Meeting up with a blogger friend :)

When I was pregnant, I came across several blogs written by a handful of women who were pregnant with children due around the same time as Elle. Spread across the country, we had different stories - different pregnancies, different deliveries, different recoveries, sometimes different parenting philosophies. But the babies were born, all within a month or two of each other, and I've followed their blogs religiously.

I feel a unique friendship with these women - we've shared blogged stories of breastfeeding struggles and successes, cloth diapering discoveries, sleep woes, teething pains, etc. All of our children are different, and some of them are already on the verge of becoming a big brother or big sister, but I feel a kinship with the mommies based on our shared experiences with our now-almost two year olds.

About a month ago, one of my favorite bloggers sent me a Facebook message - she said her family was going to be vacationing in Florida at the end of April. She thought it was near where I lived and asked if I wanted to meet up. I was pumped, and as the time neared we firmed up plans to get together. We met today at one of my favorite beach restaurants, beating the heat and the crowds for lunch. 

I felt like meeting with Genevieve, much like when I got to meet Christy last year, was like catching up with a old friend from high school. We chatted about the kids, cloth diapers, life as moms, fears, challenges, surprises, etc. We talked about her vacation. We talked about our home states. (Did you know Vermont doesn't have Targets?! I had no idea, and I mourned Genevieve's loss a bit when Elle and I stopped in to Target this afternoon.) It wasn't awkward, and it was nice to meet two people that I've been reading about for almost two years :)

Parker and Elle got along great, too, despite nearing much-needed nap times. Parker is a week older than Elle. He was quite generous in sharing his raisins, and the way to Elle's heart is through her stomach, so their friendship was instant. Parker is such a cutie and was an absolute sweetheart - he's going to be an amazing big brother (Genevieve is 12 weeks pregnant!).

I am in love with Parker's curls.

LOVE.

Group photo!

Cutest hugs ever.

If Parker walked away, Elle started calling his name. Too cute.

Elle fell asleep on the way home, but she was tired enough that she stayed sleepy through a quick diaper change and transfer to the crib when we got home. As I set her down in the crib, she whispered "Parker." I'd say these kids are friends for life :)