Tuesday, October 2, 2012

My baby's a big gurl....

Today is the last day I have a three year old.  She turns four tomorrow.  I remember 4 years ago, at this time, I was going to bed knowing that I would get up the next day, head to the hospital and have a new baby before lunch.  Which is exactly how it happened.  There were no surprises (except the mole on her back and the folded ear), there was no labor, the scheduled section was as easy as could be and three days later I was home with my newbie.


Now, this strapping lass is giving me a run for me money with her sassy attitude, joy for life, the way she runs everywhere she goes (yes, just like Forest), and continues to try to see what she can get away with.


Happy Birthday, Little Love!

AND....because I have been internalizing for the past week or two (slowly coming out of my shell again), here are pictures from this past weekend.  We visited with Tony's family, and went to a carnival, watched a dance performance, ran around like maniacs, ate fair food and ended the night with a parade of lights.  The girls got to hang out with their favorite cousin, Hannah and we all had a great time!
Enjoying the motorcycles...
Yeah, baby!!
Horsies!!
Now that they figured out where the camera is, I can get no more smiles.
Olivia really enjoying the trucks.  Debbie Downer anyone?
Mia's just as surprised as I am that something I planted actually bloomed!!!
OK, not really.  She just really likes flowers.
And because this is all about Mia, and she loves to shake her booty, this is the pose I got for the last picture of the day.  Shake it, girlfriend!!!
Also, since almost all of these pictures were taken with my phone, I am linking up with the Gfunkified and Mama Mash for iPPP.

GFunkified

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Tenth Anniversary...

I think back to 2000 (the year), and I remember meeting Tony.  I met Tony at the Starbucks, where I worked at the time.  His best friend was dating one of the girls I worked with, so, they would come to visit her and take breaks with her.  Since they were sociable, they would take breaks with all of us, and Tony showed interest by hanging with me, instead of everyone else.

Tony and I began dating, and moved in together in March of 2001.  My grandmother passed away in April, and he was with me for that.  We were engaged August 29th, 2001.  September 11th happened, and he called me and woke me up that day.  We married on September 21st, 2002.  

Our wedding was incredible.  I started out the day with getting my hair done - with the little sis who was my flower girl.  Our service was at 3, and from there, the reception.  We had the best time, and then headed to Mexico for our honeymoon.

The next year, on September 21st, we found out that we would be parents.  Those little pink lines were telling us what we already pretty much knew to be true.

Cut to 9 years later - we have moved twice since that first year.  We have had not one, but two little girls.  We have adopted two cats.  We have both started jobs that we are still in.  We are still very much in love, and still are able to make each other laugh like no other.

This past weekend, to commemorate our ten years of marriage, we spent the weekend in the city.  We dropped our kids off on Friday night, and then went to the city Saturday morning.  We stayed at a hotel in the city, and were able to visit the Art Institute.  Which was awesome without any kids, btw.  We also did a little bit of shopping on the Magnificent Mile and had dinner and dessert at a restaurant at Navy Pier.  We had an after dinner drink in the bar at the hotel - which was a cool Victorian (read: goth) lounge.  After a night in the hotel, we got up and went to the Bears game.  A first for me, and second for him.  We had such a blast!  This was a great anniversary weekend!!  Here's to the next 10 years!

This was our dinner on Friday night - our actual anniversary.  LOL!  It was late and we were hungry.  

 Here we are, getting ready to leave the house



Our view from the hotel


Isn't he cute?


All dressed up for dinner. Too bad the ironing board had to photo-bomb.


Some of the skyline as the sun went down.


The fare guide in our cab back to the hotel.  Better not vomit, it'll cost you


The chairs we sat in at the Victorian lounge had lion heads for arm rests.


The view from our seats at the game - no zoom on this one.  We had such a good time we're discussing the possibility of investing in season tickets.


Isn't this bear scary?  They inflated him and the team ran on the field from between his paws.  I guess this was so intimidating, that the other team lost.  


Oh, and who are those good looking youngsters in the seats?  Why, us of course!


Were you wondering what our kids did while we were out playing like a couple without kids?  Being worn out going to a dairy farm and playing outside.  They fell asleep on the ride home, and the little one has been sleeping since.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

10 years ago...

Tomorrow, September 21st, 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of my wedding.

10 years ago, I married the best husband I've ever had.  He is a great dad, a great husband, and my favorite guy.  He makes me smile, he laughs at me, and will eat the baked goods I make so that I don't.  I truly feel like one of the luckiest people in the world.

In honor of our anniversary, we are celebrating (kid-free) this weekend.  I'm excited and I'll fill you in after the celebration is over.

Who are these crazy kids?
Yep, that's Tony and I when we were first dating, circa 2000.  Could we look any younger?

Our wedding photos.  And yes, I am too lazy to scan them, so I took pictures of pictures.

These are my two favorites. 

Happy Anniversary, Luv! From a great 10 years to the next great 10 years!