Welcome to the Windy City

I had another work trip to Chicago.  This time Derek took a few vaca days to come with me and watch Everley.  We had a blast, and glad he was there with us.  His best friend lives there, so we were all able to hang out and enjoy the city before I had to do work stuff.  Thankful for my parents for taking care of Eli while we were gone.  It take a village, and so thankful for them!

 On our way - 3rd trip in the books for this girl.

 I have never been to Chicago, and I was pleasantly surprised -- starting with the view on the flight in.  If you didnt know any better, you would thing Lake Michigan was the ocean.  Such a pretty view.

 Hanging out and stollin the streets of Chi-town

  

 I went to college with Julie and Travis.  The lived in Austin for a little bit, and then Colorado.  They have only lived in Chicago for a few months now.  Glad we were able to get together for dinner and finally meet their precious little girl.

 Deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's -- apparently it is the place to go.

 The Drake hotel and the Hancock center.

 Loved this place, Beatrix.  Had an amazing and delicious brunch.  Plus their bakery was out of this world!

 Joshua and Derek = BFF's forever.  

 My sweet traveler

Derek and Joshua were roommates in Austin for 3 years before we got married.  The dogs, Buckley the basset hound, and Billie are quite possibly his children or at least his dog niece and nephew.  Derek is their "Uncle Diddy".  Needless to say, D reunited with the sweet doggies was a moment for all of them.  They love him and he loves them.

 

 Joshua, Derek, and Ashley with their sweet lamb chops (dogs)

 Next time we see Joshua and Ashley will be in Austin for their wedding, can't wait!

 Hanging out with dad at the hotel.

 Snuck off to Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) after work meetings.  No line, went straight up, took a picture and left.  103 stories high - stepping out on the sky box was a little nerve racking at first, but we did it!

 View from the Willis Tower - you know me, show me water and I am in!

 Mr.Mom!  Thanks for taking care of our sweet girl.  I will cherish this picture forever!

On our way back.  Missing our little boy!!  Speaking of ... thank you to my mom for coming to Austin to watch Eli during the week.  They had a blast together, zoo, parks, pizza, who wouldn't love Mimi time.

Eli's Summer 2016

When you turn 2, you stop with the monthly posts.  I was trying to hold off until he as 2.5 to list out some of his achievementss, but I feel like this summer is has grown into a little boy right in front of our eyes, and I want to remember some of these moments.

1) Loves his school and teachers, Miss Rochelle, Miss Jackie, and Miss Virginia

2) Speaking in complete sentences, and will repeat what you say in the form of a question.  It's really hard to stay firm with him when he is in trouble ... All you get in return is the sweetest voice saying, "I'm in trouble mama?" "I need to go to bed mama?" ... you get it.

3) Just transitioned to a "Big Boy Bed" - well kind of.  We caught him jumping out of his crib, so we had to make a move fast.  We were moving in our extra bed that was had as our guest bed, and it was too cramped.  So we ended up just taking off one of the sides from his crib, and it is just right.  Bedtime routines are still fine, but naps are VERY challenging when he can get up and out of his bed.

4) Loves Dinosaurs ... Loves!

5) Loves Baseball, more than Dinosaurs

6) Still loves any and every animal

7) Started potty training and doing great.  Prefers to water the grass :)

8) Started playing soccer

9) Loves to read books.  Always turns to me at night and says "One More Book mama, just one more, ok?"  Gets me everytime.

10) To make sure we are paying attention to him he tells us to listen to him and he grabs both sides of our face and talks to us.

11) Still a very sweet big brother.  Sharing, gives kisses and hugs, says sweet goodnights to her.  Sometimes the mornings are tough when he wants to snuggle and I'm nursing Evi, but we make it happen.

 That smile and laugh ... too much!

 A snow cone makes everything better.

 #IceCreamforPoops

 The ZOO!!! His sanctuary

 We have to get 2 bags of food now.  He goes right up to the animals, talks to them, feeds them, says bye.  They are his friends.

 Little animal whisperer....watch out Charles :)

 The newest soccer addition to the family.  Such a proud moment for Derek.  He has been waiting for this day ever since we found out we were pregnant with Eli.

 Can you believe this was a year ago!  Look how much he has changed.

Sweet big brother.

 

 Potty training and books

 Selfies with Eli

 Loving his Ry-Roo

 I think this picture makes his Senior yearbook tribute page ... priceless

 At the Dinosaur park.  They studied fossils and dinosaurs one week in glass, and now he is obsessed.  Not going to lie, its a pretty cute phase.

He went up and gave this one a hug on his own - the cutest!

 Caught red handed climbing out of his crib ... this boy ...

And then he fins the camera and starts talking to me.  He was SUPER cute, but I was trying to get him back in his bed for naps ... 

His new bed.  He is loving it, and is doing great.  Naps will get there, but for the most part he is loving his big boy bed and his NEW baseball pillow.  All about baseball right now!