Happy Presidents’ Day, everyone! I hope you are enjoying the day off, but if not, I pray you had a wonderful Valentine’s weekend and are still on a love-high from the weekend and don’t mind sitting at your desk today. I had an amazing week, getting to spend time with old and new friends as I celebrated Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, a friend’s 32nd birthday, and a sweet baby boy due so soon! The weather in Houston has just been amazing, so our evening family walks have lasted a little longer than normal.

The main low point of the week was Isla’s first tooth breaking the surface. Oh gosh. I mean, teething is awful! She was a snotty mess all week and absolutely will not let you wipe her nose (poor day care staff at Life Time Fitness discovered that the hard way). She was snugglier than normal though, which was sweet. I cannot believe this is an ongoing process… so many more teeth to come! I am grateful that I’ve had a gummy bear for as long as I have though, and pray she doesn’t feel like biting down while nursing!

Other highlights from the week include:

• Painting a mug and a plate at The Mad Potter with one of my high school friends, Danielle, who has the most incredible story and you should be following her inspiring blog – Project 3×5 (and her Instagram)
• Watching Isla take the reigns in peek-a-boo, as she now pulls the cover up and down all by herself – see a little video evidence here and here
• Catching up with Alexis and Kevin at Ruggles Green – I cannot believe they’re first date was there months ago when they slept the whole time, and now they’re in high chairs making insane amounts of mess
• Getting a beautiful cross from Isla’s Godmother (my best friend), McKenzie – it’s stunning and she is going to love it so much when she gets older!
• Enjoying a lovely Galentine’s Day party (post here) with sweet girl friends
• Celebrating baby Kerr (due in 5 weeks) at Julie’s (of Baby Grace Houston – part of the Best Baby Items on Etsy giveaway!) gorgeous shower – I’ll be sharing details this week!
• Eating a romantic (ha!) Valentine’s Day dinner with Sasha’s two cousins, Natalia and Stevan, and my sister and playing gin rummy (two for two now, which is insanely lucky for me)
• Going to McCormick and Schmicks and The Tasting Room to celebrate one of Sasha’s best friend’s birthdays – always so good to spend time with Paige and Matt!
• Spending time with all three sets of Isla grandparents – during which she ate a crêpe for the first time, played with her new bee chair, and listened to a new book from my mom – Round is a Tortilla
• Having my sister-in-law’s best friend over to help her design her wedding invitations – they’re going to look so pretty and I’m so excited for their fall wedding!
• Letting Isla eat all sorts of new foods, like Special K Protein Plus with breastmilk (!!!!) as we were out of oatmeal (which we eat every morning), Brussels sprouts, portobello mushrooms and spicy black bean veggie burgers
• Listening to an amazing guest speaker at church (Bayou City Fellowship) – his name is Jeremy Courtney and he is the Founder and Executive Director of Preemptive Love Collation –  this organization has the most amazing mission and I was so moved by Jeremy’s message
• Enjoying a family meal at Ruggles Green after church (yeahhh, I’m addicted to the Texas Goat Cheese Salad)
• Being gifted the Classic Pave Link bracelet from J. Crew – Amanda gave me this for helping her with wedding planning, and I seriously cannot take it off… I love it
• Getting to visit with Sasha’s aunt and uncle, who is sick – without sharing details, as this is personal, all prayers are definitely appreciated
• Finishing up the trip planning for Paris and St. Petersburg – making reservations, figuring out minute details… and praying we get lucky with good French Open tickets!

Some other secretive behind-the-scenes things took place during the week, which I am praying I can share with you soon. Needless to say, the extra effort involved has left me very little time to do much else.

How was your week? What were your highlights? Did you have a fun Valentine’s Day? Please share in the comments below!

As I mentioned on Friday, I went to Austin for the first part of the weekend to celebrate a friend’s bachelorette weekend, then drove back to Houston for another friend’s bridal shower. Both events were so much fun (although quite opposite in level of appropriateness). We went over to Sophee’s parents house after the shower to hang out with the bride and groom’s family, which I loved. Sophee and I lived together in college for two years, so I know her parents and sister very well and love them to death.

While I was busy on Saturday, Sasha took Isla to his friend’s 1 and 2 year old sons’ birthday party at the Houston Zoo. Zach’s sweet mom took some adorable photos which she sent me. I’m sad to have missed this fun celebration, but glad to have cute photos from the event.

Other highlights from the week included:

• The drive to Austin with two of my best friends since elementary school – it was a trip, as we laughed the entire way there (the return at 7am was a different story…)
• Pushing Isla on the swings at the park on Sunday – she giggles and giggles as she goes back and forth – similar to her bike ‘rides’ (as she push her around)
• Giving Isla her first bath in the big tub, which was so fun and she splashed around and loved it. Her frugal father didn’t though and think’s we’re wasting too much water! So silly!
• Going to Ciro’s Italian Grill for lunch with Papa (my dad) – it was such a treat, especially since he’s leaving for the UK for two weeks
• Getting a blowout at Dry Bar while Isla was babysat by her Baba (Sasha’s mom) – she made us these delicious peppers and strudel too!
• Worshipping at Bayou City Fellowship on Sunday – we’ve been gone or busy the last few Sundays so haven’t made it to church, but I’m so glad we did yesterday. Of course, I cried (happy tears) to be there, singing along with friends.
• Bringing my best friend, McKenzie, Yogurtland frozen yogurt to celebrate her moving back into our old (but new) apartment complex after being in a very cool looking, but very old, four-plex for almost two years
• Eating lunch at Ruggles Green with an old friend, Anna, whom I hadn’t seen in ages and love to pieces – it was so nice to catch up!
• Spending time with Sasha’s aunt and uncle who live nearby and seeing his cousin, Natalia, who was in town
• Getting a chipped bottom tooth fixed – I have no clue how it happened! They’re worried I’m a night grinder… praying that’s not the case or else I’ve got some cool mouth gear in my future
• Taking more photos for Feather Thread (first mentioned here) – I’m excited for Jessica to launch it!

How was your week? What did you get up to?