Baby, it's cold outside

It's been a while... I've been working from home a lot, so most of my computer time is work, not leisure.

What is new? Nicole is all better from her cold and being just as sassy as ever. We got about 9 inches of snow recently and she thinks that is pretty cool. Tomorrow, I'm going to go buy her a snowsuit and boots, and maybe a sled to pull her around the yard.

Eric and I attended his work Christmas party on Saturday. It was held in the grand ballroom at Navy Pier. So beautiful. Dinner was yummy, drinks were yummy and dessert was to die for. They set up like 5 dessert islands with all kinds of stuff. One island is a chocolate fountain with all the good dippings, plus a few unusual (twinkies?) Another island was "kid candy" which was fishbowls of candy like fun dip, bottle caps, candy buttons, airheads, lemonheads, necco wafers... you name it, they had it. Then there were a few islands with more normal dessert items - cheesecake, cupcakes, mini pies, candy apples, bars, cookies... all the goods. So yummy. This year they did something new. They brought in a candy company and they made candy canes on the spot! It was fun to watch. So we had a lovely night in Chicago. The next morning we discovered that the New York Giants were staying in our hotel for the game against the Bears. So there were a bunch of Giants fans waiting by an escalator to see the players come down and get on the bus. I wanted to see someone semi-famous so we waited a few minutes and we did get to the QB - Eli Manning. So that was my star sighting for the year! (I'm so star struck!)

I'm so excited for Christmas. I'm going to try to get some stuff up tomorrow. I also have to work on my Christmas Cards. I love to make them, but I think I lost all of my creative juice as I can't come up with a fun idea for them. I know it will include a picture... but that's about it!

I'm having issues with uploading photos. More to come soon. Promise!!

Crappy Weekend

So this weekend was pretty awful. Nicole started developing a cold late Thursday night. It got worse Friday and Saturday morning she was coughing so hard she sounded like a dog. But Saturday afternoon she was struggling to take a breath. So we took her to the walk in clinic where she was transferred to the emergency room. We learned she had an upper respiratory infection as well as an ear infection. She received two breathing treatments, some steriods, chest x-rays, a popsicle and was sent home with three prescriptions. Through all of this she really was in great spirits. She's so incredible. Why does she keep getting sick? I feel lately it's been a lot. In September she had bronchilitis, then a couple weeks later pinkeye, then a high fever for a couple days, which turned into a cold, and she just got over that and this all happens. My poor baby girl. She's feeling much better now though. :o)

Trick or Treat

Nicole was a ladybug for halloween. She didn't do much trick-or-treating though. Just to the neighbor. With her allergies, she could only have suckers. I don't think I ever posted that we had her re-tested and she is no longer allergic to wheat or peanuts!!! Still milk (quite severly) and eggs, but she can eat bread and most crackers now!!! And real cheerios! No more Perky-Os for this girl!!!

Again, I don't think I posted her picture from last year halloween. She was a lobster. So I've included that as well.

So much love for my little big girl

I never knew I could love someone as much as I love my peanut. She is so wonderful, and makes me smile all the time. Even when she wakes up at 2 in the morning wanting to play, I just can't get enough of her. My baby girl. Today, my baby girl wore her new overalls, and looked more like a small child! Where did my baby go? I just turned around and she was gone. Turned into a big girl who knows how to brush her hair (all 5 strands of it). A big girl who can use a fork. A big girl who knows how to pet the kitty gently so she doesn't run off. A big girl who can get in and out of her rocking chair all by herself. A big girl who will give hugs and kisses if you ask for them. Although I miss my baby girl, I'm pretty excited about my new big girl.

Who Knew Corn Could Be so Cute

Not much has been going on with us lately, hence this strange post. Nicole was eating corn the other day, and it was so funny I had to bust out the camera.

Weekend in Review

This weekend was kind of plain. We made a few trips to Kohl's as we had a 30% off everything coupon. Got a few picture frames, some fall clothes for Nicole, new jeans for Eric, and new shoes for both Nicole and myself. My brother-in-law and his girlfriend came down to visit and to give Nicole her birthday presents since they couldn't make it for her party. We had some dinner at Culver's, and called it a day. Sunday, I picked up a gift card at Ben & Jerry's for my pregnant friend's birthday. I swear, walking into that place smelled like I had walked into a giant cave of ice cream. When I got back in the car, Eric said I smelled like ice cream too. So now I'm craving some Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Bunz... mmmm.... so yummy. But I'm trying to eat better, so Eric is at the store buying me sherbert. Yeah. That's the same. How sad. :o)

Happy Birthday Nicole!

We celebrated Nicole's 1st birthday this weekend. Can you believe it! Nicole is 1 year old! Here are some pictures from her party.

Here are some of her guests, chatting and snacking before lunch is served.

Here is Nicole, waiting patiently for her lunch.

Here is Nicole with the guest cake.

And here's Nicole with her wheat free, milk free, nut free, egg free cupcake with Crisco/Powdered sugar frosting.

And of course she got some presents. This is her Little People Farm set.

And here is her Elmo chair that giggles and shakes when Nicole sits in it.

This is her rocking toy that when you press the ear it sings "I'm a magical unicorn, rainbow colors and glowing horn. We'll have lots of fun today when you come with me and play."

And this is from Mommy and Daddy, her riding Pooh airplane.

What a fun day. I hope Nicole had a good time. Love you baby girl. xoxo

Movie Night

Last night Eric and I (and his Dad) went to see the 5th Harry Potter movie. I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I have read the books, so I'm more critical about how closely it follows, and I understand they can't put every detail in the movies, but I felt they incorporated details very well. The graphics were outstanding. I was more satisfied with this movie than with 4. Now I just have to finish the 7th book. I didn't have a baby before, so I can't just lounge and read all day. It might take me all week!

Photo Shoot

Every once in a while, Nicole and I will have a photo shoot. Since yesterday was so beautiful, we headed out back for some outdoor pics. Can you tell when she'd had enough?

Wedding Bells

We attended Eric's cousin's wedding on Saturday in Milwaukee. It was a blast. Plus my mom watched Nicole so it was a very pleasant (and much needed) break for Eric and I. The reception was held at The Grain Exchange in Milwaukee. I had never been there, and it was one of the most beautiful places in Milwaukee I have ever been to. High ceilings, lots of marble. Beautiful. We had assigned seating, which concerned us at first, but we were at the table with Eric's three brothers, and their 3 girlfriends. Open bar was until the end of dinner, and I didn't get drunk enough before it was over, so we all had to switch to beer as I ordered a sex on the beach for myself and a rum and coke for Eric and it cost $14.50. So we were drinking beers. I don't like beer. But desperate times call for desperate measures. We did do a shot every hour to help. We started with tequilla. 9 people did the shot with us, including my mother in law!! It was great. Then we ordered lunchboxes. The bartender, who didn't know how to make anything didn't know what it was, so as I was explaining it, this guy next to us asked "are you guys doing lunchboxes?" And we're like "yeah!" and he's like "can I do one with you?" and I'm like "Sure! Come on over!" So we get our shots together (only 7 this time) and we're at our table and the guy (Ed) joined us and I introduced him. He said "I have a T-shirt with a toast on it especially for lunchboxes and it goes like this... Who wants to do a lunchbox???" So we all did the shot and Ed was awesome for joining us.

The had a live band, which was incredible, but they didn't play a lot of traditional wedding songs, like Baby Got Back, and Paradise By the Dashboard Light (My and Eric's favorite) and sadly, the Electric Slide. So I was telling Eric's aunt that really, the Electric Slide can be done to any song. She didn't believe me and challenged me to do the Electric Slide to the next song, which happened to be "American Girl". So we proved her wrong and there were actually about 10 of us doing it too.

All in all, the wedding was a blast. The band rocked (they played the old polka favorite Roll Out the Barrell which brought me back to my Blue Devils football days) the food was delicious, the cake was so yummy (each piece was a layer of cheesecake, layer of mousse, layer of marble cake and a layer of frosting) The decorations were beautiful.

Congratulations Kristin and Jeff!

Screaming Baby

So Nicole started screaming. Like top of her lungs, high pitched screams. For no reason. She's happy as a clam, and just screaming away. I don't know what to do about it. She started screaming in late April. Then, she said Ma-ma (the day before Mother's Day!) and stopped screaming. The times she would usually scream, she would just say ma-ma-ma-ma... Much better! But then, in mid June, she started again. Hopefully she's just working on a new word, but oh my goodness! I'm going to lose my mind! At least she's happy! And it helps that she's totally cute. I can't believe she's going to be 11 months old!!! (if she'd just grow some darn hair!)

Wow... it's been awhile

Yeah, with motherhood comes forgetfulness. So here is my second post. Only like 6 months later! So our little peanut is doing quite well. Aside from being highly allergic to milk, wheat, eggs and peanuts, and nevermind the fact that she's only gained 3 pounds in 6 months, she is wonderful. Eric works a ton, so we have lots of mommy and baby time. She's been crawling since she was 6 months old, now she's pulling herself up and standing supported. Eating lots of fruits and veggies. She is incredible. I love her so much. :o)