I had the time ... so I did

I had an opportunity to post today. So I did.
Im getting pretty tired these days.  And Im really ready to stay home from work... Just one more week, and then I will be off a week before we welcome our bundle of joy - Baby Ryan!  Im getting excited and nervous all at the same time.

tshirt-OldNavy; skirt-LaneBryant



Midweek Style

I know that I have usually been posting at the end of the week, but I decided to do a mid week post today.

Today (Wednesday): I had a meeting today, but nothing fancy.  The meeting was more difficult than this look that I pulled together :) I have to go home tonight and pull something else together for tomorrow. 

This pic is a joke too.  If you could see all the mess and clutter surrounding me you would be shaking your finger at me.  But babies come with "STUFF" One of my sorority sisters came over last night and in addition to bringing her adorable son, she brought me all kinds of baby stuff - 2 bags of clothes, a sleeper/rocker, a swing and a vibrating chair.  So thats all piled up behind the camera. Not to mention the other stuff that I brought home from the baby shower that I just havent had a chance to find a location for - car seat (which needs to go in the car, lol), stroller, third bath tub (the other two are in the nursery) and a highchair (all these huge boxes are literally in the living room floor). BUT, I did make some progress last night - my sister came over and helped me pack my bag for the hospital.  I guess at 37 weeks, you have to start thinking about that stuff. I had a plan and a list of all the stuff that I wanted to put in the bag, and I actually had most of the items gathered (and around the house). 

Yesterday (Tuesday): I just pulled this look together.  It was a nice compliment to the sweltering heat. But I was pretty comfortable.

All white with The Whites

We spent the afternoon with my sorority sister, Robyn, and her new husband. They were celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary with a cookout. Since Robyn's new last name is "White" she likes to play on the "white' theme.  It was an "all white affair".  I did the best I could :)

At the event we realized that the babies are in full bloom! One of Robyn's good friends just had a son. And Shemeika and Trina, my sorority sisters, both have babies as well.

 They let me join in on the pics, since Little Ryan will be here soon :)

It was a lovely event with The Whites.  The company and the food was excellent!

Rock Star Baby Shower - Pics Heavy

I decided on a Rock Star Baby Shower to celebrate our little bundle of joy.  The event was held at an upscale bowling alley called Mustang Alley. They have a private room that we used and there were not that many people because they cater to an evening crowd.  Hubby reserved a few lanes in case some of his friends wanted to bowl while the ladies were enjoying the shower games.

I designed the invitation and had it printed.  We used bright yellow metallic envelopes to send out the invitations.

I gathered most of the ideas for the baby shower from the below links. I know I know.. its not for a Valentine's Day party or a child's birthday party, but I loved the idea for a babyshower.. so we ran with it.

http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/01/love-rocks-rockin-valentines-day/

http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/02/real-parties-rockstar-birthday-party-part-1/

http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/02/real-parties-rock-star-birthday-party-part-2/

Here are the highlghts of the event. I really wanted to make a slideshow of all the pics. Maybe I will get to that this weekend.. we'll see, but no promises.

Team "Ryan" :These ladies were invaluable to planning and hosting our baby shower.  They contributed their money, time and ideas to the effort.  I love and appreciate them so much not just for what they did to make the shower a success, but for being such great friends to me and ofcourse the Hall Family :)

Yolanda, Kameel, Jamaica, Courtney and Cousin Nikki in front, lol

Deidra and Kameel

Decor: Since the theme was "rockstar" I tried to add a few different elements, but we still wanted to keep it "baby".  So if anything had a skull and cross bones, it was quickly deleted from the event.  We even had tattoos for everyone to wear, although I think only three people had one on. It was still a cute idea.  I chose a color scheme of red, orange and yellow. I got plenty of props - star shade sunglasses, inflatable microphones and guitars. We personalized soda and water bottles and we had orange and yellow cupcakes individually wrapped. Ron's mother made the flower centerpieces. But I think the highlight had to be the baby onesies that created a banner. Too too cute!

 

  

PhotoBooth: The photobooth was my brainchild.  It didnt really come off the way I wanted it to, but it was still fun.  I tried to get everyone to take a pic with the backdrop at they came in. And for the most part I got alot of pics. And some really funny pics too. 



Kameel and Mom Bernette (Grandma Benta)



Kameel and Ron's Mom - Grandma Claudette

My grandma and her sister (Aunt Berniece)                 Martha and Kameel

   
Some of the Fam!

 
The Book Club Members

Sorority Sisters          and         Coworkers

Games: The games were fun.  Im not really a fan of a bunch of different games at babyshowers (or bridal showers). One of my favorite games was Baby Bingo. But it was difficult to play with alot of people (the guest count was almost 80 people).  We still had a good time. 

 

Gifts: Ron and I were in awe at all the lovely gifts that we received.  It was truly a shower of kindness. We appreciated it sooo much.  

  

It was a great time!!! Im so grateful for my family and friends.

Another Friday Update

Ok, so I havent been able to update daily as I would like.  But I've been pretty busy at work.  I have two important public meetings coming up, and I need to prepare my staff so that they can handle one of them on their own. And the other meeting, they will have to fully prepare for me when I come back.  So I've been spending alot of time getting them on the same page and catching up the new guy on my projects.

But here we are on another Friday. Although this Friday is definitely different from the last.  This one is expected to be a scorcher.. actually its supposed to be hot all weekend. Im really NOT prepared for this. Im not a fan of hot weather at all.  I much prefer the cold. 

FRIDAY: I told Hubby when I left for work this morning that I was feeling and looking cute today.  So he needs to take me out this evening.  Ofcourse he was all for it.  I like this dress. I think it fits my preggo bump really well.  I have the same dress in black - maybe you will see it next week. :)

dress-LaneBryant; shoes-Naturalizer; necklace-Laila Rowe

  THURSDAY: I love this dress (and plenty others). Point blank, Period!

dress-Ross, cardi-LaneBryant; shoes-Naturalizer

 WEDNESDAY: This shirt was a gift from one of my coworkers.  She gave me a bag of other stuff and I wear it often.  I have already offered to give my maternity items to another friend. 

cardi-LaneBryant; shirt-OldNavy Maternity; skirt-Motherhood; shoes-Naturalizer

  TUESDAY: I think this is my most comfortable tshirt these days.  Ok, who am I kidding.. these days, I love ALL tshirts. But only the stretchy and soft ones, lol.

tshirt-OldNavy Maternity; skirt-NY&Co

 MONDAY: I did actually like my outfit on Monday, but I didnt take a picture.  I will try to remember this coming monday, especially since I have to go to the doctor's office one a week now. 

SIDENOTE: I had a great time at the babyshower last weekend.  Im gonna try really hard to load some pics to the blog over the weekend. so check back and leave me plenty of comments :)

Im feeling Good ...

"Im feeling good from my head to my shoes."
Its such a nice day today. Actually I have been pleased with the weather all week. Im lovin it!!
FRIDAY : Im really excited for the weekend.  I think I say this every week, lol.  But this weekend is our Baby Shower - so there will be plenty of pictures coming soon.

top-OldNavy; tank-LB; jean capris-Motherhood; shoes-Naturalizer

 THURSDAY: I went to the hairdresser after work. Getting myself all dolled up for the weekend.  Although it was a rough trip because I was in there waaay to long.

dress-Ny&Co; shoes-Naturalizer; necklace-LailaRowe

 TUESDAY: It was a rough day at work. Im really starting to have a short temper. I think my hormones are just taking over and Im trying to create a montra for myself everyday - "I am patient, I am loving, I am kind"

tshirt-OldNavy; jacket-Macys; skirt-NY&Co; necklace-Burlington

 MONDAY: I wasnt able to take a preggo produce pics, but Baby Hall is the size of a honeydew melon.  I had a docts appt today and at my sonogram he weighed in at 5lbs. So we are growing nicely.. only one more month to go. Can you believe it....my my my how time flies!

Top and Tank-LaneBryant; capris-Kmart

What an exciting evening!

Last night, I had a blast with BFF Courtney and Yolanda (and they both looked really cute, I wish I had taken a pic, but I didnt have my camera).  At the last minute yesterday, I got tickets to a sneak peak for the movie called The Help. 

I had read the book, so I was really excited to see the movie.  After a few gliches with getting in we were set and ready!  Although the movie was long, it was a nice treat. And most of the scenes were true to the book. 

Tonight - The BFFs and I are going to a Movie and Martini night hosted by a friend of ours.  The movie for tonight is "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate"  And I think there is some discussion after the movie.  I wont be having any martini's but the all you can eat part of the ticket price wont be that bad.



dress-Lane Bryant (last year for $9.99 at the end of the season)

Today and Yesterday

Today:

Im so ready for the weekend! I cant wait for it to get here.

top-Avenue; roll cuff capris-Motherhood

Yesterday:
I really liked my color combo from yesterday.

cardi-Fashion Bug; tank-lane Bryant; skirt-NY&Co; necklace-grandma's grab bag