September 2011... Allyson came to visit

The first week of September my sister Allyson came to stay with us. We had such a fun weekend! Allyson and I picked up a new hobby and spent several late nights embossing cards. We stayed up super late crafting and chatting every night.

We of course had to go to Naperville's Last Fling. It has been a tradition for my family since we moved to Illinois. This was Benson's first time riding the rides. The first ride he went on was the train. It moved really slow and he wasn't sure what to think about it. He had a concerned look on his face the whole time. Addy was so sweet and made him feel safe. She had her arm around him the entire ride and of course it made me cry! My baby is getting so big!

The next ride he rode was the cars and he knew right what to do. He was so happy and turned the stearing wheel back and forth. He would look for us the whole way around and barely would see us as he was passing by. He wanted to make sure we were watching him. Addy's most favorite ride is still the dragon coaster. She was a little nervous at first, but warmed right up to it. She wanted to ride it again and again. It made it even more exciting that Allyson was there watching her.

Some of my highlights for the day were eating a yummy funnel cake, a lime slushie, and spending the day with my family.

The day before Allyson left, Addy had her first day of pre-school. She was so excited to go and meet her teacher and see the kids in her class. We have been counting down all summer for this day. She has wanted to be in school for so long. Addy will be going to school two days a week for 2.5 hours a day. She has Mrs. Linda for her teacher and one of her best friends are in her class. We are looking forward to a great school year.

A little catch up

Since I have had Benson the computer has taken the back seat. So I am behind on what we have been doing. We stay home most of the time because it's too hard to get out the door. It seems like all I do is feed Benson. This little guy is always hungry! My body can barely keep up with him.

Benson is staying awake more during the day. He is smiling a lot and loves when you talk to him. He is such a sweet little baby! He will be 7 weeks tomorrow. Wow the time is flying by fast! Benson's 1 month check up stats: weight 10lbs 10.5 oz, 22 1/4 inches. He has out grown all his
0-3 month clothes and is now sleeping around 6-7 hours through the night. Last night he slept 7.5 hours!

2 weeks ago the weather started warming up, so we have been playing outside more. Addy has been really enjoying the sunshine. The kids rode in the double stroller to the park for the first time together. Addy loved having Benson next to her. Christian is so good about chasing Addy around. The two of them have so much fun together.




Both my sisters came to stay with me toward the end of March. Allyson came to visit first. Of course it was bad weather almost the entire time she was here. We did a little shopping, but mostly just hung out at my house, relaxed, and played with the kids. Sadly I didn't take one picture! We both kept thinking we would take some once we got ready, but instead stayed in our jammies most the time. I am sad I don't have one with her and Benson. I am happy she came and got to meet my little guy though.

Andrea came two days later and stayed for four days. The weather was a little warmer so we were able to get out more. One of the days we went to Brookfield Zoo for the first time. Of course Addy enjoyed seeing all the animals. Some animals were still inside from the winter season but we were able to see plenty. Christian bought us a year pass so we will be going there throughout the summer.

This last week the weather was in the 70's. We met some friends at the park and played outside in our front yard coloring with chalk and blowing bubbles. I was able to snap my first picture of Benson's little smile. He melts my heart! His smile is getting bigger and is sweeter than ever!

Fun with Alice

We had so much fun having Alice come stay the week with us. We went lots of fun places! The week went by so fast with our jam packed activities. Wednesday we headed into Chicago and made a stop at the Lincoln Park Zoo. This was Jellybean's first time seeing all the animals. She loved it! She kept reaching for the tiger and the monkey's. It was so nice that Christian was able to get the morning off work to be with us.

Alice, Jellybean, and I went to The Field Museum. I think we saw 3 times as many animals there than we did at the zoo! They had almost every kind you could think of on display. They had exhibits on different cultures of the world. It was really cool to see how they live and the different artifacts of that time. They had a huge dinosaur that had a crooked face. I guess she got in too many fights!

Thursday we went to the Shedd Aquarium. It is so huge! It is right on Lake Michigan which looks like the ocean. Very appropriate! They had these huge tanks that the staff would dive in and tell you all about the animals. There was this cute turtle that was hit by a boat. She swam with her back end up. She basically looks like she is doing a hand stand in the water at all times. It was sad but she got around just fine. Jellybean slept through most of our day there. She did wake up at the end to see an ANACONDA! SICK!!!

After the Aquarium we took a water taxi on Lake Michigan over to Navy Pier.  It's full of fun shops, restaurants, and people.  

We finished our weekend with shopping at the Outlet Mall by my house and finally vegging on my new couch. It's so cozy! Thanks for such a fun week Alice! Come back soon!

Jellybean and I flew back with Alice to surprise my mom for her birthday. I couldn't miss out on the party! It was so fun to surprise her on her doorstep. We have been staying with family since. My poor husband is so lonely in Chicago. I have loved seeing everyone while I have been here. 

GUESS WHO IS CRAWLING!!!

Jellybean has finally figured out how to crawl. We had just picked up Christian from the airport and went to Alice and Rookie's house to visit. She was playing on the ground and went straight for the computer cord. I am so happy! 

Poor little Jellybean caught a nasty virus while we were home visiting. Luckily her auntie Alice took great care of her while I was gone. She was so happy even though she didn't feel good. Look at those little eyes. It's just pitiful!

Birthday BBQ

Saturday my family and I celebrated Alice's Birthday with a BBQ. It was so much fun! We ate yummy hamburgers and veggies on the grill , fruit, salad, and peanut butter bars with ice cream. I made a punch that I had recently at a baby shower.... Delicious!

We stayed outside on the deck until we couldn't handle the HOT heat any longer. I love air conditioning! Here are some highlights of our evening:

Hope you had a fun evening Alice, I know we did!

Rice Cereal

Last night I gave Jellybean her first taste of rice cereal. It was so funny! She ate the first 2 bites and was very confused. It was all down hill after that. She would pull the worst faces and her arms stuck out from her sides and she would shake. When I would put the cereal in her mouth she would gag and dry heave! We laughed so hard. Poor little thing!

I want to start giving her the cereal at night because I don't feel like I get her as full anymore just with me feeding her. I am trying to change her schedule at night now that Christians work schedule has changed. I was keeping her up until 11 so she could see him, so her and I are sleeping in everyday until Prices Right is on. (I love it!) There is no reason to keep her up so late now that he gets to be with us by 6. It's been a hard change. I was hoping giving her a little extra something before bed would help hold her over so she would not wake up.

I have no idea how to get her into a new routine. Anyone have some ideas for me?...

This is Jellybean after her awful experience with the mush. So happy to lay and play on the floor.

Alice came up today to help out with Jellybean while I did a hair app. Alice took this picture of her new trick she does. She loves to play with her feet. It is so cute.

Look how cute they are together. I love to hold her while she sleeps. She is so cozy!