{this is what love looks like}

it's official! i am now an aunt to two beautiful girls and my heart swells with love and pride. 

tuesday night, we got a phone call saying my sister-in-law's contractions were consistently 5 minutes apart, and they were headed to the hospital. hubs and i threw some clothes in a bag, grabbed the pup's food and toys, and made the 2.5 hour trip.

we arrived shortly after s-i-l had her epidural, so she was a happy camper. 

i was able to spend some time with her before the 10cm mark, and i couldn't be more grateful. she was such a trooper.

funny labor story: i was rubbing her hand during a pressure-filled contraction, and after, she makes the "one minute" index finger gesture. 

"either my water just broke, or i peed myself, and i really don't think i peed myself"

adorable.

shortly after that, she was ready to start pushing, so we made ourselves comfortable in the family lounge.

and not too long after that, proud daddy came in and made the announcement - "quinn is here"

she is the most adorable little peanut - 6lbs 12oz and 19 inches long. 

her big sister cooper is adjusting, but at 2 years old, she doesn't really "get it" yet.

to make her happy, she got to have a cookie...

and a spin in a wheelchair.

it was an experience i will never forget. i soaked in every feeling.

the way your chest and arm create the most perfect nook for a baby.

the way you can stare at a baby for hours. no other setting is it socially acceptable to stare at another human being for so long and not embarrassingly avert your eyes at least once.

the fact she has every single organ/system that i do, packaged in such a tiny body.

she has her whole life ahead of her, and i can't wait to watch and cheer for her as it unfolds.

i love you, quinn.

{message in a cookie}

(i'll send an s.o.s. to the world, i'll send an s.o.s. to the world, i hope that someone gets my, i hope that someone gets my)

message in a cookie

yesterday, i finally received my backordered cookie cutter set from williams-sonoma!

message-in-a-cookie cutter set from williams-sonoma (via creature comforts)

my geeky excitement could not be contained. i had big plans for these guys.

you see, i'm going to be an auntie (again) any second! 

my sister-in-law's due date was yesterday so these guys came at the perfect time, to welcome this new baby!

i got to work right when i got home (after a trip to the grocery for icing - oops, not homemade there). after a few trial runs, i was knockin' these babies out (figuratively and sort of literally, later in the story).

i didn't really get the color right, but this was my first time using color gel rather than food coloring. i'll get better, i'm determined.

(sorry for the phone pics, my camera battery was charging)

as i'm wrapping up the icing dots, we get a message. she's having contractions! albeit inconsistent,  but contractions nonetheless! i'd like to think that williams-sonoma and i had something to do with it. 

(ali, i can take requests when you're ready)

overall, i really love this set. the possibilities are endless and the suggested recipe is really yummy. i substituted half of the batter with lemon extract rather than vanilla and it's uh-maz-ing. 

but, i'm still waiting on my niece. 

don't be tardy for the party baby, these cookies won't last forever.