Five on Friday

::: 1 ::: 

You guys. Thank you! Thank you for all of your sweet comments and notes yesterday. They honestly made my entire day (and possibly even week). From the bottom of my heart, thanks for taking the time to make me feel so good.

::: 2 :::

I'm trying to keep Leo as busy as possible this winter with some energy expelling activities - so we are doing swimming and gymnastics. He's really enjoying both actually, even though he gets a little anxious before we get there, and it is SO weird, because this is the first round of activities that he does without me. I love watching him in the group setting, listening to the coach, trying new things, and working with other kids totally without me. It makes me so proud and heartbroken all at the same time! 

Along with classes, we're trying to get to storytime at the library, school - and then, I have been taking both kids to the gym's daycare. I'm finding that keeping busy is really the only way to survive these Chicago winters. 

 

::: 3 :::

Two of my girlfriends and I have a playgroup every Thursday afternoon - and this was my week to host. I ended up doing a cheese platter, a pepper jelly dip, and a mushroom truffle pizza - all of which were amazing. We are currently obsessed with Trader Joe's sparking brut Rose, so we had a few glasses of that while our six kids (combined) played. The kids look forward to Thursday afternoons almost as much as the moms do. 

::: 4 :::

Did I mention that we are going to Mexico in a few weeks? We are heading to Punta Mita and could NOT be more excited. We are renting the condo that is right next to my parents, and my parents (and hopefully sisters) will be coming with too. My parents can't wait to show Leo and Drew their favorite place in the world, and I can't wait for a week of vacation! Pool, margaritas, sunshine.....I'm so looking forward to it. More posts to come on this - hopefully ;) 

::: 5 ::: 

Joel got these boots for me - and honestly - they are the best winter boot/shoe I've ever had in my entire life. I've gotten a ton of compliments on them, and they're exactly what I needed - a cute enough shoe to wear all day, but waterproof and boot-y enough to walk in the slush and snow.

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We have a really fun weekend ahead - book club for me tonight at a neighbors (When Life Gives You Lululemons), and then I'm heading downtown with my mom and sisters for high tea! I'll stay the night in the city and then have Joel and the kids come get me on Sunday so that we can hang out with some friends and family too. 

Hope you have a great weekend as well - and if you're here in Chicago - stay warm. 

Happy Halloween

From my sweet Farmer and Cow - to yours!! 

And, because, why not....here's a look back at Leo's Halloweens from years past. 

 

 

Checking In

As I sit down to write this, I've got two protesting naps, so we'll see if I can get even more than a minute of thoughts down on paper.

Things have been good here, but I'm still getting used to the pace of two. Finding time to blog during the week almost feels laughable. I feel like I'm running from one place to the next, pretty much 24 hours a day, and when Joel walks in the door, I typically have a glass of wine and fight to keep my eyes open past 8pm.

Thankfully she has been giving us some nice stretches at night, so we are at least semi-functioning. 

We're hanging in there and even though the days are long, the weeks keep ticking by somehow! I'm eager for this weather to start getting above thirty degrees so we can at least get outside for a few walks. That's been the hardest thing this time around.....so many less walks. With Leo - in California - we walked three times a day. Any time he was fussy, we headed out, and it was sooooo good for both of us. With Drew being born in December in Chicago, we haven't had as many opportunities so I'm counting the hours here!

 

 

 

We've gotten creative with our indoor activities too - lots of arts and crafts, baking, water activities, baths.......and Leo's been watching a lot more TV too.

 

  

 

 

Leo has been missing his outside time and chances to burn some energy - but recently signed him up for a sports class that he has been loving. 

The class is actually for 3 year olds (and you can tell why around the 40 minute mark when Leo starts to fade), but he's having so much fun and it's been a great thing for the 3 of us to do. 

He also had a special treat last weekend to go to Disney on Ice with Coco and Papa. 

I wasn't sure how he would do, but they had prime seats on the ice and the show kept him entertained the entire time.  

In all of our home time - I've been chomping at the decorating bit a little. Adding some artwork to some bare walls, changing up our guest room bedding (having a very hard time!) - and possibly ours since my comforter just burned in the dryer (shit....), and making some upgrades to the basement. I'll hopefully share those before April!