memorial day

Today the weather was perfect, actually a little too hot! We went to our town's Memorial Day parade as we do every year. We came home for lunch and naps then headed to the pool! We finally got pool passes this year. They have a great toddler area pool then a huge water slide and lap pool. The girls loved it - Annie's first time in the pool and she really enjoyed it, kicking her legs and splashing. Mia enjoyed it lots and didn't want to leave. We then came home to have a 'left over' BBQ. It was a very nice, relaxing day. I ran tonight but my goodness was it HOT! I am not a fan for running in the heat so I think the treadmill will be my good friend this summer!

rain delay - Annie's Birthday party!

All week, the weather forecast for Sunday was for sunny conditions and temps in the 70's. So we planned Annie's party to be an outside BBQ - tables/chairs all rented, BBQ food all planned out...tiki torches ready to be lit. Then Saturday night, talk about a possible storm started to dampen our party hopes. Sunday morning, all hopes of our 'outdoor perfect party' started to dwindle as the radar started to show LARGE green/orange/red images and those slim chances started to turn into a sure thing. Not only a little storm but major storms and tornado WARNINGS all around. All said and done, we re-arranged a few things, Corey grilled in the pouring rain and we celebrated Annie's first birthday indoors. Some family and friends couldn't make it because of the horrible roads but the ones that did come, we were so appreciative of them (especially Uncle John for taking his bike and train here!). The food was great, the company even better and Annie LOVED her first piece of birthday cake (Triple Chocolate with banana filling from our town's bakery, Sweet Annie's). Our guests were: Christopher, Aunt Kelly, Papa, Grandma, Papo, Uncle Brian, Great Grandpa George, Great Aunt Stacy, Great Uncle John, Carrie, Joey, Rocco and Gina.

This weekend we had Christopher stay with us while Aunt Kelly attended a bacholerette party in the city. Papa came to stay with us too. Mia and her cousin had a blast playing trains, watching Dora, playing games and just having fun together.

It was a fun weekend all around and the girls both had a BLAST! Both were tuckered out and fell right asleep tonight



Here is papa and daddy building Annies slide set she received from us as her big gift.

First family 5k!

Today we ran the Apollo 5k in our town (the first of a 3 race series) It was great! Corey pushed the double stroller and I followed close behind. Running has become my addiction. I started in march and have been loving it! I usually go after girls are sleeping and its such a huge stress relief!! Today I ran 4 minutes faster than my first 5k last month (27:39) The girls loved going 'fast' too with daddy. Look forward to lots more races.










The girls playing in the ball field after the race.





Mia watering our garden. She is watering the broccoli and zucchini plants.





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Weekend

Summer where did you go? Wind, cold and rain have replaced you! We had a nice weekend. Saturday we bought more vegetable starter plants and herbs for our garden but couldn't work in the yard because of the weather! Later we went to our neighbor Gina's first bday party. The girls had a great time. Sunday we went to church, had breakfast out then went to the model railroad train show in town. Mia and dad did some shopping later while Annie and i stayed warm at home It was a fun weekend.

Mia loved the trains. She liked pushing the buttons to make different things move. Her favorite was making Dumbo spin around.











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Summertime...

Day three of being near 90 degrees. It's insane!! So the girls and I headed to Lincoln park zoo again with our friends Melanie and Marie. We had a great day. When we got home the girls and I grilled out our first burgers of the season for dinner before dad came home. It was a full but fun day.

Mia holding Marie's hand.



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Picture time!

This morning I took the girls in for a photo shoot. They were cooperative for the first few minutes so she was able to snap a few good ones. I really was overdue taking Annie in! I only bought 4 sheets so here are the ones we picked











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1yr old stats

This morning was Annie's 1 year old check up. She is still petite- 18 lbs 12 oz but 29 in tall. Everything looks great. She is taller than Mia was at 12 months, but weighs a little less. She is hitting all her milestones and growing right on track! She had her HIB (last one thank God) and chicken pox vaccines - hate them! She was pretty cranky all day so I held her a lot and she hopefully will sleep good tonight


Here is a photo of the girls playing with Annie's new picnic set she received for her birthday from Aunt Christie and Uncle Chris.

Mia enjoyed ballet/tap class again tonight. She LOVESSSSS going. She learned how to do a Plie and loved wearing her new tap shoes.

Annabel is 1!!

Annie is one!!! Truly how fast has this year flown by? Let's see what is Annie up to:

• Started drinking from a straw last week. She is not really liking whole milk, I think because it's cold. But drinking milk from a straw has been successful! Does like it warmed though.
  
• She is walking everywhere! She is going from room to room more often and is starting to walk more than crawl. She can climb up the stairs but I don't let her unless I am right behind her.
  
• Annie likes to explore and is quit the adventurer - she will climb and get into any trouble she can! Always keeps us on our toes
• She is sleeping mostly from 6pm-6am. Most mornings she will stay in her crib quietly until I get her out. Naps are usually twice a day - 9/10am and 1pm. If she takes a long morning nap it's hard to get that last nap hence her early bedtime.
• Eating is going pretty good - she loves peas, peaches and meatballs - really she eats anything we give her
• Very lovey, she will walk/crawl and give me a hug. Her and Mia like to roll on the floor and cuddle on pillows and blankets togehter- it's really cute
• She loves water - have to enroll her in swimming class this fall!
• babbling still, tonight she decided to say "daddy'" a few times! Mostly its mama, dada, hi. She loves to shake her head NO! and loves to dance when we tell her too, and loves talking into anything that resembles a phone and talks. She LOVES to make Indian noises too!
  

For Annie's birthday (and Mother's Day and Corey's birthday! whew lots to celebrate) we had breakfast at Blueberry Hill with Grandma, Papo and Uncle Brian then hung out in our backyard for the morning. Annie had birthday pancakes and we all sang Happy Birthday to her! Annie received her Tiffany rabbit bank from mom and dad (Mia has the Tiffany elephant so it's a little tradition) and Mia gave her "Don't Spill the Beans" game and a Little People SUV. Tonight we had lasagna (another Annie favorite) and chocolate cupcakes for Annie's birthday! We are having a big BBQ party at the end of the month. Grandma and Papo also gave her a fun pop up ball toy and a two super cute dresses. She also received cards and money from great grandparents and Aunt Sue :)




















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Walking girl

Here is a little clip to see how Annie's walking is coming along!

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zoo day and our new deck!

Friday was a beautiful day. Grandma and I took the girls to Lincoln park zoo then to lunch at RJ Grunts (a childhood favorite). Here are some photos.






Our deck is finally complete! We are so glad and now that the weather will hopefully start to warm up, we looks forward to lots of time outside. Here are before and after photos:







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Ballerina girl

Today was Mia's first ballet/tap class. I dont know why but today was sorta hard for me - I looked at her and saw a little girl. My baby is growing up!! Ice skating was one thing but as Annie and I waited outside the dance class I felt like Mia was so much older today. She loved it and the teacher asked how old she was (she's youngest in class) because she danced nicely and followed directions well (can you say daughter of a teacher!). Pics to come later.



Speaking of growing up, we took Annie today to buy her her first pair of Stride Rites. She wore her shoes all day and seemed to like them (read: she didn't try to take them off). Proud of my girls!




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