Happy Holidays

Well the Holidays are in full swing and I have just about finished my preparations. Now I can sit back and enjoy time spent with family and friends. Austin has been quite entertaining this season, knows Santa well and exactly what he would like Santa to bring him, a Red Dinosaur and a Green Dinosaur :o) Our sweet little man is really into the season, and honestly... Chris and I are even more into the spirit now than we ever have been in the past.

This doesn't make it easy on us though in one way. It hurts my heart to spend Christmas away from many family members. There are traditions that we have established for our small family of 4 (soon to be 5 :o) ) but it is always nice to return to those traditions we grew up with. So this is to all of our loved ones that will be far from us this Christmas. Know you and the traditions we have shared over the years remain in our hearts and have become part of our little Saucier family tradition. It's as exciting to think of Christmases to come for me, as it is enjoying the season we are currently in. But that's just Liz, the dreamer.... it's just in my blood.

Merry Christmas to all of our loved ones, that's you!

Surely lots of pictures to come very soon.

Pink, pink, pink!!!

It's pink! 100% positively sweet little girl. Chris and I could not be more thrilled. Austin? Well I think he's still digesting the little alien he saw on the television in the doctor's office. He was entirely convinced I was going to get 'BIG OUCHIES' and only settled a little when the technician gave him a few chocolate covered pretzels.

Everything else looks beautiful. Her heart and brain were visible and look fantastic, but she wouldn't budge enough for the doctor to get a good shot of her spine, so I'll be going back in 4 weeks when she's a little bigger to verify that indeed everything looks good with her spine. The doctor assured me that had there been anything wrong with the spine, it would have shone in her brain, so that was settling for me.

So now the big question, what will we change the blog name to.... :o) I thought I would ask for your suggestions, please get as creative, funky and fun as you want. We love you all and cannot wait to hear what you come up with. Thanks so much for checking in!

All our love!!! (and even a little more today)

Liz, Chris, Austin, baby girl and Hannah too!!!

Love

I took a few photos at our friend's Dave and Heather's wedding... back in October... I've finally gotten to editing them and this is the one I have fallen in love with. They are family to us and it makes us all so happy to see them officially together forever.

The wedding was amazing. It was the first overnight Chris and I had away from Austin. We went out to the bars after the reception, something I haven't done in a while. Although I was not drinking, I had so much fun anyway. Heather and Dave both have incredible families and it was so nice to get to see them all again.

Chris and I had an unforgettable time, but were both so excited to get back to our little man.

So many congratulations to you. Thanks for the fabulous time! We love you both.

All, check back with us Monday to see if we'll be shopping pink or blue for the new nursery.

Worth the wait?

Hello friends and family! I hope that our news finds you all healthy and happy. I know it's taken me so, so long to notify you all of our big news. I apologize for stringing you along for so many months, but I know no one lost sleep over it... at least I hope you didn't.

Let's cover the good news first. Chris got several fantastic job offers from different consulting companies. The company he had been favoring throughout the interview process ended up showing him the utmost respect and made him a fantastic offer, one he just couldn't walk away from. So starting on the 12th of this month, Accenture will be graced with my wonderful husband's talents, passion and presence :o) Congrats love, I know it was a long road getting to this point, but you did it!

Now for the great news. Austin's going to be a big brother! And boy is he thrilled about that. I am currently 13 weeks 3 days pregnant and so glad to not be in my first trimester still. The first three months were very hard, unlike my pregnancy with Austin, I was sick almost every day, all day and actually lost a few pounds. I began feeling better over this past weekend and managed to get the flu or some sort of nasty cold. So I am really looking forward to kicking this thing so I can start enjoying this little one and my big boy.

Not really showing yet, though I feel like a bloated tick (no I'm not sparing the details). Our next appointment is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I absolutely LOVE the practice I am going to, thanks to my dear friend Mandy. We will be finding out if it is a boy or girl, I just can't stand the suspense and always love buying clothes a year out on 75% off racks. I don't think we're going to share the name this time though. Too many people know/knew someone they didn't like with 'that name' and I think we would rather just deal with those issues between the three of us, although I don't think Ausitn will have too much of that going on, he pretty much loves everyone. We would love suggestions, as the second baby seems a lot harder than the first. My Leah called today and suggested two names (jokingly) she had heard at her Yoga studio. One of the instructors named her first Karma and her second Lotus.... all suggestions are welcome :o)

So here are a few pictures the doctor took at our first appointment. How adorable huh? I was only 11 weeks and you could already make out hands and legs, eyes and the umbilical cord. Technology is really amazing!

Speaking of, we don't have a scanner, maybe Santa will bring us one. These are pictures I took of the ultra-sound pictures with my camerra. If anyone knows of a great Scanner/copier/fax machine/printer all in one, we'd love suggestions on that too.

Love to all, thanks for stopping in. So tell me was it worth the wait?

xoxo Liz, Chris, Austin, baby & Hannah xoxo

This One's for the Boys

We've been in Connecticut for almost a week now and having a great time! Especially little A-man. Holy cow do you we have some handsome boys or what? Austin absolutely adores all his cousins. His newest 'trick' is becoming an owl. can't you see the resemblance with those owl eyes (the hands cupped around his sweet little eyes). He runs around hooting and encourages others to be owls with him. I was amazed that I actually got a few good pictures of these guys. Typically they are so used to having my camera pointed in their face they avoid me at all costs :o(

Enjoy the photos, I now that Grammy and Memere will! Miss you all. Huge news coming very, very soon... I promise, it's all worth the wait.

A little bit of fun

My friend Sam did this on her blog, I thought it was fun... Thanks Sam!

Goodnight Blessings

It's such a blessing for me to walk in an hour or so after bedtime to find the sweetest little man in the world, sleeping so contently in his crib. It is such a blessing to me to know our son is healthy, smart and sometimes terrible in his 2s, but even that's a blessing. Each moment as a mom, although some days are tougher than others, is such a blessing.

It is a blessing for me on the nights that Chris takes on tub-time duty, bed time duty, story time duty and vitamin and brush your teeth duty. But is is truly one of God's gifts to me to encounter this. I was a fly on the wall, enjoying story time with them and watching the different ways Chris makes Austin smile. I am so blessed. Goodnight everyone, may you realize your blessings too.

Ice Cream + Austin = Love

Well I can't get him to drink milk any more because he thinks that milk is just for babies. Ever since we took his bottles away, he won't even touch the stuff! And trust me, I try every day! The only way I can get any calcium in him is through frozen yogurt and ice cream. I know all my fellow mommies out there are thinking, "I wonder if she's tried..." cheese? yes, calcium fortified juice? yes, yogurt? yes, cottage cheese? yes! And nothing works! Accept his daily vitamins and this wonderful sugar filled creamy goodness we like to refer to as ICE CREAM! and isn't he just a doll stuffing his face with it? He was a good boy today so I added sprinkles.

Love to all, Liz

John Deere rocks!

Austin enjoyed driving Pop-pop's John Deere this weekend. I think Daddy had a little bit of fun too.

A New Little One

Laura and I headed off to my aunt Mary-Ellen's for a wonderful shower for Heather and her soon to be baby-love, Liam. It was so wonderful to see all the ladies of my mom's side of the family again. We've always been so close and this once a year bit never seems to be enough for me.

Heather got so many beautiful gifts, from adorable clothes and handmade blankets to all in one strollers and plenty of things to entertain the little man from one day to one year and beyond. The greatest part for Laura and I was seeing how excited Nathaniel was about his soon to be baby brother. He was a huge help (along with cousin Tori) delivering and unwrapping gifts. Nathaniel is such an amazing kid, so respectful and kind, I know he'll make the best big brother a baby could ask for.

It would be remiss for me not to mention how fabulous the food was, I ate so much I was full for two days after! Thanks so much for the great party ladies. I can't wait to see you all again soon. I wish I had taken more pictures of the rest of us, but I must say, I captured the most beautiful part of the party!

Love to all, Liz

At The County Fair

We all had such a blast at the County Fair last week. Austin enjoyed eating chicken fingers in the grass, screeching with delight on the rides, mooing with the cows, clucking with the chickens and oinking with the pigs. His favorite part though was the vintage tractor display.

I wish you could all see how quickly he's developing these days. He says pretty much everything, and if he can't say it, he'll babble something with the same amount of syllables. He's saying 4-5 word sentences (not always of course) and can communicate most everything with us, thank goodness.

Sorry the updates have been few and far between, I have another coming soon, pictures from our awesome weekend to Long Island. Love to all!

Liz & the crew

Welcome Football season!

We had a quick, but fun adventure at our church picnic this afternoon. Austin let us know it was time to leave by telling us he wanted to go to mama's white car... a first considering he never wants to leave fun, food and friends. Shortly after we got home, we found him in this position. Another first, he never sleeps outside his room, unless it's in his car seat. Our poor guy must have been totally wiped. Although I think he may have stayed awake had we had a game on.

Hope you're all well, sorry for the delay in updates, we've been busy.... I promise, more to come on that soon.

Love, Liz

Maine Sweet Maine

The Blog was just screaming for an update! Seeing that picture of Chris on his last day of work seems like ages ago. Things are going well with us. We'll update you on everything once plans are finalized. For now, we're taking a wonderful break in Maine! Chris and I have quickly come to realize that this is a favorite destination for all of us.

Enjoy the pictures! Miss and love to all.

xo Liz xo

The End of an Era

Some of you may not know that Chris has decided to separate from the Air Force. His terminal leave has already begun (just after his surgery 2 weeks ago) and tomorrow will mark his official farewell at a luncheon being held in his honor.

I can't speak on his behalf, but I'm pretty sure he'd agree... I believe the Air Force has given us so much more than a paycheck and great benefits. The Air Force is in no way just a job, it's a way of life, a life Chris and I have lived while dating, engaged, married, pregnant, mourning, moving, changing.... We met friends we consider our family, jobs we hated and jobs we loved. All the way we were changed for the best, we knew what and who to appreciate more, we grew closer to family while living further apart and most importantly we grew from a young couple in love into a family. We're taking away some of the greatest and some of the hardest times we will ever know. The Air Force has been good to us. We have some pretty big plans, and even bigger dreams, so get ready gang, we're gearing up for quite an adventure (more on that to come).

I am so proud of all that you have done serving our country Chris. Thank you love, I'm honored to say that you're my husband and my hero.

Taken on his last day of work.

Giggles with grammy & pop-pop

Karate kicking bubbles with Bo-be

Lovely Laura relaxing with a book

At 6'5" Bo-be's never too big for the kiddie pool, especially when Austin's around.

Horray for more birthday cake! (this was his 4th, lucky duck!) So nice of Grammy to make her specialty, Strawberry shortcake, just for the little man.

Mmmmm! Nuuummmm!

Splash time with Grammy

Splash time with Pop-pop

I remember being at the same place, at the same age with my mom. It's such a gift to be able to take Austin to all the beaches I grew up on.

Harbor-side Maidstone Beach, where I learned to swim.

The last leg of our trip last month (I know it's taken me forever to blog these wonderful memories) was to my hometown, East Hampton, to get some quality time with Grammy, Pop-pop, Bo-be and Laura. We spent a good bit of time on the beach, despite the rain and had a blast playing in the backyard with all the new toys!

Blogging Blues

I'm a tad disappointed in myself for being so relaxed with my blog posts. I honestly have been working day-in and day-out on design stuff, which is wonderful because it means I am that much closer to having my photography business up and running.

Where most professional photographers hire designers to design their sites, business cards, stationery head, logos etc, I have decided that rather than taking out a small business loan to do all this, I would take care of it myself. I am working with a wonderful artist who is helping me with my logo design for the company, she is extremely talented and a close friend of my family.

So I apologize for not posting recent pictures of the baby. I have a ton of great pictures that I will get to very soon. We had such a blast in Maine and East Hampton and I can't wait to share our memories with all of you.

Wish me luck with all of this.

A few of my favorite people

I had a chance to photograph a few of my favorite people while in Maine. Lucky me!

Miss Maddy, Jen & Matt

Miss Maddy, Jen & Matt

Mad-dog M

M#1 & M#2

Little Miss 'T'

Bouncing baby 'C'

Beautiful 'M'

Austin's Birthday Party

We had a great time entertaining friends and family at Austin's #2 Birthday celebration. The kids all had a blast getting moms and dads wet during the water fight, looks like that's going to be a tradition for us. Austin was so surprised with everyone singing to him, he just beamed with happiness.

I can't believe our little man is two already. The past few weeks have been monumental for him, he's actually begun to speak in 3-word sentences and can count as high as ten, though he usually stops around five. He's taking to family and friends much better these days, not so shy or bashful as he was.

Enjoy the pictures! Love to all, Liz