Packing, Packing

Not much to report on this weekend. We mostly wrapped up loose ends around the house and prepared for our trip. We leave Wed. for Cancun, Mexico! This is the first major vacation we've taken Claire on, so we've been downloading books and fun apps to the iPad, purchasing snacks and deciding how many baby dolls to let her bring. I think she'll really enjoy, it and so will we.

Here are last weeks belly shots. We tried some fun lighting and cropped them without my head. I think they're pretty fun. 28 weeks already!

Mondo Weekend

The fall weather has been fantastic here, a little more like summer if you ask me, but I am not complaining. Claire has been her usual lovely, busy self and we are trying to keep up.

We met a friend for breakfast and a trip to a park Saturday morning. The girls hugged and giggled while they ate and had a great time swinging, sliding and pushing toy trucks at the park. It was a gorgeous morning to be outside.




Lucian, Spencer and Papa Dave headed out to a Mexican wrestling/burlesque show on Sat. evening called Mondo Lucha. A co-worker and friend of Lucian's puts it on annually. It's at a really great venue and Lucian was very excited to have complete access for photography. Here are a few shots that he took. It was a great boys night out, from what I hear, while us ladies gathered at Nana Kathleen's to watch Bridesmaids.

Bump Photos

We've started documenting my belly in photos once a week at Lucian's office. He helped set up the studio there and has access to some great equipment. Here is what we have so far. I feel fortunate to have such great shots this time around.

25 weeks

26 weeks

27 weeks

Pumpkin Farm Fun

It's become an annual tradition to meet a few of my University of Dayton friends at a pumpkin farm in the Chicago suburbs. This year we happened to choose my birthday as the date. The weather was great and I loved catching up with the girls and their expanding families. And, this year, the three of us are all pregnant!

Claire had a blast climbing on all of the play areas

She got to ride a pony

We measured her height. She is in fact 3ft., but this photo of her skipping away from the sign was too cute.

Claire and the mommies

Claire loved this tunnel and spent quite a bit of time running laps through and around it

We learned it's rather difficult to get three 2-year olds to pose for a picture

But we had fun trying

It was a perfect way to spend my birthday. We also stopped in at Ikea on the way home.

Apple Time

Last weekend Claire and I took a trip to Rockford to visit with Nana Barb and Papa Joe. They have 2 dogs, that Claire is very fond of. When I told her we were going there, she immediately said; "Papa. Doggies." So far on every trip there, we've gone for a walk or two with Papa and the doggies. This trip was no different.

The highlight of the weekend was an outing to Edward's Apple Orchard, where I picked apples as a kid and enjoyed their freshly made apple cider doughnuts. I did a little research online and discovered they now have ponies, hayrides, a petting zoo and a big play area that I was looking forward to exploring with Claire.

Our first stop was the pony ride. Claire's first. She was rather quiet while riding, but really seemed to enjoy it. She was eager to tell her dad all about it when we got home.

Hanging with Papa

We also visited the small petting zoo and then lunched there before purchasing some apples and doughnuts for the ride back. The weather held out and we enjoyed our fall activities.

Lucian and Spencer attended a Wisconsin Badger football game on Saturday. Lucian planned the trip to expose Spencer to the University of Wisconsin and hopefully peak his interest. They toured the campus a little and stayed after the game for the famous "5th quarter." I'm sure this will be the first of many campus visits as he narrows down his college choices.

Out on the Town

Claire's 2-year wellness check-up was last week. She is doing very well, aside from still not eating vegetables. Here are her stats:
Weight: 30 lbs. 6 oz. (90%)
Height: 36" (95%)
Head circumference: 50.5" (95%)

We invited my parents up for a marathon baby-sitting adventure this week. Lucian and I had an advertising event to attend Thursday night, so they watched her while we attended our local industry's awards show and cocktail reception. Our daycare was closed on Friday, so Claire spent the day with Nana and Papa at our house. They went to the park and took walks. Claire said she had a good time.


Sat. evening, Lucian and I had 2 parties to attend. The first was an Oktoberfest party where we got to see our cousins that recently moved to Denver. After that we hung out with advertising people again at a hair cutting party. Yes that right. A friend of ours was bet that he could not cut his hair for 6 months straight, ending with his birthday this weekend. He made it and we shaved his head at a celebratory party. Why not, right?


We are looking forward to a trip to Cancun, Mexico in Oct. for my sister's wedding. After 2 trips to Kinko's for Claire's passport photo and trips to 2 post offices to drop the dang thing off, it arrived in the mail this week. It made me realize how close the trip is getting. We can't wait. Mexico, here we come!
And a random note, Claire used her potty this morning and tonight! While changing her diaper first thing this morning she asked to go and sit on it and really went. That is a first at our house, although she has done it at daycare and Nana's. Then tonight before her bath she asked again and succeeded. I hope it's a trend, but we are staying level headed. She'll let us know when she's ready.

Claire is 2!

I feel like I have been saying Claire is "almost 2" for ages now. Most non-parents or strangers don't want to hear "she's 22 months," even though I still keep track of it that way. Claire's spoken and acted like a 2-year old, to me, for quite some time. So, in my head, that is what she has been. But now it's official. My baby girl is 2. And she can even tell you herself. My how time flies.

We had family over to celebrate on Saturday with a late afternoon meal and birthday cake of course. It was so fun this year to watch Claire understand some of the things that go along with birthdays. She was very excited to have everyone sing to her and blow out her candles. And since she is a lover of desserts, especially chocolate, the cake was a very big deal as well.

She got a few samples ahead of time

The weather could not have been better. The kids played outside and we all hung out on the deck.

Claire did well opening gifts. She was very happy about some Elmo pajamas, her very favorite character at the moment.

She also received an American Girl doll that was a big hit.