Busybodies

What a busy few days we've had!

Last week a new friend of mine asked if I'd like to make a trip into the city with a few girls and their little ones to enjoy the free admission day at Shedd Aquarium. I have to admit, my first inclination was to say "no, thank you." It actually sounded terrible trying to either (a) fight the traffic into the city, find a place to park, etc. etc. or (b) figure out how to get to the aquarium via public transportation with a baby in tow. However, I decided it would probably be good to step outside of my comfort zone here. Besides, I would get to spend the day with friends and also feel like I accomplished something by taking Tanner somewhere different.

We decided to take the train downtown. What a motley crew we were -- barely arriving at the station in time -- with strollers, diaper bags, backpacks, blankets, sippy cups and sack lunches. We made at least a few people chuckle as we tried to get all of our belongings onto the train before it pulled away. Once we arrived at Union Station, we re-bundled everyone up (did I mention it was like zero degrees outside?) and walked the few blocks to Millenium Park to see their ice exhibit. Afterwards, we caught two different buses and finally made it to the aquarium! What a trip! I was already exhausted by the time we got there, but so proud of myself for making it! The hardest part was getting on and off of the buses -- especially when my stroller decided that it would no longer fold or unfold easily. (By the end of the trip, it wouldn't fold back up at all!) Sadly, the aquarium was pretty disappointing, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits. I think we all really enjoyed each other's company and just getting outside in the fresh (but cold) air for a little while. We all said that we would definitely do it again.






Jon caught up with us on the train on the way back since it was the same train he takes home from work. I was SO glad. For one thing, I couldn't get my stroller to fold up anymore and was dreading having to get all of my stuff off of the train. Secondly, there was an accident at one of the stations ahead of us, so we had to stop and get off a few stops early. Jon got a cab to take the two of us and Tanner back and Evelyn's husband came to pick up everyone else. It was so nice to have him there to take care of everything -- I'm so lucky to have such a great husband! It ended up being a really long (but fun!) day. We were both asleep on the couch by 8:30!

On Saturday, I drove home for Lisa's baby shower. I am just so happy for her and glad that I was able to make it -- I got to see a lot of old friends. The best part of my day, though, was coming back home to my boys. This was Jon's first experience taking care of Tanner ALL day. I was actually gone from about the exact time he leaves for work in the morning to when he gets home at night. The first thing he said when I walked in was ... "It's been a REALLY long day. I don't know how you do it." It made me feel really good to know he spent a day in my shoes and realized that it is truly a difficult (but rewarding!!) job. A few minutes after I got home, Tanner woke up, so I ran upstairs to rock him back to sleep. I had MISSED him! And I think he missed me, too -- he was so happy to see me! I just relished the sweet time I got to spend with him as he fell back asleep. Ahhhhh ... motherhood.

We had to snap some pics of our little man dressed to impress for church this morning. Enjoy!!

One more thing...

Jon found out yesterday that he was accepted to the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.

Congratulations!

We're so proud of you!!!

He's BAAAACK!

Tanner has been having a much better week this week. I feel so lucky to have my little blogging community full of moms with encouraging words! Thank you for your comments and emails after my last post! He was just delighted with the new sippy cup I offered him last Friday afternoon and has been happy to play with it and sip from it since. Now I feel guilty for not offering him one sooner. All those meals of clumpy oatmeal cereal with nothing to wash it down with -- poor guy! Ahhh ... the mom guilt -- it's always there. :)

We had a great weekend and ended up going home to Michigan at the last minute to visit with our siblings -- Pat, Kat, and Eric. Tanner was just tickled to see them, as were we! We stopped to pick up Eric from the airport on the way home and I got to hear all about West Point during the whole trip -- every nosy sister's dream! On Saturday night, my mother-in-law made a fantastic Valentine's dinner for all of us -- it was so nice to have that time together!

Those are pretty big muscles, Uncle Eric. You must go to the gym like I do.

Tomorrow night, Jon's cousin, Shannon, is coming over for dinner. She works on the Jesus Christ Superstar tour and her show is in town. I can't wait to see her and hear all about her travels and, even better, her visit to the OPRAH show this week! I'm so so jealous!!

I have been reflecting a lot today on how much I love staying at home with Tanner. I'm so thankful for this season in my life. I've just really been enjoying both of my boys so much lately. Hope you are getting a chance to enjoy the ones you love, too!

Valentine's Day

I asked him to be my Valentine, but I was denied.





"Grrrrrrr," he said. "No kisses for you!!"

I'm trying not to take it personally, but it does hurt a bit. I mean, I do spend all day trying to make him feel loved. I feed him, clothe him, play with him, act like an idiot just to try and get a laugh, wipe his stinky bottom, bathe him .... I could go on and on. Yet still, my little bubby is not satisfied. He is bored with me, bored with his toys, and has been grumbling, wining, and groaning CONSTANTLY for the last three days. CONSTANTLY!!! From 7am to 7pm. I don't feel any teeth buds. He doesn't look or act sick. Let's just say it's been a long week.

Despite all that, we did get a glimpse of the Tanner we all know and love for about 90 seconds last night when we exchanged Valentines. He got a new little piano that I totally guilted myself into buying for him yesterday afternoon at about 4:00 -- I couldn't let his first Valentine's day go by without something special. It's a good thing Santa isn't the one distributing Valentines -- because if that was the case, Tanner would definitely have been on the bratty list and wouldn't have gotten a thing. I put a bow on it and didn't give it to him until yesterday evening after Jon got home. He just LOVED plunking those little keys and making music.

He's already playing chords ... so advanced!

Oh, Daddy! This is such a good gift! What would you like to hear next?

Tanner's smiles and laughs were matched only by my squeals of delight as I opened my Valentine from my boys. Jon made me several coupons to use for diaper changes, dinner clean-ups, sweeper cleanings, back massages, and all-day-out Saturdays. (I got three of each one.) I was so excited!

We finished the evening with deep-dish Chicago-style pizza from our favorite pizza place, a yummy dessert I had whipped up earlier in the day, and a movie rental. We watched Amazing Grace and I thought it was pretty good. A little slow at times, but I didn't fall asleep, which is usually my measuring stick for how good a movie is.


Hope You Had A Happy Valentine's Day!!

Need A Good Laugh?

Need a good laugh to get you through the middle of the week? Check out these cute commercials.

My Stinky Boy

For the past few days, I've turned on the morning news and listened to the weather person excitedly tell me that we're in for a "wintery mix." From the tone in his voice, you'd expect something nice, like a few snowflakes mixed with sunshine. However, what this term really means is a mixture of rain, snow, and ice. This was a picture of my backyard early this morning. Since then, I think we've gotten about 5 more inches of snow!! Our morning activities have been cancelled and my little munchkin and I have been enjoying a morning at home, just cuddling and playing together. It is so nice to actually be stuck inside and makes me realize that we've been way too busy lately! We're supposed to have playgroup this afternoon, but I'm pretty sure we're not going to make it. Of course, I ran out of wipes early this morning after Tanner's second poopy diaper, so I will have to try to make it down to the Walgreens at the end of my street for some reinforcements. Kind of makes me wish I had a stash like Shelby's in my closet! :)

Speaking of dirty diapers -- Tanner totally tried to foil my workout plans yesterday. I've been taking a yoga class at my gym on Tuesdays and we arrived just a few minutes early yesterday so that I could drop him off in the childcare room. As I took off his coat and hat, I smelled something stinky, so I turned him around to smell his fanny and make sure it was him. (You never know when there's other little ones around!) Of course, he had pooped all the way up his back. No big deal, I went outside and got our diaper bag and then headed to the baby changing station in the bathroom. Tanner had a great time rolling around naked on the little changing shelf while I tried to give him a sponge bath with the few wipes that I had. (I know -- I will be stocking up today.) It's a lot trickier than it sounds trying to wrestle with your 7-month old who is literally trying to put EVERYTHING in his mouth (his pants, his shoes, the wipes holder, etc.) and keep him from falling off of the shelf AND staying away from the poopy diaper and all of the dirty wipes you've used. ANYWAYS ... when I finally got him clean, with a new diaper on, I reached into his diaper bag for his backup outfit. If only I had remembered to put a new one in the other day when I took the old one out. At least his pants were still clean. Tanner was just so pleased with himself as I walked him, shirtless, back into the childcare room. He had the biggest grin on his face and was totally trying to show off his muscles. I couldn't help but laugh. The other kids were totally jealous of his amazing physique. :) We ended up going back home and getting him a new outfit, then heading back to the gym.

Just in case you're ever feeling self-conscious about your thighs ...

All that time at the gym is really paying off!

Hope all of you are staying warm and cozy with the ones you love!