hello Tate

Tate Hill Duggin was born on Wednesday night at 11:06. He is a big boy, 9lbs 6oz and 21 inches long, but still seems tiny just like I thought he would. He has big sweet cheeks and we are in love, of course.



We were all set to welcome him on Thursday morning at a scheduled c-section, so imagine our surprise when my water broke Wednesday night while we were getting Marlie ready for bed. I still had a c-section, just with a little more excitement :).



We are snuggling and soaking up every newborn minute. Welcome to the world little Tate!

dear baby boy

Dear baby boy,

We are all anxiously awaiting your arrival. Its really hard to believe that you are all snug inside me now and very soon will be out here where I can hold you. My belly is very big. They tell me you are a big boy but I bet you will still seem so tiny.



That is your dad in the background there. He is working from home today because he is super great and takes care of me. Your starting to wear out my legs a bit so he wanted to be here to help today. You are going to love him just as much as I do.

And just wait till you meet your big sister. She is wonderful. She might squeeze you a little too hard at times but you'll get used to it I guess. She asked me the other day if you two could have bunk beds someday. You have a while to think about it, but I think it would be pretty cute.

Can I tell you a secret? I'm a little nervous. Its been almost 4 years since I was a mom to a newborn. I don't know if it is quite like riding a bike. I guess we will find out. I think you will be pretty patient with me.

I wonder what you will look like. I can't wait to see your face.

I love this little family and I can't wait for you to become part of it. See you very soon. Love, Mama

baby boy's room

I've been slowly working on baby boy's room over the last few months and it is finally finished. I LOVE the way it turned out. I wasn't sure if it was all going to come together, but it is just what I wanted. I wanted a clean, modern room with bright colors. The first thing we did was take an old dresser we bought from craigslist and turn it in to a snazzy bright changing table....



I got the crib at Ikea this fall. The bumper was made for Marlie's crib and I got the crib sheet at Target. I LOVE the crib sheet, it pulls everything together...



On the biggest wall I painted some black frames after seeing this wallpaper. Honestly I wanted to do the whole wall, but I just didn't have it in me. I like the pattern I ended up with though. I put some favorite photos up and had Marlie draw some things for the frames.





I also painted a few canvases for the room, two of which are on the frame wall. I wanted to do some simple colorful drawings that represent our neighborhood...



The third canvas hangs over the bookshelf which is also from Ikea. The lamp is from Target, the baskets are from Home Goods, the vintage red trunk used to be Shane's. And the bike print is from these ladies on etsy.



I loved using a few of Shane's old toys in the room. I've been holding on to these baseball guys for a while in case we had a boy someday. The cute owl pillow is from this etsy shop.



There you have it, and just in time. Today my leg decided that this baby is just too dang heavy to carry around anymore and sort of gave up on me. Seriously...I was home alone and had to crawl up our stairs. It was sort of funny only not. So, here I lay. I'm hoping that a good night's rest will do the trick but something tells me I am going to be gimping around until this little man comes. I can't wait to meet him!

you gotta get this

Remember Russ who designed those amazing Christmas cards? Well, he is also a very talented musician. We are blessed to have him as our worship leader at church and blessed to call he, his wife Katie + their little man Eliot friends.

Russ just came out with a new worship EP available for download. Not only is it just really dang good music, but it supports their family in their latest journey; adopting a little baby boy this spring. So..go go go! Click here to hear it and download it.



Hymns & Spiritual Songs is a worship EP comprised of 3 original tracks and 2 hymns by Fundamental Elements front-man and City Church director of worship arts, Russ Mohr. Russ collaborated with band-mate and close friend Luke DeJaynes, who engineered and mixed the project. All instruments were performed by Russ and Luke. Recorded at the Groove Kitchen in Greenville, IL.

This EP was recorded as a fund-raising effort to help the Mohr family offset the expenses of adopting a baby boy in Spring, 2011. It is our hope and prayer that the music recorded on this album is a blessing to you and your family, just as your purchase of this record has been a blessing to ours.

Thanks so much for supporting our endeavor and our art. Enjoy!

the daddy daughter dance

He saw an advertisement about the daddy daughter dance and decided without prompting to take her. He asked and she said yes. They both got dressed up in their dancing outfits. She wanted to wear her Cinderella dress, but we compromised on a different one. He bought her neon pink and green flowers for their date and she loved them. He bought me some non-neon flowers and I loved them.

I snapped a few photos before they left. Having her leg up like that was her idea and it worries me a bit, but its funny.



She also insisted on getting a picture of them practicing a dip. Too cute.



Shane sent me a text later that said "Marlie just came out of her shell on the dance floor when Party in the USA came on." That's my girl. She has some moves.

I stayed home and read a book in the bathtub. It was so nice. I love those two.

Dear Marlie

Dear Marlie,

Today I saw our rain boots lined up next each other and I teared up a little. I know that I am a little emotional these days, but it just got me thinking about me and you.



I am really excited about your little brother who is coming so soon. But I must admit Monkey Pants, that I am a little sad that the days of just me and you are coming to an end.



With Daddy at school and work over the last 4 years, we've spent a whole lot of time together, just the two of us. And I've loved it. You are my little side kick. My favorite munchkin. My sweet girl.



I know you will be a great big sister. I know we will have some hard days getting used to this big change. I also know we will work it out and be just fine.

Thanks for scratching my itchy belly and letting me sleep a little longer in the mornings. Also, thank you for not liking peanut butter so I can keep all of my Girl Scout Cookies to myself. Thanks for everything. I love you to pieces. - Mommy

Lily Bean is 1

My friend Beth makes some really stinkin cute kids. If you've been reading my blog for a while then you know that Mr. Nug is adorable. I haven't posted as many pics of his little sister Lily. What can I say? The second born always gets the short end of the stick. Well, she turned one recently and came over for a little photo shoot.

Oh that little face!







And of course we had to celebrate with some cake.



Happy b-day Lily. You are one adorable little lady!