Chicago Part 2

The second part of my training took place the week before Thanksgiving.  Justin and I were fortunate to have my parents come up and stay with the boys for a few days, so Justin and I were able to have a long weekend alone!

I took advantage of the few hours between my class and Justin's arrival to wander around and stumbled upon the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bloomingdale's and ended up surrounded by ballet dancers!

When Justin arrived we RUSHED to catch the last 13 minutes of the Blackhawks hockey game.
The score was 1-0 when we arrived and 4-2 when it ended.  I think they were just waiting for us to arrive to have the action start!  Haha.

Friday we walked all over the Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile just window shopping and snacking.  We couldn't have timed it better for our weekend in Chicago - it was the weekend the city lights up for the holidays!  There were tree lighting ceremonies and special treats everywhere we went. 

I just loved this church. 

That evening we saw Hamilton (LOVED IT) and indulged in all the treats the Waldorf had for us.

Saturday was Wrigleyville.
Again, we couldn't have planned it better if we had tried.  It was the weekend the Christkindlmarket opened!
AND THEY HAD A SKATING RINK!

FYI - one of my bucket list items is go Ice Skating.

I was in seventh heaven and felt like I was in my own Hallmark movie.  Pure Bliss.

We ended our trip at the Signature Room at the 95th.

Again, timing couldn't have been better - the Light Festival Parade started right after we were seated!  We could see all of the lights and the firework show during our (extremely delicious) dinner.

Our Chicago trip tops my list of best vacations ever.   I hope I get to go back soon.

Father's Day Recap

We had a relaxed weekend celebrating our #1 guy

We enjoyed the weather, went on walks, bike rides, and played in the backyard.  Which is exactly what Justin wanted.

The boys gifted him a print of Wrigley Stadium (Go Cubbies!) and I'm taking him to get it framed this week.

We love you Justin.
To the moon and back.

Adios January

Woof.

January kicked our butts.

AGAIN.

How did my favorite month of the year turn into a sick fest?  TWICE?!

This year we were hit with RSV, sinus infection, ear infection, stomach bug, and colds.
I am SO happy we are in February and those crummy 31 days are over.

I've lysol-ed every surface, bleached the toys, washed anything that will fit in the washing machine, and I have been running our air purifiers on full blast 24/7.
Spring, please come soon.

I did have a wonderful birthday (even though it did end with a stomach bug in our house.  For the third time!)  Dinner with my girls and a whole day to myself for some pampering.  #welldeserved

And thank you!  For all of the love on our anniversary.
6 whole years.
I love him.

5 Years

Justin,

After 7 years together, 5 of those married, I still can't believe that our adventures are only starting!  I can't wait to see what is in store for us in the future.  I love you. 

I love him :)

Our wedding!  Yes, it was in a Courthouse (it's both our second marriage)

Vow renewal

He's my happy.

Our 5 year wine bottle will have to wait a few months.  We can't wait to celebrate 5 years AND two babies this May!!

A Quick Getaway

 My main guy and I took a weekend to spend just being us.

I find it interesting how parents find themselves so focused on their parental role that they forget to focus on their spousal role.

It was so nice (and so very odd) to spend a few hours driving north just talking (without a sweet voice in the back pitching in).

I took quite a few photos.....that I think only ended up on snapchat?  Oh well.  Our cabin was ADORABLE.

When we visited this summer, we chatted with the owners of a children's boutique on the main street.  Not only do they have the cutest items but they are the sweetest people ever!  They recommended Bridge Street Cottages for a stay the next time we came to town.

I am SO glad they did!  We loved it.  I'm already trying to figure out how to get back :)

We stayed in a deluxe river cottage and we both wished we had more time there.  It was the perfect setting and perfect time of year to visit.

View from the bedroom

Packed up and ready to go.

If you are even in Bigfork, MT, I recommend you take a night and stay here.

I'm so lucky he's my guy.

Father's Day

“Where there is love, there is life.”

Mahatma Gandi

“It's an ongoing joy being a dad."

 Liam Neeson

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me."

Jim Valvano

"The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family."
Reed Markham

Happy Birthday!

In all the time we've been together, we have yet to spend his actually birthday together!  Haha.

Happy Birthday today to the best man I know.

You're a rockstar daddy.

Hands down the best husband.

And the love of my life.

Cheer's to many more more years.

 

And next year, let's spend your birthday DAY together ;)

 

Update on Us

First and foremost - Thank you all for your sweet words and prayers.

We are doing well.

Justin and I are a great team.  Since we had walked through a miscarriage before, the road wasn't too unfamiliar.  However, the diagnosis of a tumor was a bit harder to process.

I am so grateful to have such a solid rock to lean on when I need the support.  Justin and I talk a lot so we were able to discuss what we were feeling and thinking at each turn.  Knowing that we walk through life holding hands, it makes each challenge seem less like a mountain and more like a mole hill.

I was mostly terrified of general anesthesia.  I've never had surgery and my only hospital visit was when I had #wiggydiggy.

While my procedure was a common one (D&C) my risks were uncommon.  Molar Pregnancy risks are hemorrhage which leads to an emergency hysterectomy.

Thankfully the surgery went better than expected and my follow-up has been just a miracle upon miracle.  We have no idea what path we will be headed down next, but we are excited to do so holding hands.

And because my husband knows me so well - he asked me to take a photo the night before my surgery.  Here we are in all our make-up free, pajama wearing, wrinkled pillow glory.