my little Catholic baby...

We baptized Evangeline on Sunday. She was so precious. Everyone kept saying they had never seen a baby not make a single peep in the ceremony. That's my girl!

Before the big day, we wanted to have the godparents over for a "rehearsal" if you will. Tison cooked crock-pot ribs and everyone pitched in with potato salad, salad, and bbq beans. Justin and Sara, who traveled from Dallas, brought some Texas craft brews for us to try. The Revolver: Blood and Honey was very complex. I want one right now, actually.

We gathered on Sunday at St. Joseph Catholic Church (where I was baptized) for the sacrament of baptism and were joined by family and a few close friends. Evangeline wore my baptismal gown that my godmother bought for me many moons ago. My sisters were baptized in it, as well as Hudson and Andrew - kind of a special garment!

A special thank you to everyone who took pictures of this special moment for our family! My hands were getting a little shaky without my camera - ha.

The reception at DeeDee's was special. The house was full of love and FOOD! The menu: dips, finger sandwiches, beautiful personalized cookies, cake balls, pecan sandies, lemon squares, fruit and veggie trays, beer, champagne and punch. -pheew!

Now we've got a little cat-lic' bebe ;) 

Jordan and Justin- y'all are now officially family! Thanks for being a part of Miss E's life.

Click here for Hudson or Andrew's baptismal day.

you say it's your birthday...

...it's my birthday too, yeah! Yep, that's right- another birthday has come and gone. Don't worry, this one did not go by without the proper celebratory activities. When Tison asked me what I wanted  to do for my birthday, I told him I wanted to browse local shops and then possibly look for a grill for our backyard. With Miss E around, it is hard to go in and out of places and so I have just been avoiding it all together to spend time with her. BUT... since he asked ;) he was in charge of baby girl while I got to look around while also enjoying their company. I wrote out a lengthy list of places and we hit the road.

{Here are a few snapshots from the days adventures.}

{At about 6pm I told Tison I really wanted to get the grill we saw at Lowe's and cook on it. He was like, "tonight??" So, we bought the grill, put it together, put baby girl down, and had a romantic meal on the back porch. It was perfect. And I love that our table setting includes a baby monitor.}

On Sunday, my in-laws invited us to Sevendipity Cafe for brunch. This was our second time there and we just love it!

{The huevos rancheros could be my breakfast everyday. And I am sure you have heard of the cronut? Well, the chef, Dominique Ansel, asked that Sevendipity stop using the name creauxnut. After a facebook poll, the new name for the amazing croissant/donut pastry is the juggernut. I'm not crazy about the name, but it's not going to keep me from ordering this dessert.}

On Tuesday, my birthday day, my mom made a home cooked dinner at their house. We arrived excited to see family, but I had no idea what was in store. The doorbell rang and Mom asked me to get it (she was busy in the kitchen.) I just thought it was Lauren and the boys arriving for dinner. I opened the front door and when I first looked out no one was there- and then- bam- Leslie jumps in front of me. I just stood there, literally for a full minute, trying to figure out why she is standing at the front door of Mom's house in the United States of America in July when I wasn't expecting her to fly in from Africa again until December!?!? She got me. She kept it a surprise from me and Lauren that she was coming in and we were both stunned, shocked, and thrilled. Everyone in the house knew but us! What a great secret :) She is in town for the next 3 weeks- whoohoo!!

{Tison was snapping photos of us when Lauren points out that she is sitting in a rocking chair with a blanket covering her legs while we all gather around her for a photo- she felt like a great grandma- we died laughing. Sure do love having everyone together.}

sugar and spice and everything nice!

We are having a baby girl!!

Finding out what the gender is surrounded by family was so wonderful. No restricted excitement in a doctors office- tears, screams, and "what are we going to do with a giiiirl" comments were all expressed freely amongst our packing boxes and messy house. I was thrilled with how Paper Shack set up the balloons in the box with the most adorable balloon weight ducky. They were so sweet to do that for us! They even switched my polka dots to the outside of a bigger box to fit more pink balloons. Julie Anne's Bakery made a special king cake for this Mardi Gras girl with pink and blue sugar on top.

{Dad recorded everything for us to share with Leslie - and all of you, of course!}

Cheers to you baby girl. We are so lucky to have you!

wedding update: bridesmaids' luncheon

You guys! I'm married! What?! I have been overwhelmed with how to share all the images from my most amazing weekend-ever and I suppose starting with Friday only makes sense!


My Bridesmaids Luncheon at The Remington Suite Hotel:
Thank you to the lovely hostesses that kick started the wedding weekend with the most stunning bridesmaids luncheon a girl could ever imagine. The table arrangements, the flowers, the cake, the food, the chairs, the location, all of it was exceptional - but the true gift was getting to share this time with each one of you. I am filled with gratitude for your love and generosity. We (Mr. and Mrs. T) treasure you.

Pulling the Wedding Cake Charms - is this only a southern thing?

 These sexy ladies made my weekend! I love you ALL so incredibly much!

Aiden and Jordan flew all the way from Chicago for Mr. T and my big day! (she is only 1 month old! Bless her heart.) Katie had her aunt, whom is an amazing artist, watercolor flowers on our wedding invitation. I can't wait to frame and hang this in my house forever.

Frances came in from Missouri and celebrated her 30th birthday on my wedding day! I seriously have the best friends in the world. T's Aunt Maria had these Waterford candles sticks brought in from Ireland to bless our marriage. And these two on the bottom right -Chessi and Mrs. Karen- have helped me/coached me/calmed me down through the whole wedding process. Priceless memories and much love.

  Emily R's family came in from Houston and Thomas was our handsome ring bearer! More on that later. All of these ladies have been so supportive and I am forever grateful. Emily G came in from Baton Rouge and stayed at my mom's house with me on Thursday night.

Mom, Lauren and I began with at-home spray tans and wedding cake martinis; Chessi, Emily, Leslie and I stayed up late looking at old photos and drinking wine on the front porch. I will treasure that night for a lifetime.... now back to Friday!

What can I say about these two ladies? They helped raise me. They are truly the perfect blend between friends and mothers to me. 

A special thank you to the all the Hudson and Tison family members for your travels from Texas, south Louisiana, and Miami to be here! Leslie came in for 3 weeks from Zimbabwe for all the wedding festivities - thank you for all the moments we got to share together. Mrs. C - thanks for coming in for a whole month to share in the craziness that is me. I love you so. 

It means the world to us that so many people traveled from near and far, to share their time with us. What an experience to have all the people you love in one room.

boy are we excited...

The Merrick family keeps growing! This morning was exciting beyond belief. We were told to wear pink or blue according to what we thought the sex of the baby was going to be to the gender reveal party- aka the birth! Geaux Team Blue! Lauren and David welcomed a new baby boy into their family as we welcomed him into ours. Here's a snapshot of our morning:

I can't believe it's already been 18 months since Hudson was born! I love watching my family grow. Hooray for healthy and beautiful baby Andrew!