Dress up

So Dana I came to a compromise.  I can play dress up Elle as long as I do the laundry.  Sounds like a deal.  What fun is having a little girl if you can't change her outfits multiple times a day!?

 One of Dee's friends gave Elle this rain hat and boots at the baby shower.  I say she'll get use of them during Portland's annual average of 300+ days of rain.  (Reason number one why I don't live there).

After Elle's brunch it was time to change Elle again.  My friends Olivia and Tirza and kids are coming from Silverton to spend the afternoon with us.



Little girls in smocked dresses will always remind me of my days of living in the south.  They are a must for every wardrobe and are usually monogrammed are paired with larger than life hair bows, ruffle socks and white Mary Jane KEDS or black patent leathers.  So LaLa had to buy Elle one or two or three.  (With orders to save them in case I should be blessed with a baby girl someday!)





Dana said Elle can't wear this outfit to the park this afternoon.  So, guess we'll have to do another outfit change.  But we'll wait until after our friends arrive!

A baby shower for Sonia

My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first child this October.  A BOY!

Her sister and brother's wife had a wonderful shower for her in Portland today.  Baby Hughie's nursery will be a water life theme.  The decor for the shower was perfect!

Sonia and her family

Genie, Sonia's sister-in-law is playing will Elle.  Both Ken and Sonia's family have all boys for the grandchildren.  Elle is the one and only girl.  She and baby Hughie will be four months a part and live a few miles away from one another.



Sweet baby girl chilling with her mama.

and then snoozing with her nana.

Lunch was delicious Lebanese cuisine.

Presents from the Hughies.  I filled a St. Jude bag with baby boy clothes and outfitted him for the pool.  My parents bought the BOB stroller and made a beautiful quilt.

Three sisters



Sonia and her nephews Athan and Eli cutting the yummy cake.

Aunt Sonia and baby girl



The little guests stayed occupied in the bounce house.  That is, until Eli kept deflating it by unplugging it.

Baby Hughie will be all set thanks to everyone's generosity.

A beautiful day celebrating Sonia, Ken and baby Hughie!!



Let the Oregon vacation begin!!!

A trip to Oregon almost always includes time at The Thomas Residence.  I sleep in the guest room right next to Dylan's room.  Oh how I love waking up to a squeaky three year old voice shouting, BULINDA???  BULINDA??? I'm ready to get up now!!!

We had some bonding in our jammies and watching Thomas The Train.



We eventually ate breakfast, got dressed and headed to downtown Portland.  Lindsey had an appointment.  So I took Dylan on a little shopping spree.  

This boy never stops talking.  And I LOVE his antics!!!  All through Nordstrom Rack he was shouting commentary.  Uh Buhlinda, that's a pretty shirt.... I like those shoes... I have to go potty... 

We ate a yummy lunch at Chipotle.  (With our shades on).  And then Lindsey drove me to Dana's house.  Dylan put on his sad face and said, I don't want Buhlinda to leave our house.  Love that boy!

Linds and I.  My beautiful friend!

I LOVE you Dylie Jack!

Dylan Jackson,

Oh how you make my heart happy.  I love how enthusiastic you are and your boundless amounts of energy make my head spin.  You are growing so fast and I love watching your bright, sunny spirit grow and grow!

A baby shower for Dana to celebrate Elle Julianne!

Today was Dana's baby shower. It's a marathon post with lots of photos... but I couldn't leave any out. What an amazing day full of excitement for Dana and Nick to become parents to Elle Julianne. Elle will be the first granddaughter on the Hughie side and the first grandchild for The Everetts (Nick's family).

Elle is all set with everything she could ever need and lots of fun treats too!

Many of Dana's friends from Sisters High School were able to attend. Sidney, Chelsea and Lucy and Dana have known each other for over ten years.

My friends Tirza, Lindsey and Olivia were here to celebrate with us. Tirza has a new baby boy, Weston Lee.

West was quite the popular dude today. Everybody wanted to hold him. He was all smiles and is such a mellow and happy little guy!

Janice and I had a fun time with the decorations. We made photo frames and candles with baby pictures of Dana, Nick, and their parents. I also found a very interesting piece of history ~ a baby care book from 1942... my how times have changed!

Dana's Mother-in-Law, Julie (who will soon be a Grammie and is Elle's middle names namesake) made an awesome candy bar.

There were even personalized M&M's! Too cute!

A delicious strawberry and champagne cake

And yummy catering from Tate and Tate in Central Oregon.

We had some fun shower games, including trivia from Legally Blonde. Dana fell in love with the name Elle after watching Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.

Janice is such a great hostess and party planner extraordinaire

Mama and her girls

With Elle's mama, aunts and grandmothers

The Sisters crew

Elle now has a great library of books to choose from. Dana and I were read to a lot growing up and I know that this tradition will carry on for Sweet Elle.

Presents galore!

Her first tutu and baby legs leg warmers!!!! (Aunt LALA can't wait)

.... and a Petunia Pickle Bottom.

My Aunt Susan (mom's sister) came all the way from Arkansas!

Sorority Sisters from Oregon State

Dee's hands along with Grammie and Nana Oregon's

I'm so excited to have a niece!

Due next month!

Elle will have a new cousin this October. It's Baby Central for the Hughies and we can't wait!!!