(Dress: Leith Flounce Sleeve Wrap Dress – Yes, this is the same dress I wore on our Kiawah Island babymoon that I also have in pink. When I saw it on sale, I bought it in the icy blue color for our sprinkle, too! It’s not maternity but I just ordered up a size.)
I managed to snap some pictures right after I arrived at my friend Laura’s house on Saturday afternoon but kept my camera tucked away for the rest of the sprinkle and focused on time with the women I consider my biggest support system here in Charlotte (outside of Ryan, of course). Unfortunately this means I didn’t get a group picture – or a photo with anyone except my sweet sprinkle hostesses – which I am kicking myself for neglecting, but it also means I was so wrapped up in the moment and truly enjoyed every second with my friends. I am so appreciative of everyone who attended and took time out of their busy lives to celebrate the baby we already love so much.
But more on the sprinkle in a moment!
Friday
Our weekend kicked off on Friday evening with family night at the playground. We are in the “let’s get outside whenever possible” phase of spring right now and have been taking full advantage of the Charlotte sunshine.
The highlight of my Friday night? Snagging a woman’s phone number at the park who was there watching two kids and seemed like the most engaged and enthusiastic babysitter. I told Ryan I felt like I was majorly creeping on her but she was so great with the kids and immediately included Chase in a round of “Duck, Duck, Goose” when he seemed intrigued so I just couldn’t resist talking with her and asking if she was open to possibly watching Chase and a baby here and there in the future.
As I’m sure those with kids know, great babysitters are hard to come by and when I realized we have some mutual friends (she works at a juice bar owned by one of my friends’ brothers), it seemed like a match made in heaven. Since one of our favorite babysitters recently left for college, we’ve felt a little pressed on options, so I’m hoping this woman will be a wonderful fit! Annnd after typing all of that out I just realized how sad it is that my Friday night highlight was possibly finding a new great babysitter but it’s the truth and I am psyched! Ha!
Saturday
Saturday morning began with a family walk. With temperatures in the low 70s on Saturday morning, we decided leashing Sadie up for a walk and another romp at the playground with Chase sounded perfect. We ended up being out and about for a little more than two hours and planned our trip near a public restroom to keep potty training as successful as possible. Yes, life is revolving around easy-access to toilets right now, my friends.
By the time we made it home, I was ready for a shower so Ryan took Chase to the grocery store while I got ready for my baby sprinkle. Once they were back and Chase was settled in for his nap, it was time to me to head off to Laura’s and join my friends for some baby fun and plenty of sweet treats!
To say I was blown away by the time, energy and effort my friends put into our baby sprinkle is a serious understatement. Laura has a reputation among our group of friends for being the most incredible hostess (she’s not only ridiculously crafty but she’s also a phenomenal friend who always makes everyone feel so welcome) and the attention to detail she poured into creating the cutest ice cream and donut stand (she made everything!) blew my mind.
It was so clear how much thought Carrie, Lauren and Laura put into the sprinkle from the theme (helloooo ice cream and donuts!) and the food (including my favorite cheddar-caramel Chicago Mix popcorn) to the decorations and I honestly felt overwhelmed by their kindness multiple times throughout the afternoon.
I remember when Ryan and I moved to North Carolina from Florida and then got pregnant with Chase, I truly worried about finding a group of women I’d connect with who would be encouraging and supportive and totally judgment-free, especially since we would be raising children without family in the area.
Every single one of the 15(ish) women who attended my sprinkle are so genuine and kind and they’re the kind of people who never make me feel like I’m lacking in any area. They’re there to laugh at motherhood mishaps, cheer me on during the good moments and pick me up and support me when I’m at my lowest lows and I truly hope and pray they feel the same from me right back.
The baby sprinkle took place in Laura’s backyard and after chatting with my friends for an hour or so, I opened gifts and was, yet again, touched by everyone’s generosity.
I am so appreciative of the baby necessities we received (diapers, wipes, etc.) and found myself tearing up more than a couple of times. For some reason the gifts that involved Chase really got to me and I think it’s because I’m beginning to realize it won’t just be Mom and Chase all day every day.
Do not mistake this in any way for me saying I’m not ready for another baby because that is SO far from the truth, but I am a oddly emotional when I think about trying to juggle my first baby and my second baby. I know I cannot expect to have the same experience I had with Chase with a new baby since my attention will not solely be on one little one and I just want to make sure both of my children feel incredibly loved and cherished as our family grows and changes.
It’s an odd mix of emotions because I am so very ready for another child but also emotional about the one-on-one time with my firstborn slipping away as well. Please tell me I’m not alone in feeling ALL THE THINGS about mothering two kids and the big changes that await!?! Phew!
(That toddler t-shirt for Chase says “Did we just become best friends?” and the onesie for our new baby says, “Yep!” So darn cute!!)
Once the gift-opening was done, everyone stayed and chatted for a while longer which was such a treat! I texted Ryan around 5 p.m. and told him to head over with Chase when Laura invited us to stay and have our kids and husbands join in the fun.
(Can you tell the husbands and toddlers were psyched to dig into our sprinkle leftovers!?)
We spent the rest of Saturday evening hanging out by Laura and Steve’s backyard pool, digging into dinner from Zoe’s Kitchen on the patio and watching The Kentucky Derby.
The only picture I got with my wonderful sprinkle-planning friends took place at the end of the night right before we all headed home and our kids were dried off after the pool and either sporting their underwear or their jammies. Woops!
Thank you so, so much to Carrie, Laura and Lauren for their kindness, time and planning and to all of my wonderful friends who celebrated our baby with me for such a memorable day!
Sunday
Our Sunday was quite low-key which was exactly what Ryan and I were craving after such a full Saturday. We spent the morning at church and the evening outside splashing with Chase at our water table before ordering pizza and calling it an early night.
I hope all of you have a wonderful week ahead and thanks so much for stopping by PBF today! Enjoy your week!
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Yep feeling that way about the 2nd little ones arrival is completely normal!!! Truly savor your alone time with Chase and make special one on one time with him after the baby is born too!
What a great group of friends to throw you a nice sprinkle!!!
I can’t thank you enough for being so transparent with how you feel about having another little one. I have an almost 2 year old, and another boy due in August. I have ALL the emotions daily, and feel overwhelmed with them at times. It seems like every time I’m feeling something, you write about the same experience! I’m so glad I’m not alone!
It’s almost like some weird preemptive form of Mom Guilt over juggling two precious little ones and wanting everyone to feel loved, cared for and cherished. Thank you for sharing the fact that you know where I’m coming from as well. And big congrats to you on your baby boy!! <3
That a beautiful sprinkle! I love the shirt and onesie for Chase and the baby.
Our son is 2.5 and our daughter is 2 weeks old! I was most nervous about the transition to 2. Our son goes to daycare so that helps, but I cried everyday the first week when he left and I wasn’t taking him, when I couldn’t pick him up, when he wanted me to play and I was nursing. My husband helps with the baby when he gets home so I can give my son a bath and attention but the mom guilt is in full force!!!
Wow – what wonderful friends you have! This whole post made me smile so big. You really deserved that sprinkle. 🙂
Gorgeous photos! I love the ice cream and donuts theme!! I’m serious…I really think it’s a girl!! You are so blessed 🙂
What a beautiful baby sprinkle! I can definitely relate to the mixed emotions surrounding baby #2. I feel so grateful to be pregnant, but I also feel so sad knowing that my one-on-one time with my first will he changing so soon. Heightened pregnancy emotions doesn’t help either!
Sounds like you had a fun baby sprinkle. I totally agree, from the few photos you took it looks like the hostesses put together an awesome afternoon.
I have a 5 and a 2 year old – and your feelings are normal! My husband actually worried about this more than I did and we try hard to make one-on-one time with each of our kids. Sometimes it is one parent, one kid, but we will get a babysitter for just one of them and take the other on a solo adventure sometimes. Also, with my 5 year old now getting more independent, he is going on play dates with his friends and we find ourselves with solo time with the youngest. When you find yourself missing them, just take them on a date. It helps renew the connection.
I am right there with you in having all the feels about welcoming a new baby into the family and no longer being a family of 3. I had a big teary moment last night while I was outside with my 2 year old daughter, thinking to myself that it won’t be just us for much longer and how I never want her to feel left out or any less special once the baby arrives. Makes me emotional and teary just thinking about it now!
You look so beautiful!!!! Love the theme <3
Love the shirts for Chase and the baby! I actually bought the same ones for my boys and it was a great photo during the newborn session we had. They have also truly becoming best friends. It makes me tear up every time my oldest asks to hold his brother or just comes over and gives him a big kiss. Get ready to be crying all the happy tears! haha
I have a son who will be 3 in July and I’m due in July and I’m feeling ALL THE FEELINGS like pretty much every day. My husband was out of town this weekend and I almost cried multiple times a day thinking that this might be the last weekend of just me and my little guy <3 Annnnnd now I'm crying again. Pregnancy, man!
Wow! What a beautiful baby sprinkle!! You look absolutely gorgeous, Julie! I love that onesie for the baby and shirt for Chase. I can’t wait to eventually see a picture of them in those! 🙂 I hope you have a great Monday! Xoxo
I feel you on being emotional! I’m due with my first in a couple of months and even though we’re so excited about our baby, I get majorly emotional when I think about the fact that it won’t be just me and my husband anymore! I think it’s normal to be excited about the future while also mourning the fact that the life you have and love so much right now is changing!
Just remember you are giving Chase the best present he ever received — a sibling, a playmate for life 🙂
Congratulations! I was just wondering when you were new to Charlotte and pregnant how you found such an amazing group of friends and fellow expectant mamas?
Hi Erica! I actually wrote a post all about where I met most of my closest friends which you may find here: https://www.pbfingers.com/where-to-meet-mom-friends/ I hope this helps!!
Thanks
What a great sprinkle! I’m feeling all the things as well, and still can’t comprehend how my heart can possible love another child the way I love my first! Everyone tells me your heart just grows, but I’m still so nervous about it! Life is so sweet right now!
I cried hysterically a few times about losing that one on one time. A co-worker and I were due within a couple of weeks of each other last summer and we scared another coworker when she walked into my office and we were both in there crying about how our little one’s lives were about to change so much! It feels silly now because my son is the best thing that could have come along for my daughter but it was really emotional at the time.
What a great Saturday! Love seeing all these young families form. Someday everyone’s kids will look back at these photos of moms and dads and think, “so that’s what mom/dad looked like at my age”. What a great group! I love seeing the peeks into it! My friends are my jam too, so I love seeing gatherings where everybody looks like they like each other!
I know I’ve seen several comments from your readers over the years (and in other places) about how to find and build friendships as an adult (I have my own advice), but since you have such a loving, robust, community, in a city where you had to build these relationships from scratch, it’s a great idea for you for a “someday” post. How To Make Friends As An Adult. Just a thought! You seem to be really good at it!
KILWIN’S IS THE BEST ICE CREAM OF ALL TIME!!
Isn’t it amazing!?!? The toasted coconut and marshmallow s’mores flavors are my all-time favs.
Weird creeper question – do you have any idea what shoes your friend in the pink jeans is wearing?? I love them!
I’ll text her to ask!! 🙂
What a fun sprinkle!! I might steal your friends ideas for my sister in laws sprinkle in July! And yes it’s totally normal to be emotional about not just having one little one anymore! I had a few moments of “ he’s not going to be the only one anymore!” It’s all worth it when Chase meets his new brother or sister, they’re just the sweetest at his age!
That dress is SO adorable!! You looks so great. Looks like a perfect sprinkle 🙂
Getting ready for a 2nd child is such a strange mixed bag of emotions isn’t it? I felt the same way when I was pregnant with my son and my daughter wasn’t even 2. Although now that she is 3 and my son just turned 1, I actually find I have stopped feeling guilty about less time spent with my older one and more guilty about the fact that my younger one doesn’t get all the baby attention that my oldest got when it was just her! The script has flipped! I feel bad that the baby gets ignored a lot when I need to help my older one with something, or that he is always getting dragged to her activities. BUT, I am finding that I’m feeling this less and less as he gets older and they have started to play together. Seeing how sweet their sibling dynamic is becoming has made me feel really great about having 2 kids. All this to say, it’s hard to avoid the Mom guilt sometimes, but it really does get better and better over time!
So glad you had a good shower, Julie. Such a beautiful setup!
What an ADORABLE sprinkle! You deserve it, Mama!
It is completely normal to feel this way! 2 kids is definitely more than twice 1, but completely worth it. With us, we knew we were done with 2 so our family complete. Like you, getting to 2 wasn’t easy – we had a miscarriage at 13 weeks, followed by modified bedrest from 22 weeks on. While my daughter continued in daycare while i was on maternity leave the second time, it just wasn’t the same. With each child I had one big crying episode post-partum. With my first, it was getting into the shower at home for the first time after witnessing myself in a full length mirror for the first time. And with my second, it was the 2nd night home and my daughter wouldn’t go to sleep (she stopped napping the day her brother came home from the hospital (which also coincided with her last binky breaking – huge parent fail that we stuck to our guns about her being done). So not having a nap break (and since she had never not napped before and we were so exhausted, we didn’t set the precedence of playing nicely in her room, so she wouldn’t) we spent a lot of weekend afternoons driving around so the kids would fall asleep and me and my husband could have a conversation -probably not the safest thing for us to be driving so much so tired, but it did the trick.
#2 isn’t better or worse, it is just different. And very, very special!
That is the best theme for a baby shower!!! Anything that involves donuts!!! Lol
Just want to share that if you’re comfortable with it, you don’t have to make your outings about potty accessibility!! Ikea has very, very small (less than a foot or so) plastic potty seats for $5 – (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30193163/) You can also find very small ones from baby bjorn, but they’re much spendier. We always kept ours in a tote bag on the stroller! Then we’d find a handy tree or behind a building or something (and occasionally a sidewalk when he was desperate) and just use that. We went everywhere with that thing, and one was always in the car, for months. I found people to be 100% understanding about a potty training toddler and never got side-eye, although we did get a few laughs when people did notice. Hope this helps!
Your sprinkle looks like it was so much fun! I love the theme too!
I had ALL THE FEELS about becoming a mother of two. I was so sad that my relationship with my daughter would inevitably change, and that my son would never even know what it was like to have our complete undivided attention like she did. My son just turned one and, although definitely challenging, seeing them laugh and play together has made it all worth it. Watching Chase become a big brother is going to be like watching Ryan become a father – just when you thought you couldn’t love them more, you’re surprised once again.
What an awesome sprinkle!! You saying you got emotional about chase when you think about the arrival of your second baby reminded me so much of how I felt when I was pregnant with my second baby. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional outpouring I had when I went into labor with second baby. I was ugly crying before left for the hospital. Lol hormones. Whew! I pulled it together of course lol. I look back at the time when it was just my oldest and me with great fondness. Of course I love all of my children (I have three) equally but it really is such a special time.
Best ‘Stepbrothers’ quote ever on that matching onsie and t-shirt!
I think every momma who’s about to have their 2nd feels that way. I stressed over it – like how can I love anyone as much as my first and how am I going to give both the attention they need. But once that little ones here you will be amazed how easy it comes!!! Things that helped us – dates/outings with our oldest – she will be 3 in July and we still do this about once or twice a month and now that our little guy is bigger (he just turned 1) we will be doing this with him too!
What a beautiful sprinkle for a beautiful lady!
I’m sure you’ve mentioned it before, but how did you meet such a great group of women? My family is moving in the fall (same state but different city) and since I’m a stay at home mom I’m worried about being able to find new friends that I really connect with.
These photos absolutely make my heart melt!! Such a fun and unique way to have a fun warm baby shower! Or sprinkle! haha! Thank you so much for sharing god bless you and your family!
Can’t think of a better theme for a baby shower! The gifts are so sweet. It’s amazing that you’ve formed such a strong group of friends you can trust and adore. They threw the best-looking baby shower ever!