Happenings

Well, when there isn't enough excitement in one's life, you must create it! I'm gathering a small group of friends to have a belated Bachelorette party for the new Sister In Law. We're going to a female impersonator club in downtown Chicago (http://www.thebatonshowlounge.com/baton.htm). Sounds like fun and although I'd rather have a lot more people, those that are going will have a good time! A little dinner, some laughs and men who'll probably be dressed better and look hotter than myself, it'll be uplifting I'm sure!......We'll hit the Baton Club on Sunday.

They termed it the 'slow night'.....perhaps we'll be the only ones there! Nice big 'ol target on our heads! The guy that I made reservations with on the phone was a real charmer.....just thrilled to be there.....I hope Sunday turns out to be at the very least a little fun, I'm sure we'll make something of it!

Otherwise, it's a typical day here in the 'hood'. I've bathed both kids.....unfortunately I have to wait to shower.......only because if I do it now, I'll wake up Handsome. Everything is vacuumed and things are 'mostly' picked up......Rather boring, day to day stuff. Groceries, new school bag, etc. See, this is why I need some excitement! It's past noon and I'm still waiting for Handsome to wake up. Sweet Pea is occupying herself rather nicely this morning. What a treat!

Weekend

Summer fun!

Well, I went to the folks 'country house' over the weekend.....we left Fri. afternoon and came home last night. I was getting LESS sleep there than at home, so I made the call to come back. I'm happy to know at least it wasn't Seattle, it's anywhere you travel to! I'm grateful Handsome has two naps a day, but sometimes they totally "F" things up!

We had fun a the beach and the pool, until Handsome decided he wanted no one to help him in the pool, which means no-one could HOLD him in the 3' shallow end.......He was banished from the pool, which did not go without a nice loud, wailing protest! That boy just LOVES WATER!!!! I guess I can start training him for the 2016 Olympics, ....right? I don't think he'll have Phelps' height, but long torsos are genetic in my family! Ha!

Besides not getting sleep, there's this bothersome thing called 'work' that needs to be done..... so, I'm getting just enough done and will type like a mad woman tomorrow.

The weather has been weird....hot, hotter, cool, summer's coming to and end......:: insert sad face here::...... Although Autumn ::wink:: is my favorite season!

Quick Suggestion.....

Here's a suggestion. For those of you traveling thousands of miles to your Brother's wedding, grab one of the two photographers at some point during the day and force them to take a picture of your family.......Hind-sight is a wonderful thing, isn't it? I would've had someone take a picture of our family when we were out there.....after all, we were ALL out there! Not once during the whole weekend did it come across my mind. Then, when we were all dressed up for the wedding, I went stupid and didn't get one then either........Oh, if you can't get one of your family perhaps you can at least get one of you and your brother. There's a great one of my brother smiling at me happily......but you can only see the back of my head......Which by the way, the back of my head looked fabulous!

We had a good weekend here! Handsome can say many 'words'....Mama, DAda, Wa-err, Fow-err, Hi, Ahhhmmm(sister), Nigh nigh, baby, PaPa, Nana, ball, Cheese, bah-bul (bubble)......

We got the papers for the start of Sweet Pea's pre-school! Wow! pre-school! The list is tiny, but she's already asking to go! Hope the excitement doesn't wear off before Sept. 9th!

Sunday was our 12th Anniversary! Bonus points for beautiful flowers! More bonus points for not going overboard on roses that'll die! When Husband started his new job, for some reason, we started going to brunch for our anniversary. A strange tradition, but it seems to work rather well. Yesterday we went to a beautiful place for brunch, we've had much better food, but the scenery couldn't have been beat. The sweetest picture I got was walking out of the place.....

Monday! Last Day!

Monday started with an 8:30 am wake up!!!!! How fantastic is that!?!?! However, with such a late wake up and having to pack, we missed breakfast. When I say we, I mean me, the kids had dry cereal, juice and milk to snack on. I did manage to scam a bagel from the restaurant downstairs.

By the time we had the car packed and everything else together, we had about 2 hours. Not enough time to sight see, plus we hadn't been to my brother's place yet. So, we went to my brother's. We were the first ones there. I'm not sure if they had made it there prior to us making it there, but no-one was there when we knocked or rang the bell so we strolled around a pond next to their complex. After our stroll, we checked again and noticed the windows were open, so I tried the door and it was unlocked and we walked right in. (Husband hates doing that kind of stuff). About 20 minutes later, everyone showed up and we visited for about an hour and then it was off to the airport. It was another beautiful day we got to see, just not sight-see. The car rental went smooth, as did check-in . The flight was on time and other than an annoying 12 year old girl sitting in front of us the whole flight, it was a decent flight. Two movies (cartoons) and we were home. Off to retrieve luggage where we had a slight disagreement on how to carry our luggage by ourselves (Poor Husband trashed his shoulders.....woops).

Handsome had had enough.....

When we got to the Park N Ride, Sweet Pea asked why our driver didn't have a 'red shirt'. When he dropped us off, I asked him if they also have red shirts and remembering back to Thurs., I recalled our driver wearing a red shirt. How do they remember that stuff?

Trip is done! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Home!

The Wedding - Part II

Ahhhh, so you're thinking 'the wedding is over, the reception should be a breeze'......well, of course you remember I didn't know about the baby sitter, so I watched my little ones, her cousins and the other flower girl run around.......and around and around. We went up to my room, as I had promised a snack and sucker and she got it! I took them to go potty down by the reception........there was a lot to do! I think I got 1/2 glass of vino in......

I just wanted to take a second to say that the bride looked amazing! Just beautiful. I think that's when I got to appreciate how wonderful she looked!

So as the kids were running around....they had drinks on the side lawn while they changed the tent over from the ceremony setting to the dinner setting. During dinner, Handsome wanted nothing to do with sitting. So I think I got about, no joke here, 7 bites of my dinner in......It was at this point I found out where the sitter was.......I tired to leave Handsome with her who was smiling when I left to go get Sweet Pea, but was in tears when I got back.....no go there..... In the mean time, Sweet Pea had told Daddy at the dinner table that 'my eyes are closing!!!' which means, she's so tired, she'll fall asleep any second. So Husband took her in his arms, where she immediately fell asleep. I continued to chase my little man.

Our family time was up. The kids needed to go upstairs. We made our way through the tent and were heading to the elevators where the Wedding Planner stopped us and said, 'You can't leave yet, the Bride has a surprise for the Groom'. She hastily walked away and Husband gave me "the look". I shrugged, raised the eyes "You Wanna?" hoping he'd stay, which he said "No Way!".

I told him I'd come upstairs after the 'surprise'. I was glad I watched the fireworks and it was pretty cool. The DJ announced the Bride had a special surprise for the Groom, so could everyone head over to the lake side. It as really pretty cool. Two songs worth of fireworks from a barge. I really wanted to stay, but with a 16 month old, you really can't and made my way up to the room. I stayed for a few minutes. Sweet Pea was already undressed and sound, and I mean SOUND, asleep in her (or should I say our) bed. Husband was kicking back and told me to go back and have a good time.

By this time, the reception had moved into ballroom of the hotel for desserts and dancing. Mind you, we had to have MORE desserts than just the adorable mini-banana splits! Yum!!! Unfortunately, big unfortunately here, I missed the Best-Man's speech........(the Groom's Twin Brother......my brother).....Auuugggh! Can't a girl catch a break? I found Nana and my Oldest Brother. At that point Nana said, I'll head up to the room so Husband can come down and have a dance with you. I did get to hear 3 more speeches which were great! The Matron of Honor, Sister-In-Law's Boss and my Father.

The Bride and Groom danced an adorable dance together, including a hip bump and my brother picking her up and spinning her in his arms. There was lots of dancing and a sweets table which was a nice touch. Eventually my Oldest Brother went up to the room to reprieve Husband, who was almost asleep at that point. I got to dance one dance with Husband (a slow one, he can't dance what so ever) and he retreated back to the room. Thank you Big Brother!

I witnessed the cake cutting, the throwing of the bouquet and garter. I am glad I was there, really I was and I would go with my family again. It was important for me to be there. Would I do things differently? Knowing what I know now? Absolutely!

The night ending wit the Bride and Groom jumping on a cool refinished boat which took them on a ride around the lake. I got back to my room at 12:30 is that am or pm? The ride up to the room in the elevator was shared with a drunken, barely standing man, who oddly tried to pick me up...."where are you going?" he asked. "Luckily nowhere with you" I responded...... With that giggle to myself I made back to the room.....YAWWWNNNN!!!!

SUNDAY - The Main Event

My first post about the wedding totally had to be how great and beautiful it was, well, because it was! Being a Mother of 2, and being held up in the hotel the prior three days did not bode well for my energy level nor my children's 'sleep/napping' schedule and it took full effect on Sunday.

Which, of course started off with a 2:00 am(again....or was it 3:00 am???) wake up call from Handsome. Of course, Husband and Sweet Pea lay sound asleep in their beds......After his bottle, which by the way, did I mention that by now our hotel room was an embarrassment because, well, we squished everything on the 'writing' table which for us became, the catch all, desk, pantry, activity storage (read place to throw toys, coloring books, sticker book) munchies, gift bag, keys, cards, and everything else storage place. The lovely big bathroom cubbie holes were taken up by makeup, toothbrushes, curling irons (which I did not use all weekend.....of course) and jewelry and more than half of the bathroom sink counter top was dedicated to drying bottles and sippy cups.......YUCK!

So, back to the 2:00 am wake-up, the rest of the 'sleeping' morning did not go so smooth. I got a lot of feet butts, head butts and body butts from the top of my head to my shins.....I think we roused ourselves up by 7 or 8 am. The kids munched on some cereal and we fed Handsome breakfast in the room. Sweet Pea and myself ran down to eat breakfast, which went surprisingly fast!?!?!? I think a continental breakfast will do that to you though! I believe we came back up and I gave the kids a bath, and then, well by that time it was time for Handsome to go down for a nap. It was 10 am. Husband and Sweet Pea left the room. Mommy closed the drapes, turned off the TV and let Handsome cry himself to sleep as I lay on the bed......It was the most beautiful time of my trip. Quiet indeed! So, so peaceful. Turns out, the Bride and Groom were across the hall from me, but I didn't know that til later! The size of their suite did not allow them to hear the cries of my child, so that was good. I took my shower, did my nails and lay on the bed for about 10 minutes!


I had no idea what time my hair was to be done(my fault, I said a little too late I wanted it done for me). My or myself were to get makeup done at noon and 12:40.......She went first and I changed places with Husband as Handsome was still sound asleep in his pack-n-play. Sweet Pea was dragged from Nana and Papa's room to the Bridal suite. Nana looked fabulous and I was next in line (the second person) to get her makeup done. I do have to say, it was fun as I had NEVER had my make-up done for me before! So I was very excited about the hair. Sweet Pea played in the suite and had fun, but I knew there was a looming thought of it being an exhausting day for her. I had checked on Handsome and Husband a few times and it turns out, he had slept about 3.5 hours! What a nap! I knew he'd make it! My hair wasn't started until 4:30pm. The hair dresser assured me it wouldn't take too long. With my make-up done, I was hopeful, but not counting on anything. I wanted to be downstairs with Sweet Pea while she took pictures to make sure she was in the right places. While getting my hair done, I was horrified when I saw the floral headband a top of her head......my hairstylist stated the other hair stylist put it on upside down.......Great! She stopped my hair and started to fix Sweet Pea's. Then my hair progress was stopped again because the Bride came back into her room (shocking, I know!) to use the restroom and freshen up her makeup. (I also had to stop another time to grab Sweet Pea's dress, socks and shoes to get her dolled up.) So I was booted out of her bathroom and waited. When she left everyone else (in the wedding party) left to take pictures, it was now 5:00 pm.


Husband had spent his time in the room and was going a little nuts himself. Someone had Sweet Pea, I wasn't even sure who, I was told not to worry and to get down when I can. I was supposed to tell everyone in the party to get down there, but I had no idea where everyone was, nor was I ready. I think I got down there about 5:45 pm. after wisping into my room where Nana and Husband were dressing Handsome. Only for Husband to give me the "look"....."I need to get dressed too!" I took Handsome down with me and found my daughter with her cousins. Thank goodness they were entertaining her! Sweet Pea was exclaiming she was tired, wanted to lay down and didn't want to be in the wedding now........OMG!!! Let's add THAT to the pot!


I would like to say, at this point, I loved my make-up and my hair which was a 1/2 up-do. Not a style I normally do, as it was a little 'edgy'. But when I through that dress on I got my second "you look nice" comment from Husband. That's twice in one year!!!! Whoa!


I am bummed I didn't get any pictures of my Daughter getting her hair done..... hope someone else did. Although the second hair dresser only did my and Nana's hair, I'm sooooo glad she stayed until before the wedding, as for Sweet Pea was running around with her cousins and the other flower girl and the flower wreath was bouncing up and down on her head. I had a Momzilla moment when I saw that and demanded hair pins from the Wedding Planner...or was it her assistant? Big Kudos to the second hair dresser who STAYED because she fixed both my daughter's and the other flower girl's wreaths. Which, looked tons better the second time around.


My poor Sister-In-Law was also to get her make-up done and she was recuperating from the long night before.....they had stayed at another hotel the first few days and then moved to the wedding's hotel the day of the wedding. So she kind of had to pack and unpack again in the morning and she was a bit overwhelmed herself. She had to get herself and her girls ready.


It was about 6:45 pm.....and the wedding party was waiting in a conference room next to the tent the wedding was to be performed. Sweet Pea started up again......she was tired, wanted to lay down and didn't want to be in the wedding anymore. (there were attempts to make her re-think her thoughts by the Bride and Groom, but I knew my girl so I did what any self- respecting mother of a 3-year old flower girl would do......re-direction and BRIBERY!!! What video did she want to watch? What kind of snack did she want? Was she hungry? Did she want chocolate? Did she want to play with her cousins? How about a sucker??!?!?!? Yes!!!! A sucker! She wanted a sucker! What kind?!?!? (they are lining up and the Bridesmaids are walking down the aisle.....How about a purple sucker? Yes! A purple sucker! You've got it Honey!! As soon as the wedding is done, we'll go up to the room and get you a purple sucker for doing such a good job!!!! I reminded her of her demands all the way up to the door where I had to let her go and walk down the aisle with the other flower girl. She did it!!!!! FanF'ingtastic!!!! She did it!!!! She made it to the end and did her job and spread petals along the aisle!!!! Whew! The bride came down and at this point I already had Handsome in my arms because he'd had enough of a day with Daddy......Unfortunately, Sweet Pea was calling out "Mommy!" about 5 minutes into the ceremony. She wanted me, Handsome wanted me....Husband had to walk away with him during the ceremony or he just wasn't going to be happy. The good news is the pastor was able to pick up on that right away and excused her to be with me during the ceremony. I really liked the pastor and his wife as we were able to talk with them in length during the rehearsal dinner a couple nights ago.


Even sitting next to her favorite cousins in the world was not enough to keep her happy. She'd had enough and I had to get up and do the 'sway' move.....you ,know, where you throw your kid on your hip and sway to music that's only playing in your own head?! There were many more whines and I again re-directed and told her if she didn't finish her job and sit til the end and go back down the aisle, no sucker, no deal Howie! I barely got to hear their vows, I'm sad that I ruined it a bit for Nana as she had a whining child (at times two) next to her. I didn't think Sweet Pea would make it back down the aisle, but SHE DID IT!!!! I was very proud and totally did not expect her to walk back down that aisle.


Ahhhh, your thinking, what a relief, the ceremony is OVER!!!!! Well, no-one informed me, or I didn't hear, that the conference room we were waiting in would be the baby sitting room too.......she was there the whole time and instead of me watching Sweet Pea get tired out by her cousins, running around like crazy, she could've been in a nice quiet room doing something creative or just having quiet time......THAT KILLS ME!!!!!

More later, as this is only 1/2, well more than 1/2 of the day.

SAT - STill on that TRIP!

Again, Handsome woke me up at 2:00 am.....or was it 3? So, I made up a bottle and he took it fast, but wanted nowhere near the pack-n-play. So again, I went to bed with him and Sweet Pea, was scrunched the whole time and had a horrible sleep.......What a way to start the day! Ha!

Unfortunately, we had another two hour breakfast in the restaurant with Nana. Papa and my brothers all went golfing. Husband decided to take this as "me" time, or shall I say, 'none of wife's family" time. By the time we were done with breakfast, it was time to get ready and head out to the bridal shower a short drive away. There was no time for a nap.....well,.....Handsome did get a catnap in the car. After some cruddy directions, we got there about 10 min. late. I had originally said I would help with decorating, but I had no idea how long these things would take and I embarrassingly just had no time. The weather was just beautiful though! Sunny, clear skies with temperatures rising. Unfortunately, we were inside for the shower, so we had to wait to see the pretty day. The shower was at a Mexican restaurant, which had a buffet style luncheon set out. It was really good food! I, of course didn't get to enjoy much, always watching the kids (just what we Mommys do). I wasn't sure which one would have a melt-down first, but luckily, their cousins were there along with the other flower girl to keep them entertained. I would've loved to talk to the Bride's friends and family more, but you are just in lock-down mode with two kids under 4.....Bummer! Maybe at her 'baby' shower I'll get to talk more! Ha!

We had gotten back to the hotel and Husband had a lovely time boy himself and even layed out in the sun for a while! Lucky boy! After the shower, we tried to force Handsome to take a nap, but I told Husband there was NO WAY he was going to sleep with the room all bright and the TV on!!!!!! (guess he was done napping from his sunning himself earlier! Uggghhh!

The Bride and Groom had set up a 'duck boat' tour of Seattle for all friends and family (especially the ones from out of town), but there was no way we'd be able to put the kids in lock down any more for today. It would've been disastrous! I heard we missed out on a really lovely good time. I'm sorry we missed it, time alone with my little family (dinner at the first night we went to - shorter dinner, happy Mommy!) was worth it and we were asleep by 8:30 pm!!! After dinner we walked around the lakefront and took some photos.