34 weeks.

Do you hear that? Those are wedding bells.

Congratulations to these two love birds on getting HITCHED last weekend!

Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Williams

photo by: Heather Kessler Photography

GORGEOUS couple, right?!

I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures! Rob and I were unable to make it to our friends' beautiful, romantic, perfect, Wisconsin wedding on account of our unborn daughter and timing with the pregnancy :(  Alyssa and Ben were so graceful and understanding. My heart was in pieces for missing out on it (worst bridesmaid EVER). But I did get these messages from the bride t-minus 30 minutes before her wedding:

the bride loves me! my last texts from Alyssa Perez

I also got the "I'm getting in the car to go to the church and get married!" phone call. My puffy pregnant eyes swelled with big tears. We had been playing phone tag for weeks and were both so busy, I wasn't going to call on the wedding day because I knew she would be SO busy, but sent plenty of texts to make sure she knew I was thinking of her (and had some help from a bridal party member sending me pictures throughout the getting ready stages - thanks Mary!) ; in the midst of her big day she called me for the last time as Alyssa Perez. 

What a woman. What a stunning bride. 

Hope you're having an AMAZING time in Jamaica, love <3 ;)

In other news, we had our weekly OB appointment this week. Everything looks good, still, unbelievably. Kidney function is great, baby is healthy, and we couldn't be more blessed.

Yesterday I received my very first Mother's Day gifts from my sweet, sweet, Mother-in-law.

Mother's Day? Me?

Mother's Day is not an easy "holiday" for me. With the passing of my own mother still a fresh 4 years ago it's an annual sobering reminder of the loss me, Katie, & Molly have suffered.  The day isn't all bad; It is also an opportunity to reflect on the good times we shared and celebrate the time we were able to spend with her.The wound won't ever fully heal, and we miss her every day, but we are blessed with so many maternal companions in Mother Mary,  our grandmothers, our stepmother, my mother-in-law, and so many mothers of friends who have occasionally taken us under their wings.

As I embark on my own mother-daughter relationship, I am so grateful to have the support of these women in the physical absence of my mom. I know the love my mom showed me while growing up is ingrained in my heart and I will be able to share that same love with Rowan. That gives me so much peace.

Hurry up, little love! Your daddy and I can't wait to meet you <3

Happy (early) Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! 

Cravings: Taco Bell

I love T Bell. We rarely eat fast food. Like, never. But we've made a few stops there the past few days.

BAD, I know. I'll stop. I'm just so hungry.... 

Misses: Chick Beer

Yeah, Labatt, Ultra, Miller 64, you get me..

xox

    Riley