Ever since my friend Shae found out I was expecting she's been trying to plan a baby shower for me. I've been telling her for a month or so that I don't need one. Let's not go through the trouble of planning one. I only know about four women locally that I hang out with on a regular basis, where's the fun in such a small shower? Then Sara asked me about a going away girl's day. That piqued my interest. 

I realized what was bugging me about a shower was that traditionally boy showers are blue and yellow and have boyish themes. That's not really me at all. I'm a floral and glitter goddess. This shower is going to be floral and pink and everything opposite anyone would think of sending for a baby shower for a little boy. I'm reclaiming this baby shower, it's for me to celebrate my last pregnancy. 

Last week, I ordered invitations, shower games, I made spa reservations, and let my closest friends know - we're doing this.And yes, I need paper invitations. I don't care if that is another notch in the "Omg, Shannon is so extra" belt. I'm mailing them too. I may do like I did for Emerson's shower and hand deliver them. We shall see. 

On the moving front we have dates set, we have our route plotted: we're going to Grand Sequoia, Yosemite, San Francisco (I spelled it out for my friend Natalie who schooled me on proper use of nicknames for the city. Hint - there are none), Salt Lake City (and my friend Cat Palmer is shooting more maternity pics for me as a labor of love. I'm shooting my friends Clint and Amy to pass on that love), Denver, Lincoln, Indianapolis, and then home to Waldorf. We'll have the kids with us this time, so it will be a leisurely meander across the country once we leave SLC.

We closed on the house. Did I mention that in my last post? I don't remember. Anyway, we bought a house! It's a colonial in Waldorf, Maryland. We closed last week and couldn't be more excited to have hit this milestone in our family. We did it in true military fashion - site unseen. We chose and had video taken, pictures sent, and friends who visited the property for us. The inspections checked out, so we moved ahead. The whole process started in early July. 

I wrap up my last shoot in San Diego next weekend, and I know it will be bittersweet. I really have loved living here and learning how to maximize the beautiful landscapes. I've started scouting out locations in Maryland and D.C. as well, and am feeling pretty confident they'll be perfect. I've found four waterfalls and rivers close to our home and I can't wait to get started. More to come soon, my mom is in town and I'm taking advantage of it and plan to write as often as I can during her visit.