Pictures of Bellybou's Grand Opening! (Thanks Erica!)
What a night, that's really all I can say; what an incredible night!

The three owners...still a little stunned I think...


Macy and Hayden toasting their great achievements!

Raffling off one of our 'Pregnancy Survival Kits'


Okay Bako friends...off my back now K? :)

I don't think, scratch that, I KNOW, none of us had ANY idea how big a fish we were attempting to fry when we signed our lease 2 years ago; we had no clue how in depth this process called 'Tenant Improvements' really was! But what can I say... we have awesome family and friends...particularly husbands and fathers; we're pretty much indebted for life...

Enjoy the pics, but please note as you scan them; pictures do not show sweat, they do not show stress or the fact that they were taken at midnight. They deceptively show smiles and seemingly calm surroundings...do not be fooled; I think we would all agree these were probably some of the craziest two to three weeks we've lived - ever.







Not to say they weren't fun. ;)

Today we took a big step forward... into the world of school. Macy's preschool open house was this morning and she waltzed into that classroom like a champ. She has been so excited this whole past week as we crossed the days off of her calendar until she got to meet Mrs. Kirst. Who, by the way, sent her a letter telling her how excited she was to meet her. Big time people. Big time. Last night she probably asked me 10 times in a row if after 'this sleep' she had to have any more 'sleeps' or if it would be time for preschool right away when she woke up.

"Are you sure mom, no more 'sleeps', like not even a naptime 'sleep'?"

Yes, Macy I'm sure. :)

So this morning as I watched her walk right into the classroom and promptly begin playing with play-dough, my heart tugged in such a surge of emotion and pride and awe. It is crazy to watch this little person emerge; it is mind boggling to consider all that we are about to embark on. The beautiful thing is how unaware she is of all of this 'monumental step taking'. It is fun and carefree and pure excitement to my blond bobbing 3 going on 13 yr old. I am the one sitting back in wonderment, aware of how big she's getting, how much she's changing, how quick it's all happening. Today as I came up behind her to see what she was coloring she looked back at me with all the independence in the world...

"Mommy? Why are you still here? Aren't you leaving?"

Okay little girl, I'll give you some room to spread those wings; just take it slow for me, Kay? Mama's never been a big fan of change.

Monday was an amazing day. It was wonderful and long and nerve filled, it was overwhelming and emotional and so incredibly rewarding. I can not believe that I was pregnant with Carter when I met with the leasing agent at the Fountains to pitch the idea of what was then Belly Chic. (I know gag...Bellybou' is waaay better right?!) Isn't it beautiful timing that I would celebrate his 2nd birthday the Saturday before we opened this other 'baby' of ours on Monday. I don't really know the words to describe what it felt like to watch people walk in the doors and treat it like a real legitimate store. To watch them ooh and ahh at things and actually walk up to the register and BUY them! I got a lump in my throat more than once as so many of our loved ones poured out their support of us. We got flowers and phone calls and drop-ins ALL DAY LONG and at 8:00pm, as the three of us gathered with our husbands, locked the doors, toasted champagne, and printed out our first 'end-of-day' report; I just really couldn't believe this day had come. So much work, by so many people to bring this day to fruition; I feel incredibly blessed and incredibly proud, and unbelievably thankful.

Hopefully I will have time to post some pictures soon, and tell you about my amazing partners, because I am so grateful to them too; no way would I have embarked on this journey without them, no stinkin' way.

Holy Cow! Check out the website and if you're in town...COME BY! (Make us feel like people are actually going to visit our store!) :)
--- Stay tuned for an update of how our opening week goes...and some pics of my baby boy's 2nd birthday -- that's right my YOUNGEST is TWO...What the heck?! ---