Memom's Roses

My parents live in the house that my grandparents bought in 1964.  Every year, for just a few fleeting days, my grandmother's roses bloom.  

Isaiah, 1 Year

Baby Ze celebrated his first birthday a few weeks ago (I've been extremely behind in the editing process!!) at his grandparents house.  He spent the day surrounded by friends both big and small, eating lots of treats, and pointing out every ball, balloon, and shoe he could see.  He is so alert and observant!  And in the weeks since I took these pictures, he became a true toddler.  It's crazy to see his mother's pictures and realize that he is now dancing, when he was just taking a few hesitant steps at the party.  But that, I suppose, is the only downside to childhood - how fast it goes.

The week before his birthday party, there was a driving rain storm, and as I was making my way home from work, I suddenly remembered another storm, less than 2 weeks before Ze was born.  Hilary and I met for dinner on a very hot, humid, rainy day.  She was uncomfortably pregnant, and having a hard time dealing with the weather.  And she had that funny look about her, that beauty that comes over someone before they are about to completely change.  She was ready for motherhood, although she was nervous.  I am so proud of her for the job she's done so far, and I think the photos prove that she, Gabe, and Ze are making quite the fantastically beautiful family.

These are just a few of the photos I took... there were too many to post all.  So you get my favorites.

Happy Birthday, Isaiah!  You are loved.

A Shower for Megan!

For those of you unaware, my brother is having a baby!  Well, his girlfriend is having a baby.  He's just waiting for the little guy to arrive.  And that means that our family is about to become bigger by one tiny little guy, and when he is born, so will be born a Nana, a Poppy, 3 aunts, one daddy, and one mommy.  Every one of us is about to change.
We held Megan's shower 2 weeks ago at the Haverford Reserve, which was a lovely venue for a lovely day.  Our families mingled for the first time, having come together to celebrate the coming of Riley James Gallagher, who will be here in a just a few weeks.  Becky made the cake, and she did such a beautiful job!  I made all the paper flowers, Mom set up the rest of the decorations, we collaborated on the food and the little washcloth thank yous.  We asked everyone to bring a book instead of a card, so as you can see, Riley has a lot reading material, enough to last at least his first few years.  That doesn't mean I'll stop buying him books.
In the end, I think the day was a success.  The new parents received lots of much-needed items, and now, all we can do is wait for baby to show up!  I know Megan and Tim are going to be great parents, and Riley is going to be showered with so much love!  I can't wait to meet him!