Christmas Recap

I realize I'm like two weeks late for a Christmas update, but I still wanted to get some notes and pictures down before it's Christmas again.

Since we have families that live over five hours apart, with families that both celebrate the big holiday on Christmas Eve, the hubby and I have compromised that we do every other year at eachother's families.  This year was our year to be with my family in Cincinnati, Ohio.  We got there on the 23rd and since I (and my sister and brother) haven't changed since I was a little kid, I wanted to open presents.  The opening not being nearly as fun as the giving as I've gotten older.  So we went to town with our family gift exchange before bed!  Christmas Eve was spent with my mom's side of the family - family, lots of kiddies, a fun gift exchange, tons of great food and good times.  It is, without a doubt, my favorite day of the entire year.  It always has been.  Christmas morning, it was fun to watch Wiliam open presents from Santa!  We stayed another few days before heading back to Illinois, and it was wonderful - some wedding planning for my sister, a trip to the Cincinnati museum center with Adam, overall relaxing. 

Hope everyone also had wonderful holidays and happy new year!!

Hanging with Grandpa

The newly engaged couple

"It's a....it's a....A BOX!!"

First music lesson with Uncle Jordan

"Santa? You still coming tonight?" 

Hurry, snap the shot with Auntie Mel before meltdown...

Christmas morning snuggles with mom

"Merry Christmas!!"

Hugs for Grandma

Lakehouse Fun (in pictures)

William's 1st  boat ride

Driving with Grandpa

Cuddles by the lake with Grandma

Loving with Aunt Melanie

Chillin' with Uncle Jordan

Fun on the dock with Abbie

Dippin' toes in the water

Mommy getting some giggles

The weekend with no pictures...

So the long weekend was good to me and the family.  Nothing completely eventful, just a lot of stuff keeping us busy with friends and family and it was fabulous.   The thing is, I didn't pull out the camera once.  I took like two pics with my phone, that's it.  Not that there weren't plenty of photo opps, I just didn't take advantage of them.  I kind of just soaked it in while it was happening instead of running away from the moment at hand and yelling "Hold that pose!  Nobody move!"  It was very unlike me. 

That begs me to ask the question - which is better?  Taking the time to capture pictures to help remember the moment or put that effort towards being in the moment, where you might end up forgetting the specifics without a documented picture?  It's especially a question I've been asking myself as William grows. 

There was a visit with an old friend and his bride-to-be, there was a visit to my brother-in-law's new house, there was time spent at the pool, there was a cook out, there was magical ice cream, there was a 4th of July parade, there was playing.  All combined to make a fabulous weekend that I hope I will remember...

One of two phone pics for the weekend - one of my favorite parts.  Swimming wore out lil' man and he was out before I was able to spend much time in the pool with the rest of the family.  I was happy reading my book and watching him sleep in the shade....

Spring is practically here!

OK, it is 'officially' spring according the calendar, but it has still been pretty cold - in the 40s.  A week ago, it even snowed.  Seriously?  Winter has not gotten the picture that we are totally over it. 

Today was beautiful!  An amazing 76 degrees and sunny!  Some errands, some grilling, some cleaning off the patio furniture to eat dinner outside - this weather makes me happy! 

Our Saturday Morning

Before I became a mother, I would always look forward to the weekend.  This was when I could sleep in as late as I wanted and be able to take my time in getting the things done that I didn't have time to do during the week....and really, just being able to be lazy.  Since William has come into the picture, I still look forward to the weekends.  The days of sleeping in are long gone and I am just fine with that.  After being back to work for only two weeks, I work to get things done in the evenings instead of taking that time to relax.  That way, weekends are for fun and spending time with the family!

Spent the morning playing with William and Tressel and now hubby is napping on the couch (I know, even though we practically just woke up) with lil' man sleeping on his chest.  It's not even noon and I am loving this day! 

First time playing with the activity mat from Uncle Patrick and Aunt Ariana!

I love that he's starting to notice things all around him!!

Playing with mommy

Tressel wants to play too!

I spy a funny octopus!

They are spent.....

.....I may be speaking too soon....once lil' man wakes up and eats, we are heading the gym ...first time in over five months!!  Yikes!  Part of the "Lose Baby Weight 2011" plan!  Wish me luck!

Waiting for William

It's a baby shower!!  We are "waiting for William!"

We have felt so much love from my family and friends and the showering of wonderful gifts to prepare for William!  I am still slowly washing sheets and blankets and clothes and putting things away and organizing the baby room - so pics of the finished room still to come.  In the meantime, here's a recap of two of my showers - one thrown by friends and another by family!  Thanks to everyone for all of their love and support!  [and apologies to everyone at the family shower when I wasn't much fun to be around while fighting off that ear infection, pain and no sleep!]

Friends Shower thrown by my sis and Jaclyn!

I love these ladies!

How many engineers does it take to set up the co-sleeper bassinet??  It appears 4.... 

So excited for the co-sleeper!!

Mom and aunts!

Rocking chair - Reserved for William :)

Homemade quilt and bibs from Alisha!!

Explaining how cloth diapers work - showing the Flip

Thankful Thursday - 10.7.10

I want to send my thanks to two people in particular this week.  As you may have read, I was feeling pretty lousy over the weekend while visiting my family [lousy isn't even the word that begins to describe it].  With pretty much no sleep, barely anything to eat and tons of pain, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and make it go away. 

The fact that I'm 27 years old and live five hours away from 'home' holds nothing to the fact that it was so wonderful have my "moms" taking care of me.  My mom was the one who drove me to the ER at 2:00am, even though she was going to have a house full of company in less than 12 hours and helped to comfort me.  My mother-in-law had made the trip to Cincy with me and also helped try to relieve the pain and get me my medicine. 

I understand that I'm about to be a mother in about short 6 weeks, but it was so wonderful having both of them there to help me.  I love them both for everything they did (and do on a regular basis) and I would have been a mess without them!!

Love you, Mom and Mary!  Thanks so much for everything!

Visit with Family

Weekend in Cincinnati to make a quick visit with family!

The drive was 8 hours, instead of the normal 5, because I-74 was closed down.  I took advantage of this by making the best of it, rolling down the car windows and enjoying the most beautiful day ever and started finishing up my book in the car.  (we weren't moving, don't worry)  The woman in the car next to me called me "a soldier" since I'm so pregnant and didn't have to run into the trees to go to the bathroom.  HA!

It was a great weekend - visits with family, good food, shopping for baby with Mom and Mel!

There was also a surprise visit from my favorite kiddies that I haven't seen in forever!!  After missing seeing them last weekend, they made the trip down from Columbus to visit!!  It was a wonderful surprise!!  Also got to see Mason-butt too!!!

Surprise visit from Sam, Jeb and Ellie - they are so big!!!

Mason!!  He can't help but be cute....

Happy 4th of July!

Great weekend spent with family in Cincinnati!
Saturday I got my fix of Skyline Chili - whew....I needed that.  Then a trip to Babies-R-Us with Adam, Mom and Mel.  Adam and I were slightly overwhelmed.....but we got great parking - hehe.  I see those spots in lots of places and it's my turn!

Saturday night was grillin' out with family, corn hole and hangin' out.

relaxin'.....

a little corn hole....

the 'kids' with sparklers

We had to convince Mason that this kind of firework didn't explode and make a loud noise...

one of my fave pics from the weekend....lighting sparklers!

Sunday, I got to see my favorite Cincy girl, Alisha, and her hubby, Pat, for lunch and Coldstone Ice Cream!!

Sunday night, the 4th, was spent being lazy.  Puppies had a little pool party, grilled out again and watched a movie.  No fireworks - but that was fine since it felt like 1000 degrees outside and we were all enjoying the couch and AC instead.

Lucy and Tressel fighting over frisbee - which is hours of entertainment for the adults...

Puppy pool party!