Circle of Love

To our dear family and friends,

As we draw closer to the arrival of our 2nd baby we wanted to take the time to let each of you know how thankful we are for your presence in our lives and in the lives of our children.  Yesterday we watched Brylie's 1st year video to help reinforce what it will mean for Brylie to become a big sister and understand the attention that babies need and I was so touched by the love.  The love of both our families who came together to welcome Brylie into the world and shower her with love and affection.  While reading one of the many children books preparing Brylie for the arrival of the new baby I was struck by part of a book that resonated within me.  It states "When you were a little baby, your family and friends formed a circle of love to welcome you into the world- and now your family's new baby will become a part of the same circle of love."  Each of you no matter the distance or times that we have seen you have played an invaluable role in shaping us as parents and in the development of our daughter, Brylie and soon to be addition.  We are so grateful for the support, love and encouragement.  As parents we understand that children need as many healthy connections as possible, and that children do best when they grow up with a variety of strong and loving attachments to the people around them.  It has been the expanding of our family where I truly have felt the significance and magnitude of these connections, and I am so appreciative for them.  In short I wanted to take the time to say thank you.  Thank you for being a vital part of our lives and in the lives of our kids.  Thank you for setting strong examples and helping to guide us along the way.  Thank you for being such key players in our lives.  Thank you sharing in many memories and experiences.  Thank you for being a part our circle of love.  We look forward to meeting the newest addition of our family and watching how relationships continue to grow and develop.  We love you all. 

Love,

The Pappas Family

Celebrating Our 1st Born

Nick and I wanted to do something special to honor Brylie as our 1st born as well as celebrate her new upcoming role as big sister.  We started her big sister celebration weekend with friday night dinner at PF Changs.  We wanted to reinforce how much we love her and what an important part she has in our family.  It was at dinner that we presented her with a "Big Sister" book and her very own "baby."   We bought her a Bitty Baby from American Girl Doll that she could be in charge of and take care of when we brought home her sibling. She loves this baby.  The part that she is most impressed with is her new baby's eyes.  Brylie was very disappointed with all her babies at home because none of the eyes closed.  She told us months ago that her babies don't sleep because the eyes don't shut.  Bitty baby is different.  The eyes open and shut and so Brylie is well aware when her baby is sleeping.  We ended the evening with dessert at our favorite frozen yogurt place. It was so cute to see Brylie so happy and fun to enjoy the last few moments as a family of 3.

                       

The following day we took Brylie to afternoon tea at the American Girl Doll cafe in Los Angeles.  Having never been there before Nick and I were blown away with the massive building housing thousands of dolls, clothes, and accessories.  It was quite the sight to see.  Once there we went to the cutest tea where they served tea sandwiches, fruit kabobs, and flowerpot dirt cakes.  It was really such a sweet experience and one that we will treasure with our little Brylie.  It is hard to believe that in a matter of weeks she will be a big sister.  

 Daddy, Brylie and Bitty Baby getting ready to enter the cafe.

 Brylie had a look of pure excitement while in the store.

 She was captivated by all the Bitty Baby goodies.

 Brylie and Bitty Baby at our table.  They bring all the dolls there own high chair which was adorable.

 Mommy with her little girl.

 Brylie gave Daddy a big smooch after saying thank you for her special day.

Brylie helping herself to the adorable tea treats.  

This store has thought of everything.  They even had doll holders in the bathroom stalls.

Mommy 38 weeks pregnant holding our 1st born and soon to be big sister.  I can't wait to see how our family is going to transform.  I am so thankful for my family.