Will's big weekend!

Over Memorial Day weekend we all traveled to my parents house in Connecticut for Will's Big Day/Weekend. It was a big weekend for many reasons - first swim, got to play with his cousin James, went on a swing, got to wear some new rompers :) but most important we had Will's Baptism at St. Bernard's Church where I made my confirmation. It was an awesome weekend filled with lots of fun and great pictures!!

**First Swim in the Pool - Well not really the pool, we took him in the hot tub and heated it to about 98 degrees. He loves the bath so I wasn't to surprised when he loved the hot tub. I don't know what was more fun putting on the adorable bathing suit Auntie Kelly got him or seeing him smile as he splashed in the water! I think there will be a kiddy pool in our future on our deck - just cause we live in the city doesn't mean we can't have a pool right!

Rocking his new swim trunks! They went down to his ankles but were so cute.

Swimming with Daddy in the hot tub. Love those chubby little arms.

Loving the water!

Hey who is that kid in the ducky? Oh that's cousin James!! Goof ball :)

**Playing with Cousin James - It was so fun to be home with Em, Nick and Jamesy boy for a long weekend. James is such a busy little guy now that he is walking all over - the poor kid nearly played himself to exhaustion every day! Will loved to watch James move all over the house and yard. James was great with his cousin Will - he was very curious at first who this other baby was and proceeded to climb on my lap and give me "kisses" - but after a while he got less jealous and was very gentle with Will. :) I can't wait to watch them grow up together and be best of friends!!

"Umm who is that baby and what is he doing playing with my Uncle Jason?"

Jamesy eating up everything in sight!

Will wanted a turn. He was a little small but he loved to sit up right like a big kid. We have to keep telling him he is still just a baby

Best friends forever! Will 4 months, James 14 months

New swing set in my parents side yard - Will loved his baby swing.

James and Nick building sand castles - My Dad put a big tent over the sandbox to keep it in the shade and James played for hours!

**Will's Big Day! - It was a beautiful day on Sunday and a perfect day for the baptism! It was not a part of mass it was just a private ceremony for Will and another family of twins born 1 day before Will. It was such a special ceremony with a great message. One thing I really liked that the Deacon said was how special babies are and how much we can learn from them. These little creatures love everyone and need nothing more then a smile or kiss from us to get the biggest most heart warming smile and giggle in return. I really liked this message because it truly made me stop and realize how much Will has taught me. My life has slowed down 10 fold. I no longer am on my phone all day emailing, watching TV or rushing about doing errands - its now as simple as laying on a blanket reading a book, telling stories or singing songs to Will while he stares back at me with the most loving and adoring look in his eye. Life has become so busy but at the same time so simple since we have had Will. What I used to think was important is meaningless now. Will has taught me how to love more than I ever thought possible. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to teach Will the many wonders of this world and both Jason and I took on the commitment this Sunday to raise him in the church. Thank you to all our friends and family for making this day so special and being a part of Will's life.

Proud parents - and yes I had to put the bonnet on for one picture :)

Family picture with the man of the hour :)

Will was up from his nap, in his party romper and all smiles!

A second date!

Will went on a second date today with Ms. Kristi Hill soon to be Mrs. Kristi Tanner!!! As the third wheel I think it went very well!! On the first date Will slept the entire time so they really didn't get to know eachother that well but on the second date Will was ready to party!! He showed Kristi his new rolling over trick and did lots of talking.

Thanks Kristi for coming to visit us again - cannot wait for the big day!!

First Date - Will 8 days old

Second Date - 4 months old

So sweet

Spring 2011 Collection of Rompers (sneak preview)

Rompers might be my favorite thing in the whole world to dress Will in (ok second favorite thing to white onesies :)) Anyway so far we have been able to breakout a couple of the cute ones!! We are headed to CT this weekend where they are predicting 80's so stay tuned for a full showing of Wills full collection! Here is a sneak preview:

Special visitor

On Saturday May 21st we had a special visitor come over!! MOIRA - my dearest friend in the whole world. She was in town for her sister's Med School Graduation - Go Claire - aka Dr. Boogaard! We had such a fun day filled with snuggles, lunch, pedi, candy store trip, nappies (yes Moira I did catch you resting your eyes on big chair) and a nice walk in the rain in true Chicago fashion when I have visitors. Living out here in Chicago I truly miss all my great friends so when I get the treat to spend a whole day with one we pack it full of fun!

Getting ready for the beach!

What did you do today Will?

Every day when Jason comes home from work he walks in the door, scoops up Will and proceeds to ask him all about his day. The conversation goes alot like this?

Jason - "Hey little buddy what did you do today with your mom?"

Will - stares, smiles, wiggle

Jason - "Oh really you played on your jungle mat? Thats so fun. What else you do?"

Will - smiles, wiggle, giggle

Jason - "Neat you went for a walk - did you go to the park?"

And on and on...

I try to send pictures to Jason through out the day of our adventures so he knows what we are up to (and can help Will remember when he asks about his day). I feel so SO lucky to get to stay home with Will all day and I know it must kill Jason to be away sometime for days from Will so we try to keep him in the loop. Here are some of our adventures... (of course we keep the trips to the GAP our little secret right Will :) )

Hanging from all fours on a toy from my Jungle Mat

Going for a walk before bedtime

Taking the train to Armitage

Playing in the park with my friends

Picking up dinner at Homemade Pizza Co.

Music Class

Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Tia Winfield

We headed to Asheville, North Carolina to celebrate the wedding of Tia and Adam Winfield and what a trip it was!! As everyone knows I am a huge sucker for weddings and I get even more emotional when I actually know the couple and the bride is one of my very great friends! I met Tia at Babson and we spent four years together play soccer, going on amazing trips, hanging out at the dining hall and doing other college like activities. Since college we have always lived a plane ride away but have been able to share some awesome experiences - 2009 Chicago Marathon, wedding showers, wedding weekends, weekends in Chicago, weekends in Ohio. It was such a wonderful weekend to watch Tia and Adam say their vows and become husband and wife. Not only did I get emotional by the love that filled the whole room but the backdrop of the Biltmore Estate was just breathe taking. My parents came to the wedding as well to help watch Will at night so Jason and I could attend all the fun activities. It was a awesome weekend and I am so excited to see what the future holds for Adam and Tia. I love you both and thank you for including my family in your big day.

We headed over to the Biltmore the first day on the bus.

We met up with the girls for a stroll

Alexa and Matt babysitting - Great job Arad!

Will got to sit with the beautiful bride during breakfast one morning - lucky guy!!

The beautiful couple!

At the reception

With my great friends - Lauren and Jen

The tent for the wedding - beautiful!

Will and Justus - friends forever

Justus Rowland is Will's first friend. Jenny (Justus's mom) and I met at workout class about a month before our babies were due. We took a series of prenatal classes at the LPAC and when I first met Jenny I swore her belly looked just like mine! Turns out she had Justus about 30 hours before Will was born and it too was a boy! It has been so great getting to know Jenny and Justus. She is a great friend and I am looking forward to raising our boys together. For the first couple weeks we went for lots of walks but never took the boys out of the strollers - then one day we decided they needed to meet face to face! It was so funny watching them "play."

Will and Justus - best buds

Will eating Justus's arm

Will crying and Justus about to start crying in sympathy for Will - true friendship

My first Mothers Day!

It was the most beautiful day in Chicago. One of the days that we wait all year for to remind ourselves of why we live in Chicago! After Will's first nap of the day we headed out for brunch at one of our favorite places in Lincoln Park - John's place. We got there before the brunch rush came and got a great seat outside. Will was such a good boy letting us enjoy a yummy breakfast and as a reward we gave him some milk - his favorite!

My best boy in the whole world!

Will enjoy his brunch

Enjoying the spring air

By the end of the day I think Will was done with mothers day :)

Thank you Will and Jason for making my day perfect! I will remember my first mothers day forever!!

3 Months Old - May 5th 2011

13 lbs 13 oz

Up in the sky with the birdies

Will's first flight! We went home to Connecticut to see my parents for the week. He did great - snuggled right into me for the whole flight. When we got to the airport in CT I felt so proud walking through that airport while everyone looked at Will remarking on how cute he was and what great hair he had :)

But the best feeling of all was riding down the escalator with Will in my arms and seeing my mom there with the biggest smile of all. There is no place like home!

We did lots of fun things - saw Grandpa Jim, Nana and Grandpa, Barbie, Lindsay and Todd, Nurse Liz, walked through Evergreen and even went for my first run ever since I had Will (it was not pretty). Jason joined us on Thursday so he and my Dad got in a little golf.

Warm New England Sun warming Will's Face

Great Grandpa Jim + Will

Great Nana + Will

Bob Bob showing Will nature

Momo and Will