After All

Sadie's wedding this passed weekend was one of the most beautiful I had EVER witnessed. It was SO Sadie. It was so nice seeing my friends in Chicago and getting to spend the weekend with our whole family.

Funny story about the weekend- Ryan and I were so paranoid leading up to the trip because of the sleeping situation. My mom, dad, sister and her husband Ryan all shared a room with Ryan, Briggs and I. Since Briggs has not been sleeping through the night, we were worried about what kind of disturbance he would be and whether or not we would have to spend our night in the lobby with a wakeful baby.

It turns out, we didn't need to worry. Briggs did have his moments, but his Uncle Ryan snored so loud that he won the loud boy prize. So thanks for taking the pressure off, Uncle Ryan!

sweet, sweet chicago

the most handsome guy on the block

our family

On the actual wedding day Sadie, Austin and the rest of the bridal party traveled via trolley and went to at least 7 locations around Chicago for pictures. I honestly got a tour of Chicago and saw places that I had never seen before. They will have the most stunning pictures I'm sure. Hopefully she will let me post a few once she gets them back.

I think my favorite moment of the day is when Sadie walked down the aisle. She traveled down to the alter during the bridge to the most beautiful David Crowder Band song "After All (Holy)" I had never heard it but now... I. CAN'T.STOP.LISTENING.

Enjoy.

My Best Friend's Wedding!

Today is Sunday, so it is officially wedding week! My pretty blonde ballerina is tying the knot on Saturday.

Austin, I promise not to try and steal your bride away like in Julia Robert's film. I won't have to. (because I know a part of her heart will always belong to me-hehe) But seriously, while I am at work meeting up at appointments or doing laundry or playing with baby, I am going to be praying for the upcoming nuptials of my beautiful friend. She is one of the most beautiful women I know but her external beauty does not hold a candle to her heart.

Austin and future Piller babies-you are very lucky to have this beautiful soul as the lady of your family. She is lovely, she is incredibly smart and witty. She is spiritual and a Jesus soldier. She is a teacher and a listener. She is a cheerleader and a confidant. She is a Disney movie watcher and a bunk bed cuddler. She loves culture and embraces and loves those who need loving. Ever since the first time the little mexican tomboy walked into her dorm floor and laid eyes on the tall blonde ballerina there has been love. It will never fade and will continue to grow stronger as we raise our families on this path God has blessed us to walk hand in hand on.

I feel so honored to be standing next to you on your wedding day. I wish nothing but happiness for my best friend and my new brother.

with all my love,

copper

the cake at the shower for the future mr. & mrs. piller

the stunning strausbaugh sisters

all the girls at the shower in july

Todd & Copper forever and always.

happy wedding week sadie alyse strausbaugh.

xoxo.

Wedding Pro

Our little Briggs has become a wedding expert this year With my sister and two of my best friends getting hitched this summer/fall, he really hasn't had much of choice.  It seems like every weekend we have had either a wedding, shower, or bachelorette party and he has been planning and participating like a champ.

At Brittani's shower a couple of weeks ago, he participated in the games, charmed the ladies, and even managed to take a little snooze. This past weekend, I went up to Wisconsin at a lake house for Sadie's bachelorette party. I spent 2 whole nights away from the little bugger. While my heart ached for him the entire time I was gone, I know that it was needed for Briggs and Ryan. They needed some bonding time especially when he has been so attached to me lately (major separation anxiety issues).

I also left the weekend feeling completely refreshed. Sometimes I think as moms (or just women in general) we get so caught up in doing things for others that we forget about ourselves. The weekend with my girlfriends was such a rejuvenation of my spirit that in turn, I came back ready to conquer the world and be a better mom to the baby and a better wife to Ryan. It just goes to show how therapeutic some time with your girlfriends can be and to always stay balanced.

Here are some pictures from Briggs's shower participation at Brittani's a few weekends ago.

Here's to you, Mrs. Matthews

They did it! Kara and Ryan are offish!

While they are off on their honeymoon, we have been able to skype. Here is one of the pictures Kara emailed me during one of her skype sessions with dad and Briggs.

The kids is becoming quite the character. Especially during the week of the wedding. And I have to brag on our little ring bearer. He was such a trooper during this crazy week. He got off schedule, he worked hard at practicing his ring bearing duties, and he slept during the reception in his Aunt Maria's and Aunt Mary Lou's arms so that mom and dad could have fun. I was asking a lot out of our almost 5 month old and I couldn't be prouder.

Briggsy so happy to practice the week of the wedding

Rehearsal time

He could get use to this

The real deal-our handsome little man

May Day

With the baby boy turning four months old, some of my upcoming anxieties have come along with it. Wedding season has arrived. I feel so honored and blessed to be a part of three of my best friends' weddings this summer and fall. I am thrilled to be planning bachelorette, bridal and other wedding festivities for some of my most treasured people. But along with the planning, comes leaving my sweet baby. Not only is this difficult for me emotionally...it's tough physically too. Let me explain:

Last week, we were able to celebrate my baby sister's last single night out in Bloomington. It was such a joy to see her live it up with friends and family!

However, I spent about every three hours trying to find an outlet so that I could pump since I am still nursing. While I would love to have my body back, I'm not ready to give up nursing. I know that it is the best thing for Briggs. While we will be introducing food to him in the near future, it is my goal to at least supplement him with my milk until he is a year old. With that being said, it is becoming more and more difficult with traveling and working full time.

So I am more determined than ever. This week, we will be traveling to Florida for Briggs's FIRST trip. I plan to not pump so I can take a little break and just feed him exclusively. I can't wait to have him by my side every second for a whole week. If I could keep him in the moby wrap for 24/7, I would. But at least going on vacation and not having to leave him for a week will suffice.

Here are the latest pictures of our love bug.