I WAS firmly against 3rd Trimester Pics....

So after 3 pregnancies I made a rule that I am against any 3rd trimester photos of myself! I was serious too! I know that sounds SO vain, but my face just gets so chunky (well other areas as well) but especially my face and I always DESPISE the pictures of myself in my 3rd trimester and at the hospital. But how could I say that when this lovely lady....

my SWEET sister-in-law Sarah

Mom, Sarah, me, my Ella, Hayley, Peyton, April

...decided to throw me a wonderful BABY brunch with some of my bestest friends in the whole world. Including of course, these blood relations of mine, that I call family.....

my sis Hayley holding the BUMP

...and I knew if these super SWEET ladies & great friends came....

Kami and Joyce Newman (dear family friends)

...there was NO WAY I was escaping a CAMERA or having my baby being completly spoiled (if you ever saw Ella's bumble bee room from when she was a baby, yeah that was ALL this talented lady)! I tried to make her swear not to bring a thing, which she didn't listen, but I actually got teary eyed (OK YES I AM PREGNANT, WAY PREGNANT OK) but they made all kinds of custom gifts for baby TATE. And seeing his name on onsies, a quilt, burp clothe, it just made it so special and real for me!!

So despite truly not wanting or needing a darn thing for this baby #3, I sure felt SUPER special with all my special girlfriends showing up to brunch with me! This one....

Kati (now Aleman)

...has been a best friend since Junior High and drove from LA just for brunch...darn I felt so lucky to have such kind friends! Heather my other Jr. High BF got me a massage which is like the best gift EVER that I cannot WAIT to redeem...ahhhhhh!

These two gals (both moms of 3 like I will soon be) came out from Perris...

Katie Bock and Shannon Morris

We all had a WONDERFUL brunch at this place The Avocado House (thanks to Shelly, who also catered our wedding) for giving us special permission to do this little brunch there (they usually don't) but I KNOW she has new customers now, after all the gals who had never been are now IN LOVE (try the cinnamon swirl french toast with caramel sauce, delish)!!!!

My sweet BABY girl (almost 6!!!!!) also came with us girls to the party!

Ella and I

Kami and I

My WONDERFUL mother in-law who LOVES and LIVES for her Grandchildren and has been SUCH A BLESSING in our lives and to our family!

Of course my TWIN, mi Madre

My "adopted" sister Michelle, and one of Hayley's best friends

Vanessa got me this hanging with my PEEPS onsie which I loved because it has THREE peeps!!!

And just after looking at this picture....

Ella with BOTH her Grandmas from BOTH sides of our family (Nana & Grammy)

...I cant help but think HOW BLESSED I AM!! As a mother of (almost 3) my life is just BUSY being MOM. I take the kids to school, pick them up, do homework, play, clean up, make dinner, bedtime and the day is OVER. I rarely hang out with friends (except my husband of course) and despise talking on the phone (most my friends already know that) so I often don't feel like I have many friends. So this special day and brunch just made me feel like the Queen of the WORLD! I felt so spoiled and blessed to have old friends, new friends, family friends, and sisters all there to just hang out with me and celebrate the birth of my special little guy!

Hayley & Amber peeking their heads behind Katie & Shannon

THANK YOU AGAIN TO MY DEAR FRIENDS!