Farm Dogs

We have had such great weather here in St. Louis over the last few months.  Spring came early this year and we've been trying to take advantage of it as much as we can.  Ryan and I are both believers in fresh air, sunshine and exercise doing us a world of good, so whenever we have a couple extra hours on the weekend, we've been trying to get out in the elements.  The dogs get to run around off their leashes and do some exploring, it feels great for me to be able to stretch and walk around and Mac gets some much needed Vitamin D.  

A few weekends ago we headed out to one of Ryan's friend's farm.  He has some land about 45 minutes from our house with a lake, lots of fields and plenty of room to run.  He also has a black lab named Ivy, who is Sage's best friend in the whole wide world.  Ivy and Sage are in love.  They are very competitive with each other to get the bumper first (although it's not much of a competition, Ivy's much faster), but then they spend the rest of their time chasing each other, wrestling together and licking/kissing each other.  It's pretty adorable to watch them.  

Ivy's a working duck dog and very well-trained - being outside and "playing" is all work for her.  Ivy wants that bumper and will stop at nothing to get it.  (As opposed to Sage, who wants the bumper, but gets easily distracted by frogs and butterflies.)

Ivy will mow down anything in her way (including me, Mally or Sage) to get to the bumper first.  I've learned to stay out of her way.  Mally has not and has been rolled down the hill a couple times by freight train Ivy.

And not only is she fast, but she's a wonderful swimmer and will leap into the water with such gusto that I'm surprised she can keep her eye on the bumper.  She will beat Sage nearly every time.

But that doesn't stop Sage from trying to take the bumper away from her once they're back on land.

I mean, these two don't look like they're having any fun at all, do they?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Ivy brings it straight to Ryan...

...and immediately starts bouncing up and down in excitement until he throws it again.

And we do this over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.

The outcome is almost always the same, but Sage doesn't seem to mind.

These two could do this forever.

Ivy especially...it's her mission in life to retrieve.

Sage may run off and chase frog, but that bumper does not leave Ivy's sight the entire time we're out there.

Sage will come back and play, but I think half the time she lets Ivy win.

Maybe she's just being a good friend.

Or maybe she's just less psychotic about a piece of orange plastic.

If it was filled with peanut butter, I bet it'd be a different story.

But of course, being sucker parents that we are, we wouldn't want her to get an inferiority complex.

So every now and then, Ryan will give Sage a better head-start or something so she can get there first.

Go Sage, go!

She's such a good little swimmer.

Very graceful in the water.

And boy, is she ever proud of herself for getting that bumper!

Grinning from ear to ear!

But my absolute FAVORITE thing that Sage does, has nothing to do with her retrieving skills.

And has everything to do with her playful "puppy" personality.

Because the farm is so close to the Mississippi River, the ditches fill with floodwater and bring in some of the river's wildlife.

Particularly, Asian carp.  You know...the fish that jump out of the water when disturbed.

Sage may like going after the bumper, but she is an even better carp chaser.

She can't really get anywhere close to them, but she tries her hardest to go after each and every one that jumps.  Girlfriend has stamina.

She goes after one in this direction...

And then one jumps behind her, so she switches direction to go after that one...

Up and down, back and forth, left and right, over and over again.

It may be the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.

I just sit on the bank and crack up and egg her on.

"Get the fish, Sage!"

She just loves chasing those stupid fish.

Mally, on the other hand, is definitely not a retriever, nor a swimmer.

She's usually off on her own adventures.

Chasing rabbits.

Nosing around for mice.

And frolicking through the weeds.

 Barking and running to her heart's content.

We all truly love our afternoons at the farm. 

It's funny, I never thought the smell of wet dog would make me so happy.  

Letter to Mac - Part 2

Dear Baby,

We've finally hit the 9 months pregnant mark and your due date is only 30 days away.  It feels like yesterday that I found out that you'd be coming into our lives.  My body has changed in more ways than I could possibly explain.  Not only is my stomach larger, but my heart is too.  It's grown exponentially in order to hold all the love I have for you...and I haven't even met you yet!  But that doesn't stop me from feeling like I know you already.  I've come to anticipate your movements, your kicks and your twists.  I know your nap schedule and know how to get you excited.  I know you like music, your dad's voice and you don't mind the dogs barking.  I know you like sunshine on my belly and I can feel you stretching as soon as I go outside.  I know you like water, both when I drink it and when I'm surrounded by it - you love taking showers.  I know you have a little dance party in my belly every day around 10 a.m.  I may not know what you look like, but I know you.

Pretty soon you will make your grand debut into this world and change our lives forever.  Not that they aren't changed already, but things are about to get "real."  I have truly loved being pregnant with you and I'm going to miss it.  I love being able to feel you move when no one else can.  It's like a little secret between us that no one else is privy to.  I love having you close to me all the time and keeping you safe and warm.  I can already predict that I'm going to have a hard time being away from you when I go back to work (or to the grocery store, or when you go to your first sleepover or college!). I feel like I should thank you profusely for being such a wonderful and strong little guy throughout the last nine months.  Thank you for holding on tight, for not making me miserable or sick, for being active and playful, for rekindling my love for tacos and for making me the happiest I've ever been in my life.  These last few months have been such a wonderful blessing and I'm grateful for every single day.

This pregnancy has tested me and changed me in so many incredible ways and I can't wait to see how the next stage of your life will change mine.  But mostly, I cannot wait to become your mom.  Becoming a mother is going to be the most amazing accomplishment of my life.  It's something that I've been working on for 33 years.  I know some people think we waited a long time (maybe even too long) to have you, but I think the timing is perfect.  Your dad and I waited to have you when we knew we were ready, when we were happy with our lives, strong in our relationship and accomplished in our careers.  We wanted to be at a point where we were able to give you all that we could of ourselves.  We are so excited that you are joining our family and will be sharing in our adventures with us.  You are going to enrich our lives in ways that we can't even begin to imagine - I really hope we do the same for you.

So whenever you're ready little man, we're ready for you too.  We're here waiting with open arms.  We've got a fully stocked nursery, more clothing than any child could possibly need and toys galore all waiting for you.  I know you'll get here when you're ready at your own pace when the time is right.  We're trusting you to make the call.  But try not to make us wait too much longer...I don't know how we'll possibly make it!  We love you and we'll see you soon!

Your mama




Letter to Mac - Part 1

Iris's Tea Party Bridal Shower

One of my best friends in the world is getting married this weekend.  I am so incredibly happy for her and so excited to be a part of it.  I think we all know how obsessed I am with weddings (still), so it's been an absolute honor being her matron of honor and getting to help out with all the wedding details.  A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of throwing her a bridal shower in her hometown of Peoria, IL.  

I decided to have the shower at a cute little tea room in the Peoria suburbs and I used bright colors, teacups and flowers as the inspiration. The shower was held at Maria's In Washington (in Washington, Illinois). I found some great fabrics on sale at Hobby Lobby, which I used as tablecloths.

I used plain colored paper for the place cards - each color represented what the person ordered for lunch.

The flower arrangements were done by Georgette's Flowers in Peoria.

Maria's did a beautiful job on the cupcakes.  I made a few fun cupcake toppers to make them a little more personalized.

Delicious French macarons as party favors.  

I ordered these on Etsy from Sparkles Macarons.

I asked all the guests to write down one of their favorite memories of Iris and/or Dan.  I told them the more embarrassing the better, so I hope they're good!  I'm going to mail these to them one at a time over the course of their first year of marriage.  They can open them together and laugh about each story.

Maria's had a private little room for us to use and I decorated the room with pennants and hanging paper lanterns.  The ceilings were WAY higher than I expected them to be, so us shorties had a lot of difficulty hanging this stuff, but I think it turned out well.

The guests started arriving right on time (a little to my dismay b/c I wasn't ready!), but the bride-to-be stepped in and greeted everyone with a giant smile and a mimosa.

Since this was the first time many of the guests had met each other, we went around the room and introduced ourselves and how we know Iris.  I think it always helps to be able to put a name to each face and it was so fun to hear how everyone knew Iris and how much they all loved her.  I think this helped put everyone at ease and it'll be great now knowing so many people at the wedding.  I can't wait to see everyone again.

Lunch was served.  The guests had a choice between 4 entrees: chicken salad sandwich on a croissant, quiche and soup, garden vegetable wrap or grilled citrus chicken spinach salad.  All the food was outstanding and the service was excellent.  The wine and mimosas were flowing and I think everyone was having a great time!  

After lunch is was time for presents.

Iris got some really great loot.  So many things I want to borrow!

Before everyone left, we tried to get a photo of them with the bride.

I seriously love this girl.

She's not goofy at all...

I love you IC.  

I hope you had a wonderful time at your shower.  

I know I loved spoiling you!  

Can't wait to see you in a few days for your wedding.  

You will be the most beautiful bride ever!  

I'm sorry I'm going to be such a whale in all your photos, but I promise you'll look super skinny standing next to me!  See, there's at least 1 benefit of having a 9 month pregnant bridesmaid!

I love you to pieces and I'm honored to be standing by your side.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day.