What a wonderful day! Cohen(Baby Butler now has a name) is very lucky to have two amazing, energetic, loving, and organized grandma's who can do anything they put their minds to! Chris and I feel very fortunate knowing we'll have the support we'll need when Cohen arrives in August

The grandma's hosted the shower at Peterkort Woods, which was perfect. The guys (Chris, his dad/Dick, my brother/Mark, and my uncle John kept the kids entertained in the pool, so the ladies could mingle, eat, and play games in the clubhouse. The best game was a "birthday card" activity. First, a note card was passed out to each person with a number on it. Then the number corresponded with an age Cohen will be in the future. So, if you picked the number 5, you'd write a birthday card to Cohen for his 5th birthday. Cohen will be sent a card each year from each person who attended his shower! Pretty cool, huh

After reading and researching about sailboats for the past 6 months... Chris with the experienced knowledge of Roger, his dad and his uncle (who waved good-bye after the launch) went for his first sail last Wednesday. Chris enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait to go again! I think "sailing" will be a new Butler family hobby.
Anyone up for a sail?

I usually tend to think I'm not easily surprised...but oh my goodness, did my sister pull together a wonderfully executed get-together!! It all began on Friday night when Dee, Chasen, and Gavin arrived in town. (The Peabody's are back in the States from Japan, Yeah! and moving to Virgina/Washington D.C.)I thought I had planned a BBQ with my sister's family and the Peabody's but apparently I was just a decoy in the master plan.
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Little did I know, awaiting me at my sister's house was Lauren, Mark, Maile (who I hadn't met yet), Nicole, and Laura...who were there to surprise me. You see, we rarely have the opportunity to get together these days. Everyone is so busy and life pretty much takes over when you calculate in kids, work, etc....Plus, it's really hard to see Dee when she was living half across the world!
So, when I walked in the door at my sister's house and saw Lauren peek around the corner, it took me a good 5 seconds to even register who it was... I thought I was losing it! I was thinking to myself "that girl looks a lot like Lauren...." That's weird, then out toddled Maile and Nicole, etc....and it finally sunk in. Then I was thinking they were here to surprise Dee, but of course Dee was in on it too!

All I can say is..holy cow! That was the best gift ever We totally enjoyed our week-end together just hanging out, eating, and watching the kids play. What more could you ask for!! The girls even took me to Mother's Bistro, on Sunday morning for a wonderful breakfast and baby shower.

So, my first "Father's Day".. Although I am not officially a father just yet, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first gifts for father’s day. Melissa and my mom coordinated with the core of the David Douglas Football staff, Denise, to have a DDHS Football onesie made!!

It was a great day. It started with a walk with my own dad along Marine Drive from the 42nd street boat ramp, and concluded with dinner and Grandpa McIrvin’s. Overall a great start to my new holiday!!

All I can say is WOW!
It's been almost a week since my first shower and I'm still in awe when I pass the baby's room and see all the amazing gifts we received from my friends at Baller. We feel so grateful and so blessed! It feels like we'll be set for life, but apparently the Costco size baby wipes and diapers will run out sooner than we think...(It doesn't seem possible)
One of the best gifts we got was an "Advice Book" handwritten by some true veteran mom's (and a couple non-moms)

Advice for the new mom:
~When your baby spits sour milk all over your best clothes; just strip and go naked.

~Each thing you do, whether it's good or bad, won't affect your child for the rest of it's life. Keep a good relationship with your husband. Forget about having a neat and tidy house...it's not important!

~Well, coming for two women that don't have kids..or pets...I guess Laura has a dog...we don't know much about babies...but we do know how to have fun! So, when you need a break and certainly you will...give us a call...we will be sure you remember how to have the old kind of fun! The new kind will be fun too...it will just include baby butt paste, diaper rash, *****feeding...baby spit up, cleaning...Did I say that was going to be fun? Enjoy your little baby boy...you will be a great mommy!

~Sleep when the baby is sleeping. Cuddle with your baby! The time passes so quickly.

~A HAPPY mommy means a HAPPY baby!

~Ummm..can I skip out on this one? How 'bout this..."It's not legal to leave your baby in the dog carrier for large portions of time." I'm sure Chris would love that one!!

~Boys like balls and like to throw them! If your going to give your little guy balls, I recommend tennis and waffle balls. The baseballs really hurt!