Race Day Weekend

As always, we traveled to Indy for 500 weekend, but this year, we did not attend the race. It was a bit different staying at home, but more relaxing and low-key (and I still got my fried chicken, don't worry!). By the end of the weekend, we did agree that we missed the hub-bub and would have to get a babysitter next year so that we could go again!

I LOVE my Aunt Kensi!!!!

On Thursday before we left, we had Jack's 15 month appt. He did great and Dr. Papacek said that he is right on track. He is now 26 lbs (50-75 percentile) and 33" long (> 95%) and got 1 shot. We decided to postpone the MMR shot until 18 months as that is what both of our guts were telling us to do. There is so much controversy surrounding the MMR shot...I personally have gone back and forth about it several times, but decided to play it safe and feel good about our decision.

I had the chance to visit with my friends Darra and Kylie from high school when we were home and their kids; it was so much fun to see them both as fun and easy-going Mommas! Great to catch up and start back up where we left our friendships; it proves that instant bond that women have with each other. I have to apologize again to Darra for Jack tackling her 9 month old son Justin the entire time - I swear that he is normally a very sweet boy!!

We pretty much just hung out all weekend. Scott got some golf in and went to the track on Sunday to "play" in the infield with his NC friends...had a great time. Jack and I hung out with Pappaw, Nana and Aunt Kensi and celebrated her 10th Birthday - I cannot believe it! I remember when she was just Jack's age and she would fall asleep on my chest. She had a Hannah Montana cake and is getting her ears pierced - so exciting!




First Kayak ride w/ Pappaw

Enjoy the pics from the weekend - Jack was a water junkie as always and enjoyed his new pool at Pappaw's house. If he would have had it his way, he would have jumped right in the lake, but he did get to go on a kayak ride and fish for the first time (no, he did not catch anything...)!

Thanks Dad, Ellen and Kensi for great fun, yummy food, and for helping to watch our little monkey!!

Jack's New Corral

Since I have been off work, Scott and I have been getting an amazing amount of projects done around the house. The latest was Scott and his dad built a gate on our deck to keep Jack corraled in. We are on the 2nd floor and if I need to run in for something or if he is just playing and wants to go out there, we wanted him to be safe and feel that he can roam free. We are just hoping that he does not figure out how to open the latch...

They did a great job! We also set up Jack's new water/sand table and he is loving life. It gives us a chance to enjoy time outside with him...I guess this is the extent of his outdoor life while we live in the city - poor kid, but we are excited to spend a lot of time out there this summer. As you can see from the picture, he really just likes to pour the sand out of the table and onto the floor...looks like I will be cleaning up the downstairs neighbor's deck every week!

Happy Summer!

Update...

Mother's Day 2009

Just a little update; I really haven't had much to post, but we are moving right along!

My job search - I have really enjoyed the last 3 weeks off and have gotten a lot done around the house! It is spic and span and Scott has really enjoyed the fancy home-cooked meals every night; he actually commented that my not working has de-stressed him! I have had some very good networking meetings and have been so excited with the help that I received from my great clients - they are all helping me stay connected in the A&E industry and I feel so grateful. I am also exploring doing some business development/marketing consulting work for a couple of firms which would be great for a flexible schedule. I received a phone call yesterday from a wonderful architecture firm about a bd/marketing opportunity, so we will see where that goes as well - cross your fingers!

The decision that I am really struggling with is the fact that we are probably going to pull Jack out of his school at the end of May if nothing is on my immediate job radar...it is very expensive and I also would like for him to be home with me if I will be here. But, he REALLY enjoys it and is starting to really connect with some of the other kids (his BFF Sebastian) and teachers (I think his fave teacher, Miss Zenita might quit if he leaves!) and is doing really well. He is almost ready to move up to the Toddler Class and he has just learned so much; that is really the only thing that I am sad about during this entire ordeal! We will see what we decide, but it looks like it might be Momma School for the next month! I am going to really try to stick to their format/schedule in order to keep him on track. I made a trip to Joann Fabrics the other day to bulk up on art supplies and am getting our deck ready for some outdoor activites with the water/sand table, craft projects, and picnics.

My Mother's Day was fabulous - Scott made me a great breakfast and Jack was great all day. I received a year's worth of manis/pedis, too - what a great way to relax! We spent the day with Scott's Mom and had a great time being outside. Scott's mom is a child development specialist, so I always learn a ton after being with her about where Jack should be and different ideas of things to do with him - I have an entire curriculum for our summer school if we are home together!

Chef Scott


Chef Scott made me yummy Bananas Foster French Toast


Jack's gift to Gma Walti - he made a stone for her garden

This weekend we are home and next weekend we are off to Indy for the 500 and my little sister Kensi's 10th birthday! Looking forward to fun times with family and Jack always loves to go on the boat at my dad's lake and I'm sure he will try to jump in.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I love all of my Moms, my dear, dear Grandma, and my wonderful sisters-in-law so very much!! I feel so blessed to have so many strong women around me for support, advice, and that love my son. I have leaned on you all so much during Jack's first year - Thank you for always being there for me!! Mom, I love our Monday night talks so much! My personal Jenny McCarthy's!

I got to sleep in this morning while Scott took Jack for a walk; Jack is now taking a little power-nap and Scott is making me yummy Bananas Foster French Toast! We are headed up to Lville to spend the day with his Mom - my Mom is in Jamaica...lucky her!

First Cubs Game

Last Friday, Jack and I joined our friend Amy and her 14 month old son, Colin for his first Cubbies game!

It was a rainy morning, but the sun came out and the boys made it through 5 innings (we left right before Theriot hit a grand slam!) and did a great job! Jack enjoyed watching all of the people and loved to clap.

We even picked up a new ballcap on the way out - it was a fun day!

Work, Schmurk...

We have been busy the past 2 weeks - how did I ever find time to work? :-)

First, Jack and I traveled to Anderson to visit with my Mom (Grammy) and Dale (Gpa B) and my grandparents were home from Florida! Jack had a blast spending a lot of time outside and getting into everything...it is always fun for him to show off his tricks and explore a new house (with new chairs to climb, pictures to throw and things to spill...sorry about your new carpet, Mom!). The highlight of the weekend was the beginning of the trip - Jack decided to get sick as I pulled onto I-65 which was a fun little surprise for Mommy to deal with by herself - imagine pulling over with cars buzzing past at 80mph, scooping puke out of the seat while holding a screaming child - SO FUN.

With G-Gma & G-Gpa Cowden

The weekend after that, all 3 of us went to Indy for our neice Lily and nephew Sam's 4th and 1st birthdays. We stayed with Pappaw, Nana and Aunt Kensi and it was 80 degrees all weekend, so again, a lot of time was spent outside; this time in the baby pool! Jack LOVES, I mean LOVES, the water and it was hard to pull him out of it. I realized that I realistically could have only packed him one outfit because he was either in a diaper or naked the entire 2 days!

Practicing his skills w/ Daddy

Lily obviously didn't like the dress that we got her? :-)

Post birthday cake...

The troops (- Sam) enjoying the weekend's entertainment

My little guppy

It has been BEAUTIFUL in Chicago! We have been taking a lot of walks around the neighborhood and going to the park. Jack has discovered a new love of the slide and it has been really fun to watch him be able to climb on the equipment and run around- he is such a big boy!

All in all, it has been a wonderful couple of weeks for me to decompress and spend some QT with my guys. I feel very fortunate to have a fantastic, supportive, and loving husband who is giving me time to figure out what I truly want to do and making it work - he is benefiting some, though - I have been a little Rachael Ray and am fearing that I am going to gain back my baby weight! This week I am actually working on my resume and have meetings set up for potential opportunities...we'll see where they head, but I am still very excited about our future!

The last 2 weeks

Apologies for no new posts in the last 2 weeks, but we still have not purchased a new laptop - that is happening tomorrow - YAY! I feel like I have been lost from the world with out a computer, but Thank God for Blackberrys!

I have pretty much been taking it easy, cleaning, cooking (I am becoming quite the frugal Home Ec Major!) and hanging out with my little man. We have kept him home from school the past 2 days, Just In Case, with this Swine Flu outbreak - apparently there are 51 probable cases in Chicago.

We traveled to Indy last weekend and are staying at home this weekend- Scott took the day off today and both of my boys are currently passed out on the couch, as Jack and I just got back from HIS FIRST CUBS GAME and is tuckered out.

All in all, it has been a nice 2 weeks to decompress - I have several meetings set up for next week with former clients to hopefully talk about possible Business Development roles at their firms and I am going to finally work on my resume...it is pretty funny that I have been in the recruiting industry for the past 6 years, yet have no idea how to put my job on paper?!

More updates tomorrow after I secure my new laptop - and pictures of the little monster, who is currently into CLIMBING on EVERYTHING and does not care if anyone is watching...