behind...

How is it that at 10:37 am on a Monday morning...I am already behind? We were in Iowa for the weekend visiting my parents (my sister and her family as well). We did pretty much nothing, there were no big plans, no parties to attend and really no where to go. So how the heck is it Monday already? The weekend went really fast and I think I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have because I kept thinking that it is the last time I will be back there until after the baby comes. I realize that is only like 3 months away, but we try really hard to visit my parents at least once a month, and it is something I've come to rely on to re-energize me and to help me escape the stress of day-to-day life. I know they are planning to visit here (hopefully) before the baby comes and after of course...but for some reason it is just not the same. There is something about stepping into that house and seeing my parents, sister, and her family, that makes the weight lift off my shoulders. I normally can relax and have fun and feel genuinely happy for the whole time I am there. This past weekend I had fun and was happy, but as I look back on it, it was clouded by the thought of not being able to do it again for a while. The reality of not being in Iowa for Thanksgiving, and probalby not for New Year's is hitting me. That has always been the hardest part of living here for me, missing those family holidays. It doesn't bother me as much as it used to, because we've developed a system that is working for us, that is not to say I don't miss having Christmas with my parents when it is an "Illinois" Christmas, and vice versa with Bob's parents, but its managable. This year however, with the baby's estimated arrival and the fact that Brianna was born 4 weeks early, I don't want to chance driving to Iowa for Thanksgiving and that throwing me into early labor. So, we have no Iowa holidays this year. I'm bummed, more bummed than I should be I think. We have been wonderfully blessed this year, but it has also been a very stressful year, so I think the holiday thing has just pushed me over the edge. I guess I just have a serious case of the Monday's today.

Anyway, onto other things...I am behind posting my 26 week belly picture, and I have some cute pictures from this weekend of Braden & Brianna playing Wii.

I'm off to shake off this mood, (well probably not...I am at work :)) But I guess I should get some work done, I guess that's what they pay me for. I'll post pictures soon!

Happy Birthday Abbie! I promise you 27 isn't so bad. :)

monday is kicking my butt...

This morning did not start out well at all. We're talking major melt-down, tantrum throwing, screaming, horrible kind of morning. This was the kind of morning that makes me want to break down and cry or run away (I usually choose the former, people sort of frown upon running away from your 3 year old). OK...so I would never really run away, but I've been on edge about alot of things lately, and I guess it just came to a head this morning with the horrible tantrum over nothing. I was mad at myself for losing my patience and yelling, but it is really hard to remain calm when wrestling a 3 year old into clothes when you are already running late. She has been slightly difficult lately, she says she "wants to listen" to us, but then throws a fit when we ask her to do the smallest thing. I'm sure it is just a product of her age and trying to see what she can get away with, but it is getting on my very last nerve. We had a (mostly) great weekend, playing puzzles and building with blocks, watching the rain, so I hate that today started this way. I know what a wonderful, charming, intelligent, kind, silly little girl she can be, that is why I get so frustrated when she acts like a demon child. It is a good thing I have things like this to make me forget about the bad stuff, and only remember that wonderful, charming, intelligent, kind, silly little girl. How can you not fall in love with that face over and over again? Today has been a challenge, but tomorrow will be better.

summer round up...

Well, it has been a little while since I've posted. So here is the short and sweet version of what we've been up to. We headed to the zoo a few weeks ago with some friends from college and their two boys. The boys are about Brianna's age and the kids had a blast together running around and looking at animals. It was pretty hot the day we went...so most of the animals weren't very active, but it was still fun to see them all. It has been a long time since I've been at a zoo, and we've never taken Brianna to one, so it was a fun experience for all of us. Then, Bob had his Club Championship at Crystal Woods on Sunday and Monday (Labor Day). He didn't play as well as he would have liked, and in in the end he ended up in third place. His dad won for the 16th time! Here is a picture of him with all 16 of his trophies.

Brianna and I then made a trip to visit some friends while Bob was having a weekend golf outing with some of his friends in WI. Brianna had a great time playing with Lily and Ella, and I had a wonderful time talking to Holly! Holly took some pictures of Brianna and I together, here is one of my favorites, check the rest of them out at Lily Bella Photography! This weekend has been interesting for us. One, we're actually at home, and two, in the last two days more rain has fallen in the last two days in this area than in Chicagoland history. We've experienced flooding, our street and the streets leading to ours are actually closed, my car has been parked on the closest "non-closed" street since last night. There is no way that Bob would actually make it out of our street in his car...it is ridiculous! Our neighbors were actually paddling boats in the street yesterday. (its not really that deep...people were just trying to "enjoy" the water I guess). Thankfully, no water has come into our house, it has stayed on the street and our lawn.

Brianna had her first playdate today (my baby is growing up!) and had a ton of fun playing with 2 of her friends from school. That pretty much sums up the excitement around here. I'm in the process of uploading pictures for the last few weeks, so check them out when you get a chance. I'll try to post more soon, things have just been crazy with work and us being gone, we've only got a few more things planned before we spend some time at home, waiting for baby to arrive! It is going to be here before we know it, and Brianna for one can't wait! :) Hope you are all well and thanks for checking in on us!