Backyard Baby Shower

At the beginning of June my Mom, sister, and long, long time friend Alissa threw me a baby shower at home just days after my brother's wedding.

Months ago we debated about a shower so close to the wedding but in the end decided that it would be special to have the shower while my aunts and other extended family were able to be in town for the wedding.

I'm so glad that's what we decided, because having my aunts and grandmas there turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the shower.

It was my Aunt Lanie who took all these photos (thanks, Auntie!)

On such an off summer weather-wise, a beautiful day is especially appreciated and against all of this summer's odds, this morning was just that. 

  It reminded me so much of my wedding day in the same backyard, and I just love that the two are now connected in my mind's eye.

Also. The brunch my mom and sister made for the shower is one of the best meals I've ever had. 

I mean, you guys, those two are the two best cooks I know and they went above and beyond!

(Of course they did, that's who they are...)

The faces you see in the pictures are the faces that raised me and watched me grow through every stage of life before I moved to Chicago.

I'm so grateful all these women gave up their Tuesday morning to come support me and celebrate with me yet another life transition, even though I've been grown up and living away in the city for so many years now.

One of the sweetest moments was my mom bursting into (happy) tears when turned to see me come in to the kitchen, all dressed up for the shower.

Favorite part of all: Opening the car seat with a card that revealed that it was from Tiff, Ty, and Parker, my siblings.  The card held the most meaningful words from the people most meaningful to me in the world.  Every time I buckle the little mister into his car seat, I'll think of them and know their love for me and for my baby.

So yes, favorite part of all.

Thank you Tiff, Mom, and Alissa for giving me and the little mister such a special morning!

 

 

 

 

3 (More) Weeks

Friends!

Where does the time go when you're nesting and preparing for a baby who's due 3 weeks from today?

This poor blog.

What a fun place it could have been during this pregnancy if I could've found the time, but I'll be the first to admit, I can't do it all, not even close.

There is a blog post in my head about a pregnancy how NOT to.

Namely, how not to wait until the last trimester to prep everything for your baby's arrival like I did.

Our (my) baby to-do-list has been running us around, and we've been having a blast part of the time and fighting and getting stressed part of the time, but at the end of the day I think we've cried happy tears together more times than I can count this week alone.

Last night I sat on Neal's lap as we watched the 4th of July fireworks from our apartment, and husband made the analogy that these final weeks of pregnancy feel like riding up the steep incline of a roller-coaster as it slowly click-click-clicks to the top.

That is a publishable analogy, in my opinion.

This photo is from my rooftop baby shower this week which was a day to love.

Hopefully the pictures and more will make it here to the blog soon but if not, hey, maybe there will be a baby picture instead!

Ellie Sue

Summer parties can't be beat, and this one was the party of the summer.

My bestie's baby girl is turning one this summer, and so Kirra and Taylor threw her a magical backyard party on Friday night.

The decor, the desserts, the dim summer sunset fading into party lights strung across the yard.

I mean, magical I tell you!

Ellie Sue,

I fell in love with you the moment I held you in your beautiful Northwestern hospital room with that glamorous Chicago view.

I secretly love that you've always acted so happy to see me, and not-so-happy to see "Big Neal."

You know he's super tall, but every time it just surprises you I think.

It's just the cutest though.

You are book club baby, you are baby bestie, and you are (maybe!) birthday buddy to my little goose!

I cannot wait to see the two of you together.

I love you more than all the city lights twinkling in the sky above you.

Happy first birthday!

 

 

Best Burger

Throughout my pregnancy, husband and I have often gotten the advice from people to "go out" and "enjoy each other" before baby comes and we're more homebound or tired or you fill-in-the-blank.

We've been looking at each other with a shrug and a "Carry on?" since that's pretty much what we've been up to for the last six years.

In fact, there's probably been a little too much of that this pregnancy and not enough staying home and resting or getting baby things done, because now five and half weeks from our due date we're feeling hectic with baby to-do's.

But in following the "going out" and "enjoying each other" advice, we had a date night at a place in Wicker Park that I've been wanting to visit for who knows how long, Mindy's Hot Chocolate.

It was absolutely delicious-- everything.

Husband and I both had burgers-- as did the couple on our left and on our right I noticed-- and it was the best burger I've ever had in the city.

We also had the platter of cookies and of course, hot chocolate.

Out of this world!

The Land of Summer & Roots

Hello and happy summer!

I've been away from the Windy City for a week, tucked away in the land of summer and where-I-come-from roots.

Every year husband and I look forward to the week of summer reunion with my immediate and extended family at my childhood home, and this year we had my brother's wedding and my baby shower all in that week as well!

You would never know from these pictures that my brother's wedding weekend was one big torrential rainstorm and that the reception had to be moved indoors, but all of my parents' work on the yard paid off to be enjoyed for the rest of the summer, don't you think?

The next time I set foot back here, I will have my little mister in my arms!

Now that, I don't have words for.

I can't wait to introduce him to the great big world but perhaps even more so, to this place.