Petite Bebe

The title speaks for itself (in French) and has it's origins (in my mind) from The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, in which they refer to loved ones as such. In this case, however, it really is about a sweet precious little one who I cannot wait to meet, but will for the sake of his health.

{Me, Em, and Mom on Saturday}

This weekend made it feel really real, as if Em's growing bebe bump (in all its precious goodness) didn't. On Friday night, her fabulous work friends from Le Bonheur threw her a shower, and on Saturday a few of her friends (myself included) threw her another one. Needless to say we're all feeling pretty loved, Ben, Emily, and Bebe T, especially. 

{The hostesses: me, Shannon, Courtney, Em, Kelley, Danielle, and Lauren}

Along with my hostessing duties (thankfully I had five awesome ladies to share it with), I got to go home with Em and mom after the showers to help unload the "loot" and attempt to organize the mass quantities of petite items to their designated cubby. I will say, I'm not a cleaner, and this type of organizing was the most fun ever. I found myself asking for more things to help with (Em, you better take advantage of this). 

{Me, Em, and Ash}

{refueling between shower and unloading/organizing loot = giant coke zero}

Here's a look at some of the progress in said nursery. As some of you know, Emily and Ben did find out they're having a boy, but are keeping the name a secret from everyone (family included) until the little nugget is born. 

{in progress closet}

They do, however, already have a name and have been surprisingly great at keeping it a secret while still monogramming everything they can (he'll have a block wooden monogram above his bed, his "coming home from the hospital outfit" is already sporting his moniker, as well as other items like his church bag and Easter outfit). Funny thing is, we don't get to see the monogram until he's born either. No hints. No nothing. Emily will show us the items and cover up the letters with her hand or various other means. It's quite cute. 

{in progress nursery}

Whatever his name is, I cannot wait to meet him. If he comes on his due date, we have T-minus 56 days. And many more experiences like the photo below as a new auntie.

A few gifts got shoved in my purse to make room for larger ones in the car Saturday, and while reaching for my keys after church Sunday, I found this little surprise waiting for me. He's not even born yet, and this is happening. And I love it.

Deck the Halls

 

This is how I like to imagine I look as I decorate... the reality is me in sweats and a top knot covered in ornament glitter and garland watching Christmas classics and dragging boxes down our pull-down attic stairs. Either way, I'll take it. It's decorating time, folks!

In honor of tomorrow's festivities (hanging tinsel on anything that stands still long enough), I painted my nails bright Christmas red. The jolly color is technically Essie's "Really Red," but hey, who am I to get caught up in technicalities. They'll no doubt be chipped and broken after lugging boxes and stringing lights outside, but I couldn't be more excited. 

In normal tradition, my family decks our halls the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but since Thanksgiving is late this year... we wanted ample time to enjoy the trimmings and trappings before 2014 forces us to take them down. 

This year, I even have two houses to decorate! My family's house, which Lulu and I try to make the North Pole, and JT's house, which will be just enough to make neighborhood kids not think he's a  Scrooge (he's been very generous and allowed me to do as I please, but I'm trying to limit myself to areas of the house including the mantle, a tree, and the front porch). I cannot wait. I'll share the finished product with y'all soon!

Is it tomorrow yet?!

Mama said...

...there'd be days, like this, my mama said.

-The Shirelles 

 

{our cold brewed coffee at Tamp & Tap}

Yesterday was just an ordinary day, but it turned out to be one for the books. It started off earlier than normal because I had the opportunity to speak to a newspaper class at Hutchison High School. It went well, and then I scooted over to a Germantown Chamber meeting for the magazine we publish for them. Afterward, I made the trek downtown to my office, and soon noticed there wasn't much on my agenda (rare considering we're in the middle of production for MBQ and Memphis mag). 

With pangs in my stomach and cravings in my head, all I wanted was to meet up with someone and go to lunch (shout out to Mere and Emmsbemms whose lunch rendezvous leave me insanely jealous). In vain, I texted a few people who were either at work, out of town, or otherwise engaged. That's when I decided I'd try my wonderful mama.

 

{our VisionSouce trip to Maui, Hawaii in January 2011}

For those who don't know, my mom is an optometrist and VP of a non-profit to boot, so her day off (Wednesday) is usually stacked with appointments and various errands no where close to downtown. That's why I assumed she'd be way too busy to trek downtown to grab a long lunch. To my delight, her schedule had opened up and she met me at Tamp & Tap.

 

{when we walked the St. Jude 5k to be near Emily as she 

ran the half marathon in December 2012}

We ordered, ate, sipped cold brewed coffee and chatted about life, love and how I shouldn't be turning 24 this fall since she hasn't aged a bit. It was one of those rare lunches where no one had anywhere else to be and we could stay as long as we wanted. Sadly, I can't recall the last time it was just my mom and me for a meal out. It was a rare treat, and certainly a highlight. One of those moments you know you'll look back on and say, "Remember when..."

As we left, I said I was surprised she had time to come downtown for lunch. Her response couldn't have been a better life lesson (crazy how mama's are full of these little lessons). She said, "I had so many things I knew I needed to do, but thought, 'I better grab life's joy while I can.'"

So get out there and grab life's joy, while you can. 

#LuluLessons

 

{lulu's birthday in 2012}