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!

HA-HA-HA

Over the past week or so, we've been getting giggles out of Ray. Each time I try to catch it on video, though, he gets camera shy. Yesterday, however, I managed to find just the creepy/embarrassing mommy voice to keep him giggling and his attention away from the camera.

I forgot just how great first giggles were.  And all "firsts" for that matter...  I'm happy to report that this whole parenting thing is just as fun the second time around.

Be patient. It takes until about half way in until I'm able to get a good belly laugh out of him.

Happy Easter

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We sure did.  Beautiful weather and time spent with family; couldn't have asked for a better Sunday.

We started the day off with my personal favorite, the Easter egg hunt. While Lill hunted for the eggs last year, it was only with quite a bit of guidance from mom and dad. This year, however, was a different story. Lill wanted "more, more, more". She hurried all around the house, looking up and crouching down, to find more eggs filled with little surprises.  A special few, however, had an "emma" (M&M) inside.  I'm fairly certain the thought of another M&M was definitely what kept her searching for more.  Though she did eat all of the other (healthy)surprises as well :-)

We then rushed around getting everyone fed and dressed in their Sunday best for church. I'm happy to report that we made it with a few minutes to spare!  I realized after the fact that we never got a family picture to prove it, but I definitely have made a mental note of this accomplishment :-) Ray slept through most of mass and Lilly was very well behaved. Corey's cousin and his family saved us seats and I think the excitement of seeing her cousins and the slight distraction they provided (as well as the songs) kept her occupied. Afterwards we went to Corey's cousins for some bagels, playtime and mimosas (yes, please!!). We had lunch at home before nap time (which Ray obliged but Lill refused...) and heading to the in-laws for Easter dinner and more time with cousins.

Just another day to remind us how blessed we are.

Showing Ray what the Easter bunny brought him. She has been "borrowing"
it from Ray since that day :-)

Double checking that she got all of the "emmas"

Ray with Anna

Our dapper little dude

Lill 21.5 months, Ray 2 months, Tay 22.5 months, Carter 3 years

Happy 2 months to Ray!

Lilly LOVES singing 'Happy Birthday'. Imagine her excitement when she realized we get to sing it to Ray every month! Sunday morning started off with all five of us (yes, Ty is included) in our bed serenading Ray with Happy 2 month Birthday, to you! Our (not-so) little guy is just a joy and watching Lill lovin' on her little bro is even more so.

STATS: 15 lb 8 oz (97%ile) , 25.5 inches long (off the charts). We make big babies, folks! With adorable chubby cheeks, I might add. His head is only in the 89%ile, which sounds too small for a Bruno. We'll have to get that re measured.

What better way to celebrate your 2 month birthday than sleeping in your crib. We're easing him in and starting with just naps in his own room. Lilly helped me put him down for his first nap. He went down like a champ and slept nearly 2 hours. Lill had a harder time and cried when we left Ray all alone in his room. Sounds exactly like my reaction when we first left Lill alone in her room for the first time. What a sweet little mother-ly girl we have :-)

Likes: Sticking out my tongue, laying on the floor or changing table with someone over top chatting with me, my bouncer seat, riding in the car, pacifiers (unlike my sister), bathtime (finally!)

Dislikes: Being tired or hungry, being cold (specifically after the enjoyable warm bath), gas (who doesn't)

Ohhhhhh, and also what better way to celebrate 2 months than by CUTTING DOWN THE NETS. This Spartan family is very excited about our team heading to the final four!!

Great Lakes, Great Times

It's always a great time when we are able to get back to Michigan for a visit.  Sure, it's an even greater time when that visit includes a Great Lake in the summer months, but a trip back to Troy to see family and friends that are eager to meet Ray and see Lill is always enjoyable. If you know Corey, you are well aware of his love of sports and potentially of his extreme love of March Madness. He always takes off work to watch the first round of the tournament.  Heck, I have often taken off too...that first round is filled with such excitement!  I digress...  Since he would be taking work off anyway, and I would still be off on maternity leave, we decided it'd be a good time to head back to Michigan for the week. While we had mastered traveling with Lill, it was going to be a whole new adventure adding Ray to the mix. We packed up the car and hit the road nice and early. The kids could not have been more perfect.  Ray nearly slept the entire 8 hour drive and Lilly was just so excited to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house that she was happy as can be. Those that know me know that I could not be more proud to report that we only made one stop the whole way. With two kids under 2 and a dog, I'd say that's quite the accomplishment!!  The way back wasn't as quite as easy breezy but still went very well considering!

Most of our time back in Michigan was spent at home, spending quality time with Grandma and Grandpa. We had quite a few visitors that stopped by as well. A few field trips to the aquarium, Rainforest Cafe and Rochester Play were also enjoyed. Last, but definitely not least, Corey and I got out for a dinner sans kids. It was wonderful!! :-)
We're so thankful for the time with family and friends that we don't get to see often. It's always amazing how quickly a week can go by when you're having fun. As my mom said, "I wonder how long you'd have to stay for us to actually be 'ready' for you to go home and not be wishing you would stay".  I'm not sure that's possible...

Ty sitting pretty in the passenger seat while Mom's in the way back

Grandpa happy to watch the Spartans with the cutest little fans

Play date with Hannah, her mom, Niki, and her grandma, Deb

First family photo (with me showered and not in a hospital gown)!

Playing with cousins Kinsley, Cameron and Ashleigh

Morning play-doh fun with Grandpa

Loving bath time in Grandma's huge tub (mom loved the bath, too!)

Play date with Charlotte and her mom, Vicky

Morning snuggles :-)

Running errands with Mom