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.

"Mama's" Creeper

At 8 months, our little babe is talking up a storm. We may not be able to understand this secret language of his, but he seems to think that he has some very important information to share. We hear a lot of "mamama" (I'm calling it now- his official first word is "mama") and we hear screams of joy, and a lot of other happy (and mad) shrills. He has the gift of gab.

He has also become quite the social bug. He has been busy on play dates with his friends both young and old. He always puts on a show and is very chill and pleasant when others are around. But when its just mom and dad, the pouting begins. 

My poor child is just like his mama when it comes to his separation anxiety. This has been our biggest issue this month. He is awesome during the day. Then at night he has to be rocked to sleep. Then around 12:30-6:00am we have about 3-4 wake up calls. Despite, Ryan and I both being walking zombies, we are just trying to figure out the best way to get him to self-soothe. We will be seeing his pediatrician shortly, so this will definitely be one of the topics to cover.

We do not have a crawler yet. It's okay that he isn't creeping around yet though...because he can stay in one place and be perfectly content just playing with his toys. He starting to eat different foods (he loves sweet potato puffs). He is also sitting up so well that he had to be moved to the "Creepers" room at the church nursery. 

Despite his nightly awakenings, he is at a really fun age right now. His personality is shining though and he loves going on adventures with mom and dad! This upcoming month has a lot in store...a florida trip, halloween and new teeth!

he loves his new hat!

daddy and me

too big for the pumpkin seat...he's in the big boy convertible

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.

Look like a Robinson, Act like a Vargas

My son does not act like he is only 7 months old. The kid knows how to work it. I am amazed by his ability already to read others' emotions and either mimic or correctly respond. And he always achieves this in dramatic fashion. I gathered a few pictures taken from the other day to prove my point.

He may look just like his father, but he acts just like his mom. He never wants to be alone. He always has to be touching someone. He loves to party...the more people the better. Any time he hears music, he starts bouncing to the beat. (He has way better rhythm than Ryan or have ever had.)

Knowing what I put my parents through growing up and even to this day...I have realized that their wild child is getting a little payback. At least I know things won't ever get boring around here!

Despite being a nut, he's actually quite fun. And I've decided, this kid is pretty cool.

poser

the dramatics of briggs

hi im cute. and im mischievous. and i love dad. 

thanks for stopping by! love, briggs

Broad Ripple Birthday

Yesterday was my 27th birthday. And I got exactly what I wanted....a day with my family. Ryan and I took the day off and went on a day trip to Broad Ripple. We walked the Monon, drank a beer at Broad Ripple Brew Pub and spent the afternoon at the park with our baby.

It's funny how much life can change in just a few short years. For my 24th birthday I went to Broad Ripple as well. However, it was at a very different time and for very different reasons. While I loved the "party" phase in my young twenties, I am much more content today. I have an inner peace and constant joy that I couldn't claim then. 

I realize that with every birthday will come a higher number in age and while sometimes that seems a little scary, yesterday showed me that it's okay that we are all growing up. It's a part of life. And I am living mine to the fullest with those I love most.

Green Beans? No thank you.

When we first started feeding Briggs solid foods, my intentions were to be sure to feed him his vegetables first. So we fed him sweet potatoes and carrots- which he still loves. Before moving on to the greens, we tried out some fruit. He loves them so much he may just turn into a banana.

However, now he won't eat any of his greens! He is so dramatic whenever we try to feed them to him. This green bean video just goes to show what a ham he can be.

Are we torturing our child?

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.