Early Christmas Morning

We had a very busy December.  I went out to Boston to see baby Liam and we headed to Texas for Christmas so we decided to give Will his big Christmas gift a little early.  The night before "Christmas Morning" Jason and I tackled putting together the table and train set.  We actually had so much fun doing it.  We went step by step and by the end were so into it.  Setting up the track was the best part.  Ok wait no - scratch that - waking up the next morning was the best part.  We were just as excited as Will.  We started out the morning saying we had a surprise for him and wrapped one Cho Cho train.  He probably would have been happy with just that :)

Then I went into the other room and Jason brought Will into the room.  He wasn't too sure what to think at first but ever since we gave him the table it has been NON STOP cho cho trains!!

Within seconds he picked up the trains and got to work!

Happy BOY!!!  I think it was about 5:50am here :)

3rd Trimester

Poor baby #2 is really getting such little air time but figure better late then never.  Here is the bump - 29 weeks with big brother being his wacky little self!

Yes I totally gave him an MM for taking a picture :)  Worth it!

Jingle Bells...Twinkle Lights...

As soon as we got home from our Thanksgiving in Connecticut we kicked off the Christmas Season.  It was 24/7 talks of twinkle lights and jingle bells.  Literally - that is all Will has talked about for the whole month of December.  This Christmas Season was probably the best I have ever had - toddlers make everything a million times more fun!  Here is a run down of all the Christmas things we did all over the city!

First up - Zoo lights.  We went one Friday night - Jason was home early from work, early dinner and off we went not really knowing what to expect.  Will had insisted we bring his Radio Flyer car in our car but actually it ended up being a great idea!  Between pushing the car and riding in it we went all over the zoo amazed by the lights and sounds.  It was a blast.

Ready to ride through the zoo in style

There were 5 songs that played in coordination with flashing lights - we looped through the songs at least 3 or 4 times

Feeling to cool to ride in the car - pushing was much more fun!

No trip is complete without spotting a "mama and the baby"

Loving the carousal ride - Will picked the "kitty" to ride on

Next up was decorating our Christmas tree.  We quickly learned a few things:

1.  Will was going to be SUPER into the Christmas Tree

2.  Every glass bulb was not going to be able to hung where he could reach them

3.  He was going to need kid friendly ordainments to hang

Gently adding decorations

Gave up on the breakable ones and adding the kid friendly ones :)

Top of the tree for adults, bottom for kids

Wills runway of lights!  Big hit

Kid friendly creation from Aunt Em's last year decorations

It was a very very Cho Cho Christmas.  We went out to the burbs to check out the Holiday Cho Cho display at the Botanical Gardens.  It took about 45 mins to get there - which is probably one of the longer drives Will has ever been on - but it was a beautiful day and were so glad we went.  The actual exhibit was smaller then we expected but Will managed to stay in there for an hour or so.  His reaction in the pictures really say it all!

Everything was just so exciting

The whole display was pretty amazing!

Thanksgiving 2012 in Connecticut

It always feels great to go home.  Leave the city, our small condo, the normal everyday routine and head to the country!  Not only is it fun to home to get out of the city but it is great to be around family for the week!  Will LOVES all the people and parties - shows off big time and follows Bob Bob around 24/7.

Airport travel has become easier and easier.  Jason, Will and I have become pro family travelers and Will is actually pretty good on planes.  He loves the iPad and shows :)  You do what ya gotta do.

We ride the moving sidewalks like 800 times.  Typically we walk on the but Will stood behind this guy who didn't move the whole trip.  Very patient :)

We were so lucky and scored an extra seat.  Our little techy was very into his shows.  Jason and I actually got a beverage when the drink cart came around.  That was a treat!

One of the big Thanksgiving traditions is the Turkey Dad Road Race.  Poor Jason got taken down with the stomach bug, Em and I were pregnant and Chris and Melissa had a trip delay so it was only Nick who we were cheering on.  But the whole family met at Highland Park Market with Grandpa Jims Pipe Band to join in the race fun!

Momo and Bob Bob and their boys

Boys having a turn on the Pipe Band Drum

Will back with his bestie Terry

 No road race is complete without snacks

Pretty sure Bob Bob is the only one Will would share with

Not only did celebrate Thanksgiving but we also had a big bash for Momo's 60th Birthday!!  Everyone came over to the house and we had lots of fun.

 Boys in their party clothes

 Will sneaking in a hug from his Tessie before the movie

 Kid loves a good party

 Cake #1 - Princess Tessa

 Cake #2 Mo Mo!

 Christmas Jammies - so cute!

Best jackets ever from Em and Nick - all the way from Portugal 

Around town...

So much of our life is just doing things around town.  Starbucks trip, park visit, grocery store, playing around outside on our sidewalk, running around the house and so on.  Here is a collection of pictures from just every day fun - some of the best things happen when you don't expect it!

Will insisted on wearing his Elmo hat to his Halloween costume to the park - at least it was warm

Daddy making will go "high" Now every time at the park I never can get him high enough.  Thanks Daddy :)

CHEEEEESE!!!!  Will knows exactly what the grocery store trip means.  Cheese and lunch meat!

Chillin in his crib

MoMo's Fall Collect.  This hat might be my favorite yet!

Bubba with Ducky at night

Lunch at Potbellys.  Doesn't take much to please this little guy

A show!

Fun with Grandmommy in Chicago

Early November Grandmommy came to visit us in Chicago.  We were all praying for some warm weather so we didn't freeze her like last visit in Feb :).  We had a great time and packed a lot into a weekend!!  Friday we had dinner at home and Will followed Barb around all night - probably because every time we turned a corner she was pulling more treats out of her bag :)  Saturday we went to the fishy museum and pizza for dinner - a huge hit for all of us!!  Sunday was daylight savings so Mr. Will woke up a little to early but managed to still have some fun!!  Sad to see Barb go and always wishing we lived closer to family.  Someday I hope!!

Grandmommy read Will lots of books!!

Will showing Grandmommy how the hand washer works at the museum.  Prob one of his top 3 fav things to do!

Mom and Son :)

Will you play soccer ball?

This fall Will did a soccer program called Little Kickers.  Its pretty popular here in Chicago and on a weekend you see tons of kids around the neighborhood in their uniforms.  Now I think we should use the word "soccer" very loosely as there is just as much bubbles, songs, stacking cones, red light green light as there is actual soccer.  I actually wasn't a huge fan of the class at first.  I thought it was boring as they did the same thing every class but then I realized it really didn't matter what I thought because Will LOVED it, and after a few weeks actually followed the instructions and loved each activity.  He would talk about "soccer ball with Mimi" all week and got pretty good at dribbling and kicking the ball.  We are taking the next season off but will most likely try again in the Spring.  Here are some pictures from one of the big "games" :)

Reaching for bubbles!

Reaching for cones

Will and his girlfriend MiMi