Parenting differences, Lake-ing

Brent and I are an amazing couple, obviously. ;) We were friends for ages before dating, and when we did date, we got along wonderfully. Yet, we fought a lot when we were engaged, somehow. I think its because he had a big family, and I wanted a smaller wedding, and those things just can't go together while making everyone feel included.

I don't think we ever fought the first 2 years of marriage. People say the first year of marriage is hard, but it wasn't at all. It was awesome.

But after having kids? ...

Eleanor's 3rd Birthday, Chicago Girls Weekend

Ella turned 3 on May 19th. I was pretty nervous for the party because Ella kept mentioning how she was excited for her party and her red birthday cake (which I'm happy to say was a success- not that I made it- I bought it, but still). A lot of pressure to live up to! Which is dumb, because she's 3, so it doesn't really matter. Anyhow, It was really sweet to have our family come down that evening for cake cutting. In the morning, I invited Ella's friends (mostly from her nursery at church) to The Bounce House- a kids heaven with blow up slides and foam pits and a balloon cage where a few high powered fans blow balloons every which way and you can dance around in them. Even I like it.

It was quite fun. I didn't have to worry too much about being a host or entertaining anyone- the Bounce House did that beautifully. I was on the fence about paying for the guests... but it got a little complicated when everyone arrived, so I didn't. (faux pas?) But I did give all the kids a Trolls Pez dispenser, which seemed like a hit. We had just got Phoebe's birthday card and gift the day before in the mail, perfect timing! so Ella opened that on her birthday. She was quite pleased at the family picture inside. We hung that on the wall at her eye level and she would point out the people in it for the next few days. Thank you Granny and Thellie.

Eleanor seemed to have a great day- so success! Though she keeps saying she wants to be 2. Ah well. Don't we all.

Sweet Brent planned a girls weekend for me in Chicago, with my best friend, Kelly! We roomed together for a few years in college. It was so nice. To walk around late at night, sans babies. To eat wherever and whenever we pleased, and to navigate ourselves around the city without our husbands getting bothered and taking over when we accidentally take a wrong turn.

We waited an hour to have deep dish pizza at Giordano's. Which was quite good- though we took a lot of leftovers home and the leftover pizza was better! The cheese had, like, time to set, or something. The restaurant was super touristy. didn't love that.

 I really loved the architecture boat tour on First Lady Cruises. It was about an hour and half, the boat going up and down the 'Y' shape river and the tour guide giving us all the details. The tall buildings were beautiful and it was nice with the wind in our hair! Chicago really lived up to its name as the windy city. It's nice to have a river in a city. I liked it a lot in San Antonio too (when we went there for my brother John's wedding). Like a bit of nature to soften up all the concrete.

These are just apartment buildings, I was surprised to find out. I thought they would be some important offices. Something real design-y and pretty to have 2 copy cat buildings right by each other. I remember getting a brochure in high school for the University of Chicago, and it having a picture of the skyline with these beauties on it. I wasn't at all interested in the school, but the picture hung up in my room for a long time. It was fun to see them in person.

Also, I got my hair cut around shoulder length in Chicago. I regret it. :( I remind myself of this 90's boy band, all the rage when I was in 5th grade, the Hanson Brothers. Bummer.


But still, I had such a lovely time.

The Kids

6 Month Look, A Nap Miracle, Dress obsessions

Here are my girls at 6 months. Ella on the left and Lucy (from when we were in England!!) on the right. They are beautiful girls. I think Lucy is about 2 lbs heavier -almost 16 lbs and Ella was around 14) though she doesn't look too much bigger I don't think...

Being a mom is my identity, and sometimes that is fulfilling enough and sometimes it feels embarrassing and makes me feel incompetent and talentless. My identity used to be ballet in high school, and I'm sad that season has ended. Whatever.

The other day I decided to skip Eleanor's nap. While I was exercising (surprisingly. Lately Brent and I've been doing Insanity Max 30. Its hard. Brent is legit at it). Anyway, while I was exercising, she laid her head on the counter and WENT TO SLEEP. what? It was around 4pm. Naps are always a process, so this was so surprising and sweet. Needless to say, she went to bed at 10:30pm.

I would like to discuss potty training for a minute. Not the actual training, because there is too much to discuss there (though I do highly highly highly recommend this book which i used after my first 2 failed attempts at potty training and it helped a lot). But, now, she refuses to wear pants. ONLY DRESSES. Though I must say, she does wear her underwear and sometimes little bloomers over her underwear- so its not like its a real problem and we have a naked banshee on our hands. but anyway, I mean, ONLY DRESSES. she was wearing pajama pants at night, but now she prefers her "pajama dress." does the underwear feel weird with pants? does she like the breeze? the twirl? does she feel more like a princess? jut a stubborn toddler girl thing? I don't know. but its a thing.

PS granny phoebe I hope you're feeling better soon. love you

And, I think I have a shopping addiction. I look at Roolee Boutique's Website almost daily... it doesn't help that their models make EVERYTHING look so cute all the time. I just bought 2 dresses.