Best Friends

The other night I got to hang out with one of my best friends in the whole wide world. Ruth has been in England for a little over a year where her husband, Marcos, was doing a masters program in International Politics at the University of Manchester. I've missed her terribly and was so excited to see her again. I don't think Shaun and I have ever met a couple with whom we got along so well. You know, sometimes the wives get along and the husbands don't or vice versa or maybe the wives get along with the wives and the husbands get along with the husbands, but one husband bugs the other wife or something like that. Ruth and Marcos, you're the greatest and we're so glad that you're back in the States!

Cael's First Christmas

We had such a fun Christmas this year and really enjoyed spending time with our fun family! Brandon and Janae came to visit with their kids for a few days and we had a blast! We miss them lots and can't believe how big they're getting. Chelsea's Baby Ayden also enjoyed opening his presents and is the funniest little kiddo I've ever met. Here are some pics of our Christmas morning - I only wish I had a picture of Ayden playing with his new toy vacuum!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas . . .

So, I've finally started feeling like Christmas is coming. I've been so busy feeding baby and trying to catch a few Zs every chance I get that Christmas has really snuck up on me. This weekend, however, the snow and the fact that I started doing some Christmas-y things have me really feeling the Christmas spirit. Yesterday Shaun and I took care of some Christmas shopping and then I went to see the Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre with my sister and some friends. It was so much fun! Then this morning Shaun and I went downtown again to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. The weather and streets were crazy and I almost wondered if we'd make it. That being said--it was totally worth all the effort! We thoroughly enjoyed the concert and the chance to get away for a few minutes. And finally, this evening Shaun and I set up our Christmas tree. There's glitter all over the front room, but I'm really enjoying the warm glow of the lights as I sit here typing this. The new Cranberry Spice Scentsy we've got going isn't hurting things either. Merry, merry everyone!

More Photos of Baby Cael

For all of you who have been asking for more pictures . . . .






P.S. Cael has started smiling--what a cutie!

Baby Cael

Finally, I've found a few minutes to post about our family's new addition--Baby Cael. He's a sweetheart and just about the cutest little baby I've ever seen (but then again, I might be a little biased)! Cael was born on November 6, 2008 at 5:10 a.m. and weighed in at 7 lbs. 9.5 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. He's been a very hungry kid from the very first moment and I think he'd eat 24/7 if I could accommodate him. :0) We're working on figuring out the difference between day and night, but we still love him even when he's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 3:30 a.m.

Here are some pictures for those of you who have been asking for them.

Three Weeks in the Windy City

So, I've finally returned from a long three weeks in the Windy City. I did come home one weekend and Shaun was able to join me for another weekend in Chicago, but it felt like I'd been gone for forever. It's funny the things you start to miss about home--my pillow, eating a snack before bedtime, chocolate milk. You expect to miss some things, but others sort of take you by surprise. Anyway, it's good to be home.

Shaun and I had a great time when he came out to visit. He had to keep himself entertained for the first day and a half that he was there because work was a little hectic, but I think he survived. His first night in Chicago found him at the ESPN Zone, sitting in a recliner in front of a huge wall of televisions, alternating between watching the Olympics, the Cubs game and some sort of a slam dunk competition. The next day Shaun visited the "Space Museum," as he calls it (otherwise known as the Adler Planetarium). That evening we enjoyed some delicious Indian food and on Saturday we took in the Chicago Air and Water Show and the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was completely crazy in Chicago that weekend--who knew the Air and Water Show is so popular? On Sunday we visited the Art Institute and just wandered down Michigan Avenue a bit before enjoying a yummy steak dinner and some particularly incredible white chocolate raspberry gelato at Harry Caray's. It was a great (although short) trip!

Shaun in Lincoln Park

Shaun and I taking a picture of our reflection in Cloud Gate (otherwise known as "the Bean")

Wishing I Were an Interior Decorator . . .

So I'm getting ready to decorate my nursery and am trying to decide what bedding to choose. Just ask my cute sister-in-law and she'll tell you that I have a difficult time making any sort of a decorating decision without help. So tonight I'm hoping all of you with an opinion will chime in and let me know what you think of these options. Ironically enough, one has circles and the other has squares. Thanks all for your help!