Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Peek-A-Boo!
While we took a break to let Carl eat during our visit to the Shedd Aquarium, we ended up in a game of peek-a-boo!
Chicago Work Weekend
The last weekend in August, Jon and I were able to travel to Chicago for work and play!
We arrived Wednesday evening, with the fun beginning right away Thursday morning. Besides the added bonus of being able to take the weekend to visit with friends and see the sights, our main reason for traveling was business related. Thursday morning, Jon left the hotel for the day to lead jobsite tours at a few healthcare projects, then it was off to dinner and more at Kendall College Dinning Room - where culinary students prepare gourmet meals for people in a classroom environment.
With Jon gone for the day, that left me with the two kids and our own adventure packed day! We packed up the hotel room (what was ours anyway), loaded the car, and headed to our friends house to hang out with them for the afternoon. It ended up being her first day with both kids in school, so I had to apologize for bringing two extra kids into the mix of her peace and quiet! We talked and caught up, for which I am so blessed to have had the time to do. (Thanks Lori!) After her kids got home, we were able to play for a little bit, but then it was off to fight traffic (I'd say rush hour, but then again it is Chicago and every hour is rush hour) and make our way into the city for the night. On the way, since it was taking too long, I took a short detour to get dinner - I wasn't sure if we were going to make it all the way into the city before craziness/hunger ensued in our car, which turned out I was right. Finally, we arrived at our hotel just in time for bedtime. We had a few hiccups during the night time routine, but after awhile all three of us were fast asleep!
Friday was also a full, fun day! We meandered around downtown with only one plan - go to the Shedd Aquarium. We walked down Michigan Avenue, saw a fountain we had never seen before, walked under the bean, went to the Shedd, had dinner at Giordano's, ate some yummy Garrett's popcorn, then back to the hotel for bedtime. Brianna and Carl were such troopers the entire weekend. Brianna hardly got much of any naps, but managed to stay, for the most part, up beat and not cranky.
Saturday, we had a date with the Botanic Gardens in the morning and friends in the evening. Again, it was great to catch up and run out some B energy.
Sunday, we had breakfast with some very dear friends, the Walters. You may remember, we stayed in their basement for a few weeks back in 2008. Brianna had an egg and cottage cheese for breakfast, but her method of eating cottage cheese was taking a HUGE handful and stuffing it in her face. Let's just say it made a big mess, but we all got a good chuckle out of it! Then it was off to church, where Brianna loved sitting next to Lauren and taking advantage of the extra attention.
After our goodbyes, we finally headed for home. We had a good weekend and were glad to have been able to do so much and catch up with everyone! Yeah for road trips!
We arrived Wednesday evening, with the fun beginning right away Thursday morning. Besides the added bonus of being able to take the weekend to visit with friends and see the sights, our main reason for traveling was business related. Thursday morning, Jon left the hotel for the day to lead jobsite tours at a few healthcare projects, then it was off to dinner and more at Kendall College Dinning Room - where culinary students prepare gourmet meals for people in a classroom environment.
With Jon gone for the day, that left me with the two kids and our own adventure packed day! We packed up the hotel room (what was ours anyway), loaded the car, and headed to our friends house to hang out with them for the afternoon. It ended up being her first day with both kids in school, so I had to apologize for bringing two extra kids into the mix of her peace and quiet! We talked and caught up, for which I am so blessed to have had the time to do. (Thanks Lori!) After her kids got home, we were able to play for a little bit, but then it was off to fight traffic (I'd say rush hour, but then again it is Chicago and every hour is rush hour) and make our way into the city for the night. On the way, since it was taking too long, I took a short detour to get dinner - I wasn't sure if we were going to make it all the way into the city before craziness/hunger ensued in our car, which turned out I was right. Finally, we arrived at our hotel just in time for bedtime. We had a few hiccups during the night time routine, but after awhile all three of us were fast asleep!
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| It was hysteria at this point. Carl was hungry, Brianna was terribly tired and I was going as fast as I could trying to set everything up in time for bed!! |
Friday was also a full, fun day! We meandered around downtown with only one plan - go to the Shedd Aquarium. We walked down Michigan Avenue, saw a fountain we had never seen before, walked under the bean, went to the Shedd, had dinner at Giordano's, ate some yummy Garrett's popcorn, then back to the hotel for bedtime. Brianna and Carl were such troopers the entire weekend. Brianna hardly got much of any naps, but managed to stay, for the most part, up beat and not cranky.
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| Cold Pancake + Milk = Perfect make-shift hotel breakfast |
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| Taking a break from walking, sitting in front of the Adler Planetarium. Brianna had just woken up from her short nap and I was pointing at where we came from and where we had yet to walk back too! But first... off to the Shedd. |
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| They made Brianna a special dinner - chicken, green peppers and black olives. It was quite delicious! |
Saturday, we had a date with the Botanic Gardens in the morning and friends in the evening. Again, it was great to catch up and run out some B energy.
Sunday, we had breakfast with some very dear friends, the Walters. You may remember, we stayed in their basement for a few weeks back in 2008. Brianna had an egg and cottage cheese for breakfast, but her method of eating cottage cheese was taking a HUGE handful and stuffing it in her face. Let's just say it made a big mess, but we all got a good chuckle out of it! Then it was off to church, where Brianna loved sitting next to Lauren and taking advantage of the extra attention.
After our goodbyes, we finally headed for home. We had a good weekend and were glad to have been able to do so much and catch up with everyone! Yeah for road trips!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
My Doctor and My Friend
Last week Tuesday, we hit Carl's six week mark, which also means my six week postpartum check-up. It was a crazy beginning to our week, with the Twins game, then this appointment, packing and then heading into a busy weekend of traveling to Chicago (more on that to come).
Brianna spent the night with my parents Monday. I packed up Carl in order to be there when she woke up. I had an appointment at 9:30 so I was working with an already tight schedule. But somehow, Brianna always manages to sleep an incredible length of time at their house. So as 8:30 approached, I was thinking I was going to have to wake her up, just to get to my appointment on time. Huge thanks to my dad for staying with her and tuckering her out!
We made it out the door and to the appointment, only a few minutes late. Once I got there, I had to make sure I had the camera ready and remind them a few times that I wanted a picture of Carl with my doctor, similar to the pictures I took for Brianna's baby book. I gave him a little hard time, as he didn't end up making it to the delivery, but he was still my doctor so we needed a picture. Carl gave him a had time too! Just as I went to take a picture, he tooted. Everybody laughed, which ended up for a good picture.
I also captured a picture of my long time friend with Carl, who also just happens to be my doctor's medical assistant. It was so fun to see her week after week during the pregnancy and get to share that with her. Now we'll just have to make sure we keep that momentum going!
Brianna spent the night with my parents Monday. I packed up Carl in order to be there when she woke up. I had an appointment at 9:30 so I was working with an already tight schedule. But somehow, Brianna always manages to sleep an incredible length of time at their house. So as 8:30 approached, I was thinking I was going to have to wake her up, just to get to my appointment on time. Huge thanks to my dad for staying with her and tuckering her out!
We made it out the door and to the appointment, only a few minutes late. Once I got there, I had to make sure I had the camera ready and remind them a few times that I wanted a picture of Carl with my doctor, similar to the pictures I took for Brianna's baby book. I gave him a little hard time, as he didn't end up making it to the delivery, but he was still my doctor so we needed a picture. Carl gave him a had time too! Just as I went to take a picture, he tooted. Everybody laughed, which ended up for a good picture.
I also captured a picture of my long time friend with Carl, who also just happens to be my doctor's medical assistant. It was so fun to see her week after week during the pregnancy and get to share that with her. Now we'll just have to make sure we keep that momentum going!
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| He's even looking right at her and almost looks like he's smiling! |
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Club of Champions
The Monday after my birthday Eme, Carl and I had an A-Mazing opportunity from a subcontractor to sit and soak in the luxurious Champions Club 7 rows behind home plate at Target Field. It is a high class atmosphere from the moment you drive into the parking lot (which is adjacent to the players lot). It was certainly a far cry from our normal season ticket seats in the upper deck!
We had a front row seat to see Gardy get worked up and then tossed. I didn't get the picture, but this is the game he tossed his hat in the air as he was walking into the dugout. Priceless!
It was a fun evening which memories will long be savored!
We had a front row seat to see Gardy get worked up and then tossed. I didn't get the picture, but this is the game he tossed his hat in the air as he was walking into the dugout. Priceless!
30 on 20
August 20 was Jon's 30th birthday! I worked really hard trying to plan a really fun day and trying to keep my gifts for him a mystery. I say this because he has an amazing gift for guessing what is in the packages without even touching them. And, I suppose, have an uncanny ability of giving too many hints without even knowing it!
For dinner, we had the ever delicious Pizza Luce downtown. Our server was great and happy to have the table with the baby!
I think we managed both a fun day and a little mystery.
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| Testing out a new present. |
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| Thanks to the library for a free pass - we went up the Foshay Tower. |
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| Carl at his first Twins game. I think he enjoyed himself! |
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| I know we did! |
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| It was fun to spend the evening with our friends Kent and LeAnn. |
Check Out the Fun!
My sister, Margaret, regularly "makes a mess" on Monday's with her two boys. The other week, she kindly postponed her mess idea for Friday so Michelle and I and our little ones could partake in the fun. And fun we had!
Brianna wasn't too sure of what to do, so she did a lot of observing. She did, however, really like holding the paint bottles. She hardly let the blue color go!
Even Carl got in on the fun. Margaret took this cute photo of him slumbering away in his car seat. Such fun!
Brianna wasn't too sure of what to do, so she did a lot of observing. She did, however, really like holding the paint bottles. She hardly let the blue color go!
Even Carl got in on the fun. Margaret took this cute photo of him slumbering away in his car seat. Such fun!
Back in Mid-August...
Brianna and I decided to try planting a few more marigold seeds. I have a few orange variations but I thought it would be fun to add a little yellow to the mix. She kept pulling up yellow marigolds from church and bringing them home anyway, so why not!
I thought planting them first in these little cups would help me by being more mobile and could easily water them. However... my daughter thought it would be better to use the cups as they are intended and drink a scoop of dirt! I guess you could say my plan backfired a little bit. On the good side, I think one seed may actually grow.
I thought planting them first in these little cups would help me by being more mobile and could easily water them. However... my daughter thought it would be better to use the cups as they are intended and drink a scoop of dirt! I guess you could say my plan backfired a little bit. On the good side, I think one seed may actually grow.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
For Aunt Lori: The Books Are A Hit
This morning as I was getting ready, Brianna wandered out into the family room. After a few minutes of not hearing any noise come from her direction, I thought I better go check it out. I found her quietly sitting on the floor, in front of the couch (our usual reading spot), reading her and Carl's new books from Aunt Lori. She had already gotten to the last page of Maisy goes Shopping by the time I snuck the camera in to get this video!
And leave it to Eko to join the party!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Weekend for Dad
The first weekend in August, we headed to Jon's family cabin to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. It was crazy at times with five kids under four but it still managed to be relaxing.
Carl, Brianna and I packed up everything and headed to the cabin. Since Jon had to work all day, I thought it would be nice to get out there earlier. That way we could take more advantage of the day and go swimming and such. Amazingly we got packed up and out the door by 9 am - it was a challenge but I was pretty excited we got out out of the house when we did. I only had to go around the block once because I forgot Eko's food!
We were able to go swimming, go for walks around the cabin, and Jon found a little lizard and brought him in for a little show and tell. (check out my sister's blog for more on our adventurous weekend)
It's always fun to see how well the cousins play together. Plus, my Auntie Mick took the kids on a few walks to get them out of the cabin temporarily. I think the term, Pied Piper - however all the children returned safe and sound and with less energy!
Although Carl did not partake in the walks and swimming, he did enjoy countless hours being held by his Gammie and Gamfie or one of his many adoring aunts and uncles. He is by far, more of a cuddler than Brianna is and ever was.
After cleaning up the cabin and packing up, my sister managed to remember to get a group photo before we all headed for home. Jon and I ended up not getting out of the cabin till about 11:45. We knew lunch would be right around the corner but decided to head out anyway so we didn't have to unpack then clean up everything again. Plus, we were trying to work around Carl's eating schedule. Both Brianna and Carl did great traveling and we ended up making it all the way to Taylor's Falls, where we stopped for a picnic lunch. It was such a fun way to end our weekend - a little family time enjoying the outdoors.
Carl, Brianna and I packed up everything and headed to the cabin. Since Jon had to work all day, I thought it would be nice to get out there earlier. That way we could take more advantage of the day and go swimming and such. Amazingly we got packed up and out the door by 9 am - it was a challenge but I was pretty excited we got out out of the house when we did. I only had to go around the block once because I forgot Eko's food!
We were able to go swimming, go for walks around the cabin, and Jon found a little lizard and brought him in for a little show and tell. (check out my sister's blog for more on our adventurous weekend)
It's always fun to see how well the cousins play together. Plus, my Auntie Mick took the kids on a few walks to get them out of the cabin temporarily. I think the term, Pied Piper - however all the children returned safe and sound and with less energy!
Although Carl did not partake in the walks and swimming, he did enjoy countless hours being held by his Gammie and Gamfie or one of his many adoring aunts and uncles. He is by far, more of a cuddler than Brianna is and ever was.
After cleaning up the cabin and packing up, my sister managed to remember to get a group photo before we all headed for home. Jon and I ended up not getting out of the cabin till about 11:45. We knew lunch would be right around the corner but decided to head out anyway so we didn't have to unpack then clean up everything again. Plus, we were trying to work around Carl's eating schedule. Both Brianna and Carl did great traveling and we ended up making it all the way to Taylor's Falls, where we stopped for a picnic lunch. It was such a fun way to end our weekend - a little family time enjoying the outdoors.
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