We have officially reached the 7 month mark with the baby and can hardly believe it.  Seriously, I have stepped into the phase of "Wait...you mean we're actually going to have a baby?????   What were we thinking????"  I mean, it's great in theory but as the time gets closer it's definitely becoming more real that our lives are headed for major change.  Are we ready?  Can we do this?It's all very surreal at this point - completely fabulous but surreal all the same.  Courage, Kolette.  Courage.

I feel like the baby bump has taken a leap over the last month.  We had another ultrasound and they got a great shot of his face front-on and we saw chubby cheeks and a round little face.  He is over a half a pound larger than "normal" and I said, "Of course he is - it's all in his cheeks!"   I should know - like mother like son.I had another shower - I have to say that this one was such a treat because it was a luncheon for a few close friends from over the years - about a dozen of us.  I know that big parties are super-fun but there was something special about sitting around the dining room table at my friend Bonnie's house and being able to laugh and share and simply love being together with people who have had a great impact on my life.  There is great value in smaller parties.The table was beautiful - it's amazing how easy it is to make something lovely.

Bonnie used a diaper cake as the center piece for the table and set it on a cozy blue chenille blanket that I know will become a favorite for sure.  I loved the bottle as the top of the cake and discovering all the pieces and parts embellishing the cake was fun for both Jason and I - again, it all feels amazing to us.  There are many how-tos for diaper cakes on the internet.  Click here for one set of instructions.

However, I know that Bonnie got the instructions for our cake from our favorite new resource - a cookbook (but oh, so much more) that just came out by our friend Michelle Huxtable, another guest at the shower.  She is amazing when it comes to entertaining, decorating and just creating a gorgeous experience while gathering together.Here is another idea from her book that we used for a bridal shower that my sister hosted at her home last week - strawberry topiaries.  And yes, they are edible!  In fact you just pull a strawberry off of the toothpick that is holding each one on and dip it into the sour cream/brown sugar dip located in the "planter."  Talk about a hit!  Michelle is brilliant.

The strawberry topiary instructions are also in her cookbook and guide for entertaining called "The Gathering of Friends" and you can find out more about Michelle as well as order her book here.  They make great holiday gifts - to yourself as well as those you love.  By the way, these photos were taken with my new "Camera Bag" app on my iPhone - cool effects with just a click - look for it on iTunes.

I am constantly amazed by the generosity and sense of celebration that accompanies this little guy into the world.   We are so grateful for the whole experience and for the anticipation surrounding this particular miracle.  We are blessed with strong support and love from all sides and thank you for being a part of that.It almost makes me confident in the whole thing...almost.Enjoy your weekend!