Weekend Report

I'm off my game in taking pictures! Snapchat (tshields622) is ruining me!

Thursday afternoon Leo and I met up with our friends Beth and Grady for a really fun happy hour.

It always so nice to catch up with Beth because we can talk shop about having one year olds, easily ignore their whining without worrying about if its bothering each other, and even sneak in a few laughs between mickey mouse clips!

Friday during the day I spent most of it cleaning and shopping and prepping for having a few friends over for a Cubs viewing party.

I have 0 pictures to show for it, but I made these amazing pulled pork sliders (1st time, and SO good), this slaw, and my all time favorite pumpkin cupcakes.

 

This recipe is almost embarrassing - its the same card I've had since college - and somehow I've never found the time to rewrite it!

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to head down to San Diego to celebrate our nephew's second birthday.

The boys played during the morning and took full advantage of the early delivery of the bounce house! 

At nap time, we helped Andrew and Corie put all of their adorable details together and before we knew it - the party had begun!

 

The costume party was a major hit (despite it being 85 degrees), and everyone had a blast.

We got home Sunday before lunch, plowed through 4 loads of laundry, snuck in a nap, and watched the cubs - and I'm writing this before the game is over, so I'm hope I'm foreshadowing - WIN!

My Best Friends Wedding

 

I mean!!!

Have you ever seen a more gorgeous bride? 

The weekend festivities started off on Thursday. 

I hadn't seen Joel is 3 weeks, and we met downtown without Leo! It was actually such a fun reunion, and we were even able to sneak in a lunch date at our favorite taco spot - Big Star.

Afterwards, Joel and I headed to Amanda's, got dressed up for the rehearsal and walked over to the church with the bride to be.

 

The rehearsal got a touch scary when the church coordinator "got stuck in traffic" and then never showed up, but we rolled with it.

Dinner was at Toppo Gigio, and it was such a fun night seeing everyone and getting the celebrations started! 

Since the rehearsal was on a Thursday, that gave us all of Friday to just hang out. I had breakfast with one of my best friends (and fellow bridesmaids) Sara, saw her beautiful new house in Ukrainian Village, and got checked into the hotel.

The bridesmaids had a nail appointment and then met for drinks at the Drake.

That night, the bride and I turned in very early. We had pizza with Amanda's family, watched a few episodes of Modern Family, and went to bed right around 10pm to ensure the bride got as much rest as possible.

The next morning we were up and at um' by 6:30, and down in our getting room by 7:30. I was the first to get finished, so I was happy to keep everyone's mimosa's filled! 

The getting ready party is always my favorite part of the day. The energy is so high and positive, everyone is giddy, and us girls had a blast.

And Amanda transformed into a bride model and literally looked perfect.

Before we knew it, it was time to load up for the church.

The ceremony was perfect, and I had to hold back from losing it in front of everyone as I kept my eyes on Andrew both holding back nervous giggles and tears.

It was truly amazing, and after some group pictures outside of the church, we headed out on a trolley to take pictures at Lincoln Park Zoo.

 

 

We finished pictures a little early and got to enjoy a few minutes of the cocktail hour before our entrances.

The room of the reception was breathtaking (The Knickerbocker in downtown Chicago) and Amanda's DJ was on point too (Toast and Jam). 

 

The whole night - (and thankfully, even my speech) - went really. really well, and will forever go down as one of the best weddings I've ever been too.

 Congrats Amanda & Andrew! We love you!

One Year Photoshoot

The one thing I insisted on when we were home was getting some family photos while all of the leaves were changing. I wanted some "One Year" photos of Leo as well, and we couldn't have asked for a better day and location!

 

I brought some of my favorite "props" from Leo's birthday and I just about died when we tied them up on two random pumpkins we found while we were in the park.

 The owner, Janet,  of the Etsy shop Dainty Couture is actually going to offer a giveaway of these precious "ONE" hats for my readers in the next week, so keep your eye out for that. She also has REALLY adorable holiday items (trick or treat bags, stockings, etc), so check out her shop if you're in need.

 

 

  

Thankfully my mom was on hand to help keep Leo smiling for our photographer Dory (the same photographer who did our wedding) and also get a few BTS pics too.

It was windy and hot (even though we're dressed like its not!) but I can't wait to see the pictures the photographer took.

Leo - Month 13

 

 

::: 1 month recap ::: 2 month recap ::: 3 month recap ::: 4 month recap ::: 5 month recap :::

 ::: 6 month recap ::: 7 month recap ::: 8 month recap ::: 9 month recap ::: 10 month recap

::: 11 month recap ::: 12 month recap
 

Weight: 19lbs 14oz (21%), 31inches (52%)

Nicknames: Leeman, Lee-Lee, Forest Boy, Weeward, Wee-whoa

Clothes: 12-18 months, size 3 shoes, and size 3&4 diapers

Sleep:  We've switched up your sleep this month. Last month your naps were WONKY, and as much as I wanted to fight for two naps for as long as possible, you were over them. We are officially a one nap family. We've been going strong for about 3 weeks now, and while there are some pros and cons to it, overall, I think its working better for us. 

The hardest part is making sure you don't fall asleep in the car before your nap. If we can accomplish that, you are a pretty good napper from 12:30/1is-3ish.

You still go into bed for the night 6:30/7pm, and wake up 6:30/45am.

Schedule: 

up at 6:30...with an 8oz bottle

8:00am breakfast

9-12am play - very necessary to get out of the house during this time

11:30am/12pmish- lunch

12:30/1:00 pm nap

3:30pm snack

6:00pm dinner

6:30 pm bath

7:00 pm 8oz bottle and bed

Health: Very healthy baby!

 

Crying: You do not like to be home for too long or you get very stir crazy. You don't like to play by yourself, and if mom or dad dares to leave the room you will let us have it!

 

Feeding:  You're becoming a bit pickier which is killing me! You always go for the bread/carb product, but its tougher and tougher to get you to eat your veggies. I've gotten creative (sweet potato toast, black bean quesadillas, spinach smoothies), but its not always so easy!

Likes:  You love pointing, birds, Roscoe, being outside, your hip-hip, walking, all of your new birthday toys, other kids, and your dada!

 

Dislikes: When we walk out of a room, not being paid attention to.

Milestones:  You're a walker!!! And you really made your grandparents proud by starting to take your first steps in Chicago!

It honestly came out of nowhere too! You never really pushed around walkers, so I was thinking you would be a little bit on the later side of this milestone, but at 12mth2wks, you were off to the races!

You take about 20 steps in a row before you tumble, but you're doing awesome and you're so proud of yourself!

 

Besides walking, you've had a huge month. You're saying lots of "words"; mama, dada, roro, "ca" (for car), wow, uh-oh, and ya.

 

You learned how to pump your fist when we say "go, go,go", you give kisses on command, and you seem to comprehend a lot of what we say to you now!

 

Places You’ve Gone: We spent 3.5 weeks in Chicago and had an overnight in Iowa with your cousins.

Visitors: We saw lots and lots of friends and family this month!

Roscoe: You two are best of friends. When we would facetime Dad while we were in Chicago, you would LIGHT UP every time he showed you "Ro Ro". You love to play fetch and give him big kisses.

Pumpkin Patchin'

One of my must-do items while we were home was to visit a pumpkin patch - and Goeberrt's in Barrington did not disappoint.

We went on a chilly Friday with my cousin Liz and her two babies, Jack and Ella.

 We started our morning checking out the petting zoo. You can pay a few dollars extra for a cup of veggies to feed the animals, so we grabbed a few and started with feeding a giraffe.

 

 

After we went through the tents of animals, we went into their kids zone to play in a sandbox full of corn kernels.

 

Leo loved it, but I found kernels everywhere for like 3 days!

 

After tons of playing and fresh air, we had lunch and then bought a dozen heavenly apple cinnamon donuts. It was a perfect day with our cousins!