The big 2-9!

One more year folks. One more year from yesterday that I will be in my 30's! That just means I have one more year to live it up as a 20-something-year-old, right? ;)

I never really like to make a big fuss over my birthday. I just treat it like any other day. But I do have to say, I love getting the birthday wishes from everyone thanks to social media. :) It's always nice to have just one day to get a nice message from family, friends, and people from your past and present.

I spent it like any other Tuesday... at work. And of course a Tuesday and the first of the month is always the busiest for me (go figure) but my co-workers got me a cake (and ice cream) and sang to me so that was nice!

My dad really wanted to take us all out to dinner to celebrate but I decided to wait until Friday night and tonight I would just spend the night with my little family. I came home from a looong day at work and Mark had dinner ready on the table. When we were done, we took a walk and went to the playground, played catch with the ball, and played in the wagon. In the moment I thought to myself, there is nothing else I would rather do for my birthday than this - just spending quality time with my wonderful husband and daughter.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

 

 

Wedding weekend!

One word to describe Lisa's wedding... WOW!

What a weekend! So after 2pm on Thursday I devoted myself to Lisa and did whatever the bride-to-be needed. I know how stressful that 24 hours leading up to the wedding can be so it was my duty as the Matron of Honor to make sure I could help out in any way possible and make things run as smoothly as possible. Literally within 45 minutes we had 10 centerpieces made, 8 vases filled for the aisle, and a toss bouquet made. We drove  like wild women up the road in order to get changed and to dinner on time but we made it nonetheless! Dinner was yummy and the rehearsal went great.

Here's the bride-to-be with her ribbon bouquet from the bridal shower:

 After we left the rehearsal, we went back to the hotel to do some last minute touch-ups and then just spend quality girl-time. Lisa gave us all our bridal party gifts and now I gotta say, anyone that knows Lisa knows that she is the BEST gift giver ever. I always joke that she always gives never-ending bags. Seriously, they are always jammed pack with the best goodies! We really made out. :)

We then decided to go down to the hotel bar in our pj's to get a drink. These couches were mighty comfy...

 

Around midnight we decided to call it night. We had to wake up early to shower and get to the salon to get pampered. The bride (and maids!) needed their beauty rest. At the salon the next morning, we took the party with us. We stopped at Dunkin Donuts and got donuts and brought 3 bottles of champagne and orange juice to drink mimosa's. What a better way to start the day, right?

Here are some more pictures from us getting ready at the salon...

 

 After we left the salon the rest of the day just seemed to fly by. Before we knew it we were walking down the aisle. The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous. They both said their own vows and between that and feeling the love between the two - it was just beautiful all around!

By the time the reception came around, we were all beyond ready to party! And we surely let loose if you can't tell in these pics, haha.

Lisa, thank you again for choosing me to be your Matron of Honor. I couldn't tell you how honored I feel and I absolutely loved standing beside you on your special day! Love, love, love you and Josh I look forward to growing old with you both. :) Xoxo

On Saturday, we were whole lot of worthless. I was just exhausted beyond words! Sunday was family day though.. nothing better than that! We went to Jeff & Staci's for our bday dinners and we had a wonderful time! Lucy talks about "Ashyn" (Ashlyn) non-stop so when she knows we are going to her house to play she can't contain her excitement.

Couldn't these two pass as sisters and not cousins? It's crazy! I was so happy I got to squeeze in some cuddle time with baby Brooke. She's just the sweetest baby! And I was even able to manage a quick picture of the 3 Lagana girls.

 The girls couldn't wait to cut the cake. They both got to help put the candles in and took turns blowing them out. Oh, the little things..

 

So that was my weekend! It was busy, busy, busy and I was exhausted by the end, but my heart sure was full. :)

Guess who's back!?

Seriously? It's been seven months since I last blogged. That makes me so sad because everyone knows that a lot can happen in 7 short months. When I started this blog I did it more for my own personal gain so I could have a scrapbook to look back on. But as most know, life can certainly get in the way and I can tell you my life has been awfully busy these past 7 months! I don't even know where to begin!

My little side business of photography took off full swing within the past year so I have been overwhelmingly busy with that. Trying to manage a full-time job, a part-time side job/hobby, and raising a family sure can be taxing but eventually I learned how to juggle both and still going strong. There was a point where I was just so overwhelmingly busy that I couldn't keep up (which is a good thing! I'm not complaining) but I've had to turn down/refer some new clients to other photography friends which I don't like but I'm starting to learn how much I can fully take on. It's really been super fun though. When you get a chance, check out some of my work at www.mallorylaganaphotography.zenfolio.com :)

And of course I'm sure everyone wants an update on our little princess. Wait, I really shouldn't say she's that little anymore because suddenly she went from being my little baby to my TODDLER. How does that happen so quickly?

 

Lucy has this thing lately that she wants absolutely nothing to do with the camera and having her picture taken so good pictures of her are very rare these days. As an almost 2-year-old, she is very busy and always on the go! As you can see, she has those Lagana curls. She refuses to wear things in her hair (I have my tricks though.. but it usually only lasts a few minutes as most.. little stinker!). So her hair always looks a mess but what can you do!?

She is very much into anything having to do with Sofia the First, Dora, or Bubble Guppies. She's got a few other shows but those are definitely her favorites. She's really getting into her baby dolls and her kitchen set. Even though she loves all things girly, she is obsessed with playing anything with a ball. I can tell she really is going to love sports!

She just started a dance class. I've got to be honest here, I know she isn't going to learn much at her age, but there is just something so cute about seeing her little booty in a dance leotard. I die everytime. I do know that it's more for the parents at this age but at the same time, besides going to daycare, I think it was good that she did something structured with other kids her age where she gets used to saying bye to mommy and me picking her up in an hour. So far so good. You bet I will be posting all about her first recital! I can hardly contain my excitement. :)

Here is a picture of her getting ready to go to her first day of dance class:

Can't you just die of cuteness?! So we are gearing up for her 2nd birthday on November 3rd. She is pretty much done with her crib these days. I don't blame her but of course that means she's in our bed every single night. Now, I used to judge parents who let their kids sleep in their bed and think to myself - "I will never let my kids sleep in my bed! No way." But of course, we all know those judgments go out of the window once you actually become a parent. Besides, how could you not want to wake up to this every morning?

Mark is doing well too! He started a new job in July and so far loves it! It's a really good one so we are pretty sure this is his forever-career job. He always makes me so proud! My grandmother's 91st birthday was in August and my cousin shot some family pics for us (which are sooo hard to get these days with a girl that's always on the loose!) so here are some of my favorites:

 

As you can see, Lucy wasn't that happy about doing a shoot. In her defense, it was way past her naptime but overall, I'm glad we at least got a few though.

And last update for now, one of my best friends, Lisa, gets married TOMORROW! I am proudly her matron of honor so starting at 2pm today I'm devoted to her and whatever helps she needs for the big day! This wedding was a year and a half in the making and it's so crazy that it's finally here!

In early August I threw her a bridal shower, here is a picture of her and I and then another of the wedding party. 

And here is some pictures of her bachelorette party in early September.

I couldn't be more excited for her and Josh and will definitely be posting all about the wedding! Hope that's a good update for now. I will for sure continue to check in and post a lot more. I've missed blogging and so glad to be back! :)

Shots, dinner dates, and doggy birthdays!

How's that for a title, huh?

So my little 15-monther had a check-up on Friday. She is currently 21.6lbs (50th percentile) and 31.5 1/2in tall (75th percentile). She loves when we first walk in to the doctors office because they have so many fun toys to play with. But then the minute they call us back through that door, it's like she instantly remembers where she is. Luckily they were super quick this time so she didn't have a chance to get too worked up. Overall she's a healthy growing girl and growing right on target. She had to get 2 shots and I think everyone in the waiting room had to hear her scream. It was over in a minute though and as soon as she got back to those fun toys, she was good to go.

Before her appointment we stopped by the grocery store to get a few things so I bought her a push-pop that she could have after she got her shots. She is one lollipop-lovin' girl.

On another note, for Christmas my dad and Kim gave Mark and I a $250 gift certificate to Ruth's Chris. Mark and I ate there last year for the first time for Valentine's Day and we talked for an entire year how good it was. It's one of those restaurants that everyone has to try at least once! It's really expensive but it's a good splurge to do at least once a year. And needless to say, our bill was $255! Haha, thanks dad and Kim! I think I'm still full from last night. The food was 10 times more amazing than last year. Yum!

And last but not least... today is a good day in the Lagana household. Why is that, you ask? It's none other than our favorite dog of all time AND our first born baby's birthday! Yup.. Silas is 4 years old today.

Isn't he just the most handsome dog you've ever seen? Other people don't think so but we beg to differ of course. :) He's truly been the most wonderful dog anyone could have. And his big 70-lb self still sleeps in the middle of us every single night! I don't think that will ever change. We just love him to pieces! <3

Hope everyone had a great weekend! xoxo