Gender Reveal Party: It's a ....

So the Gender Reveal Party for Mrs. Momma to-be Caitlin

over at a country nest  turned out perfect!

Cait beat me to the "reveal on the blog" so I had her guest post over here today && let her tell you how it all went down.  It took me months to create the look I had imagined filled many odds & ins and must-haves. Besides the Balloon-Fail, everything went perfect & smooth.

I had butterflies in my tummy starting that Monday prior too.

I'm always excited to hear the gender of ones baby however this was different. I guess being I was building up so much excitement for months of planning, I was far beyond excited.

Here's a little conversation right before finding out between Caitlin & myself.

After writing the results are in, she waited....

I about died! && I wanted her to wait until the party? No way!

That's when she sent me a picture of the ultra sound!

Ekkkkk!!!

&& then minutes before everyone I arrived I took a picture of this

area where everyone needed to mark their vote

Team Clayton or Team Chloe...

 

Facebook voted for Clayton like c.r.a.z.y♥

Okay, So... are ya ready?

Here's Cait...

Ok, ok, I give you permission to hate me for making you all wait so long to find out!

I think 100% of the votes were Team CHLOE!

Our guests were almost split down the middle between Team Blue and Team Pink.

Everyone participated and some had left before we were able to snap the photo!

The decor was to die for! So, so, so super cute..

Jess did a FABULOUS job. Over the top all the way!

Since our gender scan appointment and gender reveal party were scheduled just 3 hours apart, Jess had to come up with something clever besides the normal cutting of a cake, biting into baked cupcakes, etc.

My amazing friend, come up with THIS genius idea:

A "C" pinata!

Hand-made all the way.

{Isn't she adorable?}

She filled it with regular (uncooked) peanuts.

When she found out the gender, she painted ONE single peanut and placed it inside & gave it a good shake.

The three Grandmothers were responsible for the actual "reveal" part.

My Mom was blindfolded and given the paddle to take the first swings!

{This.Was.Hilarious.!!!}

Take 1 = FAIL

Mom swung a little high and knocked the pinata to the floor!

So with some good, tall manly help we got it hung back up and ready for another lick! 

  

{I L.O.V.E how all the grandparents are freaking out, so excited-ly looking

at all the peanuts on the floor....}

 Y'all, if this was not the funniest thing ever! I was laughing so hard, I was crying.

Everytime Mom took a swing, she would throw off the blindfold and scream "WHAT IS IT?!?!?!?" all while scanning the floor frantically looking for the one painted peanut!

 No luck? Jess hid that bad boy pretty good!

{Cait, you watched me put it in there... I just set it on top? HAHA!}

It was finally spotted!

Take a second && REALLY look at everyones expression.

Is this NOT amazing?

Lots of excitement, laughing, and hugging going on!

Then out come the ultrasound images..

Baby Chloe definitely wasn't shy.

She made her Daddy blush  already with her pose above ;)

Baby Chloe is loved by SO many already!

It was an incredible day.

We couldn't thank Jess enough for planning, hosting, and going the extra mile for us!

xoxoxo-

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caitlin, you are VERY welcome! Thank you for letting me host this

amazing celebration for you & Cliff.

Cait out did herself. She {& Cliff} made me this amazing basket with billions of

little things that will definitely come in use && multiple gift certificates that I love!

Thank YOU.

Sooo...
A little peanut is on HER way...

That's right, Miss Chloe Young will be arriving here in December!
I'm tickled pink!

 Remember, I based everything off of the invitation. 

#TrueStory:
Caitlin's Dad said to me after I congratulated him, "What does the elephants have to do with everything?" I laughed because of course he didn't see the invitation, typical man. I responded with, " Well it all goes back to the invitation. 'A little peanut is on the way..." Elephants... Peanuts...Pinata?"  I thought it was cute. Poor thing probably thought I was a weirdo for randomly bringing Elephants into this. Haha. I thought it was cute!

 But with all that comes setting up &&  I could not have done it without momma. My momma that is. A HUGE thanks to her for helping me ALL day set up for this ever so happy celebration && also preparing all the food.  She is where I get all this partying throwing from. I don't know where I'd be without her.


Speaking of food: Thank you ALL for your wonderful ideas on what to do. I ended up going with Italian. But no Pizza.
I served Chicken Alfredo, Baked Spaghetti & Baked Ziti -
Cucumber Tomato Salad {something Cait somewhat craves since pregnant}
&& garlic bread sticks.


As Caitlin said the Pinata was handmade.
I think I'll do a separate post on that one later - it was a huge turn out!
I was all excited about it && when it fell, as explained with the first hit I kind of freaked out. I thought, "Crap, this isn't going to work out" but it
did && it was by far awesome! The room was filled with the most anticipation you can imagine && kept everyone waiting.
By the time the pink peanut came out - everyone exploded.
So bad that I didn't even get to snap the ONE picture I wanted.
However, It's in my memory. It was absolutely awesome!

&& Caitlin also was correct - it was absolutely HILARIOUS!
Her Mom could not have been a better candidate for this. She was priceless!
My heart was racing with happiness!
Ending with two of MY favorite pictures...

If that doesn't show excitement, then I don't know what does!

&& my #1 photo is...

Once the gender was out && I went and got the ultra sounds out of the draw. When handing Cliff a ultrasound he immediately passed everyone && took it to his Dad. It was pretty awesome. Proud Daddy he was!

The party was perfect. I could not have asked for anything better
to come about. Next stop, Baby shower!

No, No, No...
I'll probably leave that to her other ladies however I'm
ready to start shopping!

The BEST weekend E.V.E.R!!!

As you've read, I had a weekend away with

SEVEN woman whom I grew up with yet we have all moved away &&

made our own lives. We figured it up, it's been 13 years since we've all been together.

I explained here how it all happened && let me just say

it could have went either good or shaky.

Good is an understatement. I'm not sure if there is a word that really describes how fabulous && wonderful this weekend went. All seven {should have been eight} of us picked right back up.

I haven't laughed so hard in so long - seriously... wait until to hear all about it.

I was not ready to come home. I could have stayed another day, maybe two...

I cried dropping the last girls off at the airport.

That being said, we've already picked our destination for next year --- Yes! We plan to

make this an annual trip, hell yes!!!!

So much to even write about && can I say as much as I dislike breaking up

posts, I will definitely have to do so. && I promise it will be coming soon however they will take some time to work on. I promised the girls to "picmonkey" all photos!

There are many.

Until then... I'll be preparing posts about my girls trip &&&

the ever so wonderful Gender Reveal Party for the fabulous Caitlin & Cliff. That too, was a really really happy day/night that I never quit smiling for.

If you did not see the gender on instagram then you will either have to wait until the post OR.... maybe go see Cait to find out early!

&& of course visiting everyone Else's blogs since I've been a huge slacker.

Life is so busy at times. Forgive me.

Xo - Jess

a little peanut is on the way

&& we find out July 18th whether it's a girl or boy!

The Gender Reveal Party planning is in FULL force && so much fun! I am so excited I can't stand any more to wait ...

Freaking out yet?

Thinking, WHAT! Did I miss something?

Not me crazy.

We aren't pregnant. You would've known by now.

Caitlin & Cliff over at a country nest are expecting in December

&& I'm hosting their GR party.

photo credit

I've announced that before, right?

I think so.

Okay, so I can't tell ALL my ideas & secrets just yet

because she reads - duh, she blogs && a lot of our hometown-ers read also.

I don't want to spoil the fun before the fun happens.

But I do plan on sharing a little bit of the planning -

First things first, the invitation.

I fell in love with it the second I found it on etsy @ Juneberry Lane shop.

Misty was wonderful to work with. I've never bought anything digital - let me say I'll be

doing it from here on out. Super easy. Not very expensive.

Dontcha love it?

&& if your answer is no, just pretend you do.

The different fonts shown, I think is what won my heart over.

Originally, I wanted to do Aqua & Coral because that's what the Momma to-be's  favorite trend colors are at the moment in time. However, when you search for things you want to incorporate & need for the party, Aqua you may find but Coral is tough. So I just went with the blue & pink. However, the invitation somewhat looks blue. My Momma always said there should be a third color to your theme in anything you do, Duh - Grey {&& my favorite color as of the time being}.

So the final colors are:

Pink Grey Blue

Another reason I really liked the invitation is because since day one, I've

called Baby Young a little peanut. But nobody is gonna know that or doesn't have to know that. It's just what stole my attention.

I plan to incorporate peanuts into the party just to symbolize

this precious baby, this incredible work of God.

In the beginning, I assumed Momma & Daddy would be surprised

with the gender along with the rest of family & friends but...

{Cait, I'm smiling big} Caitlin & Cliff really wanna see the gender on the

screen when they go in that day. I can totally understand. Their excitement is beyond.

{it's still not to late to change your mind, wink} This isn't going to mess up anything - I'm just plan to have super fun with the grandparents.

Being we are having the reveal party on the exact day they see the ultrasound, I really can't depend on baking anything or eating anything that needs to be prepared that morning of.

So I was definitely planning to do the [balloons in a box reveal]. That being said, I'm very weird on doing the same as others to close together && since I've already seen this happen a time or to with some people I know, I've decided to reveal the surprise a different way.

But how?

Hmmmmm... Let's just say I'm crazy excited to share the reveal

 && see how it will all work out. 

 Fun Fun.

 Crafts/Details:

I'm hand making everything.  How fun?!

I haven't had the urge to craft a whole lot since the wedding

{only 10.5 months + ago}

it pretty much wiped me out but I'm back in the swing of things && have been

working hard while watching the bachelorette making this all piece in together.

This weekend, after a baby shower I'm co-hosting, I plan to wrap everything up.

Aaron will be out of town, fishing, so I should be able to put my mind to everything &&

finish it all.

Food:

I've got my list of this & that's, my must haves

but I'm still not sure what the best way to go. I don't really know how many

I'm expecting, but if I had to guess I'd say at least 50+. Being this is at 6PM, I need to serve something other than orderves' -

I thought {Hamburgers/Hot dogs}

& up until this week I'm kind of rethinking it. I'm leaving at 8:15am sharp the very next

morning for a four day vacay at the beach with my friends of middle school. Kind of like a reunion - Yeah, I'll save that post for later.

Anyway, will I want to spend a lot of time cleaning up the grill & such?

Will Hamburgers/Hot dogs be too much?

Pizza? Hmmm.. could be. I'd have to price it.

LOTS of warm/hot finger foods? But again, I may end of having several people there && I'm not sure just how much to serve - this one is scary.

So, if ANY of you have ANY ideas or suggestions on

what you think my best option is, do tell. 

Until then, That's all I can share with you all.

I'm super excited && can't wait for everything to play out.

It's gonna be great! {I hope}

Go HERE to see how Caitlin's progressed &&

to keep up with her first time experiences as a Momma-to-be♥

Gender Reveal Bash {in the making}

Once upon a time there was this girl who used to blog

pretty regularly & now...

We want her back!

 Caitlin over at A Country Nest & I live in the same hometown, went to high school together && entered the blog world around the same time.
We new each other, because everyone in our town knows each other, we spoke occasionally - however blogging brought us together, to a different place.
As of today, I'd call her my friend.
She's pretty awesome in many ways than just one.

Last year was a BIG year for her -

Graduated from Georgia Southern with a Nursing degree in May. Opened her own boutique in our small town somewhere within those months && June 10th - she married her country boy of {now 7 years}, Cliff.
Happy Anniversary, Cait & Cliff
Check out their gorgeous {no lie} wedding here.

Embellish Boutique was getting going therefore her time was spent hours upon hours getting started && making our town happy. 

That being said, she hasn't been able to blog whole lot.

Let's bring her back. Head over to Caitlin's page
&&  give her some L.O.V.E♥


I think it's time she comes back.
Why? Well because not only did ALL bloggers love her but
because she's having a baby. && I think it's something she would LOVE to share and capture moment to moment.  If you didn't follow her wedding planning then you missed out. It was to.die.for!

That's right - This December there will be a blessing in this world.
Caitlin is about to enter {maybe is entering} her second trimester which means
the gender will be announced very soon.

Actually, the gender will be announced on July 18th -

But how would I know this?
Well duh -

because I am hosting a Gender Reveal Bash for them.
Ekkkk!!!! I'm stoked.

I've been waiting for the moment that we find out just when we will the exact date will be
&& that was last week - I immediately started planning.

Follow me through the next few weeks as I plan this
celebration for the two of them along with their families as we ALL get
crazy excited for this little peanut.

Here is a glimpse of the invitation that I am totally in love with -

{would give you the whole look but I don't want to spoil it just yet}

The invitation will not be fuzzy - in order to get on le blog I had
to take a picture of it on the computer with my phone - but...
this is a small glimpse.

Once the invitations are mailed out I will share the whole thing! :)
I've also started on mini projects that will complete "the look"
of the party that I am going for. It's gonna be PERFECTION!
{let's hope}

Don't forget to go visit Cait && bring her back!

TWINS??? Do whhhaaat?

Once again...
Not me, crazy! ;)



Two of our dearest friends Jon & Shanna are expecting!

I'm so excited.

Not only are they expecting a precious bundle of joy but they

have found out there are TWO swimming together.

How fun?

All of our friends couldn't be more excited to see two babies... twins

running around.

Are they boys? Girls? Boy & Girl?

Me, I hope it's two little girls. They have a son now who is 5, Jonathan

and he is ALL boy. If you knew his Daddy, Jon you would definitely vote

for a least one girl. He needs one. 

Jon guesses they are identical & botjh boys. He says he always been right when guessing

any sex of any pregnancy. Weird huh?

Gender Reveal Party!
True Story: {I first heard about a gender reveal party many months ago through a blog.
I found myself crying as a blog friend shared her friends party with us. It was absoultely
amazing to see everyones face let alone the mommy & daddy. It stole me heart.
Right away, I thought this an awesome idea. Being my cousins did something similar
only they had the nurse put the sex on paper and waited for dinner to open it up together...
that too was really awesome. However, Aaron and I do not plan to find out what the sex is
when that time comes. I MUST do this for someone and get the excitement of this party. Sooo...
I thought of who would be expecting next... my bestie Kristie came in mind. I asked her immediately. She thought it was great & we will still do BUT they aren't trying for a little while..soooo

Jon & Shanna... TWINS? How fun!

Shanna was all up for it but said her may have to find out & let everyone else wait.
This past weekend, I was able to comfort Jon.
He thought I was insane when I asked him about it. {laughing} He never heard of such but found himself grinning from ear to ear.
Of course... I talked him into it. I think they will find out & just hold it from everyone else. Let's hope so. {Jon is like a kid on Christmas about secrets. He stinks at it.}
TWINS is a big deal. Not that one isn't.. but you know!
They believe it'll be the end September when they find out the sexes... ???
That's TWO weeks after my wedding + honeymoon. Will I have time?
I think so... if we can just get an exact date!

Here are a few ideas I'm hoping to have:
{of course remember... it'll be TWINS so some of the wording will be
switched around}

I already know I wanna do this:
For TWO girls:
Wear a bow & PINK

For TWO boys:
Wear a Tie & Blue

For a Boy & a Girl:
Wear one of each.


{love this invitation}





{LOVE the bottle idea}

{this next is a MUST}
 --- i have a small obsession with paper mustaches



{via}


{via}
Do you see their crazy excitment?


{via}




PS: Speaking of TWINS...
have I ever shared my story about my ladies night out.. run in with a physic?
It's actually extremly weird because EVERYTHING she said to me has been true OR has come true.... but some of the "feelings" are still undiscovered.
"... i see two babies in your future."
{I got completely excited...}
"two boys"
{yay!}
"one pregnancy"
{of course I didn't smile because twins never crossed my mind. for some reason, I immediately thought I'd lose a childb {HUGE fear of mine}... so tears immediately came to my ears. My friend who was sitting next to me was SOOOOOO happy. My mind snapped back into gear when she said "TWINS" then my tummy dropped to the floor.}
... what? Twins?
the physic shook her head yes.

I'll definitely have to share my e.n.t.i.r.e experience with her.