Where Have I Been?

Extremely freaking busy!

With the baby shower being at my house over the weekend, it lit a fire under my ass to get my house in gear. Sure, it is set up all nice, but I had been slacking HUGE on hanging things up and decorating. I am not good at that kind of thing. Thursday night I invited my mom and grandma over to help me clean. Rather than clean, they went to town hanging pictures, putting things here, orders were flying like crazy. By the end of the night, I had a list of things that I needed to go get by the time they showed back up at my house Friday night. My house was turning into a home before my eyes. It was wonderful.

Friday, I got my butt to work and spent the day getting things done because I knew I would be leaving early to get all my errands done in time for my mother and grandma to show up. I had fun. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond looking for a picture to hang above our fire place. While there, I found towels on sale so got some to put in Eli's and my bathroom and a little rug to go outside our shower since we were just using a towel on the flower for almost a year now. I found a beautiful picture...but it wasn't exactly what I had expected. I know I found a few other things, but they were little. After BBB, I made my way to Target. Oh how I love Target. There, I didn't find anything that caught my eye for the house, but did pick up Valentine's Day cards. And then I went to one of my most favorite places ever - Kohl's. I love, love, love their prices. I ended up finding the cutest damn shirt to wear for my shower there along with kitchen towels and wash clothes, a picture for above the fire place that was HALF of the one from BBB and way nicer, another piece of artwork for $20 that I couldn't resist, and I am not sure what else. I was ecstatic.

I got home and had enough time to take a small nap before my house was once again invaded and taken over. The work that the two of them do is just beautiful. They have an eye for everything and are so creative. While they busied themselves hanging things and doing whatever it is that they do, I busied myself cleaning the house and Eli finished up the last of the painting. By the time the night was over, which was so freaking LATE, we were all exhausted...BUT my house looked incredible. It still does. I love walking through the door. Our daughter's room turned out absolutely beautiful. I am so glad that I went with yellow on the walls instead of a light pink. I had bought white letters for her name to hang above the crib. Well, my aunt being crafty like my grandma and mom saw something in a magazine and asked if she could jazz them up. I handed them over and let me tell you how absolutely gorgeous they turned out. She did the most beautiful job. I can't wait to share.

Saturday morning came way early. But I was ready and super excited. My bestest friends showed up at 8:45 eager to kick Eli and I out so that they could start decorating and doing what they needed to do to prepare for the shower...a shower that they put more time and effort into. I can't even begin to explain how grateful and appreciative I am of the job that they did. It was beautiful. When I showed up at my house just hours later, it took my breath away. No detail was overlooked. Everything was beautiful. There were fresh cut pink roses that were placed in glass baby bottles, cute decorations, balloons, yummy food, yummy drinks, personal touches. It was incredible. Just wait until you see pictures and even they don't do the day/shower or their hard work justice.

I literally felt like a princess. I have never felt so special, so loved in my life. To have such amazing people there to share in my happiness for my daughter, to have contributed so many beautiful gifts, to add so many wonderful memories...I am forever grateful and honored. I had my own sash and crown. Swae even had her own sash to wear and was treated even more like a princess than me. I love her to the moon and back and then some. I am very thankful that her mom let her come and be a part of the day. It definitely wouldn't have been the same or as wonderful without her.

After the amazing shower, spending some time with Swae before her mom picked her up, and cleaning up, Jill, Kara, Tara, and I just sat around talking and relaxing and spending time. It was the perfect way to end the day...with the three most wonderful friends a girl could ever ask for. We were all exhausted. I kept thanking them for the beautiful job they had done, but those words don't express it right. I am so happy that Kara flew in for just this one event and that I got to spend so much time with her. To have her by my side was incredible. I have hated not having her around more through the pregnancy. I don't know what it is, but whenever she is here and Skylar moves, I always seek her out and grab her hand to put on my tummy. I want her to feel her as much as possible since her time is limited. And Jill got a great picture showing just that.

Saturday will be a day that I remember for the rest of my life. It will be a day that I hold dear and never, ever let go. I can't wait to return the favor to Kara, Tara, and Jill when their day comes to have a sweet child. I can't wait to make them feel as special and loved as they made me feel.

And with that, I am going to end this. Pictures to come. I have a ton from my camera and know that both Kara and Tara have great ones on theirs as well that I will be getting. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!