Happy Halloween!

A friend's Halloween party turned out to be a surprise 30th bday party for me! Great trick AND treat!


Oh, and at Wils' 6 day check, he was up to 10 lb 6 oz and 22''!!

Birthday girl!

Emma had a fabulous 2nd birthday celebration! Thanks to everyone who helped make it so special, including a few out of town aunties & grandparents!

How did this happen??

Wasn't she just born?? Apparently not, because our little girl turned 2 over the weekend! She had a fabulous birthday weekend, complete with grandparents, Chi O aunties in town, an Aggie victory over the Gopher's (seriously, how did that one happen?!), an ice cream cupcake, an Elmo party, lots of fun with friends and family, and more presents than one girl needs. . . It was an awesome weekend, perfect for celebrating an amazing two years. Happy birthday sweet girl, we love you!!

Some summer fun - in pictures

A Murray Family vacation to Jellystone Park, the zoo, the Children's Museum, splash pads, and more! We're loving all the sun we can get! *Oh, and some proof of the escape and her new temporary bed while we get the big girl room ready!*

World Record holder

Ok, so participant may be more accurate. Just a technicality because today we were part of setting a world recor in, drum roll please, the most cloth diapers changed at one time! We went with some friends to our favorite local baby store Peapods, played for a hour, ate some yummy treats, won some FABULOUS prizes (like $80 in prizes! 4 new cloth diapers and a pair of baby legs!), and then made history! At 11:20 all of the parents and cloth diapered babes gathered in a room to wait for the signal at 11:30 to change away. It was hilarious to be packed in a room with all of these diapered kiddos hanging out as we waited. You & your buddy were super patient and such good sports. We had so much fun! There were 300 sites around the world participating today, pretty cool, don't you think?

Then we topped off our fun morning with lunch and a book store with our friends. You're asleep, I'm thinking I should be, and now we can decompress for the rest of the day.

Happy almost Easter from the World Record holding Murrays!

Holiday Fun Part 3 - Christmas Eve

We had the traditional Wilson shrimp soup, our friends the Whittles, church, and fun with the girls!! What a nice way to celebrate the birth of Christ and the blessings in our lives!

Holiday Fun Part 2

A few book club mamas and babes headed on the train to the 8th Floor Display at Macy's. Although it's been the same for 3 years in a row, it's the first time I've made it. It was fun to share with Em and she even got to see Santa afterwards!

My what big ears you have

Yes, the Murrays are going to be the characters from Little Red Riding Hood for Halloween. Last year we dressed up together - Emma was our little football, I was the football player, and Steve was the sexy cheerleader. It was pretty fun, so we decided to pick a family costume again this year. Steve came up with the brilliant idea and now I'm busy channeling my inner Martha to make this a reality. The big, bad wolf is almost done, now to get the little red hood/cape together. We actually have to occassions to show off our ensembles as well - at the annual Buzza pumpkin carving event the night before (although that may just be Emma) and the next day at a friend's Halloween party for the kiddos.

Happy Haunting!

Hyper Attached

I'm getting on an airplane and leaving you for the first time - for more than 10 hours at least - on Friday. I'm a wreck. I've reminded daddy that if I die, he has to cut your fingernails and that I don't want you eating meat or having dairy with hormones.

It will be great to go to Chicago. I love Chicago and more than that, I love the girlfriends I'll be seeing. I'm at least kind of looking forward to a few days without diapers, although the added task of totally pumping is going to be a little bit of a drag. :o)

I know you and daddy will have a good time and I trust the mom's who have gone before me and say it's good for all of us. Plus I know it has to happen eventually. I guess I just didn't anticipate it being quite so emotional and difficult to do.

I love you sweet baby girl - don't forget your mama!!

Just a little taste. . .

Until I have time to upload my pics, a few from my dad. . .



We're so proud!

Hayes Family!!

Lauren and I met when I was 9. We have been friends across 2 countries, at least 8 states, 8 degrees, and now 2 babies! BFFs getting better with age!!