Rachael's Baby Announcements

If you've kept up with this blog (and may I say a huge thank you if you have) you've heard of the BFFs. I write about them frequently. In case you've forgotten, they look like this. 

A few months ago, Kauri, Heidi, and I bought plane tickets to Boston. We knew that Rachael (far left), who had just moved there with her husband and their little girl, was expecting her second baby in January and we figured that March would be a great time to visit. 

I realized as I was on my way to Boston that I hadn't seen the BFFs in the past year. The last time we all got together had been my birthday in 2012. I usually head down south every October to see them, but this year I hadn't been able to and I suddenly felt every bit of that 12 month break. Even though I keep up with these girls on a weekly basis through emails, I still missed just sitting down and talking with them face to face. These are my girls. My people. You know the feeling.

My trip there was eventful. My flight got into Boston at 3:11 AM. It was three hours late. I broke down and cried in the airport twice. I was disappointed with how my trip was starting out. I was disappointed because I just wanted to see my friends. 

But the incredible thing about being with some of the people that you love most in the world is that once you get to them, every other little worry melts away. Seriously. Somehow, I woke up at 8 AM the next morning and was just so happy to be with them. 

This trip was different from other trips though. It was the first time that we were all together when Rachael's daughter, Elizabeth, was old enough to really have fun with. While us girls still had plenty of time to just sit around and catch up with each other, we also had plenty of time to hang out with Elizabeth, and quite honestly, act a little like kids ourselves.

There was sledding. 

Who is having more fun here - mom or daughter?

 There were snow angels.

Again, I'm pretty sure I am enjoying myself more than Elizabeth.

There was fort building.

In my pajama pants...YUP.

There was a snowman.

The cigar kills me.

There was an extreme makeover.

I set out to make a lovely braid in Elizabeth's hair...it ended up being a pretty normal ponytail.

And there was story time.

I don't have a good caption for this photo.

There was also quite a bit of dancing, but I choose not to disclose the video of that. :) 

It's safe to say that Elizabeth officially has three more friends now. 

(It should be stated that Rachael's second child, Charlie, was there, too. I don't want to give him the cold shoulder. More about him in a minute.) 

As I was flying home (a much less eventful trip with zero tears, thank goodness), I was reflecting on the time I just had with my friends. I realized that even though I had been with Rachael when she had Elizabeth before, this was the first time seeing her with two kids. It was the first time I really got to observe her in her mom role. She was now balancing two little humans - this was a whole new ballgame (I think my husband will appreciate the sports reference). 

I feel like there are just so many emotions when it comes to how I feel about Rach as a mom. She is so loving and kind. She tells us all the time how she feels like disciplining is a struggle for her, but she did it with such grace and gentleness. And she just does what she needs to do. No opinions about how other mothers should do their thang. Just her, trying to do what's best for her kids. It was really encouraging to see.

But let's shift gears now. 

I'd like to introduce you all to handsome little Charlie. 

"Dude...this chick is scaring me."

Charlie was born about two months ago and Heidi, Kauri, and I were thrilled for Rachael. Even though we wouldn't see them for two more months, we wanted to do something for Rach as a joint gift. 

Kauri called me one day with the idea of doing a baby announcement for Rachael (I didn't even have to force her to do this!), and I gladly said I would get to work designing one. Rach sent me a picture and I began designing a baby announcement with her style in mind.

Here's little Charlie's announcement. 

This font was a recent splurge and I was really excited to use it on this announcement. It's Melany Lane and you can find it here.

Rachael has such simple, classic style and I wanted something that kept to that. A few weeks after I did them, I was delighted to see that Rachael's sister-in-law had posted this picture on Facebook of her own little daughter enjoying Charlie's announcement.

Another reason to buy from Vivian Elle - kid approved. :) 

So that's it. Another great trip with some of my favorite ladies. Thanks again to our gracious hosts, Rachael and her husband, Jonathan (who chauffeured us girls back and forth to the airport many a time this weekend).

I'll be back next week with a set of Save the Dates that I just love. See you then!

Want to hear more about the value of custom invitations? Check out this post.