Widdle Baby

I'm a second cousin for the 13th time! Today my cousin and his wife welcomed their son Brody Nicholas to the world. 

I vividly remember the day his brother was born. It was February of 2008 and that night TFitch, my bro and I hosted a surprise 50th birthday/30th anniversary party for the 'rents. During the party my aunt was telling me all about her newest grandson, going on and on and on about how cute he was. (She also said he was partially such a beautiful baby because he was delivered via a c-section. I had never heard of that before.) For some reason I remember that interaction and conversation very clear. I like the memory.

So today, congrats to Luke, Emily, Abbie and Brennan and welcome to the world Brody Nicholas!  You have a happy Nana angel looking down on you!

Four Babies and a Wedding

Lots of exciting news in my friends' lives lately! First, a dear friend of mine was married in Colorado over the weekend. April and I actually lived just a few doors down from each other on the ninth floor of Sandoz in Lincoln, and we were both advertising majors so we'd see each other around Andersen Hall. She then got a job at Barkley - the job I was applying for, but that's neither here nor there. Luckily, I joined the firm a few months later and we became good friends. We had a few fun NYC experiences together - such as my Lion King of a makeover from Sephora (never get a makeover from a man that just got back from the GLBT parade in Chicago...I'm just saying), literally going to the Lion King together, being on The Today Show together and meeting Michael Keaton. April has a beautiful voice and also sang in my wedding. I wasn't able to attend her nuptials, but I did get to meet up with the newlyweds and a group of their wedding guests at the Rockies game Saturday evening. It was so great to see them! The last time April and I saw each other was during a brief rendezvous at DFW airport - thanks to Rachel's clever Facebook skills. I love that April is a friend you can go a year without seeing, and you can have a great time the next time you reunite. April is a dear friend and wish her and Matt all the best. Congrats.

And you know what they say "first come loves, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in the baby carriage!" Well, four other friends have fairly recently found love, then tied the knot, and now are new parents! Four babies between July 9-13. That's a lot. A huge congrats to Bill and Katy on the arrival of Miles, Sabrina and Tom on the arrival of Alivia Miyoko, Melissa and Ashley on the arrival of Will and Mike and Denise on the arrival of Katherine Eileen. I am so happy for each of you and wish your families the best. Can't wait to meet all of your little ones. It looks like a trip to Baby Gap is in my future!

A question posed to all children's clothing manufacturers:

Why must you slap a bear, dog or giraffe on every article of clothing you make?

My little lunch date

Emilie and I ventured to Methodist over lunch to meet our new little buddy: Jackson Kieth Seger. Jackson arrived last night at 5:44 weighing in at eight pounds, three ounces. He, mom and dad are all doing well! He is absolutely precious and I'm thrilled for the Segers. Kind of makes me tear up when I think back to when I met Michelle - in Mrs. Meeker's 5th grade class - and how fast the years have gone.

Enjoy these photos of the little one.

Also thought you'd enjoy a photo of the sleeping arrangements at our house last night (minus me). We watched Berkley Seger last night so we could take her to Bark Avenue today. She and Macy are having a great time being roomies! So much in fact I dropped their hound hineys off at Bark Ave. at 6:40 this morning (they open at 6:30) and as Brian said, "Wendy will probably pick them up at 6:29:30 tonight." (They close at 6:30.) Just want to make sure we and the Segers are getting our money worth :-)

There's Gonna be a Widdle Won!

Michelle and Brian are at the hospital and by the sounds of it baby Seger will be arriving today! Good choice poppin' out today, little one. You're gonna be a Virgo like your aunt Wendy!

In all seriousness, I can't concentrate because I keep thinking about what's going on! I can't wait to hear about the newest addition ... thinking about you, Segers!

For all you baby Mamas out there

I was on Bed Bath and Beyond's Web site looking for a wedding registry and noticed they now carry baby items. I perused; they have some cute stuff. If you're into that kind of thing.

Today

Today the Rameys welcomed baby boy Everett to their family. WOO!

Today was my last day in the Barkley office. BOO.

I'm not going to lie, walking out of Barkley this morning totally sucked. Barkley has been a huge part of my life for the past five years, two months and 20 days. That's a long time. In that time I've went from Account Manager to Senior Account Manager to Account Supervisor. I moved from Omaha to Kansas City. I went from Hicks to Fitch. I tooled around on Organized Living, Learning Quest, Ameristar, Blue Bunny, Payless, and the Breast Cancer 3-Day. And most importantly several colleagues turned into lifelong friends. It was extremely hard to say good-bye to everyone this morning and I already miss them.

I am very, very excited to start at BL on Tuesday and I know making the move from Barkley to Bailey was the right decision. But it still doesn't make leaving my friends and colleagues at Barkley any easier. Will I stop tearing up? Cause it feels like that is all I have been doing today.

Countdown 'til Baby Seger Arrives

Brian and Michelle will be welcoming a little one at the end of September. Over the weekend Annie, Shannon, Emilie, Megan, Denise and I hosted a shower at Roja to prepare them for baby Seger. It was a great shower. The venue was perfect and complemented the brightly-colored theme we had going on, and the margs (regular and non-alcoholic) were refreshing on the 100+ degree day! We played a few fun games and, most importantly, Brian and Michelle received great gifts. They should be very prepared for him (that's my guess) :-) to arrive.

More photos from the shower can be found HERE. Enjoy!

Meeting and Greeting Stella

Tonight we got to meet precious Stella! She is such a cute, sweet baby and she, Sam and Annie are all doing great. We roadtripped to Lincoln with the Shearers and the Hites and spent about an hour at St. Elizabeth's (where Mike was also born) doting over the Neals. Of course Stella was passed around the room and we all took turns holding the little thing. And of course we had to end the visit with dinner and a celebratory drink at Lazlo's (where we of course cheersed the Neals). I don't think I can say it enough - we're so thrilled for them!

PS: Denise, I just realized I didn't get a photo of you and Stella and I apologize greatly! Next time - I promise!

Welcome Stella!

At 6:56 p.m. yesterday, Sam and Annie welcomed Stella Alexandra Neal into the world! Haven't seen photos yet but with blue eyes and brown hair she sounds absolutely darling! Most importantly mom and baby are both doing well! We're planning to head to Lincoln tomorrow night to congratulate the Neals in person and to meet little Stella. We are absolutely thrilled for Sam and Annie and can't wait to meet this little girl. Many blessings to the Neals!

I can barely take it anymore!

Baby Girl Neal is due SUNDAY! And, while I want her born on Sunday (that's what I guessed in the poll :-)), I want her here now so we can meet her! For some reason I thought it was happening yesterday and every time my phone rang and it was a friend I thought maybe it was baby news :-).

Anyway, congratulations again, Sam and Annie! We're all so anxious to meet your new daughter!