My little boy is ONE! How in the world did a single year go so fast, yet so slow all at the same time? To be honest I am not sure I remember the first few months, but have plenty of pictures and videos to help!

One thing I knew I wanted was a professional to capture for little guy on his first birthday, and I could not have been more trilled when I received the images from Courtney Leigh Photography. Courtney not only captured our sweet little family, but Barrett’s little personality and all of his little furry friends.  

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You are a spunky, fearless, contagiously happy little boy sweet Barrett and if I know any one thing it is that I am right where I am suppose to be. You not only made me a “mama” but made me a better person. I have learned a new level of multitasking, new ways to get ready in under 5 minutes, how to minimize wardrobe changes (for the both of us) and how to keep my eyes open for the God winks.

Thank you for everything you are and all that you are making me! Let’s do this year two!

Talk about the most amazing weekend! It was such a joy to be surrounded by friends, family and the most talented creatives I know to shower sweet baby Frederick. While I have so much to say, and so many to thank, for our Houston shower that is coming in a later post.

Today, I wanted to share an update for everyone not in Houston on little (or not so little) baby Frederick!

It’s hard to believe I will be 30 weeks tomorrow! Our sweet baby remains in the top 95% of the height and weight scales and because I have had a little extra amniotic fluid we have been blessed with more ultrasounds than usual to see our sweet babe! Each time everything looks perfect! My favorite line from our ultrasound technician may have been, “baby is definitely big, not huge, but definitely big.” He’s been checking up on babies for over 35 years and is the sweetest man and always so kind to try and snap a picture of a sweet little face… no such luck. Baby likes to have it’s hand on it’s face or turn and leave us nothing but a shoulder and back image.

I’ll have to be honest that it’s been fun keeping sweet baby to Blair and myself. We didn’t tell the world about our precious miracle until a little after 17 weeks and the honest truth is we have known the gender of sweet baby since week 10. You may remember our announcement photos by Courtney Brown of Courtney Leigh Photography, but what you may not have known that the same day we actually took gender reveal photos. 🙂 It’s funny to look back on my almost non-existant bump!

In a world of social media and so many things assumed as public knowledge, it’s been sweet to hold our sweet baby so close to our hearts as our little secret going in to this thing called parenting, but Blair and I both know there is a time and a place for everything. So here you go…

Baby Frederick is a boy!

Do you all have any idea how hard it is to hold big, letter balloons still and forward facing? Our sweet baby will most definitely not have “ONE” letter balloons at his first birthday… or maybe any birthday after the laughs we got out of taking these photos on film!

This weekend we knew that we would have all of the closest people to our hearts in the same place and it was such a joy to share our precious secret with them face to face!

For months I have had nearly everyone guess that baby is a girl, with only a handful of guesses as a boy. Now that I am “all baby” as Blair says everyone is switching their vote to align with the fact that I am all belly and carrying “more like a boy.” I’m not sure if there is any truth to all of those myths and old wives tales, but I will tell you the myth that you’re only really sick when carrying a girls is most definitely not true!

The one truth that I will hold to is that the CL Mascots still don’t know what is coming and are growing ever so suspicious about the increased time Blair and I are spending in the nursery and why they can’t play with the new toys.

Thank you to all of you who have spoiled sweet baby, loved on Blair and I and have sent prayers of love and wisdom to cover our next chapter as parents. We are living proof that it takes a village and your prayers and gifts from a far mean more than you know!

xo Christina

Let’s just say I have written and rewritten this post more times that I would like to admit, so here it goes.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

The truth is that I knew when I created this website that this blog would eventually be used for more than just glimpses of my work, my heart for the organizations I volunteer for or things I advocate for. I knew it would eventually be to share more of my family; I just didn’t know how long that journey would take (which is a big reason to why this website has been in the works for a few years).

If you know me you know that I have two fur babies (the CL Mascots as we call the goldendoodles) and am married to the most amazing man! I know that every wife says that about her husband, but I truly mean it. When we got married 1,971 days ago I thought I loved him with all of my heart. Fast forward to our third year of marriage we both knew our love had grown as we started really visiting the idea of babies and a family outside of our four-legged children. Fast forward, yet again, to today and I truly understand that love knows no bounds and is bigger than I have yet to experience.

Courtney Leigh Photography

However, the one thing we didn’t know when we began that conversation was just how long God had our journey planned for. With more bumps in the road than I like to admit after more than 1,050 days something was different. Although we had been to this place before it wasn’t until December 6, 2017 that it became more of a reality than the times before.

With us taking things a little slower than others may have I am beyond blessed and incredibly humbled to share that Blair and I will welcome the biggest blessing we could ever comprehend this July. The amazing Courtney Brown of Courtney Leigh Photography captured all of these amazing images that Blair and I will be forever grateful for! Including a tiny baby bump we have been praying over for 17 weeks!

The honest truth is that while we are beyond ecstatic to share our news my heart also goes out to those in the midst of this journey. While we don’t know what your individual story might be, we do know what its like to love something so much and never meet. We know what its like to be asked when were going to jump on the baby train (to which my husband will tell you we may have very easily been the conductor – his ability to make me laugh may be one of my most favorite things about him) and what it’s like to see baby announcement after baby announcement, or what it seems.

Please know that if you’re in the middle of a journey, confused or discouraged that God is with you. If you need someone to talk to, or someone to pray for you I am more than happy to, and I’m happy to share more of our story.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

To each of you who have shared in our journey, who have prayed over this precious baby or have loved on us and our marriage – we are so grateful for you and can’t thank you enough! We would love for continued prayers as we begin an entirely new chapter and welcome baby Frederick this summer.

For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted me the desires of my heart.
1 Samuel 1:27

With Love, Christina and Blair Frederick