California Trip

Ryan and I got back from our 10 day trip to California this past Sunday.  We had such a great time visiting all of our extended family and good friends but were anxious to get back to our normal routine being gone for over a week.  Ryan did exceedingly well.  She really adapts to change like a champ.  Both a 3 hour time change, change in location, and lots of new (old) faces didn't really phase her, especially considering that she was getting her first canine tooth the whole time!

She is also such a great flyer.  A six hour plane ride with a 15 month old is a bit daunting for anyone but though I was exhausted from entertaining her the entire time, she didn't fuss once and I had a number of passengers comment on what a great little traveler she is.  I also got really lucky in that I got to have a seat for her despite not buying a ticket for her (makes a world of difference).   My advice for a long flight with a little one, lots of snacks, small new toys (try Target's dollar spot), an iPad with fun apps and a movie or two, and being ready to walk the aisles every hour or so.

Getting ready to deboard the plane. I think she was ready to get off!

Anyway, once in Bakersfield, we spent the week doing some super fun things like a dental appointment, hair appointment, and a trip to the DMV (enter extreme sarcastic voice here).  Haha.  We also got to visit with all of our friends and family that we hadn't seen in 5 months.  Ryan wasn't even walking when we left CA in May!  Her 3 older boy cousins, Caleb, Cole, and Jacob were SO excited to see her.

Ryan and Lala

Playing the hose water with her older cousins.

First ice cream cone

We also got to visit with one of my besties Andrea and her little guy Jeremiah.  She had him in May soon after we left for Massachusetts so this was my first time meeting him.  He's big (little) guy now!

Ryan got to enjoy so much time with her Grampy and Grammy Fairman, though they may have enjoyed it more. :)  We are so excited for them to visit us at the end of the month and experience an MA fall.  Especially since it was so warm in California still.

We got to see all of her aunties and uncles too.  They all spoil her with so much love.  As well as three of her Great-Grammas.  And no offense to any of our family, but she may or may not have loved hanging with my parents four little dogs more than any of them.  I think dog ownership may be in our future.

And perhaps tortoise ownership too.

What a great visit it was.  But we were so excited to get home to see Daddy and sleep in our own beds!

Headed to LAX on our way back to Dad!

Almond Orchard Family Pictures

Every year in Bakersfield between February and March, the almond orchards bloom and for the only time out of the year, Bakersfield gets "snow."  Which for the record, is fine by me, however I should probably come to terms with the stuff because I'm moving to Massachusetts in a month.  I am a lover of all things Bakersfield, things like Buck Owens, the Kern River, and warm weather are some of it's perks, but beautiful scenery doesn't really make the list.  However, when the almond orchards are in bloom, it's simply stunning.

I have ALWAYS wanted to take pictures out in the blooming orchards, but it just never seemed to time up right for things like engagement pictures, etc.  Plus, the orchards are quite the hot commodity for photographers in town and it can be hard to book a date to shoot in such a short time frame.  Josh was in NY for all of February, and the blooms came early this year due to Southern California's lack of winter so we almost missed them entirely.  By the time we got out there to shoot, most of the "snow" had fallen to the ground, but thanks to Misty Dameron Photography we were able to get some gorgeous family pictures that I will truly treasure forever.
Here are just some of my very favorites!

If you are in the Bakersfield area or even if you aren't and you are looking for a photographer, Misty is just amazing.  Great to work with, quick turn-around time, and an all around nice person. 

Baby Shower #2

Over the weekend, Josh and I made the trip to Bakersfield one last time before Ryan arrives for a baby shower thrown by Auntie Kristin.  She put on a beautiful shower at her home and once again, I was reminded how blessed and loved we are.  After Saturday's shower, I am officially sure that she will be the best dressed baby in Redlands and that the addition of a second bedroom with a walk-in closet was absolutely necessary in order to hold all of her stuff.

The Hostess, Auntie Kristin

We got some AMAZING gifts including two gorgeous handmade quilts from my Cousin Courtney and Grandma Scurlock.  I can't believe the time and effort it must have taken to make each of these and they are just stunning.  Ryan is so lucky to have such special keepsakes from both sides of the family.

On my "thrown"

Sterling Silver Baby Flatware from Grammy Fairman

Measuring the belly!

Handmade quilt from Great Grandma Scurlock

Cousin Courtney and I

Handmade quilt from Cousin Court

The Wetterholm side



Great Grandma Scurlock

Grandma Denise

The Griffin/Fairman Side

Grammy Fairman and Auntie Anna

Great Gramma Catie

Cousin Court and Aunt Jenny

It was so strange to leave Bakersfield and all of our family and think that the next time Josh and I see all of them, we will have a baby!  This pregnancy really has gone so quickly and I can't believe that our family of two is only weeks away from being a family of three.  After this weekend, I am finally starting to feel prepared, at least with the "things" and I'm mentally getting closer to being ready as well. 

Thanks again to all of the family and friends who attended both of my wonderful showers.  I know I said it already, but I really do feel so blessed to have so many people supporting Josh and I was we prepare to enter parenthood.  We know we couldn't do it without all of you!


Mommy and Daddy to be!