what a week!

I usually try to stick to 1 or 2 non-routine activities per week.  Betsy & I just have better days when we stick to a routine and have a few days of rest between adventures.  This week... not so much... 

Tuesday, we had a several hour visit from the Chicago Fire Department... at bedtime.  (Check your carbon monoxide detector - they need replacing every 5 years.)

On Wednesday, Tony & I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and the 5th anniversary of the day we met.  We spent a lovely morning at the coffee shop where we first met, but brought Betsy along this time.     

On Friday afternoon, we attended super zoo picnic at Lincoln Park Zoo.  Free carousel and train rides - how could I say no?! 

Saturday we celebrated Father's Day with family in the burbs and way too many sweets.

Today, Sunday, we celebrated "Dada Day" with an amazing brunch at North Pond and time outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather. 

Betsy & I are so lucky to have Tony in our lives.  I especially appreciate him on a crazy week like this when he remains cool, calm and collected through all of the excitement.

Happy Father's Day, Tony!  We love you!!  

cousins

Betsy has a new cousin!  Wiley was born on 5/30/13.  

We heard the news in the morning and decided that after lunch we would take full advantage of nap time and make the trek to Michigan.  The drive was long, some of it in rainy weather, which reminded me of the weekend Betsy was born.  But it was for a great reason - for the last 40 minutes of our trip Betsy was excitedly chanting, "Here we come baby Wiley!" Totally worth a long afternoon in the car!

Betsy, Tony & I all got to hold Wiley on the day of his birth, and then to welcome him home on Friday.  In between, we helped out with Wiley's big brother and sisters.  Betsy had so much fun keeping her cousins entertained!  A backyard with a swing set, several of doll strollers, and a much noisier environment than she's used to was a welcome change.  (Although our quiet house and our little family of 3 feels just right this evening.)  I'm so thankful for the chance to experience a different family environment, to meet my newest nephew,  to cuddle all my nieces and nephews, and to reminisce about Betsy's birth.  Thanks for the exciting week Auntie Rachael & Uncle Nick!  

another year older

2 years old today! 

For the past several days Tony & I have been reminiscing.  We've been thinking, talking and sharing, both with each other and with Betsy.  The past two years have been a wish come true.  I love being Betsy's mom, but watching her grow is often bittersweet; it's going too quickly and I genuinely wish that I could somehow capture every moment.   

This morning, as we headed out on a grand birthday adventure, Betsy stretched upwards and squealed, "reach!"  Tony and I looked at each other and exchanged a knowing glance, before smiling and engaging with Betsy in a familiar game.  

Last summer, when Betsy was 1, we developed a playful routine.  As we'd walk around the neighborhood we'd lift her towards the trees and squeal "reach."  She'd stretch her arms, giggle, and attempt to verbalize with us.  She loved it and so did we!

We haven't played that game, or used the word reach in that manner, since last summer.  This morning, with the verbal ability and playful exchange of a 2-year-old, Betsy resurrected our routine.  What an interesting glimpse at her cognition, language and social abilities. What a profound reminder that she is absorbing, and remembering, everything we do.  

Today, on her 2nd birthday, I've enjoyed watching my little girl engage with the world.  My gift to her was a new baby doll, her wish come true.  Her gift to me included several glimpses of the past two years, my wish come true.  Although it seems impossible to remember every moment, I realized today that, actually, Betsy holds them all.  Sitting back and watching her is really the best, and the only, way to capture every moment.  

Happy birthday, baby!  I can't wait to keep watching you grow.  


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 26, 2011

May 26, 2012

May 26, 2013

 

Summer Race Season!

What have we been up to lately?  A lot!  

Most recently enjoying the nice weather by getting outdoors.  Betsy loves to run, swim (ok, that's still indoors) and bike with Mama and we've been doing one or more almost daily lately.  Of course, we usually run or bike to a playground and back!  

This past week I participated in two races.  Thursday night was the March for College 5K.  Betsy was given the choice of watching with Dada or running with Mama and Karen and she enthusiastically chose to participate in the race.  Her favorite game the past few days has been "run like Mama and Karen" up and down the hallway.  I love it!  

On Saturday, Tony and I got away for a day date.  Betsy spent some time with GG while we participated in The Urban Bike Adventure.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to ride around the city.  Some of the "adventure" components included keeping a ping pong ball in the air for a set distance (I learned Tony was the USC footbal ping pong champ... huh?) and getting lots of random pictures.  My favorite was the see-hear-speak no evil with someone not in the race - we managed to accomplish this task with 3 guys from Spain who had limited English skills.  A close 2nd favorite was the picture of yourself with a guy in a tie - we found a couple taking wedding pictures and got some great photos.  I have a feeling their wedding will be a blast: (1) the weather is perfect (yes, I'm jealous) and (2) they were clearly a lot of fun!     

Here are some pictures from both events: 

Jumping Jacks

Trying to learn jumping jacks!

Stretching before the run

 

 

Off to a good start!

       

I love that Betsy is waving here too

Post Race

Post Race

And now, The Urban Bike Adventure: 

Photo of ourselves going down a slide

Photo of a guy with a tie

Photo of a guy with a tie

Re-enacting Romeo and Juliet at Bartelme Park

Conga line with at least 3 people not in the race

American Gothic at Buckingham Fountain

Speak, See & Hear No Evil.  En Espanol. 

Shot with a school bus

Reflection in Cloud gate

 

Our route, according to google maps

Big Girl!

Betsy will be 2 in less than a month.... How did that happen?  Look at this big girl!  She looks, and acts, more like a preschooler than a toddler these days.  How can this possibly be the same person as the tiny baby on my blog header??

yoga

Due to a too short nap, I was in serious need of some mama-focused time this afternoon.  I had the bright idea to do a yoga workout video, figuring Betsy would either play around me or join in. 

She joined in gladly for any standing poses.  But every time I sat or lied down she started crawling on me and giving me raspberries.... yoga fail but at least it lifted my mood!

And how about this crazy hair!  She usually wears a bow or barrette these days but seemed to think that hair in the face is just the thing for a workout.