The Best Year Of My Life

A Year Ago Today ...

I don't even know how to describe the feelings I had today as my little boy turned a year old! I remembered how EXCITED (and scared) I was at this time last year as I got ready to welcome him into our family. Despite all of the physical preparations I had to make, I never could've prepared myself for how much I would LOVE this little guy! How much JOY he would bring into our lives! How a smile from him could literally turn my day around! He is truly our sunshine and God's perfect blessing to our family. I think Jon would agree that this has been the BEST year of our lives!

We definitely took advantage of this opportunity to spoil our little man. We spent quite a bit of time at Toys 'R' Us yesterday picking out birthday presents. (Jon was like a kid in a candy store -- it was hilarious). We finally settled on a sand and water table, a kiddie pool that we are also using as an indoor ball pit, a stuffed dog, and some sand toys. All of his presents have been a hit. We laughed at how much he adores his little dog -- he is constantly hugging it and patting it. He also LOVES the sand and water table. I was going to just put water in both sides, but I'm so glad I didn't! He is having so much fun with that sand! We actually finished all of our landscaping yesterday and today while he played with it (pictures to come tomorrow!) -- I only wish we would've gotten it sooner!

We're not having a birthday party for him until next weekend, but we still wanted to give Tanner a special treat, so we took him to Maggie Moo's for some ice cream. We're not quite sure what he was more excited about -- his little sundae or the other kids that were there. He definitely loves his ice cream -- it's in the genes!

Happy Birthday, My Sweet Tanner! I love you so very very much!!

Milestones

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Tanner has reached another developmental milestone.

He is now talking on a cell phone. He received it as an early birthday present yesterday. I had to run to Target and buy one because I couldn't stand his whining everytime I was on the phone -- he literally cried tears when I wouldn't give it to him! I ripped the new phone out of the package as soon as it was paid for and he talked and talked the whole way to the car. He actually holds it up to his ear (backwards) and says "Hello" before shouting an entire conversation into it. I've been wondering if he thinks that I shout when I talk on the phone, since he's obviously imitating me. Too funny. The things you learn about yourself from your kids ...

Anyways...


Jon swears Tanner took his first step today. I didn't see it (of course). How is it that I am with Tanner 23.9 hours a day, and the first 5 minutes that Jon is with him without me, he decides to actually do something spectacular. Not fair! I'm still a little skeptical that this actually happened. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more in the next few days.

Birthday Ideas

Tanner and I just got back from our first trip to the Farmer's Market this summer. I have been eagerly awaiting it's opening! I returned with these peonies (the green and peach flowers are from my own backyard), some strawberries, a tomato, green leaf lettuce, and some peach-strawberry jam. The funny thing is that several of the vendors are from the area where I grew up in Michigan. Their prices are almost double here! YIKES!! Tanner had a great time because there were lots of little kids walking around and there was also a booth for pet rescue, complete with kennels and some really cute dogs. Almost made me want one -- ALMOST!!

If you haven't noticed from our birthday ticker, Tanner is getting ready to turn a year old this Sunday! Jon and I can't believe it and were just talking this morning about how, on this day last year, I was going into labor and finally admitted to the hospital at night. Jon insisted that I went to the hospital on a Wednesday and didn't have Tanner until Saturday, but I know better! We were admitted on a Thursday night (after being sent home earlier that morning :) and Tanner arrived on Friday at 6:44 PM! Craziness! More reminiscing to come in the next few days ...

In the meantime ... I have a birthday party to plan! We're celebrating over July 4th since most of our siblings will be in town. We're just doing something low-key on my parents' deck with family only, but I still want to make it special! Any ideas??? I'm determined to make my own cake for him and put all those decorating classes to good use, but unfortunately, I'm not very creative when it comes to designing things myself. I'm pretty good at copying, though. Does anyone know of some good websites where I can go for kids' birthday cakes? I would love any ideas you have to offer!!

Off to get some work done! Hope you're having a fabulous summer day!

Sneaky Little Boy

Just in case we can't find our remote control one of these days, we'll know where to look.

A Weekend Overview

Friday

• Jon had all-day orientation for his MBA program.


• I spent the day browsing our neighborhood garage sales. It was Little Tikes heaven! Too bad I was short on cash -- I could have done some major damage! I did get a little tikes tractor for Tanner ($2) and some great foam Sesame Street blocks ($1), but I was beat to the punch on all the Little Tikes picnic tables -- by the time I went back to buy them after going to the ATM, they were already gone! :(


• Cousins Christopher and Jen drove all the way from Ohio to visit downtown Chicago and to see us! It was wonderful to visit with them!

Saturday

• Jon had his second day of orientation.


• Christopher and Jen took the train into Chicago with Jon in the morning. They were such troopers as the train left at 7am!!


• Tanner and I went to a kid's concert and picnic in the park with some friends. What fun!

Sunday -- FATHER'S DAY!!

• Jon woke up early to play a round of golf with Christopher before he and Jen started their long drive home.
  
• Tanner and I went to church, since it was our week to work in the nursery.


• We got home and relaxed with Daddy! Jon was in heaven playing with his boy and watching the US Open all day. Do you think they purposely scheduled that event to fall on Father's Day?


• After Tanner's afternoon nap, we took him for his first swim at the pool. He LOVED it and had a huge smile the whole time! We'll definitely be taking him more often!


• We finished the day with a trip to get ice cream. (Let's be honest, this is really the ONLY way to end a fantastic summer day!) Tanner literally almost had a seizure because I wasn't sharing mine with him fast enough. I think it's safe to say he ate over 1/2 of my snicker's blizzard. I'm not sure if that makes me the worst mom in the world for giving him ice cream (with nuts!!) or the best. I guess it depends on who you ask!

My loves.

Uh-oh. I hope they don't find out that I was playing in the toilet before this.

What IS this place?

You look funny in a bathing suit, Mom!

Dude. Nice hair.

My Dad is SOOO fun!

Laundry Etiquette

What is the correct way to do laundry?

I know how I was taught. Separate lights and darks. Wash lights on warm, darks on cold. Wash towels on hot. But is the the RIGHT way? Yesterday, I actually read the tags on each garment I washed (probably because I was procrastinating) and I couldn't seem to find a commonality in how things are marked.

What is the method to your laundry madness?

Starting Early

Jon's hoping this will be his last year of mowing since he has a son. So he's starting Tanner's lawnmower training early.

Gosh, Dad! This is gonna take FOREVER!!

Put your legs into it! Maybe next year I'll get you a self-propelled mower.

A Weekend Away

Last weekend was our special anniversary weekend in the city (no kids allowed!). We had an awesome time! It was the first time I have ever been away from Tanner over-night, but I think I did okay! I only talked about him or brought him up in conversation about 200 times -- it could have been worse! Jon kept saying ... "I know you're just missing Tanner so bad!" And the truth is, I loved having that special time with just Jon and I. I'm just USED to having my little sidekick with me everywhere I go, so it was just a little wierd being without him for so long.

Anyways, back to our weekend. We took the train into the city, which was a treat for me -- it made me feel like such an "adult." Silly, I know. Once we got there, we walked to our hotel -- The Palmer House, which has the most gorgeous lobby. I was very impressed! Then we went to lunch and walked around for a while. Jon took me to The Gleacher Center, where he will start his MBA classes next week. It was awesome and I found myself a little envious that he gets to go back to school. I always did love being in a classroom (I guess that's why I became a teacher!). It's just so fun that he's going to be LEARNING again!

After a little more walking, we returned to the hotel and got ready for WICKED!!! It was such a great show! I loved it! I read the book also, but it was completely different from the book. It was very funny. I'm not sure Jon enjoyed it as much as I did, especially since he isn't very familiar with The Wizard of Oz. I questioned him about this during the show.

R: "Have you ever seen The Wizard of Oz?"

J: "Of course ... there's the tin man, the scarecrow, Lucy ..."

R: "Lucy??"

Another conmment during the show:

J: "How did the house get from Kentucky to Oz??"

R: "Do you mean Kansas?"


I was very much looking forward to sleeping in the next morning, but couldn't stay in bed past 9:15 no matter how hard I tried to go back to sleep. Jon and I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon at Navy Pier walking around, having lunch, and seeing another show -- Cirque Shanghai -- complete with some miraculous acrobatics.

All in all it was just an amazing weekend and exactly what the doctor ordered for us -- time to just enjoy each other's wonderful company and remind each other how lucky we feel to be married to one another. Sigh ...

A picture of ourselves in the Millenium Bean in Millenium Park. Jon was trying a Fauxhauk. Feel free to give him a hard time for this. :)

Jon's new school.

So excited to see the show

On our way into Navy Pier

When we pulled into our driveway, we were met with a garage-full of new toys and baby-stuff. Our moms found a neighborhood garage sale and made out with tons of loot -- some to stay at our house and some to take home with them. The best part was when we went inside. We were greeted by the best sight ever.

You guys are back already?? How do you like my new wheels?

Faster Grammy, Faster!

Tanner was basically happier than I've ever seen him. He just thrived on all the attention and spoiling his grandmas gave him! We are so lucky they came to babysit for us!

Zoo Pics

On a happier note, we had an awesome first trip to the zoo this Saturday! Tanner was just beside himself with excitement over all of the animals. We would take him out of his stroller and hold him up at each animal exhibit and he would just yell at the animals. Then when it came time to move on to the next animal, he would throw a fit -- like he still had more to say to whichever animal we were visiting at the time. It was pretty hilarious. His favorites were the elephants, the giraffes, and the cows.

I'm a Mess

I'm a mess. Literally.

My house looks like a tornado hit it and despite two days of hard work, I just can't seem to make a dent in it. And tomorrow's my day to host playgroup.

The inside of my car is embarassing. If I had to give anyone a ride anywhere, I would just die.

The weeds in my landscaping are coming up faster than I can pull them. Right now, it's looking like we won't have all of our weeds pulled/mulch laid until September. Just in time for winter.

My hair ... sigh. It faintly resembles the mushroom cloud that comes after an atomic bomb. With a little layer of frizz on the top for added effect. I love humidity.

After 11+ months of breastfeeding I don't own a bra that fits. I was kind of hoping to wear something just a touch sexier than a nursing bra for my special anniversary weekend in the city with my husband, which led me to today's outing (see below). However, I guess sexiness might be out of the question anyway considering the mushroom on my head.

I don't know how it happened, but I have allowed my sweet, lovable, smiley little boy to turn into a Cheerio-throwing, screeching, kicking, writhing in his stroller B-R-A-T whenever we are out shopping/running errands. I do my best to prepare ahead of time -- packing snacks and a sippy cup, having a list and coupons ready, etc -- so that I can run in and run out whenever I need to go anywhere. Today we had to run to the mall. I needed to buy a shower gift for someone and was hoping to make it all the way through Macy's to Victoria's Secret. I printed the registry out ahead of time and decided on a few options of what to buy. When I got there, I quickly went up to the sales associate and asked her to help me find the items. Most of them, they didn't have. The ones they did have, the sales associate couldn't find. By this time, I'm sweating, Tanner has left a trail of Cheerios. He is already throwing a fit, but I'm choosing to ignore him. I finally settle on something in my price range and buy it. I make my way into the mall area and buy a coffee -- I know I'll need it. Tanner continues bad behavior. I never make it to Victoria's Secret. After I get Tanner to the car, change his diaper, transfer the mess from my stroller into the messy car, I drive away -- with my coffee still on the roof of my car.

Nice.