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!

3-Months!!!

Brixen Christopher is 3-months old today!!!  Isn't that picture the cutest ever???  I couldn't decide on 3 different photos so if you want to see the other two, they are on Facebook.  Anyway, like I say every month, I can't believe how fast these months go by!  

Brixen is doing GREAT!  He doesn't go back to the Pediatrician until next month so I do not have any stats for you but I know he weighs over 13-lbs now!  Big boy and growing so fast!  He is starting to grow out of 3-month clothes.  Mostly in 3 to 6-months now and at night I put him in 6-month sleepers because it gives him more room!

Nights are going great!  He goes to bed between 7:30 PM and 8 PM.  He gets up for Chris around 1 AM and than for me between 5 AM and 6 AM.  Sometimes he even goes back to sleep after that.  We have such a great system down, I am loving that I can get sleep.  I think that he will be sleeping through the night soon.  Maybe another month or so.  During the day, he doesn't sleep that long when he does take naps and there really isn't a schedule.  When he sleeps, he sleeps!  

Over the next month, we will be busy!  Heading to Michigan this weekend for a cook-out at my Mom's house.  The weekend after is Memorial Day Weekend.  My Aunt Fran and Aunt Sandy are coming to Chicago for the day on Thursday, May 26 and sometime that weekend we will head back to Michigan.  My Dad will be here from FL.  It will be nice to see him since he hasn't seen Brixen since he was born!  

We are hoping that Chris' Sister, Brittany will be visiting in June.  Work is always busy and getting even busier, which is great!  We are balancing everything great too!  We both are so in-love with our son.  Each day gets better and better, especially now that he has this little personality.  So fun!  Hoping to blog more but I always say that and never find the time!  Thanks for always reading our blog!

Mother's Day Weekend (My 1st!)

On Thursday, May 5, Chris surprised me and said that we were going to go to Michigan for Mother's Day Weekend...  The best part is we surprised my Mom!  And, we got it on video!  We are so good at surprises!  The video is below...

On Friday night, Chris took me on a Date Night!  Our friends came up to watch Brixen for a couple of hours.  It was very nice to get out and have a nice dinner with my Husband!  We went to Bravo in Evanston.  I had a glass of red wine with scallops!  It was delicious!  We even had an appetizer, ravioli.  It was a perfect, fun night but I got tired about 8:30 PM!  LOL!  I guess having a little baby will do that to you!  At least I didn't fall asleep during dinner. 

I was up bright and early on Saturday because I was so excited to head to Michigan for the 1st time with Brixen!  Definitely, a lot more to pack now that we have a baby, even for one night!  The drive went well and Brixen slept most of the time.  When we got to Michigan, Ashlee and Kyle were already at my Mom's.  My Mom thought they were going to take her to lunch.  Kyle let us in the house and we sat on the couch waiting for my Mom to come in the room from her 2nd bedroom.  SURPRISE!!!  

We spent Saturday visiting and also went to Clementine's.  I love that place!  Of course, it was raining, which made us all sleepy.  But we went to the Greiffendorf's so they could meet Brixen!  It was a lot of fun but was hoping to get to meet Stacy's new baby girl.  Next time!  

Brixen did very well his 1st night at GramJos!  He got up at his normal times, like usual.  I didn't get to bed until later because we stayed up and played games.  I was a bit tired on Sunday but it was so worth it.  We can't wait to go back next weekend for a family cook-out!

Sunday was Mother's Day!!!  Brixen got to meet his Great Grandma and Great, Great Grandma for the 1st time!  It was so special...  Something we will always remember.  The best part is we got some of the visit on video.  Chris is the best!  I had the best 1st Mother's Day!  THANK YOU TO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND SON FOR MAKING IT A SPECIAL WEEKEND!  I love you!

Lincoln Park Zoo

This past weekend, the Keller Family, spent the day at Lincoln Park Zoo with the Ouellette Family!  The Ouellettes live in Lincoln Park near the Zoo.  So, we drove over there and we all walked the to Zoo.  Dairy Queen was on our way so we decided to stop for some ice cream!  There was a long wait because the weather was actually nice.  It was cloudy but the temp got into the 70s.  Perfect day to be out and about.  

We got to the Zoo and it was very crowded but SO FUN!  Brixen's favorite animal was the Lions.  We got tons of photos...  If you haven't seen them, I uploaded them over the weekend on FaceBook.  Daddy also bought Brixen a Lion in the gift shop.  HE LOVES IT!  He holds onto it and smiles/giggles every time he sees his Lion.  Too cute!  Chris got a video, of course!  :)  See below!

After the Zoo, we went to this really good restaurant and had some yummy appetizers.  We were all very tired afterward.  We headed home and Brixen fell asleep right away after eating.  It was such a fun day!  Can't wait to take Brixen to the Zoo when he gets older.  Such a fun family activity and the best part, Lincoln Park Zoo is FREE!