Happy boy

Our little gardner...he enjoyed playing in the water while I was planting flowers.

Trying to get ahold of the camera!

Say "cheese"!

Pergola

Sean and his dad built us a pergola over the weekend. They did a great job! It makes the patio look so much nicer! Thanks, Grandpa Dan, for all of your help. And thanks to Grandma Pat for watching Carter so the guys could work outside!

Memorial Day

Sean's parents have been in town visiting this weekend. We have really enjoyed our time together and celebrated Taylor's birthday, my birthday & Memorial Day by having everyone over for dinner tonight.

Carter helping daddy eat some birthday cake
Debbie, me, Carter & Kelsie. Sean, Taylor, Scot & Tyler

Mom B., me, Carter, Sean & Dad B.

Kelsie with Carter, Tyler & Dad B.

The birthday cousins with the ugly cake

Taylor & Kelsie with their favorite cousin

The Beilmans out for BBQ

Carter helping in the kitchen (notice the oven mitt?)

New bathroom (sort of)

While Carter & I were in Chicago, Sean surprised me by re-painting the upstairs bathroom! I had kind of "hinted" that it would make a nice Mother's Day/Birthday gift to me, but I didn't think he would have enough time to get it done while we were gone. But, my sweet husband worked until 2AM two of the three nights we were gone. Thank you, honey! I love it!

12-Week Doctor's Appointment

This morning we had our 12-week appointment. There was a bit of a mix-up in that at my last appt, I thought the PA told me to schedule an ultrasound visit for 12 weeks, so I did. Today she said "Why are we doing an U/S today?" and I said "I have no idea!". She has a newborn and a toddler at home & I have been pretty spacy since this pregnancy started, so who knows what either one of us was thinking! In any event, she went ahead and did the ultrasound and we were able to see our tiny peanut move! Pretty amazing. I have a picture that I will try to post later, but it is not as clear as seeing it in real time. Everything checked out just fine and we will go back at 16 weeks.

Guess who's going to be a big brother?!

That's right, I'm pregnant! We are due the end of November and couldn't be happier to have baby #2 on the way. Carter loves babies and we know he will make a great big brother...this little baby is going to be pretty lucky to have him for a big brother! I am just finishing the first trimester and thankfully, it has been much easier that when I was pregnant with Carter. The nausea comes and goes, but nothing horrible. We have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, so I will try to post ultrasound pictures then.

Chicago--Day Three

On Thursday, we walked to Wrigley Field. It was a game day, so there was a lot to take in.

Christy and Carter

Mimi, me, Carter & Christy. Carter finally said Christy's name when we were at the ball park, but unfortunately I couldn't get him to say it again. We still love you, Aunt Sister!

The cutest Cubs fan...sleeping.

Back at Lincoln Park, playing with Aunt Sister.

Mimi crossing the street in her designated area. Just kidding, Mimi!

Mimi & Carter asleep in the cab. What a great trip! Thanks again for everything, Aunt Sister! We can't wait to visit you in Chicago again.

Chicago--Day Two

Tuesday was our rainy day. It was chilly and wet, but we had fun anyway! We did some shopping to get out of the rain (a win/win!) and went to Millennium Park and saw the big bean...

Carter sleeping his way through Chicago.

Mimi, me & Carter in front of the bean

We stopped by the American Girl Store, even thought that's not really Carter's thing. It is an amazing place and every little girl's dream. This is the hair salon where you can get your doll's hair done to match yours! (Notice the tiny salon chairs.)

This is only one view of one floor! The place takes up four floors! You can get an outfit to match your doll's.

Girls bathroom.

Can you believe this place?!

Doll holder...there's one in each stall in the bathroom.

Navy Pier

You guessed it, Chinatown!

Standing in front of the elevated train, heading home after dinner in Chinatown.

Chicago--Day One

Last Monday, Carter & I flew to Chicago to visit Aunt Christy. Mimi met us there & we had three days of fun sight-seeing, great food and lots of walking! It was a blast. Christy is a wonderful tour guide and knows all about the city. I highly recommend her! It took me almost 34 years to visit Chicago, but it was well worth the wait. I cannot wait to go back when Carter is a little older. What a fun city!

Mimi & Carter outside our hotel...venturing out on Day One. We made it to the Lincoln Park zoo and walked around exploring. And, I got a mani/pedi while Mimi walked with Carter. It was wonderful and such a treat!

Lunch on the patio at Mickey's. Carter was more interested in watching all the trucks & buses go by!

Christy took us to the top of the Hancock building on Tuesday night.

All four of us in the bar on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building. What a view!

View of Navy Pier

The lake

Aunt Sister (Christy), me & Carter...oh, and the view.

What's with the grumpy face?

Green grass!

After a few weeks of delays due to weather, we now have sod, a sprinkler system and a few new plants, instead of gross dirt & weeds. What a big improvement! The hardest part will be staying off the grass for two weeks. When Carter & I get back from Chicago, I am planning to plant some flowers in the back yard to liven things up a bit. AND, Sean agreed that we could get new lawn furniture for our birthdays this year. Can't wait!

More mulch between the fence & patio...definitely needs some flowers!
There's a new maple tree planted in the back (it's hard to see in the picture).

Three lilac bushes by Macey's pen

The sprinklers are now working (after three days of trouble-shooting), so hopefully the sod will take!

Thinking of putting some Adirondack chairs in the mulch area...or plant flowers.