Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Baby Rodeo

I spent the beginning of February visiting my family in Texas. While my trips home are always special (mostly because they're so rare), this one had a special twist!

A baby shower! (Surprise- his name is Samuel!)

My mom and sister have been such a huge support to me throughout my entire pregnancy and they were sweet enough to throw me a cowboy-themed shower. Even though I've been in Massachusetts for the last decade (seriously, when did 10 years fly by?), I'm still a Texan at heart. I can't wait to teach my cowpoke all about his Lonestar roots!

From the decorations to the cake, this shower was pure country.

Baby boots filled with bluebonnets! My mom's boss has saved her children's cowboy boots since they were small and she has quite the collection. For her son's graduation party, her sisters filled them with flowers to use as centerpieces. She was kind enough to loan us these adorable decorations.

Don't squat with your spurs on!

Everyone's favorite cartoon cowboy, Woody!


I was blown away by the cake- this boot cake was the end-all, be-all of cakes. It was a monster- I'm guessing it was cut from at least a half-sheet cake. A&J Bakery on Oaklawn in Dallas made this yellow-cake and chocolate-frosted dream come true. I'm not ashamed to say I ate three pieces.

Because it was a book shower, my friends and family generously gave us copies of their favorite children's books. Sam has quite the library now! We got the Berenstain Bears, several Sandra Boynton classics, the full set of Boxcar Children books, and so many more. I already read one of the Hardy Boys books- quite an adventure! Everyone was so sweet explaining why they gave us each book- many were favorites of the shower guests or their children. I'm a huge book lover, so this was the perfect way to celebrate my sweet boy. Link




In true Betty-fashion, I completely forgot to take pictures of myself with any of my guests. I think my mom may have a few stashed on her camera.

As much fun as I had swapping stories with my friends and family, the real star of the show woke up from her nap half way through.

Isabella is going to be the best cousin ever!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Lullabies

I've been composing a list in my head for years. It's a list of lullabies that I want to remember to sing my child. It's grown with songs remembered from movies, moments in my life, and the radio.

I cannot wait to rock my son some late night this summer and whisper these words in his ear.

Combing through my iTunes account pulled these songs into the playlist that will hopefully soothe a sad face and inspire a giggle or two.

Baby Mine by Bette Midler
A Wink and a Smile by Harry Connick, Jr.
Hearts and Bones by Paul Simon
You and I by Ingrid Michaelson
Let Him Fly by the Dixie Chicks
The Luckiest by Ben Folds
The House That Built Me by Miranda Lambert
Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel
Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
This Guy's In Love With You by Harry Connick, Jr.
Help Me by Joni Mitchell
The Heart of Life by John Mayer
Elderly Woman Behind the Counter by Pearl Jam
Lover Lay Down by Dave Matthews Band
All At Sea by Jamie Cullum
Sing by Kristin Chenoweth
Deeper than the Holler by Randy Travis
Power of Two by the Indigo Girls
Stardust by Nat King Cole
Selah by Lauryn Hill
More than Anyone by Gavin DeGraw
Annie's Song by John Denver
I'll Have to Say I Love You by Jim Croce
Better Together by Jack Johnson
Smile (Charlie Chaplin) by Glee Cast
River by Joni Mitchell
Fire and Rain by James Taylor
Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison
Little Houses by Doug Stone
I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder
When I Fall In Love by Celine Dion
Times Like These by Jack Johnson
Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce
20 Years by The Civil Wars
Let Nothing Separate Us by Arthur Conley
Hush, Hush, Hush by Paula Cole
Danny's Song by Loggins and Messina
Gracie by Ben Folds
The Nearness of You by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning by Carly Simon
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You by Damien Rice
Just to See You Smile by Tim McGraw
When Somebody Loves You by Sarah McLachlan
Bye Bye Blackbird by Joe Cocker
Mother Nature's Son by Sheryl Crow
Blackbird by Sarah McLachlan
The Glory of Love by Keb' Mo
In My Life by the Beatles
When the Stars Go Blue by Tyler Hilton and Bethany Joy Lenz
Sunrise by Norah Jones
Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
Moonlight Serenade by Frank Sinatra

I'd love suggestions for other songs to add- I want him to be surrounded by music.