Happy Birday, Lill!

This past Saturday, Lilly turned 2. Wait, let me say that again... Our baby girl is 2.  She's 2.  She's 2?!?! Holy smokes, time sure does fly.

She loves good night's sleep, making you take your shoes off when you come in the door, using 2-5 word phrases ("over there" "take off your shoes" "Ray Ray lay down" "mommy make a bracelet") and saying new words everyday (recent ones include microwave, motorcycle, and ridiculous), picking out my clothes (a Christmas sweater in May? why not!), sometimes eating really well (asking for seconds of shrimp and quinoa) and other times refusing to eat (gotta keep mom and dad on their toes!),  dance parties, playing in the backyard/swimming pool, helping daddy take out the trash, making mom and dad laugh.

Grandma Cyn and Grandpa Steve (and Cody!) came in town to spend a week with us. We kicked off the week with Lill's birthday celebration. We started the morning with presents and the special birthday treat, sprinkle pancakes! All week we had been prepping Lill for the big day, practicing blowing out candles and making a wish. When asked what she wished for, she'd answer "a car!". The lucky girl's wish came true in the form of a red cozy coupe with trailer (for baby doll, of course!). After nap, she was pleasantly surprised to find the house deck out in Rio decor and was particularly intrigued by the cupcakes and amazing cake! Friends and family joined for a swim, dinner and cake. I think it's safe to say that our baby girl enjoyed her 2nd birthday celebration.

While she sings 'Happy Birthday' daily, whether it be to all members of our family or inanimate objects, she's not huge on being the center of attention so we were definitely interested to see how she'd do with the singing. I'd have to say that the smile and pure joy on her face when all eyes were on her and singing her favorite song made the stress of planning and executing the party absolutely worth it.

We love you Lilly bug!!

Meet Me In Pure Michigan

Earlier this month, the St. Louis Bruno's took the first (potentially annual) family vacation to my home state of (pure) Michigan. I'd be lying if I said I didn't play a part in choosing the destination. It started with my mother and father-in-law talking about a weekend trip to Chicago. Corey and I kind of jumped on board suggesting that we rent a condo, see friends and go to the beach. We mentioned it to Kyle and Meredith and they expressed interest as well.  Everyone kept bringing up the desire to go to the beach while there.  Which got me thinking...  If we really want to go to the beach, why don't we avoid the big city and instead head to the other side of the Lake to a beach in Michigan?! (DUH!) While I'd prefer to go as far up the coast as possible, we already have our annual Ferrier trip (and the associated looooong drive) up to Traverse City and the Bruno's were wanting to keep the drive as short as possible seeing as we were only going for a long weekend. A few VRBO searches...ok, more like a lot of VRBO searches and far too much time at work than I'd like to admit to my boss, and we were booked at a 5 bedroom house in Union Pier, a small town just north of the Michigan/Indiana border.

While the weather wasn't perfect, and we had the token Michigan summer vacation cold day, we got in plenty of fun in the sun at the beach and some good quality time at the house. I think it's safe to say that Carter and Taylor loved their first trip to the beach, Lill loved slumber parties with her cousins, Jim enjoyed the small town lifestyle and the rest of us enjoyed a break from reality. Hopefully we'll be back in the future!

The same droopy cheeks while napping

She loved playing in the waves

One of many trips for ice cream

She was upstairs and quiet for awhile...I walked in to find her in Carter's
bed playing on his Ipad.  She was very intrigued about the 'big boy' bed...

Just some boys and their fisherman hats. Ray's clearly tastes good...

Playing in the yard before dinner

Exploring on a chilly day

Little Fishies

This past week is an example of just the reason we got a pool. The heat was not messing around and we were in the pool every day, at least once a day. Luckily these kiddos have taken after their mom and dad and love being in the pool. Ray just chills in his floatie, chewing on any toy he can get his hands on. Lill jumps in and swims around on her own (thanks to the amazing Puddle Jumper).

Though, I have to give credit where credit is due... On the first pool day of the season, Lill wasn't into going past the first step. The next day our family came over and my niece and nephew immediately jumped in and had a blast. Much thanks to Tay and Carter and their fearlessness for showing Lill how it's done!

4 months!

When you become a parent you're told "they grow up so fast". What they don't tell you is that subsequent babies grow up even faster, or so it seems.  How is Ray already 4 months? He's rolling over, trying to sit up, and loves standing with assistance. He wants to be facing out at all times, checking out the world around. He has two teeth (which caused us some sleepless nights), his originally dark hair has turned blond and overall he is a happy, happy guy. Even after the rough nights of sleep, he flashes that adorable dimple-filled smile or giggles and Corey and I immediately forget how frustrated we were with him during the night prior :-) Lill definitely spoiled us from a sleeping perspective so we're figuring that joy of parenting out as we go.

Weight: 17lbs (88%-ile)

Likes: Sucking/chewing on anything I can get in my mouth to soothe my aching gums, laying on my back kicking, grabbing and hitting at toys, being carried facing out, the pool (well, I enjoyed my first dip in the pool this past weekend so mommy and daddy are hoping this continues as we all like spending time outside in our yard and pool), my pacis, sitting and standing up with assistance and giggling.

Dislikes: Teething, being hot or gassy, getting stuck on my tummy after rolling over,

Girlfriends are good for the soul

I consider myself extremely lucky to have girlfriends that I've known since grade school. You read that right. I made some of the best of friends in elementary and middle school and those friendships have stood the test of time and, more impressively, distance. There's something very special about friends that have been with you through it all; first kisses, ugly break-ups, awkward phases (eh, hem...all of middle school), embarrassing hairstyles, first dates with our now husbands, career changes and everything in between. They celebrated your highs and encouraged you through the lows. And then you can get together for a weekend in St. Louis and laugh about it all. This past weekend we did just that.

Carly, Adrienne and Katie drove from Chicago and Kelly took a flight from Detroit. We caught up over wine, pizza and snacks on Friday night at our house. Saturday included some playtime with the kiddos, lunch in town and then mani/pedi's with champagne a la SATC. Saturday night we had a drink at their hotel bar and then enjoyed some yummy sushi in the Central West End. The fun didn't stop there. Lilly and I headed over to their hotel early Sunday morning for a PJ party and room service breakfast in bed. What a special treat to share 'girl time' with my favorite gal.

While the weather wasn't exactly what we hoped for, it could not have been a more perfect weekend with some of my very favorite women in my new (I know it's been nearly three years but it's still 'new' in my eyes) home. I am so happy they got to meet Ray and that Lill got to spend some quality time with them.

"Girls...?! Girls...?!"  Come back soon!!!

Happy 3 months!

How is it almost May? And how is our baby already 3 months old? He's smiling and giggling up a storm and making us do the same. He's essentially sleeping through the night (knock on wood) and is a chill, 'go with the flow' kinda guy. He's our best little buddy that I love spending my days with which means that heading back to work this past Monday was not so enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, I love sitting at my desk for extended periods of time, drinking a full cup of hot coffee and going to the bathroom without two tiny humans (that's what you love about your job too, right?), but I sure miss the smiles of our two little buggers a whole lot. Luckily they're getting to spend some quality time with MawMaw and PawPaw which makes going back to work much easier.

Stats: No doctor appointment this month but I can assure you he's growing just fine as his 6 month size clothing is starting to seem snug...

Likes: Mommy and daddy, bathtime, putting my hands in my mouth, swatting and kicking at hanging toys, my Wubbanubs (pacifiers), laying on my changing table, watching my big sis, Lill, and doggie, Ty, standing up with assistance

Dislikes: Not much. Having a full diaper, laying down (I want to sit/stand up and look around), naptime.  I'll nap, just not for long. I don't want to miss out on the action!