An Auntie First

Two weeks ago I had a personal Auntie First...I missed my first niece/nephew 1st Birthday Party!

It was a sad sad day in Kara history.

I contemplated how I could be in two places at once, but no luck coming up with any kind of solution.

My sweet little niece, Lauren, was turning one and I was missing it! (Not to mention, she's already walking and I haven't even seen that yet either!...I think a trip to NoVa is in store soon) But two things made the day better...a text from my sister and the pictures of these cuties:

Ryan and Mackenzie more excited to open Lauren's presents than Lauren is :)



I think she loves her TinyTOMS I sent her...at least they pass the taste test!

HE'S AN ENERGIZER BUNNY

First of all, how cute is my nephew?!?

I got to visit him and his little sister a couple weeks ago, and he is the sweetest little man. But let me tell you, I thought I was in shape...until I had to keep up with this energizer-bunny of a 2-year-old; he has got some energy!

New workout plan? Visit the nieces and nephews more often! :)

And he definitely knows how to make his Aunt Kara melt and wrap her around his little finger. I'm such a sucker for the cuteness.

TIME WITH THE NEPHEW

Mackenzie's birthday weekend also allowed for some quality time with Kelly, Scott and Ryan (who is also getting bigger by the minute!) He is now fully mobile and starting to vocalize so many things, I'm just amazed at how fast they develop and grow.


Ryan's often on the move so it's hard to snap a picture of the cutie, but the girls had him alone for a bit one morning and I managed to capture him with Mom and Grandma:

(Don't mind our winter down jackets in the middle of April...ugh)

Isn't he such a cute little man?? This picture makes him look like he can't walk on his own, but TRUST ME, he is more than able to walk on his own; he practically runs everywhere! :) I miss him already; love that little guy!

JACK EDWARD

We thought he'd never come out, but he finally decided to make an appearance and I have a new nephew!

Jack with Mom (who looks amazing after 20 some-odd hours of labor!)

Jack Edward

February 28, 2011

10lbs. 4oz. (in my poor little size nothing sister-in-law!)

But seriously, this whole Aunt thing never gets old. I'm already scrounging the calendar for the first weekend I can get down to NC to meet the little chunk! Love him.

Congratulations Kevin & Shannon!

THE MAN IS 1?!

It's true, my little nephew is one year old already! I feel like it was just last Christmas and we were all passing around the 3-week old little guy. But now he's movin' and groovin' and just like that he's become my little man :)


His mom and dad threw him a sweet lion-themed birthday party, so naturally we had to make the trip down to Virginia to celebrate!

Cute homemade card from Mackenzie

Aunt Kara with the Birthday Boy!

Best part -- PRESENTS

Anxiously waiting for his first cake

So goooooooood

Loving his new toys

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!

68 HOURS AS A SINGLE MOM

Not even three full days and boy was I exhausted! I don't know how moms (and dads) do it; single or not, babies are tough! But so cute and cuddly :)


I got to spend a long weekend with my one-year-old nephew while his mom and dad took a mini vacay. I don't get too see him often enough so the one-on-one time with him was really nice. Besides his eat and sleep routine, we really had no schedule; we hung around the house in our pjs, ran errands together, and visited quite a few parks and walking trails. It was wonderful.


The man is full-on walking now so I didn't get too many pictures of him (it's hard to snap pics while chasing baby and diverting dangerous situations), but of course I have to brag and share the few I did get!

On a walk - One of my FAVORITE things about living in the North...Fall colors! 

Isn't the little man just the sweetest?!?

OH, AND I'M GETTING ANOTHER NIECE/NEPHEW!

Bring on the babies!

Check out my cute, little, pregnant sis-in-law here.

SO excited...Congratulations Kev and Shan (dad- and mom-to-be)!!

WEEKEND WITH THE NEPH

A weekend with the sister, brother-in-law, and nephew was much needed. So taking advantage of my emptier than normal schedule these days I jumped on the opportunity of a long weekend in Northern Virginia.


On Friday, Kelly, Ryan and I got out to run some errands which involved the grocery store, the library and blockbuster to feed my and Kelly's Twilight addiction :) Then friday night (after the little man went to sleep of course) was pizza, wine and Twilight movie night. Perfection.

Ryan's first taste of rice cereal with Mom

Jealous Jackson

Saturday started out with Ryan/Aunt Kara playtime with photo shoot (duh):

All smiles, all the time; now if we could just do something about that Capitals bib...

I just love him.

Then Kelly, Ryan and I headed out to Reston Town Center to walk around and do some shopping; lucky for us there was also a huge art festival going on and the weather was PERFECT. Then we topped it al off with some homemade fish tacos, wine and New Moon.

Sunday it was back to the homeland. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

SURPRISE PICTURE

Just browsing my favorite blogs this afternoon when I came across this cute little thing:

My handsome nephew and I 

{via: The Emericks}

I just love him. Can't wait to see him this weekend; three days and counting...

I WOKE UP TO THIS IN MY INBOX

My handsome nephew

It's going to be a good day :)

EMERICK FAMILY

For you, Kelly and Scott; I love this picture of your cute little family...

(thought you might like to steal it from here)

WEEKEND RECAP

This weekend in a recap; get ready because it was pretty amazing.

1.) Snow on thursday lead to a short work day on friday which lead to an extended weekend. Always the start of a fabulous weekend.

2.) Friday night dinner with some old friends and a bunch of new ones. Laughter and good food is where it's at.

3.) I found this cute skirt while thrifting with my mom on Saturday. At least, I think it's cute; picture it with a chunky camel-colored belt. It makes me feel like I'm in California when I wear it, can you tell I'm ready for warm weather?

4.) I got these super soft sheets from Target for only $34.

450-thread-count, striped, two sets of pillow cases. Score. 

They'll look wonderful on my cute bed in TX...as soon as I get it out of storage!

5.) Got a random CD from Sister Hazel in the mail on Saturday. Sounds like nothing, but then I realized it was confirmation for my spot on The Rock Boat XI next January! So excited for my first cruise with some pretty wonderful friends and good music.

6.) Lastly and most excitingly, I became a Godmother TWICE in the same weekend! 

To these two cuties, my niece and nephew:

I am beyond honored.

And now it winds down and I get ready for another week. But after a weekend like this one, I will start it refreshed :)

Happy Monday!

LET'S PLAY CATCH-UP...

Saturday was a day with my girl! My precious niece, Mackenzie. She's getting so big and learning so much I just LOVE spending time with that little one. Kyle and Steph got out for a few quiet hours alone while Kenz and I read tons of books (or more like the same book tons of times), had a Taylor Swift dance party, played The Itsy Bitsy Spider 1743623 times on her toy piano, and watched the snow storm outside. It was a blast. See for yourself:

Aunt Kara's cell phone is so fun!

Moo Cows!

She's even working on her 'I Love You':

Kenzie/Aunt Kara day is a success!

Sunday/Monday/Tuesday I was pretty much out for the count. I woke up on Sunday hardly able to open my eyes from some kind of pink eye, but it wasn't until it got 10x worse on Monday morning that I knew I had to go to the eye doctor. Thank goodness I live close to home, Mom had to come pick me up to chauffeur me around because I couldn't see anything. Scary! But nice to feel like you're 6 years old again with mom driving you to the doctor :)

Turns out, the doc said I have Corneal Inflammation (aka inflamed corneas). Weird, I know. Who gets this stuff and how does one even get it?! Who knows, but if you can help it, I don't recommend contracting this, it's the worst pain I've ever felt in my eyes.

After a couple days of rest at home and some miracle eye drops, I have my eyes back :) Praise God.

Wednesday my sister, Kelly, and nephew, Ryan, came up for a visit (banner week for the nieces and nephews!) Unfortunately the daunting snow storm predicted for the weekend cut their short trip even shorter, but I'm so glad for the few-hour visit we had. I forget how fast babies grow in the first few months! No pictures from this time, but hopefully our next visit isn't too far away.