Our Memorial Day was pretty low key this year. DJ was working out of state Thursday through Sunday, so we only got today to spend together.

When we first bought our house, I had hoped to make Memorial Day OUR holiday. You know, the holiday every year where everyone comes to your house? It’s YOUR thing. Unfortunately that hasn’t worked out the past couple years due to a shoot that DJ has to do every Memorial Day weekend.

But, we make the best of it anyway. DJ didn’t get home until nearly 2:00 a.m., so he slept in a bit. We lounged around and then got out for a walk around noon. It was hot today, but the perfect day for swimming! This was Wren’s first time in a pool, and she loved it. I loved her adorable swimsuit. ADORBS.

Also, can I just say…her inflatable turtle pool had a NO DIVING sticker inside it. Are you kidding? No diving…in a tiny, inflatable pool, shaped like a turtle…filled with 4 inches of water. Unbelievable.

We snuck in another walk before it rained, and got to try out our new jogging stroller. I love taking walks around our neighborhood. Because we live in the oldest part of Green Bay, most of the houses are 90 to 100 years old. (Our house was built in 1924.) It’s fun to see all of the old houses, the cute brick bungalows, the walkways lined with beautiful flowers…

We had to duck inside during a quick rainstorm. You know those summer rains, where it’s sunny outside but the rain is pouring down in big, fat drops? I love that type of rain - it just makes everything feel so fresh and renewed.

Anyway, I think we made this Memorial Day OURS. Even if it was just the three of us.

Last weekend we were able to spend some quality time together - just DJ, Wren and I. I love it when you unexpectedly have a perfect day.

I love her joy in these photos! She is such a happy, fun-loving baby. I mean, she’s teething right now, and this is a pretty accurate representation of how she is every day. I think I hit the baby lottery. :)

This past Sunday was my first Mother’s Day. My first Mother’s Day.

In the morning we went to the botanical gardens for brunch. It was so nice to have a delicious brunch in a beautiful location - even the china was beautiful. Wren chomped on blueberry scones and watermelon. After brunch we walked the gardens.

Real men wear babies, amirite? I love that man.

My bad-mommy moment of the day (don’t we all need one on Mother’s Day?) was forgetting Wren’s sunscreen at home. We didn’t stay at the gardens long, because we didn’t want to risk any baby burn!

We went home for a quick nap (for all of us) and digested our delicious brunch. After we were all rested and had an application of sunscreen, we headed to the zoo for the afternoon. This was probably a mistake, because everyone and their mother was at the zoo. (Get it?) Anyway, it was super crowded, but we still had fun rolling Wren around to look at the animals.

She enjoyed watching the otters and ducks swim around, but she was pretty unimpressed with everything else. Even the gigantic sleepy lion, only a few feet from the glass.

It was a great day - perfect weather, fun events, and adorable company! A great first Mother’s Day!

Ok, so we did the 9 month update already, but you just had your 9 month checkup, so here are the stats:

Height: 2’ 5” (89th percentile)

Weight: 19 lbs. 14.5 oz. (66th percentile)

So you’re still a tall girl, but you’re weight is evening out. Probably because you’re baby chub is thinning out a bit since you’ve been so active. Thankfully you still have your adorable chipmunk cheeks! You’ve only gained one pound since your 6 month appointment.

Oh, did I mention you grow cuter by the day? Don’t know how that’s possible, but it’s true.

You love to clap, you snort when you laugh, and your second tooth is starting to poke it’s way through. You are amazing.

Wren had her first taste of ice cream tonight. Contrary to her expression, she loved it.

Thank you, Anonymous. :)

Just finished designing Wren’s B-day invites.

Wren, I’ve always said how fast you’re growing up, but today I think you were trying out outdo yourself! Today you stayed home with dad, and in the span of ONE day you:

1. Learned how to clap, and realized you LOVE clapping.
2. Started to sit directly up from a laying position. Like, sit-up style! Your abs are so hardcore!
3. STARTED PULLING YOURSELF UP TO STAND USING THE FURNITURE. What?!?! You just started crawling a couple weeks ago, and now you’re pulling yourself up. I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.

You are truly amazing, my little sweet pea! I can’t wait to spend the day with you tomorrow and see what else you learn to do. What a wonder it is to watch you grow right before my eyes. It’s like watching time-lapse footage of a flower sprouting, reaching up to the sun, and blooming into a beautiful flower. It happens in the blink of an eye.

If you asked DJ or my co-workers or friends to tell you something about me, chances are they would say I’m detail-oriented. The truth is, I’m detail OBSESSED.

I am the queen of making lists, and the queen of planning. Now that we’re less than three months away from Wren’s first birthday, my planning is in full swing, and consists of this:

and this:

It’s seriously ridiculous how meticulous my list is. But I feel like it’s necessary because I’m literally making EVERYTHING for this party. The food, the cake plates, the CAKE, a table runner, all of the decorations.

It’s going to be crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.