So, over the last few months, a lot has been happening. understatement
We spent the first months of this year searching high and low for two wonderful women to add to our family at Southern Weddings. I’m thrilled to say that after hundreds of resumes and interviews, we found the perfect pair! You’ll get to meet them very soon and we can’t wait. I’m so grateful for our growth and, most of all, that I get to spend my days with these inspiring women.
We’re bursting at the seams for more space, so we’re also moving next month! My wonderful mom is here in Chapel Hill visiting and helped us pick out the perfect new house – just a few miles away – for the three of us. Me… Ari… and…
Oh hello, tears. I don’t know how to write this post. Here goes…
I’m pregnant.
Due 11.11.11
You have no idea how good it feels so good to finally say that! Keeping this a secret for what has felt like an eternity has not been easy, friends. Especially considering the plethora of texts like this over the last months…
The moment those pretty pink two lines appeared I wanted to shout my gratitude to the hills! Well, I did. In the privacy of my bathroom. I’ve never felt such joy! God is good and Ari and I are very grateful. Baby’s first trip on an airplane: sunny Las Vegas for WPPI (below).
A few FAQ’s and things I’ve learned so far:
We don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl. We just want a happy baby. OK, I kindof want a girl. Only because Emily Ley and my entire staff have already decided Brady is going to marry said girl.
Morning sickness doesn’t exist. All day sickness does. The first stretch has been the pits, but thankfully I’ve been feeling better and better over the last couple weeks. Yesterday was my best day so far – almost back to normal! I’m so grateful for my best friends, very kind strangers, McDonald’s ice cream, my parents (who let me retreat to their house for the majority of March to take care of me!) and my amazing husband. Thanks to aforementioned All Day Sickness, the thought of eating a Luna Bar or getting on a plane has made me ill, but I’m totally OK with that. If sickness is a barometer for a healthy baby, I am totally OK with anything.
For now, you can follow the baby details on my personal Tumblr.
My favorite person to tell I was pregnant (besides my dad who I have never seen happier) was my very Southern 93-year old Grandma Bunny. I’ll never forget that conversation. Listen in…
Surprise! from lara casey on Vimeo.
Best phone message after the big news: definitely from dad. He ended the message with “Take care of yourself, Mama.” Melt my heart.
People keep saying to me, “do you realize your life is about to change?” It already has. Drastically. I know it’s just the beginning and I’m so happy for all of it! I prayed hard for this. I am leaning on Him to guide me. I also have some awesome friends as mommy role models – Em, Natalie and so many MTH women – that I am so grateful for. My mom is also a pretty cool lady and has been teaching me the ropes since day 1 when I burst out in happy tears and told her I was pregnant in the kitchen while making oatmeal. I had to tell someone. I love you, mom! Below with grandpa…
Thank you to my sweet friends Danielle Wolfe and David Kirkaldy in Cayman for blessing us with your hospitality as Ari and I celebrated 5 years of marriage this year, to Emily (and Bryan) for making Bman and letting me feel his frog kicks in your belly and hold him – what a joy!, to my ridiculously awesome staff for being patient with my baby brain and for volunteering to name the baby (oh goodness, that deserves its own post), to Elizabeth Messina who captured my very first pregnancy photographs, to Aunt Gina and Aunt Natalie and Aunt Emily and Aunt Jessie and Aunt Marissa and Aunt Melissa and Aunt Chantal and Aunt Harmony for being the best honorary aunt’s ever, and to my mom and dad who make me excited every day. I love you. Special love and hugs to all the Making Things Happen women (and men!) who have encouraged me every step of the way on the journey. I wouldn’t have had the courage to let go and let God bring this blessing into our lives without you. My list of gratitude is endless.
My mom got to come to my ultrasound yesterday and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Having her there with me to watch the little heart beat so strongly was a miracle. I had seen it before, but something about having mom there this time… we cried… the nurse cried… my doctor loved on us! My heart feels like it’s the size of Texas, y’all. I’m not one of those people who had a mental plan for when I would get married and have kids. Ari and I thought babies would come well after he is done with residency (2 more years). As my heart started to open to this in a big way, I could clearly see God had other plans. His plans are always way better than mine. This verse has been on my heart since we found out: If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. – Luke 17:6 Carrying a child is indescribable. It has been impossible for me to not see God working in all of this. This little babe has already blessed us, humbled me and brought me to my knees. Faith as small as a mustard seed can change everything.
Well, there you have it. Spring has officially sprung in our little world! Wonderful women to do this great work with, soon-to-be new bigger digs and a little southern biscuit in my oven. The Biscuit…
Making Babies Happen,
photos (the pretty ones) by Gina Zeidler
keep reading
133 Comments
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GAH!!!! You know I died when I heard the news…I’m just publicly ready to SCREAM! 😉
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CONGRATULATIONS X’S 1000000!!!!!
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I had a feeling. 🙂 Major congratulations. SO happy for you!
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MY HEART IS BURSTING FOR YOU & ARI! This is wonderful news, Lara – Congratulations! Sending you, Ari and the baby well wishes! xo
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Congrats, I just had a baby girl myself. enjoy every second.
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congratulations! What wonderful news!
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So. Amazingly. Excited. For. You. 🙂 Love you.
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Hooray Lara, congrats! Excited for you!
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Congrats! So excited for you. Being a parent is the best ever!
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Congratulations! This is the first time I’ve read your blog and I’m so excited for you! Thank you for sharing all this. Reminds me of how I felt when we found out we were expecting our first child! Congratulations!!!!
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Lara, many congratulations….it’s awesome and time heals the countless sleepless nights! (my two are now 7 and 10) 😉
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WOW! Congrats to you both! This is awesome news!
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I was just gabbing to the husband yesterday we’d hear this news soon!!! So excited and happy for you and Ari!!! You are going to be one of those hall of fame moms! After the sickness subsides…it’s all down hill!!!
Much love and much more prayers.
xoxo
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Oh my goodness, Lara!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOO excited for you and Ari!!! And your family!!! I listened to your Grandma’s phone call and she is just the cutest woman in the world 😀 This means you were pregnant for our MTH in Las Vegas, and the light bulb clicked for me as I was reading this!! You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I have not even a mustard-seed-sized drop of doubt in my mind that you are going to be a truly AMAZING Mom!! Hugs 🙂
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Aw this may well be my most favorite blog post to read ever! So happy for you and your family. Congratulations! You are beaming and beautiful. Looking forward to Biscuit updates… 🙂 Thank you for sharing your joy with the rest of us.
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Congratulations! That is such exciting news, and I love seeing people who are thrilled to be new parents. Great photos…both the new ones and the old ones. 🙂
~Nikki -
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Waaaaaaaahhhhhhaaa! So so excited for you and Ari! 🙂 what a blessing and excitement filled timed for you guys! 🙂 I’m just welling up with tears of joy for you! 🙂 mucho love!!!!! 🙂
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Oh, my. My heart is so absolutely full right now for you and Ari. And, I’m sitting at my desk with tears of joy welling up in my eyes. I couldn’t be more happy! XOXO
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I had SO wondered recently, just something in my heart – I am SO happy for you! Now I’m gonna go get all gooey…
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Can I just publicly say AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I. AM. SO. EXCITED for you + Ari! I love you and that baby Biscuit in your belly! xoxo
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wow this really is a year of babies! Congrats
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Oh. My. Goodness. Lara – my heart is exploding with excitement and happiness and joy and love for you and this little one growing inside you!! God is GOOD and I am SO excited to see Him help you to just grow and flourish in this new season of life that He is bringing you and Ari into. Wow. So excited. Just.So.Excited:)
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SO happy for you both – congratulations, may God bless you!
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Lara, can’t express enough to you both how excited I am for you and Ari.
I am not surprised at all that your due date is 11.11.11. Your angels are listening to you and Ari.
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“Making babies happen”- love it! Congrats!
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I am so happy for you!!! Congrats to you both 🙂
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congratulations, lara!!! 🙂
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Congrats! What a lovely post!
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I’m just putting it out there that someone should buy J.Crew stock because I’m about to buy out a Crewcuts store. Also? Baby’s First Thanksgiving with all her/his aunties in one place?? I make a mean set of mashed potatoes. Love you times infinity!!
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I am so happy for you and now I will feel you can relate to me even better, that video call was extremely cute and just melted my heart and the due date is so fabulous like it was hand picked! congrats to you and Ari best wishes
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Congratulations!! So happy for you!
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I knew at MTH that this was coming for you. It was in your eyes, your voice and your heart. Congratulations. Nothing will every be the same. You will know a level of love you never even thought was possible. All blessings to you. xoxoxo
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Lara! I am thrilled for you! Being a mom is the biggest and BEST challenge of my life. And don’t worry too much… baby #1 is easy. Baby #2 turns your world on its face. Enjoy the ride!
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How exciting Lara!! Congratulations!!!!! I’m so happy for you! Looking forward to reading about this wonderful journey! xoxoxo
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Words can’t explain how excited we are for you! Were driving to Pensacola and my Mom wants you to know… Theres nothing more special than your daughter having a baby. 🙂 congratulations again to you both. Welcome to the best journey you’ll ever take 🙂 xoxoxo
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OMG Lara! Congratulations!!! What a great way to tell the world you are preggers 🙂 I teared up listening to your phone call to your grandmother. Very sweet. I wish you all the best. You will make a great mama! <3 Missy
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congratulations Lara – wishing you all the best and what an amazing time is ahead for you and Ari.
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Lara, I am so happy for you and your whole family! Congratulations!!!
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Congratulations !!!
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So excited for you!!! 🙂 Congrats!!!
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Oh Lara…
Can I just say how HAPPY I am for you! You and Ari deserve this and so much more! Looking forward to witnessing your progress! Many blessings to you both!!!
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A million congratulations!!!! You are going to be such beautiful parents, and that conversation with your grandma just melted my heart! Lara, you are in my prayers for a healthy and incredibly blessed pregnancy!
Lisa -
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AHHH!! YAH!!! So happy for you and Ari and your family!!!! YAH YAH YAH!!! 🙂 Congratulations!!!
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Oh my gosh sweetie!!!!! SO incredibly excited for you. Huge HUGS from Isaac and I!!!! You will be the most amazing mother on the planet!
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OH MY GOODNESS!!! I’m floored at this news Lara! SO SO SO happy for you, Ari, and the Biscuit! I had no idea that a baby would be this soon on the way. And 11.11.11? Hello! Awesome. God has indescribably blessed you with this Baby already, and I pray that this baby will know God and enjoy Him forever. I’m excited, and my day is off to a great start! Praying for you Lara and Ari…and Biscuit!!
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Oh mama! You are going to ROCK motherhood! I just know it. I’m so happy for you and your family. I just want to give you a HUGE hug! I can’t wait to see you again. Lots of love and kisses and prayers! 🙂
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So so SO happy for you and Ari, Lara! You are in for a scary, fun, amazing roller coaster ride. Its the biggest challenge you will ever face and the biggest miracle and blessing. Mazel Tov!
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Getting a little emotional here!! I know God has amazing plans for you + Ari + new Biscuit!! Isn’t HE so good! What an amazing testament to that! Blessings and prayers for you!
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Oh MY GOODNESS!!!! I am soo soo excited for you. HUGE Congratulations!!! I wish I could give you a hug!! Congrats little momma!
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Happiness. So much happiness for you. Congrats!
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Congrats baby girl. You’re going to be a awesome mom
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ah!!!! so so so excited for you and Ari. :):):)
congratulations! -
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Congratulations Lara! Wishing you and little Biscuit a safe and health pregnancy. xo
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Yayyy!! You will be the most wonderful mother Lara! Very very happy news. 🙂
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My goodness. I KNEW about it and I still got chills reading it. That Grandma Bunny is too much….love her! I hope the all sickness goes away for good soon!! Congrats to you, Ari, and all the Casey and Isaacson families!
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Wow…what a blessing Lara. I’m so happy for you. You keep making thing happen!!! God Bless you both. (((hugs)))
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Congrats! Being a mommy is the best and hardest thing ever…but OH so worth it!
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awwwee!!! that is such amazing news lara! so so excited for you and ari and hope you have a healthy and happy pregnancy! congratulations!
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Eeeeh!! What joyful news, wishing the very best for you and your budding family in this truly special time. God’s plan never ceases to amaze…stay well & enjoy the ride!
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congratulations, indeed, mama.
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Congratulations Lara and Ari!!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I know that you shared with us that you really wanted a little you or Ari in MTH Maui!! Congrats!! that is so wonderful!!!
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congratulations my dear!
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CONGRATS LARA!! I was so excited when I saw this post! It’s such an amazing feeling, isn’t it?? I will be praying for you and can’t wait to start seeing belly pics! 🙂
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Congrats Lara! I’m overjoyed for you and your fsmily! May God continue to bless you and make His light shine upon you.
Blessed to be a blessing,
Tiffany R.P.S. I think http://www.ontobaby.com needs to have you featured this fall!
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I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU! I have tears in my eyes right now. You are going to be such a Wonderful Mom! I am so happy for you and Ari.
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I knew it! I knew there had to be a reason why you were MIA. Congrats my dear. You will be fantastic mom.
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Congrats!! Motherhood rocks!!
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This brought tears to my eyes! What wonderful news!! Congratulations to you and Ari!!
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So so sweet. I love the aunty listings! I had that inkling to ask you myself if you were pregnant(: Glad it’s TRUE!
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I am overjoyed for you Lara! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Love you much!!! xo
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I’ve never visited your blog, but I had to say, your granny’s reaction to your pregnancy made me cry! Priceless. Truly.
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Lara, this is such awesome news!!!! And that due date is so auspicious!
You’ll be a most incredible mother.
Feel good, be happy, and enjoy every mustard seed second.
Love, Kathleen (MTH Charlotte) -
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Congratulations! Parenthood is such a thrilling journey!
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Congratulations Lara!!!!! I am SO happy for you! You are going to be the best mom – you are so amazing at juggling a million things at once. Motherhood is truly the best!
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So so so happy for you! Can’t wait to see pictures of this adorable little one in a few months!
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Congratulations again!!!
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Lara I am absolutely so thrilled for you and your new growing family!! So excited to read about your new journey. And I just loved the conversation you had with your grandma, such a special moment. <3
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Congratulations Lara & Ari…. what an exciting time for you!!
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Congrats Lara! I am SOOOO stinkin excited for you and Ari! How wild that we were talking about Making Babies Happen at the MTH reunion and here it is. Yay!!!
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Happiness.
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Congratulations!!! So heartwarming to see the immense happiness you are feeling at this moment! Wishing you, Ari, and the little biscuit all the best!
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That is fabulous and welcome to parenthood (almost!) Congrats, congrats, congrats!! Raising a Pisgah Ale to you and Ari. . .NOW!
xoxo,
b & g -
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Lara, congratulations to you and Ari!!! You’re such an inspiration to me to dream bigger and I love how you incorporate scripture with each personal post. You truly deserve all the joy & blessings that are to come with the bebe. All the best!
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Oh Lara! I had no idea when I spoke to you today! I am over the moon for you and Ari, wow! Thank you so much for all you do, I am so excited for you xoxo
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Lara!!!!!!! Super congrats to you my dear! This will be even more amazing than what you are expecting. Love, happiness, and health for you and yours always.
x
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No wonder I had been thinking of you! So happy for you and Ari and the life changes that are coming!
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Congrats!!!!!!! SO happy for you and the new journey you are starting on. enjoy every minute.
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This message filled my heart! Luke 17:6.. and the call with grandma..what an awesome post. I pray the scriptures with and for you! Here’s to a blessed and healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby! thank you for sharing in such a beautiful way.. xoxo
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I am so absolutely overjoyed for you and Ari. This is such an exciting time. I remember it was this time last year that I was on the phone with you as a follow-up to MTH in Denver and told you that I had a bit of change of plans because I was pregnant. My due date was 11.9.10– although Fin came 7 weeks early. This next year is going to be such a great time for you two! Yay!!
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Ahhhhhh!!! We have tears of joy for you over here! So incredibly excited for you and Ari! Congratulations and enjoy these precious new beginnings! Loved, Loved, Loved hearing the excitement in the clip from your Grandma! What a special memory to have forever!
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Major congrats!! This will be the most rewarding time of your life! If you are like me…you will find yourself wondering why you didn’t do it sooner 🙂 Enjoy every minute…be well!
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SO happy and excited for you and Ari! God is so good!! Can’t wait to follow your journey into motherhood! Lots of love to you Lara! Korinne Seel
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Oh Lara!!!!! I’m so happy for you and Ari!! I’m so overjoyed that you are getting the little biscuit you wanted.
PS- Your grandma is just the cutest thing!!
Praying continued blessings for you and your family. xoxo Marletha
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Yay! Yay! Yay! I am so happy for you Lara. You are going to be an amazing mama! I had the all day sickness thing too my entire pregnancy and have a beautiful healthy baby girl that was worth all of it.
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oh baby! this is great news!!
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Oh happy day! So excited for the two of you!
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wishing you all the most happiness in the world!!!! listening to your grandmother brought tears to my eyes. so happy for you!!!
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CONGRATULATIONS!!! so, so happy for you!
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CONGRATULATIONS LARA!!!
{{{ i’m yelling, can you hear me? }}}
xoxo
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So excited for you!!
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Eeeeep! Congratulations. How VERY exciting. xoxoxo
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Awe! Congratulations Lara and Ari. A baby is a blessing. Your granny sounds so cute! I actually got teary eyed listening in. Congratulations again! XOXOXO
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Btw, your due date is two days before my birthday ^_^ Amazing due date! It would be amazing if you gave birth at 11:11 it’ll be the ultimate wish
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congrats!!!!!! wow.
ginger tea for nausea. https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Ginger-Tea-or-Tisane
keep some crystalized ginger in your purse for when you can’t make the tea.
acupuncture for nausea really can really work as well. -
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Lara, congratulations to both of you!! What an abundant blessing! I wish you two nothing but pure happiness and bliss on this new chapter in your lives. And, my oh my, I absolutely heart your grandmother’s response. Just adorable!!
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Lara! I am soo happy for you!!! Career women can be Momma’s too!!! 🙂 So excited to keep up with the biscuit.. hehe
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Congratulations!!! This is a great blessing. Take Care & all the best XO
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So so excited for you!!! This is awesome & yes God is good!
We expecting as well with #2, due 12-14-11.-J+A
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WHAT?!?! Oh my gosh, Lara! Congratulations!!!!! WOW!!
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Making Babies Happen!! I Love it!!!! Congrats mama!!! SO excited for you!!! (And slightly confused that I was with you on the day he or she was conceived). Oh the wonders of motherhood I do not understand. But anyway, you’ll be the best southern mama a baby’s ever had and I can’t wait to to meet him or her! Congrats to you and Ari from an honorary auntie 🙂 xoxoxo
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Haha! I love you, Harm! xo
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So I get behind on my blog reading and THIS is what happens. OH, my gosh…..CONGRATULATIONS. So thrilled for you on many levels. I’m excited to hear positive things are happening with Southern Weddings because I LIVE for new issues to come out. It’s actually painful, the waiting. But the bestest news is your little one. And I bawled listening to that phone call. So precious. I’d love to experience something similar with my Grandma whom I adore, but she’s 98 and I’m still single so that may never happen. But what a blessing to enjoy hearing about this experience for you and your family. Much love!
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🙂 CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🙂
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Lara!!! I am so excited for you guys! Congratulations a bazillion times over! You will easily be an amazing mom. You are loved.
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Congratulations to you xs a million!
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Congratulations!!!
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eeeeek!!!!! omg, i am totally late to the party on this announcement but i had to say a great big CONGRATULATIONS!! baby knox was born 7 months ago and from one sort of new mom to another soon to be mom i can tell you everything they say about how amazing these little humans are is an understatement. being a mom is life changing in every way, humbling, and all around a miracle. there is no other word for it. congrats to you and ari!
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Lara! Wow wow wow I’m behind the times! I’ve continued to be inspired by all the things you and what you’ve achieved… which goes without saying that that little babe is going to have one amazing momma! God Bless!
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Congratulations! I know it is a little late–well technically it is never too late! I am so utterly happy for you! Awesome due date by the way!! 🙂 Congratulations to you guys and I wish you a healthy and wonderful pregnancy! xoxo
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this is absolutely precious!! congrats!
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Congrats!! Being a new mom myself, i can tell you it’s incredible! Life changing? Yes, very! In the best way! I love being a mommy! My little one just turned 9 months! Enjoy your pregnancy, it goes fast. xo, Chrissy.
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Aw! Congratulations new mama!
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Congratulations! Children and a gift! Enjoy life and family! This is a great site!!
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Congrats on the addition! I am so happy for you!!
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Beautiful work!