Build-A-Bear

For Valerie's birthday this year, we chose to do it out of the house for the obvious reasons of cleaning, food prep,etc. with a newborn. We also have touch up painting to do among other things and aren't quite ready to entertain. Valerie chose Build-A-Bear for her birthday, and I couldn't have been happier with the results. At first I thought, "That's crazy expensive".. but then realized I was only paying $10-15 (we set the limit at $15.. so you decide how expensive of a bear they can choose from and the party lady gives them the choices) for each kid plus a .75 cent cup of ice cream and homemade cupcakes at the food court. Easy day!! I think I'd have spent twice that, atleast.. on a meal, decor, games, goodie bags,etc. at home. This way every kid got a super awesome gift for coming too and with little kids (like Ellie.. lol), it's sometimes hard to have all the glory go to the birthday kid!! Three of the guys Derrick works with have 2-3 year old little girls and our new neighbors came as well.

At any rate here are a few pictures of the party. We had a great time! A special thanks to my Mom who stayed and helped with the kids, especially Maddie. My parents so wonderfully kept Val and Ellie for us for a couple days beforehand to let me catch up on housework and rest and drove them back up here Wed morning!

Valerie was originally going to have a butterfly party here at the house. Since we had to bail on that, I atleast kept her invites and 'cake' in a butterfly theme. These cupcakes looked *gorgeous* in person but unfortunately the one picture that was snapped for me before they got handed out.. was over exposed and blah. Atleast you get the idea. The butterflies were piped onto wax paper with chocolate and colored candy melts and let dry.. it's easier than it looks. I can't take credit for this idea - I followed the instructions on Annie's Eats food blog! She's fantastic! http://annies-eats.com/2009/05/26/butterfly-cupcakes/

Valerie Grace turns four..!!

Wednesday was Valerie's fourth birthday! I just ran out of time and didn't get to post this, but figured better late than never, right? It is so hard for me to fathom that I have been a parent for four years. I honestly remember the details of that pregnancy and birth so clearly, I suppose because it was my first. It seems at times like so long ago and at other times I can picture Valerie crawling up to me making that squealing noise she used to make around 8 months old. ;) Valerie had a great little birthday at Build-A-Bear with some new friends and Grandma Deb could so graciously stay to help! I will post pics of that later, need to edit. As a tribute to our birthday girl- "Here's your Life!" :) We love you!

Morton Aboretum

I am trying to catch up on posts, so expect a couple coming soon!

Last Saturday we had planned to do something fun with my parents, trying to meet in the middle somewhere. Chicago is halfway, so often times it's hard to find things that don't involve parking downtown (and spending a whole ton of $). My mom suggested the arboretum this time and it was fantastic!! While a little pricey, I thikn it's worth it once or twice a year (more if you live closer.. you can buy an annual pass) because the children's gardens and play areas are absolutely fantastic. They are spread out and we spent the entire day in this one area, which was about a tenth the size of the entire arboretum. There are hiking trails, and just acres and acres of beautiful land.

Lake Co. Fair

Friday we took the girls to the county fair. They had a blast.. we ate corn dogs, elephant ears, saw the animals, played games.. and some of us enjoyed rides. some of us didn't. ;) Apparently our dare devil child is afraid of kiddie rides. Who knew? After this attempt (she was sobbing the entire ride.. but didn't start crying until AFTER it started, I promise) we put her on another one that she insisted on riding and was hysterical.. they had to turn it off and get her off of it. geeze. She would ride the big rides, just as long as Daddy was with her. And yes, it had to be Daddy. Valerie was the opposite. She wanted to ride everything herself, including the big ferris wheel. She's *almost* 4, you know. lol D said she was taking his arm off her the whole time on the ride telling him that she didn't need him to hold her. :) That's my girl!

They are the top

It's Monday already?

How are you all doing? I got quite a lot of feedback after my last post so I thought I'd update. Some thought I was losing my mind and some thought I was just telling it like it is with a newborn, something that we sometimes don't do for some reason. I'm not sure if we just don't want to scare new mothers, are in denial, or if we think we're the only ones who feel so frazzled after having a baby. Some how our society paints this picture of bringing home a little bundle of joy with the cute little clothes and everyone doting over the precious newborn, sleeping peacefully. Sometimes it is like that. Some days it's not. I think it's okay. Some days it's hard to take a shower. If you do you just have to deal with kids coming in and opening the door to tell you that their sister won't share a toy, or the baby sits in the bouncy seat in the bathroom with you screaming because you just couldn't shower quick enough. Anyway that is life these days.. but I am still genuinely blessed by this girls and hard working husband!!

It is so hard for me to believe that Madeline is one month old already (3oth). She is currently going through another growth spurt which has her up and fussy a lot more than normal, but she is the sweetest thing. I am starting to see tiny smiles once and awhile and she will open her mouth as if she wants to talk to me, sometimes letting out a sound. This is such an exciting time to have a baby as you see them truly blossom into their personalities and start to form those connections with the people around them. I am loving that!!

My parents thankfully took the girls Sun-.. probably tomorrow.. and so I am getting the house put back together, although admittedly, mostly holding a fussy baby. Ahh well :) Atleast we got to enjoy some quiet time together! I will post in a sep post some pics from our trip to the fair Friday and the Morton Arboretum on Saturday. Here are a couple pictures taken last week. We took some photos at the forest preserve around the corner for Maddie's birth announcement.. but here are just a couple out takes (below Madeline's obviously).