Grace and Gumball

Dear Grace, 
Gumball has been your buddy lately. We are so lucky he's as patient as he is with you. A good chunk of time everyday is spent encouraging you to be gentle with him. My phone was conveniently right next to me during these precious moments. Enjoy!
Love, Mommy

You were taking turns brushing your hair and his.

Same size?

Kisses.

All smiles.

NATO weekend

Dear Grace,

You hung out with the Nierengartens for a long weekend while Daddy and I did some major Spring cleaning. We have been very busy getting our condo ready to sell. It's amazing how much we can get done while you're away playing with family. Our place has never looked so decluttered and clean. Hopefully it will be on the market this week and we will begin the annoying process of showing our place. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy

It's always fun receiving pictures of you from the Grandparents. You had a blast running around their backyard while they planted flowers.

We filled the Nierengarten's empty van 3 times and dropped things off in the Thompson's basement over the weekend. We were able to meet up with you for dinner Saturday night. You loved the train restaurant in Schererville. Thanks to the El just outside our place, you are currently in love with "choo choos" aka trains.  

You took a quick trip out to the cottage with Grammie Mo and Uncle Matt.

All of this took place the weekend of the NATO Conference. Chicago was the first place it's ever been held in the U.S. outside Washington D.C. The city was a ghost town. You wouldn't believe how empty it was, except for the police at every corner. Daddy took this picture while we were walking down Ohio St. It must have been someone important coming off the express way.

Mommy and Soon-to-be mommy friends, 


The 'GoCrib' is one of the top 2 items I would recommend getting if you're pregnant or traveling with a little one.

We use it instead of your typical pack 'n play. We find it much easier and convenient. It's extremely light and fits into that little backpack. It's not something you can register for though since it's only sold online. We also own the fitted sheet which is very soft and fits perfectly over the blow up mattress which is included in the actual GoCrib. 


Thanks to Zulily (an addiction of mine) you can get it for 30% off! Just click HERE.

Thanks Blossom family for introducing this essential baby travel item to us. 

Easter

Dear Grace,

We started our day with Easter Sunday mass at Holy Name Cathedral, followed by brunch at the Signature Room with the Nierengarten family. After you, Daddy and I took a long nap, we headed out to Indiana to spend time with the Thompson family. Enjoy!

Love, Mommy 

Giving kisses.

You met the Easter bunny. Foreshadow of what's to come on our Disney vacation?

We headed out to the Spork's house for the rest of the day. They had a huge spread complete with an entire lamb. Head included. 

Happy Easter!

last full Disney Day

Dear Grace,
Our last full Disney Day was spent at a character breakfast, more time at Magic Kingdom, and dinner at O'Hanna's. Enjoy!
Love, Mommy

Aladdin tried so hard with you, but you just weren't into him. You wouldn't even give him a high five. 

Tinkerbell was a completely different story. I had to hold you back while we were waiting our turn. As we were walking away you continued waving and blowing her kisses. 

One of Tinkerbell's friends was with her too. 

Most of our extra time in Magic Kingdom was spent doing the adult things- The Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, etc. This meant you had rotating individual time with us. 

We can't wait until our next family vacation to Disney World. Happy Birthday, Uncle Matt. Thanks for giving us an excuse to head to Orlando, Florida. 

Character Breakfast

Dear Grace,
One of your favorite moments was having breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and his friends. I'm surprised you had time to eat as much as you did. You were constantly looking around. Enjoy!
Love, Mommy

Playing with Piglet's nose.

"Put your hands up.."'

You don't look as excited in the pictures as you really were to be with Winnie the Pooh. It was a big deal for you to sit on his lap and pose for a picture. Even if you weren't smiling. 

Characters in Epcot

Of course all the characters are great with kids, but some are just exceptional. Alice from Alice and Wonderland was one of them. She sang to you, danced with you and even made you laugh. After we walked away, you stood up in your stroller to wave and blow her more kisses. She was still responding to you, even though there were more people waiting to meet her. 

Uncle Matt and Aunt Susan gave you a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal for your 1st birthday and lately you've fallen in love with him. You sleep with him at night and carry him around during the day, even though he's more than half your size. Winnie the Pooh and Tiger were the first characters who you walked up to on your own. You've had a couple days of practice, but you were waving, blowing kisses and giving high fives without my suggestions. You still wanted me in the official posed picture though. 

Group shot. Check out Daddy's tshirt. 

'Happy 30th birthday, Matt!' 

Timing hasn't worked out to meet Jasmine and Aladdin, but they hang out in Morocco inside Epcot. Morocco is one of the many countries we were able to visit while living in London. 

There were beautiful topiaries around Epcot thanks to the International Flower and Garden Festival. Do these count as being part of the characters at Epcot?