Madi, you may remember, is the daughter of my dear, dear friend Stephanie.  We’ve known each other since our teenage years, and have managed to keep in touch & in one another’s lives.  Miracle.  I’m so glad to see her fall in love, get married, fall more in love, and welcome Madi in to her & Brad’s lives.  And it’s so hard to believe over a year has flown by & Madilyn is one!

Steph really wanted a session with Madi when she was walking, so we waited…and waited….and waited.  Finally, at about 15 months she began walking!  So we headed out to Historic Ellicott City & Steph made one of her amazing cakes.  Brad got balloons.  I borrowed a table & chair.  We made some memories.

Check out Miss Madilyn!

Stephanie is probably one of my oldest & closest friends from my childhood.  We met as middle & high schoolers & have stayed close ever since.  I am so grateful for her friendship, her advice, her love & her family’s presence in my life.  She is truly a blessing.

Stephanie recently showed me her talent for making cakes & cookies when she planned her daughter’s first birthday.  When I saw the phenomenal job she did with Madi’s party, I asked her if she’d be willing to make a creation for Brooke’s birthday, too.  I gave her an idea & she wowed me with the rest!  This girl has some amazing talent…take a look.

By the way, these treats not only looked good, they tasted good too!  I had to make myself stop eating those darling monkey cookies…Yum!

Yesterday my dear friend Stephanie came by with her new little girl, Madi.  They came for a playdate, and while Madi didn’t really “play” too much, I think Emma & Brooke loved her!  Thanks for coming over Madi girl!  We can’t wait til you can chase us around!

*PS – hasn’t Madi grown in 7 short weeks!?!?!

I have been friends with Stephanie for a really long time.  I think since I was 13 or so?  Regardless of that fact, she has been a constant in my life like no other friend, and I love her for that.  And as she’s come to significant moments in her life, I’ve tried my best to be there: wedding, baby shower, and now baby Madilyn!  I was so excited to get to visit with her & just enjoy time with she, Madi, & daddy Brad.  They are such a fit – the three of them like puzzle pieces that are perfect for one another.  My heart is warmed seeing this new precious baby added to their lives.  Thanks Brad & Steph for letting me take part of your day & enjoy your new daughter.  I can’t wait to watch her grow!

Oh, and let’s have a little voting for some fun!  Vote for the photo you think would be perfect for a baby announcement.  That’s always my most difficult dilemma, which photo do I choose?  Leave your vote in the comments.  Thanks!

My dearest childhood friend is having a baby!  Her first baby!  And a girl baby!  Aren’t you as excited as I am?!?!?!?!?  Well, you should be!

Her surprise baby shower was today and I sort of went.  I was supposed to be there at 3pm, but whatever I ate at 1pm didn’t agree with me, so I left my house almost 45 minutes later than I had hoped!  So, I arrived after the surprise (better than ruining it, right?) and got to witness a sea of baby shower cuteness!  The baby’s room is decorated in pink, green, and brown, so the hall was decorated in the same manor.  Now, being the lazy friend/photographer that I am, I forgot my camera, was late, and didn’t even wrap my Bumbo!  But, I showed up!

I snatched a few party favors for my girls & to take photographs of.  The cookies are onesies! Aren’t they stinkin’ cute!  And the gift boxes say Martha Stewart on the bottom.  Whoever coordinated & decorated this shower needs to start their own business!

I cannot wait to meet this little girl, Steph!  Been waiting for this day for a loooong time!

(*oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, that is a can of coke on my desk.  And yes, the walls in our new office/playroom are Slimer green – it used to be a kid’s room!)