Oh hey everyone!  I am going crazy right now–like, totally mad.  I committed to going down to DC for a few nights for work and the company I work for is so nice, they agreed to let me bring Leo down and fly my mom out to babysit while I work.  Amazing, right? YES!  Completely!  To top it all off, Alex’s work decided that he needed to go down to DC, too.   So in the plan that I pictured in my mind, I saw the two of us flying together and being able to share baby duty and toting-all-the-baby-crap-duty on the plane and then handing Leo off to my mom immediately on our arrival and me strolling off to my meetings fully showered and rested and organized and ready to tackle the Nation’s capital.  Perfect plan, right? NOPE!  Turns out Alex’s trip to DC starts today and mine, tomorrow.  Which means he flew out this morning in his cushy business class seats probably sipping a cup of coffee and leisurely doing things like answering emails, or reading the newspaper, or whatever it is people with the freedom of two hands do.  Me on the other hand, I’m here trying to pack for myself for two weeks (did I mention I’m flying back home to Canandaigua after and staying through Easter just to complicate matters?) which I can barely do, packing for Leo, packing the car, figure out how the heck I’m going to get everything through security, and how to dodge all the eye rolls and dirty looks I’m going to get when the passengers on tomorrow’s flight see a disorganized, disheveled mom carrying a BABY on the plane. They’re all going to hate me.  And in all the madness, Alex and I both forgot we have a DOG that can’t travel with us and will be home alone and needs to go out while we are away!  CRAP!  (Literally.)

And because I’m going nuts, I don’t have time to formulate a blog for a girl who totally deserves the very best one!  I met Rachel through Alex’s work-mom, Lisa, whom I adore!  She told Alex that her niece was getting married and interested in a photographer.  So one day this summer I hoped in my car and drove down to meet Lisa, Rachel, her sister, her aunt, her cousins, her second cousins, her third cousins, and her fourth cousin twice removed, to talk about her wedding (just kidding…her fourth cousin was only once removed 😉 And let me tell you, I loved every second.  Their great big Italian family reminds me of my great big Italian family and I am THRILLED that Rachel and Jeff invited me to be part of their day.  I remember in Lisa’s initial email she wrote that her niece was “something special”, and she couldn’t have been more right.  As a surprise to the bride, Lisa had asked me to be at her shower to take some photographs so Rachel could remember all the love that her bridesmaids poured into this day.  They did so much work for a girl who deserves the world, and every detail had meaning.  It was the perfect way for me to spend my Saturday and Rachel and Jeff’s May wedding cannot come soon enough.

Let’s start with everyone’s favorite…CAKE!

And donuts!  And coffee!  My heaven looks a lot like this party…

Little Vera waiting for her mama’s arrival. I’d like American Girl to make a Vera doll so I can take her home with me.  How sweet are those cheeks?

Rachel’s arrival!  I wanna get in the center of that hug.

My camera loves her.

Rachel’s sis put together these fun frames so guests could have a little fun taking some photobooth pictures.  Such a great idea!

And here’s Jeff!  Alex always says this is the worst part of any shower for the guy…but it’s always the favorite part for the girls!  Look how sweet he is with those flowers for Rachel (and another bouquet for Vera, too!)

A candy crown and a basket of lollies for Vera to practice her flower girl skills!

Isn’t this how every bride feels when they open up a Kitchen Aid?

THE cutest!

Rachel…Lisa was right…YOU are something special and I am so happy for you, Jeff, and Vera!  Your happily ever after will be here so soon!