Emma's Baptism

A child is the most precious of all earthly gifts from God.  In acceptance of our gift, we promise that we will raise our child in the Christian faith.  Depending on your Christian denomination, you may baptize your baby, have a baby dedication or baptize an older child.  No matter which, the ceremony day is a day of celebration.

    

As with any celebration, moms want to do it right.  We want to make the day special and the celebration memorable.  Ok, I'll just say it.  It's a party!  But for Christian moms, one of the most important parties we will ever host.

 Emma was baptized on Sunday, September 30th.  She wore the same gown that I was baptized in exactly 28 years ago.  We are so thankful for our wonderful family and friends who were able to attend!  

The Griffin Family

The Copeland Family

After the service we had everyone over to our house for brunch.  Emma was having so much fun that she didn't want to go to sleep.  She eventually crashed while everyone was sitting down to eat.

A HUGE thank you to my sweet mother who cooked all the food and created beautiful flower arrangements for my house.   

Emma's uncles served Mimosa's & Bloody Mary's 

Emma's Great-Grandfather

She finally crashes!

Emma's First Beach Trip

I love firsts.  
I have always loved trying something for the first time or being present when a friend or family member tries or experiences something new.

As you can imagine, this love for firsts means that I am having so much fun seeing my little Emma experience all of her firsts at the beach.  Sage and I headed to Orange Beach for Labor Day weekend.  Seeing her experience the ocean, wind and sand for the very first time was quite possibly the cutest thing ever!

Sage dipped Emma's toes in the ocean.

Emma grabbed a quick nap on mommy.

I'm so glad that we have an easygoing, beach loving baby on our hands!

Emma's Favorite Beach Things: 

iPlay Swim Diapers

Noodle & Boo Sunscreen

Emma's Favorite Things

I'm only 6 weeks into motherhood and have so much to share with you!  Today I'm sharing some of Emma's favorite things for moms-to-be or anyone with a baby shower coming up.  In fact, several items on this list came to me as a gift from thoughtful friends and family. 

Aden + Anais swaddling blankets:  My number one baby pick hands down.  These blankets are made of a super thin and comfy muslin.  Emma sleeps better and is calmed easier when she is swaddled.  The extra large size makes it easier to swaddle, use as a stroller blanket, playmat, the works.  

No surprise that afford-anything-out-there stars like Sandra Bullock, Heidi Klum, and Gwen Stefani use them.  

       Puj Tub:  It is made of a soft foam that easily folds into our sink to safely cradle Emma.  We get ready for bath time within a mater of seconds and easily store the tub out of sight in any bathroom because its clever design allows it to be conveniently stored flat and hanging.  The design allows for easy set up, bathing, clean-up, and storage.   

Nap Nanny:  We love our Nap Nanny!!  Taking a shower and catching up on laundry all seem like impossible tasks when you have a new baby, but with the Nap Nanny it is possible!  A portable recliner designed for sleep, play, and peace of mind.  


Mum + Bub Skincare:  The name itself is heart warming...mum and bub.  Which means literally that both mom and baby can use.  Since Emma was born with a head full of hair, we love using the hair+bodywash.  Emma smells great and her hair looks fantastic.  I also love that it comes in a pump!  That makes bath time so much easier.  

Emma Gunter Copeland

born May 29, 2012 at 11:19 AM

6 pounds, 9 ounces, 19.5 inches

Life is great, but life is even better once you have been blessed to become a mom!  From the moment Emma was born I have loved being a mom.  She has taught me to be patient, more loving, and appreciative of every moment we have together as a family. 

Three Years & A Baby!!

Wedding anniversaries are cause for celebration!  A reminder for the reason we said, "I Do."

Wednesday marked our three year wedding anniversary!  This anniversary is extra special since we welcomed baby Emma to our family 3 weeks ago.  Sage is a wonderful husband and amazing father.  I enjoy every day with him and look forward to the next.  
So, here's to many, many more celebrations!!

Emma's Nursery

There's certainly a lot of excitement as we prepare the nursery (and ourselves!) for our new baby.  From the moment we bring our precious baby home, her room will become a special place, where we will be spending many hours.  I wanted it to feel like home, and designing it was a fun process!  

Sage's aunt made Emma the beautiful quilt
that is draped across the back of the glider.

Yes, we are using cloth diapers!

Our Backyard Vegetable Garden

Spring marks the beginning of one of the highlights of our family life--the planting of our backyard vegetable garden.  We get catalogs all winter and fantasize about what we will put in the garden come spring.  Now that spring is officially here we have planted our garden for the second year.  

As usual I planted the staples.  My staples are Better Boy Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, Jalapeno Peppers, Zucchini Squash, Crookneck Squash, and Green Onions.  Butternut Squash and English Peas are new this year, due to needing these vegetables to make some of Emma's baby food.

Avery is already keeping an eye out for those rabbits.

Evicting Peter Rabbit

As a child, you probably sympathized with the title character in Beatrix Potter’s children’s story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. But when rabbits are ravaging your peas, Mr. McGregor–the mean old farmer who chased Peter–might suddenly seem more like a sympathetic 

anti-hero than a villain. 

Thought I'd share some of the bunnies that are visiting our garden.

  

"Isn't he cute" might be an expression you use watching Peter Rabbit hop about, unless you're a gardener and they're enjoying your plants, in the food sense.  

We're Expecting!

We are thrilled to announce 

that we are expecting our first baby 

on June 4, 2012!

Most of you already know of this news, but for those of you that don't SURPRISE!!

Christmas 2011 brought much excitement--we found out the sex of our baby! We surprised the first time grandparents with a cake that would reveal the sex of our baby.  

Both families thought it was a boy, but....

It's a GIRL!!  

Emma Gunter Copeland  

I am extremely close to my grandmother and thrilled that our baby girl 

will share her name!  (my grandmothers name is Emma and her maiden name was Gunter)