Memorial Day Picnic

We went to a picnic with friends at the Point today. I put plenty of suntan lotion on my kids because when we left it was so sunny and hot. I hate putting on sunscreen p.s. It is so greasy and gets on clothes, strollers, etc. Your child has to hold still too. Anyways, there was no need for such sunscreen application today. Once we were there the clouds started rolling in and we heard some thunder. We snapped some pictures and took off for home. I told Eric to push the stroller and run home. I couldn't run with my flip flops so I walked and got soaked. At one point I think there was more rain coming down than what my shower gives out. I was laughing to myself on the way home. Kind of fun to get drenched.

Sister Fun

My sister Kim and her family came to visit us for four days. I love this girl. It was so fun to finally meet her baby Elaine. Her husband Brett is pretty cool too. Too bad his phone and camera broke on our first day out exploring. It was so hot while they were here!




Giving a thumbs up for Jamba


We went to a Cubs game. Can't tell you much about the game--not even who won. Blake loved it! He was fascinated by it all. He didn't go to bed until 11p.m. that night. Yikes!




Can't get Blake to stop making this face whenever the camera comes out.


Eating a chip and watching the polar bear at the zoo.


Cute Elaine. She is such a happy baby.


Blake loving the turtle at the Nature Museum.


Cousins holding hands. I knew my kids were white but WOW. Janie is bigger than Elaine even though she is almost 4 months younger. It was cute to watch them smile at each other.

While they were here we also played games, boys played frisbee, made cookies, watched the Biggest Loser finale, and stayed up too late. Come back any time Kim!

So Happy

Grandma Deni

My mom made these great quilts! She is so talented and I love them. Blake always tells me how Grandma "knit" it for him.

Janie - 3 Months

She eats her hands all day and I've caught her sucking her thumb a few times.


This is how I found Janie after Eric was in charge of getting her dressed. It was brought to my attention that my kids have long torsos and short legs. I guess it is true.

Janie has rolled from her stomach to her back before but now she is getting close to rolling from her back to her stomach. She got stuck in this position last night and couldn't quite lift her head.

Blessing & Mother's Day

Today was special as Janie was given a baby blessing. All of her grandparents were here. She wore a cute dress given from Grandma Deni and used a beautiful knit blanket from my Aunt Sally. It was a perfect Mother's Day.

I love being a mom and I love these kiddos!

My dad stayed until Tuesday and my mom stayed until Friday. We had so much fun and I am sad they are gone. Unfortunately it rained most of the week but we did get to the Field museum and to a mall. We ate at Potbelly's and also had some deep dish pizza. My mom took Blake for walks. I got a three hour nap! My parents were so great and helpful. After my dad left Blake said in a sad voice "I need my grandpa!" He said the same for my mom when she left. I feel the same.

Blake - 21 Months

* Before every prayer, Blake takes a minute and tries to interlock his fingers. Then he tells us to do the same. "Wike dis Mommy! Wike dis Daddy!" Once we do what he says we can say a prayer. Some times he changes it up and folds his arms and tell us to do it 'like this.'

*He is a such copy cat. The other day we were eating dinner. I was eating standing up because I was trying to hurry so I could feed Janie. It took me a while to understand Blake but he was telling me that he wanted to stand up and eat too. He was not happy until I got him out of his high chair and he ate his food standing up.

* He loves pointing out our emotions. If he does something he shouldn't and I make a sad face he says "Mommy sad. Sorry! Mommy happy!"

* Thanks to the Leap Frog Letter Factory movie that we have watched one too many times, Blake can identify most of the letters of the alphabet and say their sound.

* The other day Blake and I almost bumped into each other and he yelled "Watch out!"

* He is sweet with Janie. Every once in awhile I will eye him giving her a kiss on the head. He always gets in her face and talks to her. And he shows her pages in books and says "Look Janie!"

* When he gets excited he has started to say "thats fun" or "that's funny." This morning I gave him a bath and he threw one of his foam alphabet letters and it stuck to the shower curtain. He started laughing so hard and said "dats punny. dats silly."