Meeting Rylee

In December, I had planned a surprise baby sprinkle for Scott's sister, Helen, who was due with her second baby girl, Rylee, but the doctor had moved the date up for delivery and they weren't able to make it to Austin for the sprinkle. Of course we were a little bummed, but thrilled to know that our little niece would be here sooner than later. On the 27th, she was born.

December 27, 2013

This past weekend was a special weekend for us. At 4 weeks old, Rylee took her first big trip to Austin, Texas to see her Aunt Minnie, what Raelyn calls me, and Uncle Bubba (Scott). We were so very excited.

We got the house pristine and cleaned up (no more boa feathers), and I set up some of the decor that we had for the baby sprinkle and voila - now we had a "Welcome Baby" type thing going on.

I am not a crafter, but I had so much fun making the diaper wreath and the chicken wire frame for bows and pictures. I ordered the garland from OrangeGoRound, and they were so perfect, Helen loved them. They were shorter than I had thought so those are actually four garlands, two tied together. I was able to also send them with Helen for decor for the nursery. I highly recommend this shop - they were quick shipping, budget friendly, and Ann Marie who runs the shop is super responsive and sweet. The Welcome Baby card was a great find ordered from jane.com (is anyone else as addicted as I am to this shop?)

Scott wrote the sweetest letter to Rylee that she will be able to read and cherish when she is older. He is such a good Uncle!

Meeting Rylee was so fun. She is just the tiniest thing, and looks just like her mama. She slept most of the time, but even when she cried it was so quiet and sweet. Raelyn also has gotten so big and is talking so much. Seriously one of the smartest two year olds. She sings, she can count to eleven, yes eleven, in English AND in Spanish (thanks Dora the Explorer!).

We spent the weekend mostly at the house just chatting and loving on the babies, it was so relaxed and fun. We got out on Saturday to go to the Austin Aquarium, has anyone been? We were not too terribly pleased with how much it was built up but how little there was to see. Probably only would go there again for a child's birthday party or something. Next time we will probably just do Sea World. I want to see some penguins and pet the dolphins! We ate at Red's Porch on South Lamar before going. It was so good!

On our way to Aquarium! 

At Red's Porch

Hi Five's for Uncle Bubba

Petting little Sharks at the Aquarium

Playing with the Birds at the Aquarium

We also attempted to take some pictures of the girls, which is pretty hard to do with a two year old! Raelyn was not having it, so we got a few candid shots and they were just oh so cute! Also, the pictures of Rylee, I just love her. I am definitely no photographer, but I love shooting with my Canon T3i. I have a 50mm 1.4 lens that I got for my birthday this past December, and am still learning how to use it.

That face, though. She is so cute. If you can't tell already, we have decked them out in Austin attire! Gotta remember their crazy Aunt and Uncle from the Weird City!! We also had Big Sister, Little Sister shirts made from BInduldged Boutique, a fun little Etsy shop and they. were. so. precious. Also ordered them a little bigger than actual baby size so the girls will have a little time to grow and wear them in the future. I mean... how cute are these!?!

Cuddles with Aunt Minnie watching movies.
Huxley was laying on me like a baby and just snoring away haha.

We even got a great family photo. Helen, Jonas, Raelyn, and Rylee. So sweet!

It was a wonderful weekend and I am so blessed to be a part of  this family. Rylee is just the sweetest thing and we can't wait to watch her grow up with her big sister, Raelyn.

Lastly, you have to watch this video. Uncle Bubba and Raelyn playing with Huxley. This went on all night and it was just the funniest and cutest thing I've ever seen. Enjoy!

Trip to see Raelyn

Morning, friends! Hope you all had a blast yesterday, and for those that worked - hope you had a fun night! We left directly after work on Tuesday evening to go visit with Scott's sister, Helen, her hubby Jonas, and cute little 6 month old Raelyn.

They live in way Southeast Texas around the Lufkin/Beaumont area, and it took about 4 hours. I love these little road trips because Texas is just gorgeous with all of the lakes, rivers, and trees.

A lot of you asked me to make sure I snap some cute pictures and videos, and I sure did! We took Huxley with us, and he was SO sweet with Raelyn, the only thing we even had to ask him to do is to stop kissin' her so much! hehe I am glad to know he loves babies/kids!

Raelyn is still learning how to crawl right now, but she is just the happiest baby. Always smiling!

Doesn't this picture make your heart melt!? Oh and by the way, the adorable headband pictured on her was made by Mrs. Mallorie Owens - and I've gotten a few headbands from her for Raelyn and my little Annalee (who is the 5 month old of our best friends). They are SO cute, high quality, and comfortable for the girls. You all need to check out her shop right hurr and get some for yourself or other cute babies you know:

Mallorie's Shop

Anyway, we spent the fourth just lying around the house, chatting, had some watermelon, made a 5 cheese lasagna, and watched movies - and watched Raelyn and Huxley play :-)

Oh, and did I mention how sweeeeeeeeeet it is to see Scottie with his little niece? He is so cute around babies. Scott's family has called him "bubba" since he was practically born, and he was on cloud 9 since Raelyn's first "word" right now is saying "bubba"... gosh I tried to get it on video but you know how babies are- they only do it when you look away/shut off the cam haha. It was so adorable though!

We drove back to Austin around 5pm, so as we were getting into town we saw fireworks everywhere! One of the many things I love about Scott is that he is SO fun to road trip with, he is always jammin out or singin his own version of something, he is teasing me or makin me laugh, it is just a great time and makes the trip go by super fast.

It was a fun fouth. Happy birthday America!

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