It's Raining! Oh wait...it's just a baby shower :)

The other week (yes I know, I am SO late on posting!!) Stacey hosted a shower for me with my best girlfriends out here in Cali!  It was so nice to have all of us together for an evening of fun, games, and food!  They all spoiled Baby Jack...I know how loved he already is!!  One thing we are realizing is that we are TERRIBLE about group photos!!  However, here are a few snap shots of the evening :)

Best idea....a book for Jack
signed by all of my girlfriends!

Cute deccorations!!

Edible Arrangement my mom sent :)

Diaper Cake that
Stacey made!

What?  You are shocked I was
happy about cake? lol

Gifts from the ladies.
Spoiled. Rotten.

Delicious "virgin" punch...but there was
booze to add to it :) !

In other news

Spent the day on the beach...my happy place!

I have had a week off of work now and I still haven't stopped!  Although I am really not surprised.  I always wondered what it would be like to not work.  So far, I am going stir crazy.  I am starting to relax though and enjoy this peaceful time while I can.  This week was full of fun and friends.  I was able to have lunch with my best girl friends (minus Jen G :( ) over the course of the week and even have a bonfire to close it out right.  It is so nice to have friends I consider family to lean on.  The one thing the Marine Corps lifestyle has taught me is to embrace friends as family because you never know how far away your real family will be when you really need them...and riding the roller coaster of pregnancy is when you really need them!!  Starting a family away from family is the most difficult thing a new mom can face.  It was easy to move away when we first got married because we settled into our own routines.  With a new baby it is difficult.  You want them to be cuddled by your family instantly.  That opportunity is taken away when you move so far from family.  But what we do have are wonderful friends that we have made and grown relationships with.  I am blessed to have them all in my life and Jack will be just as blessed!  (He may even get a few puppy kisses and snuggles from all of the kiddos!).  However...lucky for Jack, his Tutu and Papa will be on a flight as soon as labor starts!  Oh and for the curious minded, we decided to call my mom Tutu because of her Hawaiian roots...LOL!  She was born on the Marine Corps Base in Honolulu so she swears she's Hawaiian...plus it's a catchy name.
Best. Gift. Ever.
And last but definitely not least...the most thoughtful and beautiful gift Jack has received thus far!  My cousin, Matt, is an absolute mastermind when it comes to building things.  For my 16th birthday he made the hope chest that was filled with lots of love and gifts to get me on my way in life (it's a southern thang, y'all!).  For Jack, he made him a music box that was a replica of the hope chest he made me.  All of the detailing is gorgeous.  His wife chose the song, Claire de Lune, and my Aunt helped sew the fabric inside of it.  Gorgeous is an understatement for this wonderful gift!!
*The original hope chest was delivered by Matt in the back of his truck.  It was in a HUGE box with "snow weight" written on the top...he had me believing it was to keep his truck from flipping in the snow...haha and I believed him!*