Trip to Harrisburg, PA

Each Summer around this time, we usually make a trip to PA to visit with Chris' family.  It is always a nice time but this year we decided to stay and extra night, which allowed us to relax and visit more.  Good decision on our part!  And, it was our 1st flight with Brixen.  We left Thursday, July 14 and came home on Monday, July 18.  

I definitely was a bit nervous about taking Brixen on an airplane for the 1st time and also making sure that I had everything for him, Chris, and me.  We checked a large suitcase and the car seat.  We carried on his diaper bag, another bag, and Chris had a carry on.  We were able to check the stroller right before we boarded the plane, which was very nice!  It felt like we were going away for weeks with as much stuff as we had but we used everything...  I guess that is how it is when you travel with babies.

Brixen did AMAZING on the two flights to PA.  We stopped in New York City.  Flew right over the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.  It was very cool because I have never seen NYC.  However, the people weren't that friendly at the airport.  And, we had to walk out of the airport and back through security to catch our other flight.  That was a pain!  Regardless, we made it to PA.  Oh yea, I was thankful that one of my friends told me to bring extra clothes for Brixen.  Something about being in the air made Brixen poop, A LOT!  :)

Thursday night, we went to Chris' favorite place, YP, for strombolis.  He was so happy!  His family joined us and it was great for them to meet Brixen for the 1st time.  Although, after a long day of traveling, Brixen was starting to get tired so we heading up Blue Mountain where his Aunt Judy lives to put Brixen to bed.  The 1st night was not fun.  Brixen was up twice!  That isn't normal for him anywhere but we were in a new place.  And, it is QUIET up there in the mountains.  LOL!  We are use to a lot of noise living in the City.  We bought a fan the next day for some noise!  It sure help because Brixen was fine the next 3-nights.

Friday, we spent the day with Chris' grandparents.  His uncle, his wife, and cousin were also there.  They took us out to this amazing Italian Restaurant.  It was so good...  I loved the salad!  Definitely want to go back there next Summer.  Hopefully, it is still there!  It was a long day and we decided to head back up the mountain and go to bed early!  We all slept like 12-hours!  I can't remember the last time we did that.

Saturday, Chris and I went out to lunch and his aunt watched Brixen.  They had a nice time together.  We were also having a family cook-out early evening.  It was a perfect night with family.  We had great food and I finally got to see Chris play the drums for the 1st time.  He is so good and I am so proud of him!  I LOVE YOU HONEY!  He spent some time with his cousins too.  The cook-out was also a celebration for his Grandma who turns 89 next week as well as WELCOME BRIXEN!  They got him a cake and he put his hand right into it.  We have plenty of video from the weekend, however, Chris hasn't uploaded anything yet so when he does, I will post videos.

Sunday, we went to Church and had to say good-bye to his parents.  It was definitely hard because we are not sure the next time we will see them.  Hoping to fly them out for Thanksgiving.  And, hoping to get to Florida for Brixen's 1st Birthday.  We had such a nice time...  The rest of Sunday was spent relaxing.  It was nice to not have to rush out on Sunday, like we always do.

Monday, was our last day!  We made our rounds and said good-bye to everyone and even had one last East Coast Sandwich!  I have to say I have never had sandwiches as good as there.  AMAZING!  It was sad to go but we were ready to get home and get back to work.  Although, we almost had to stay another night in PA!  I got a text message saying our flight was delayed out of Harrisburg for 2-hours, which would have put us past our 2nd departure in Philly.  YIKES!  That was the last flight out of Philly to Chicago.  So, with Chris' charm, he was able to get us on a straight flight from Harrisburg to Chicago.  We got home about 3-hours earlier too.  THANKFUL!  Everything happens for a reason!

After spending 5-days in PA eating our faces off with Stromboli, Middleswarth Chips, Utz Chips, Brothers Sandwiches, Cook-Outs, Etc. I worked out yesterday and planning to work-out for the next several days.  LOL!  GREAT TIMES WITH FAMILY!  THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR TAKING TIME TO VISIT WITH US.  We love you all and will see you next Summer!!!

Surprise Visit!!!

For the past couple of months, Chris' parents and I have been planning a Surprise Visit to Chicago for them to see Chris and of course, their grandson, Brixen.  I know how much Chris misses his parents and it was the perfect time for them to come to Chicago for a visit.  They haven't been here since Brixen was 3-weeks old!  Usually, I like to keep these surprises a secret to family and friends but this time I couldn't...  Chris' parents were also planning to go to PA the same time as us.  So, Chris knew that we would be seeing them in Harrisburg and everything there knew his parents were coming here for a surprise.  THANKFULLY, NO ONE ACCIDENTALLY SLIPPED AND TOLD HIM!  

It was hard to fool Chris because we NEVER go out to the suburbs or downtown on a Friday night.  It was the only flight that Chris' parents could get on so I told him I had a special "Friday Night Family Night" planned.  Usually, us 3 will do something as a family on Friday night.  For the two-days prior to his parents arrival, I gave him "clues."  However, they really didn't have anything to do with his parents visit.  LOL!  I just made everything up...

When we left Friday for Midway Airport, I told Chris he had to put on a blind fold and he wasn't too happy about that one.  But I didn't give in because he for sure would have known where we were going.  Of course, traffic was horrible so I had to take a detour and go on Michigan Ave (not a smart idea).  He knew we were down there.  So, I just started making stuff up.

FINALLY...  We got to the airport and his parents were waiting outside.  I pulled up and told Chris to hold on.  I got the video camera, went to his side of the door, opened it up...  TOLD HIM HOW MUCH I LOVED HIM AND THAT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR HIM.  He opened his eyes and WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE HIS PARENTS STANDING THERE!  Fun!  We have it on video somewhere but I don't think Chris has uploaded it yet.

Anyway, his parents stayed until Tuesday than headed to PA where we met them two-days later.  We spent most of the weekend visiting.  It was so nice to have them here.  They love Brixen so much and of course, brought him toys.  Brixen got a laptop, too cute!  And, some clothes!  Chris and I made one of our signature meals on the grill...  

Filet Mignon with Horseradish Sauce

Ranch Red Roasted Potatoes

Salad with Homemade Dressing

Asparagus

It was delicious!  We sure do like to grill-out in the Summer.  We also were able to take his parents to our Rehab Project.  They were very impressed and proud of us!  It was great to show them what we have accomplished thus far.  We went into Evanston as well and tinkered around.  Went shopping too!  And, Church on Sunday.  They have been to our Church before but this time it was with Brixen.  The whole weekend was tons of fun.  And, it wasn't hard to say good-bye because we were seeing them in 2-days in Harrisburg!  THANKS FOR COMING TO VISIT NANA AND PAPA!  We love you!

4th of July Weekend

It was ONE YEAR ago that we told my family that we were pregnant!  I remember the exact dates...  We told Mom, Bruce, Ashlee, and Kyle on Friday, July 2, 2010 at Mom's house.  And, we told Dad and Sherry on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Jimmy's in New Buffalo.  We got everything on video...  I posted these a year ago but thought I would post again!  ENJOY!

This 4th of July Weekend, we spent in Michigan with our SON!  We went there on a Saturday morning and left Monday morning.  It was nice to get away from the City and relax.  We didn't do much of anything but visit and eat a lot of food!  But I guess that is expected over a holiday weekend!

Saturday, we spent the day at GramJo's with Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Kyle.  That night we grilled-out at Moms house.  On Sunday, we went to the beach and grilled-out again with everyone including Mom and Bruce for my birthday.  We had so much food and everything was delicious!  I even got to blow out candles on my 28th birthday cake.  LOL!  Two more years and I will be 30!  We were planning to go light off fireworks with Ashlee and Kyle but the Keller family was exhausted.  Brixen fell asleep on Daddy's chest and Daddy fell asleep too!  We all went to bed around 8:30 PM and slept until morning.  

Brixen slept really well at GramJo's in the pack n play she bought for him.  We had a wonderful time visiting with my family.  We got tons of photos and I have posted all of them on FB.  We even took Brixen to Tiny Tots park right by my Mom's house.  VERY FUN WEEKEND!  Thank you to my Mom who made very delicious and yummy food for my birthday.  Thanks to Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Kyle for hanging out with us and Brixen Buddy!  See you guys at the end of July for your visit to Chicago!  WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Visit: Aunt Britt & Cousin Caleb

Well...  I haven't been very good lately about Blogging.  My apologizes.  I thought for sure this Summer wouldn't be as busy as the previous ones.  However, I was wrong.  Thus far, we have had something going pretty much every weekend.  But we are thankful for being busy with our business as well as being able to spend lots of time with family!

Aunt Britt and Cousin Caleb came to Chicago to meet Brixen for the 1st time Friday, June 24 to Tuesday, June 28.  It was so great to be able to wait for them at Midway!  It was a very special moment...  We hadn't seen Aunt Britt or Cousin Caleb in almost a year.  A lot has happened since that time, mainly us having a baby!

They arrived on a Friday afternoon so we decided to just relax and grill-out that evening.  Chris and I made our signature Peppercorn Pork Loin with Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes and Salad with Homemade Dressing.  It was delicious.  We ate at our formal bigger table.  It was a very nice evening.  Both Brixen and Caleb went to bed and we were able to sit-up and chat for awhile.  Fun times!

Saturday, we had to go to Menards because it was the last day of the sale on the cabinets we wanted to purchase for our FLIP.  I will blog more about our business later but if you are interested in watching it...  Go to www.watchourflip.com.  Put in your information and you will receive updates whenever Chris puts up new videos, etc.  We bought our cabinets and headed back to Evanston.  We decided to have lunch at Bar Louie.  It was very good!  I love that place!  We walked a little bit in Evanston but went home for naps.

Sunday, we took Britt and Caleb to our Church for the 1st time.  It is a lot like their Church down in Florida.  Caleb went to Kids Kingdom and enjoyed himself very much.  Met some new friends.  The best part is that Nana (Chris and Britt's Mom) bought matching outfits for Brixen and Caleb.  TOO CUTE!  See a photo below, even though I have already uploaded them onto FB.

Monday, it was suppose to rain but of course, the meteorologists had that forecast wrong!  It didn't rain so Brixen, Britt, Caleb, and I tinkered around at Target for awhile.  Brixen had to spend some time at our Rehab Project.  Since it was their last night in Chicago, we decided to go walk around downtown Evanston and had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.   

Tuesday was the day they had to get on a flight back home.  I decided to take Britt and Caleb to Lincoln Park Zoo...  I thought it would be fun for Caleb.  He was able to ride a kids train there and see a lot of animals.  We only had a couple of hours before we had to leave for the airport but it was still a nice time.  Brixen enjoyed himself too...  He loves to look at all the people and he bought Daddy a little Lion at the gift shop.

We had a wonderful time when Aunt Britt and Cousin Caleb were visiting.  Not sure when we will see them next.  We would love to take a trip to Florida soon but thinking it won't be until around Brixen's 1st Birthday...  WOW!  Time sure does fly by.  Next month, Brixen will already be a half-year old.  THANKS FOR COMING TO MEET BRIXEN, AUNT BRITT AND COUSIN CALEB!  WE LOVE YOU!

Father's Day Weekend

Brixen and I wanted to make Daddy's 1st Fathers Day Weekend SPECIAL!  We had been planning a couple of things for awhile now.  We wrapped his presents a few days before and made him look at them all week!  Are we mean?  I found this really cool Dad wrapping paper at Target so I wanted to see it for awhile.  Anyway, the weekend was relaxing and perfect!

Saturday morning, I made breakfast in bed for Chris.  Brixen got up shortly after that...  We had a scavenger hunt around the house ready for Daddy!  They were clues to that days activity.  Chris had to go to each room of the house and find a letter.  After he found them all, he had to unscramble it to find out what we were doing that day.  BBQ FEST!!!  It was the 1st Annual 6 Corners BBQ Fest on the Northwest Side of Chicago.  I thought we could check it out because Chris LOVES BBQ.  We went early to beat the rush.  It was fun!  Not a lot going on there and only a couple of BBQ places but it was worth it.  We love going to festivals in the Summer.  Fun to walk around, eat, listen to the bands, relax, and people watch!  We had some yummy BBQ.  Spent the rest of the day relaxing.  I actually took a nap and slept 2.5-hours!  It felt great after a long, busy week!  Saturday night, I made Chris' favorite chicken sandwich and a salad.  It was delicious!

Sunday, it was Brixen's turn to give Daddy his present.  I found matching Star Wars beach towels at Pottery Barn Kids.  There was a large size for Dad and a mini one for Brixen.  SO CUTE!  I got them personalized!  CHRIS LOVED IT!  Brixen even signed his Fathers Day card himself.  :)  With a little help from Mommy!  Photos are below!  We went to Church and spent the rest of the day relaxing at home.  HAPPY 1ST FATHERS DAY TO THE BEST HUSBAND AND DADDY IN THE WORLD!  Thank you for all you do for our family!  WE LOVE YOU!

4-Months!!!

Our Baby Boy is 4-months old!!!  Each and everyday it gets more and more exciting!  I definitely have to say those first few weeks were a lot to handle and stressful.  But once you get through that time and get to know your baby, it is soooo fun!  Brixen brings so much joy to both Chris and I!  We love being parents and can't wait to see what the future has in-store for our Brixen!

Brixen had his 4-month appointment on Friday, June 11 when he was 16-weeks.  It went well!  He had the same shots from the 2-month appointment, 2 injections and 1 oral.  It was painful to have my baby get those but I didn't want to leave him.  I just wanted to hold him and make sure he knew everything was going to be just right.  He ate right after his shots and was fine!  I am so proud of him!  

At his appointment, he weighed 14 lbs, 11 oz.  He is 25.5-inches long.  Our Pediatrician never gives the percentiles so I just don't ask.  Brixen is growing healthy and that is all that matters!  His next appointment will be sometime in later August for his 6-months!  It will be here before we know it because Summer is going to fly by!  We have something going every weekend until the middle of August...  One weekend in July we don't have anything and we are planning to hang out here and relax!  

One big thing from this past month is that BRIXEN IS SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!  He started doing this about a week ago!  Typically, now he goes to bed at 8 PM and sleeps until about 5:30 AM.  He eats and goes back to bed until about 8:30 AM.  I am enjoying my "me" time in the mornings now with my coffee and getting as much work done as I can.

Also, we have tried giving him rice cereal a couple of times but he just doesn't seem to know what to do with it yet.  We will try again around 5-months and see how he likes it.  Right now, he is eating about every 3-hours, 5 oz.  Each day he is getting between 25 oz and 32 oz.  I think he will be ready around 5-months.  We will be coming back from Harrisburg, PA on July 18, which is when Brixen will be 5-months.  It will be our first plane ride with Brixen!  I am a bit nervous about it but we do like to travel so it is something I will get use too.  ENJOY THE 4-MONTH PHOTOS OF OUR CUTE SON!

Rice Cereal - 1st Time!

Over the past few days, Brixen seems to be more and more hungry throughout the day.  So...  Chris and I decided to give Brixen just a little rice cereal to see what he would do!  It was just a bit thicker than the formula and wouldn't go through the nipple of the bottle so we gave it to him from a spoon!  Is there a bottle out there that would let him drink it through a bottle?  Message me on FB!  

His Pediatrician said he usually doesn't start babies until about 5-months, however, when you have a hungry baby and are with them all day, I feel like it is more of the parents decision.  Brixen is a growing baby boy and I feel like he is ready to start little on rice cereal.  It sure was a funny sight...  We got a few photos!  Chris even got a video but that will come later!

We go to Brixen's 4-month appointment on Friday.  He will be 16-weeks and officially 4-months on June 18!  WOW!  I will be blogging on June 18 about 4-months.  Time is going by so fast but each day we are loving Brixen more and more.  These are the best times!  Chris and I can't wait to see him grow up!  We love him so much!  ENJOY THE PHOTOS!