Wedding Weekend

My trip to Florida was quick, but so much fun! The weather was perfect (although it was even better in Chicago, I hear), the wedding was beautiful, and the reception was a blast! I realize that as our wedding invites start to dwindle, what I'll miss most about summer weddings is the dancing. I love a good dance party and I made the most of this one!

Of course, amidst all my fun, I really missed my best girl. I was only gone a little over 48 hours and we Skyped three times. Mark also dutifully sent several pictures my way throughout the weekend. But, I still found myself running like a crazy woman from the blue line stop to the condo on Sunday. My suitcase was practically airborne behind me. Lainey did not disappoint with her greeting. As soon as she saw me walk through the door, her face burst into a smile and she made a beeline on her little hands and knees right into my arms. About 10 minutes later, I tried to walk away to get a glass of water. I took one step and a chubby little hand shot out and grabbed my jean leg to pull me back. Mark was kind enough to bring the water to me, so I could stay glued right next to the peanut. It was the best homecoming ever!!!

Florida, Here I Come!!!

My dear friend Matt is getting married this Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. And I'm going to be there! I have a new dress, a new "mom" swimsuit (i.e., a one piece), and a party-til-I-drop attitude! Of course, it's quite plausible that "til-I-drop" will be 11pm.

I've leaving my two great loves, Lainey and Mark, back in Chi-town to have their own party. Lainey has been quite the handful lately, so lucky for Mark reinforcements are making the trip over from Moline (aka Grandpa and Grandma Brandi).

As excited as I am to have a few days of fun all to myself, I know I'm going to miss the Laineybug like crazy (oh yeah...Mark too). I've already scheduled Skype dates...thank goodness I got an iphone!

Stayed tuned to hear how the party goes down (and to find out if I manage to stay awake past midnight)!

My "mom-suit"...pretty cute for a one-piece! 

Thanks Old Navy!

Higher, Higher!!!

Spring made an appearance in Chicago this weekend, and we pounced on the opportunity to take Lainey to the park. We were super excited to put her in the swing. I had images of a giggly, happy baby swaying to and fro as the sunlight bounced off her blonde fuzz. What I got was a furrowed brow and a distant look of utter boredom.

That is until Mark took over the pushing duties. Evidently, daddy is more fun than mommy. Or more logically, (because CLEARLY I am the most fun ever) I was just too conservative with the pushing, while Mark had no problem grabbing onto her little ankles and letting her fly. Once she was allowed to catch a little more air, her face lit up and we got the photo and video ops we were hoping to capture!

Fun with Daddy

Mark found a way to amuse Lainey while I was a my friend Kristen's baby shower today...

Rub-a-dub-dub!

I think Elaine took her last bath in the baby tub last night. Our rapidly growing girl doesn't have much space anymore and I can't manuever around to get all her its and bits...girlfriend has more rolls than a bakery, so I need some wiggle room to get in all those glorious folds (my favorites are the creases on her thighs that seem to go as deep as her femur)! This picture is from a month ago and she's put on more poundage since then (note the cotton balls to try to keep ear infections at bay--no need for those anymore!) .

Of course, this situation is problematic, because we have  a deep jacuzzi-style tub that isn't exactly ideal for bathing baby. I hate this tub. When we bought the condo I was so excited and imagined lots of relaxing, candle lit bubble baths...until discovered that this type of bath doesn't drain well and is a giant pain to clean. We did just list the condo for sale again...maybe that right buyer is just waiting to pounce and this will be a short-lived problem!

In any case, good tub or bad, I'm a little misty-eyed that she's getting so big and has outgrown yet another item from her infancy. Everytime I have to pack away another round of clothes I tear up!


Rubber Ducky's getting a bigger pond to swim in!



8 Months Old and on the Move!

Lainey turned 8 months old today! There's been lots of excitement since my last post. Lainey bounced back from her tubes procedure easily and two days later took her first fledgling crawls while we were celebrating her cousin Jacob's 11th birthday. The next morning, she successfully pulled herself into a standing position (although she did have a headstart, because she was sitting on Mark's leg). She's still not moving full steam ahead, but she can make her way across the room pretty quickly and tonight she pulled herself up in her crib (time to lower the mattress). Looks like we need to start thinking about some baby proofing around this joint!

Enjoy some pictures and video from Elaine eighth month of life! Lainey's Eighth Month

So proud!

Tubular!!!

Lainey had her tubes put in this morning. All went perfectly as it should. She did great without food this morning and had fun playing around on the hospital bed.

She was pretty out of sorts after, but is now sleeping peacefully. Let's hope this marks the end of the ear infections!

Here's a pre-op picture of Lainey in her hospital gown. She loved all the extra fabric! She also loved chewing on her little ankle tag. If there is a tag, she'll find a way to chew on it.