gender reveal

I went back and forth on whether to do a Gender Reveal Party.  It's something I've seen on Pinterest and always been intrigued by.  The having to wait a couple weeks after our ultrasound to find out the gender didn't bother me.  I just didn't want people to think it was tacky and I was concerned about planning if all didn't go as planned... and I was only beginning to get my energy back so it had been daunting to think about until the second trimester.

I had my monthly appointment in mid-March and our ultrasound was scheduled for  a little over a week later on 3/29.  I talked to Jay and my sister about it - I basically had to decide that week if I wanted to do the Reveal Party.  Jay was all for it and Kara thought it was a great idea too.  My mom said we always love to throw get-togethers so it wouldn't be weird at all - just another excuse to party!

Basically what we would do is have the ultrasound tech determine the gender and write it down and put it in a sealed envelope. We wouldn't know.  Then we would give the envelope to a baker and have a cake that was gender neutral on the outside but pink or blue (cake or icing) on the inside.  We'd have our closest friends and family over for a get-together and all find out together. Fun right?

I decided no official invites until after the ultrasound in case Baby Lee didn't "cooperate."  I was looking at Etsy for some fun printables and my sister convinced me we could make our own.  I got some inspiration from Etsy but came up with my own theme - Mickey silhouette with a bowtie and Minnie silhouette with a bow... then I themed it out from there.  I love a theme.  From the return labels on the invitations, to the invites, to food tent labels, to cupcake toppers, etc.  I really liked how it turned out! I didn't print anything until after the ultrasound though.

My mom came with us to the ultrasound.  It seemed like the tech was uncomfortable writing down the gender.  Before she even checked it, she was telling us how it wasn't 100% certain and so on.  We gave her the option of telling my mom or writing it down.  She told my mom.  I do NOT know how my mom did such a good job keeping it a secret.  It did make me feel better about the cake though because my mom was able to order it and be pretty specific.  Good thing we were both busy with work and we only had 2 weeks to keep it under wraps!  Easter was the following weekend and the party after that.

Some people still didn't get that WE (Jay and I) didn't know the gender either until the party.  It was a blast!

Now for the fun party - the pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wait a minute, what do you mean I have to share my room with a baby SISTER?!?!

PS - I've also labeled this under 35 by 35 for the "printables." They are just clip art, fun fonts, and Microsoft office but I figure they count and I came up with them myself :-)

Jay's Graduation!

On 12/14/2012 I had one of those super proud moments.  The type you remember forever.  My amazingly smart and brilliant husband graduated from college. He already had (several!) associates degrees, but while working super hard to support our family, he continued on with school for his Bachelor's in Business Management with a concentration in Accounting.  Eventually he plans to go forward with schooling for a Masters and hopefully will be able to fulfill his goal of working in accounting and/or teaching at the collegiate level.  He truly is so smart it's crazy.  I hope our kids learn from his hard work ethic and I hope they are blessed with his smart genes!  My mom, sister, and my mom's boyfriend joined Keegan and I in watching Jay walk the stage. Aahhhh....

 

 

 

 

Megan's Baby Brunch 12-02-12

I've become good friends with Megan - the "First Lady" of our Church a/k/a the Pastor's wife.  Their family feels like family to me if that is possible.  I am so blessed to have them in my life!  Megan was expecting their third child in January.  He made a surprise appearance a few weeks early in late December and is just the cutest thing!

My other other half Amanda (my bff that I work with, go to church with, and spend more time than anyone with) wanted to plan a sprinkle/brunch for Megan and AJ (the pastor) with some of our church friends and monthly bible study friends.  We decided to hold it at Beef O'Brady's here in Lehigh because they have a separate room but it would keep it simple food-wise and we'd be able to surprise Megan (she thought her and AJ were going to lunch after church).

I ordered some cute cupcake topper printables from Etsy and made cupcakes and purchased  some matching plates, napkins etc.  I had also ordered matching candy bar wrappers for favors.  I probably shouldn't admit this, but I made a diaper cake too (it was very basic and not that pretty or sturdy!). That was kind of the extent of decorating but I thought the cupcakes and candy bars were cute.  I have a thing with cutesy cupcakes and cupcake topper printables.