it my way earlier Friday.

I'm obsessed with Rosie. I read her blog and "morning coffee with Rosie" quite often. Maybe I'll meet her SOMEDAY! Cheers to Kaleigh and her thoughtfulness. I can't get over the Pope shirt. I will treasure it always.

Summer Wedding Bliss

Every summer has its fair share of wedding celebrations. I love weddings! This year we have been looking forward to Julie and Chan's nuptials! Sara's sister, Julie got married to Chan right here in Norman. The wedding ceremony was wonderful. Then we headed to the OU football stadium suites to celebrate.

Here is Scott and I in front of a large window overlooking the stadium. It was such an awesome venue.

Doug and Dad enjoying some bubbly.

 My mom always looks so stunning. Love the necklace MAJ!

 Here is our fun picture with the beautiful bride. I love this picture of Sara. It is what I call a "Shannon Ho" moment. The bridesmaid dresses were all different shades of blue. The guys all wore Jack Purcell's to accompany their suits. It was precious!

I've always thought Scott looked similar to Bob Stoops. He can talk exactly like him too. I couldn't resist this moment right before we hopped on the elevator to head home. Once, Scott saw Bob and his wife at a restaurant here in Norman. His wife said, "Oh my goodness Bobby...you two look so much alike." So basically I'm married to Bob Stoops! : )

Cheers to Chan and Julie! We were delighted to celebrate with you. Your wedding was gorgeous. Here is to a lifelong journey of happiness.

Sweet Tweets....Izzy's Shower Brunch

I am such a girly girl. Since I was little, I have loved weddings and showers. I wouldn't miss one! I have been dreaming of our baby showers (much like our wedding) since I was a little girl. These past two weekends, have fulfilled my "someday" vision. We have literally been showered with love. This past weekend was a women's brunch in sweet Izzy J.'s honor. Boy oh boy...did my amazing friends out-do themselves. 

 The second I walked in, I noticed the tablecloths matched the invitations to the shower. Accompanied with monogrammed silverware rings and water bottle labels ordered just for the special occasion.

 What is a brunch without yummy donut holes? Each one had a stick with Izzy's initials or Izzy on each one.

There is a picture (art) I ordered for IJD's room. It is of birds on a cherry blossom tree. As you can see, there were beautiful branches, birds, and cherry blossoms all over Kate's home. 

 I was so blessed my mom came from Clinton to be here on the occasion. It was so much fun introducing her to my favorite women! I love you Tingie. Thanks for all my sweet things for the hospital. Izzy will love all her mom's PJ's not to mention the smell of SJP NYC.

 One of my favorite friends and pledge sisters Heather joined the party. She has a little girl Parker and has already been such a help on advice! I was thrilled she was there.

 One of my dearest friends Stacy came to honor Iz too. She just had a baby girl 10 weeks ago...Eve. I hope I look half as good as  this after giving birth. I went to her house for dinner last week, and loved holding Ev and playing with their 2 and a half year old girl Ainsley. Stacy is the one who recommended my doctor at Lakeside.

 My sweet Alpha Chi grandbig Stepahnie and her mom Nancy (who came all the way from Clinton). So happy they were there. They honored us with twin stories (Haper and Owen were born 2 months ago). IJ will love her Zoo Jumperoo!

Mere (one of my former students and now dear friend) drove all the way from Bartlesville. I was thrilled when I saw her walk in the door. She is such a light in my life. Always sweet, kind, and beautiful inside and out.

There isn't a  party without the Bonner girls present! Julie gets married in 7 days...and we couldn't be happier for their sweet family. As you can see Iz's Auntie Sara is pictured. She loves her "BAE" Best Aunt Ever.

 I have known the Ratcliffe family since Madeline was in the 8th grade. Love you girls!

Of course the sweet Rother girls came for the occasion. I am in love with my diaper bag!

 Sarah and Jessica made the trip from Edmond. It was great to see two women that mean so much.

 Some of my dearest OU friends: Jill, Andrea, and  Claudia.

Blast from the past! My sweet friend Merideth (who just got married) brought Izzy shoe/socks. It couldn't have been more perfect since she is Miss In Style herself. She always looks stunning. It was great to see her and catch up on married life.

 I wasn't able to get a picture with everyone, but I wouldn't miss a chance to grab these fabulous ladies. These six women have added such a light and joy to my life. I know Izzy will be thrilled to meet them too. I can't thank them enough for everything they did for this shower...but beyond that too. Each one of them has touched my life for the better. The "Wicked" song comes to mind "Because you loved me, I have been changed for good."

 One of their gifts were IZZY letters for her nursery. Brynn actually made these. It is a side business she does and they are stunning in person too! They are already up! Thanks B...I love them.

 If the shower were not gift enough...they accompanied Izzy's letters with a high chair we registered for. We love it. Becky and her sweet husband John assembled it for us too. You are the best! They also made her a sign for the hospital door.

One of the fabulous parts of my pregnancy has been to be preggo with one of my best friends Allison. We are literally 2  weeks apart on our due date. We are thrilled to have maternity leave off together. This was William and Izabelle's first official meeting. They already love one another.

I made the hostesses open their gifts together. One of their presents was modeled beautifully below!

 On the way out, everyone was given "Sweet Tweets." These iced sugar cookies were hot pink, yellow, and green little birds. Again the theme was just precious.

Cheers to such a magnificent and fun day. I will never forget all the personalized touches, over-the-top decor, and most of all, the women that stood in that room. At the end of the shower I took a moment to reflect what each women represented to me. Some of them I've known for quite some time. Others...are friendship is just blooming. I was stunned to realize how far some guest drove...Dallas, Tulsa, Clinton and so on. Scott and I are floored to know people would give up their time (on a Saturday) to show our growing family love and support. Regardless, each person has touched Scott and my life in a way we can never articulate. Someday, I hope Izzy takes qualities of these women and grows in their love as I have. She is blessed to be surrounded my strong, successful, loving ladies. I can't wait for her to meet them...someday. What a gorgeous brunch and an even better start to our baby girls life!

Baby Girl Clinton Fiesta

 This past weekend was our first baby shower. It was so much fun! How can we ever thank the Rother family enough for all their hard work to this fabulous fiesta? We had no idea what in the world the theme was, until we arrived and saw sombreros and festive color balls hanging from their porch. It was also accompanied by "Welcome Izzy J" signs in their front and back yard.

 Their home had all sorts of decor to festively invite Izzy into our lives. From the M&M's in margarita glasses to the yummy enchiladas from none other than Cafe Clinton! It was all so yummy.

Tingie (what Iz will call her sweet grandmother) is on cloud nine for this little angel to come into our lives.

Donna and Kevin got Scott and I a baby book to display and record all the fun things in the next few months...then years of her life. These pages were displayed for people to write sweet messages/wishes for her.

Doug and Sara are out for the "best uncle and aunt" award! They recorded guests speaking, toasts, and us opening gifts. Once we got to their gift we opened an empty video box...it turns out, they were using our camera to get us started. They bought us a video recorder so we have all IJD's life moments on film. You two are the most thoughtful people! Love you.

The Rother family, Scott and I. We are so blessed by your love and support. We don't know where or what we would be without you in our lives.

Our two favorite girls!

Some pictures will have to be displayed in a second posting. This hardly does the decor justice. It was absolutely precious. Along with enchiladas, Donna had guacamole dip, chips, salsa, taco salad, fruit, veggies, and lots of dessert! She knows my sweet tooth all too well. Along with chocolate covered strawberries, she had yummy cookie creations. They were topped with buttercream frosting. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

We feel so lucky to have a couple's shower in Clinton where we love our extended family members. We are ever grateful for the fun things we got and looking forward to Izzy's debut wearing her cute clothes (i.e. rain jacket and boots) and playing with her new toys. This child is so loved! Cheers to the Rother family and the rest of our guests. We can't wait to meet our little girl...someday!

My Beloved

¹ If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.  ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This was one of the three Bible liturgies that was read at our wedding. How in the world did God choose such a beautiful life partner for me? I lucked out when I married the man of my dreams Mr.DSD. Most girls say "man of my dreams" but I truly mean it. I have been praying for Scott since I was a little girl. There would be times we would be in the middle of junior high social studies or a church camp picnic, when all of a sudden I would think "I wonder what in the world my husband is up to at this very moment." Then I would proceed to pray for him. I would pray that he would love our God and lead me to be a better person. I would pray for his safety, health, and his family. I hoped we would fall in love and grow with each other all the day of our lives. Sappy...yes...true...absolutely!

Thank you for bringing us together God. I am literally a living testament of good things happen to those who wait. I am thrilled to be married to such a man of grace, love, and generosity. Cheers to many more anniversaries ahead! Here's to our third....love you so much David Scott.