A quick hello and a new friend

Thank you SO much for all of your congratulations on our baby girl!  The last few days have been quite a blur and we haven't even begun to adjust to life at home because we are unfortunately still with our little girl at the hospital.

We've had a few minor complications with our sweet baby Addilyn but should get to go home soon.  I'm excited to begin life at home with our daughter and begin whatever kind of new "normal" we'll get to adjust too.  

I'm excited to have Jenn share with you some of her favorite summer reading choices and a little about herself.  I wouldn't consider myself much of a reader but I definitely become more of one in the summer and always enjoy hearing about good books to read.  So thank you Jenn for your post!  

Hi For Lauren & Lauren readers!

My name is Jenn and I blog over at Jennifer-Blake, a lifestyle blog about well, my life! I am a graduate occupational therapy student about to finish my last year and I currently reside in Massachusetts with my husband. My summer term for school ended in June which means 2 whole blissful months off. My husband just had hip surgery so we crammed most of our summer outings into the past two weeks, the rest of the summer is for slow relaxing days. Slow relaxing days means a lot of time for reading, and I am a total bookworm so I'm pretty excited!

Here is what is on my summer reading list!

Where'd You Go Bernadette: This has been sitting on my beside table for a while. I heard it can be hard to get into, but if you give it a chance it is a must read comedy.
Inferno: I have read a few of Dan Browns books, I loved Angel and Demons so I am excited to read his newest novel. I am typically a chic lit. girl, but I do love some suspense and action!
Adulting: I have followed Adulting the blog for a while, she cracks me up. I was excited when I saw her book at Barnes and Noble, I know it will make me laugh and be insightful.
Beautiful Ruins: I have never read anything by Jess Walter but I thought this would be a good place to start. The cover sucked me in as well as the plot!
The Testing: I just started this book and I am loving it so far. I was recommended it from a bookshop owner based on the fact that I loved the Hunger Games. It has a similar feel, but different story. I am really excited to see where it goes.
Little Women: This was a childhood favorite and after recently visiting Louisa May Alcott's house in Concord MA, I was sparked to re-read it and re-live some of my childhood again.

Whats on your summer reading list? I am always looking for recommendations.
Make sure to stop by and say hi!

Thank you Jenn!  To probably no surprise to you, I'd like to read the one that is like the Hunger Games, seeing as it is right up my teen drama loving alley.

I look forward to checking up on blogs and blogging more next week!

Meet our daughter . . .

Addilyn Jane Vale Born July 14 at 9:38 am 8 lbs. 13 oz.   21 inches long 

I am beyond overwhelmed with love and emotions for this sweet baby girl and  still don't believe we get to take her home tomorrow and that she is ours.  I couldn't feel more thankful to God for blessing us with this miracle. 

Chris and I can't wait to begin our lives as a family of three.   Thank you for all your prayers and excitement for our baby! I'm excited to share about her arrival and of course ore pictures soon! 

a meal, makeup, and another maxi

top: shade maternity   skirt: giveaway win from so kate   necklace:  curated by kelly

1.  I won this skirt from a giveaway a few weeks ago and of course was happy to have another maxi skirt option these days.  I'm pretty sure that even if I wasn't pregnant I'd still be wearing maxi skirts all summer.   2. I bought this book last week and cried in the store reading it.  I'm going to bring it with us to the hospital and have people who come visit us sign it.   3. It was my week to host girls' night, which is always good motivation to make a "real" full meal.  I made this chicken casserole recipe, tomato, avocado and mozzarella salad and of course the best part, these s'more bar desserts.   All three pretty easy and delicious.  4.  I am not a huge makeup person and could use some serious lessons in applying makeup as I do the same thing if I'm running errands or going to a wedding.  I was really excited when I got the MaryKay Influenster box to try out their products.  MaryKay Lash Love Lengthening Mascara: I normally buy the $1 elf brand mascara but did really like this one and it stayed on longer for sure.  Mary Kay Cream Eye Color & Concealer Brush:  It's hard to see in the picture but it is this pretty violet color and I loved it.  Mary Kay Lash Primer: I've never used a lash primer and do have short eyelashes so anything that makes them a little longer is good in my book.  MaryKay True Dimension Lip Stick: I never wear lipstick and am so glad this color was lighter because it was even a stretch for me but I did really like it and will definitely wear it.  This was my favorite product of the group as I keep telling myself that someday I'd wear lipstick.  5. While I'm getting a little anxious waiting for our baby girl to make her appearance I am trying hard to enjoy this time of relaxing until she comes.  Last Sunday Chris, Molly and I spent a good amount of time just laying around and it was wonderful.  
Want to see more instragram pictures and make sure to see whenever our baby girl does arrive? Follow me @katiejvale.
I hope you have a great weekend!

(I received the MaryKay products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.)

A different kind of letter

 I've never doubted that Chris would be a great dad.  But since being pregnant I am so confident that he is going to be the best dad and that our daughter is so lucky to have him as a father.  

Chris has always been so good with our nieces and nephews and I really think he is probably the most fun adult to have around if you are a kid.  Probably because he can switch to not acting like an adult in seconds. :)  

Even if that means letting my niece "walk" him on a rope: 

Or playing with my nephew in the pouring rain: 

Chris was excited to become a dad when we started trying to have a baby, but I do know that all the waiting we had to do has made him even more excited and ready and I'm thankful for our struggle in the way I think that it's prepared Chris to be a dad.  

I'm so thankful for Chris' excitement and tenderness throughout my pregnancy.  I love when he gets teary eyed when he feels our baby kick or when we went and shopping for our baby the first time. Or that he wanted to go register for baby things and help put together things for our nursery. 

I've written a handful of letters to our baby and thought it was time he did too. 

Dear baby girl,

For many years your mom and I have been asking the Lord to let us get pregnant. We prayed every night that He would bless us with a child. Then, one day, our prayers got to change. We prayed every night that our baby would be healthy and safe through your mom's pregnancy. That baby is you!

I'm so excited to meet you in person and hold your little baby hands. You have no idea what a blessing and answer to prayer you are to our family. For a while, your mom and I weren't sure if we would be able to have our own child, or if we would have to adopt. Now I am sitting next to your mom, and I can see you almost ready to come out!

Over the past couple months, one of my favorite parts of each day is laying down for bed and putting my hand on your mom's belly. Almost without fail, as soon as I put my hand there and start talking, you start to move for me. I feel your little body parts, and know that you are real and that I'm going to hold you this summer.

I want you to know that we love you so much already, and we are going to spend our lives protecting you and teaching you about the Lord. We don't really know what we are doing, but if my past tells me anything, it's that God looks out for His children. We will do our best to raise you right, and even when we screw up, don't forget that your mom and dad love you more than anything in the world!

Love,

Your Dad!!! (funny to think that I'm a dad)

 Chris was trying to convince me the other day that as soon as she's born he wants to put her on his chest before mine because he's more anxious to hold her.  While I argued that would not be happening,  I love how much he loves her already and I know when I see him hold our daughter my heart will be filled with so much joy. 

Purple Poop

I wrote this post weeks ago and forgot about it.  Thankfully while I do still have moments of feeling unprepared, I am not quite in this panic mood.  I think that must be one reason you are pregnant for 40 weeks.  Because you get to a point where you are so ready for this baby that it outweighs some of your more irrational fears. 

I remember one of the first times I flew by myself and I was really nervous.  I hate flying, hate crowds of people and hate doing things I haven't done before.  I should be embarrassed to add that I was 20 when this happened.  And married.  I missed my flight and had a bad experience with an airport employee who was not helping me.  I called my mom in tears.  I remember thinking "I am old enough to be married, but am I not old enough to travel alone and handle this?" 
Well I had a similar experience a week or so ago.  I had gone shopping with my sister at Target earlier in the day.  Realizing shopping at 8 months pregnant - not quite as enjoyable.  (Thankfully being with my sister far makes up for it).  That morning I was trying to find a pediatrician and figure out insurance stuff that was not working in my favor.   I was headed to a doctor's appointment by myself because Chris was out of town.  I have been extremely blessed to have Chris go with me to almost all of my appointments so far.  Tears started as I began crying because (on a more selfish level) I felt fat and worried that I'd never enjoy shopping and wearing clothes again, that I wouldn't find the right doctor for my baby, insurance would be too expensive and I didn't want to go to the doctor without Chris.  

Then more tears as I thought, "If I can't handle these little things, how in the world am I going to be responsible for this baby?"

To add to it my doctor was talking to me about our pediatrician visits after the baby and said something about going after four days of being home, unless we have an urgent reason to visit like our baby's poop is purple. 
Um, purple poop? What? I was too afraid to even ask if that was a real thing.  
But now that I am 39 weeks I say bring it on, even if it involves purple poop - I am ready!