rule breaker

Admittedly, this isn't a super entertaining video...but, it's such a milestone for Sadie-- her first swim in Chicago! We loved that Sadie was more intrigued by the lap swimmer in the pool than her first swimming experience. Our little one loves people!

A few days after, mark's parent's condo association made an announcement, "No diapers in the pool!" They're special swimmer diapers, I swear!!

happy tuesday

okay. my brother didn't like my blog design...so i'm trying a new one. thx for the feedback aaron. i like books, so I thought this would work. Here's a video of Sadie cracking up mid-July. Such a silly baby! She turns 9 months this week. :)

More Windy City

In late July, we were in the Midwest for 9 days visiting the Anderson's. Part of that time we spent with Mark's extended family at the Dells in Wisconsin. It was great fun to see Sadie interact with all of her cousins. 2009 was a boon year for Anderson babies.

Cousins Lars and Sadie-hanging with grandma and grandpa.

Anderson cousin fest in the Dells.

Lars- so cool

Contenta con cousin Jules (visiting from NZ)

Love from the big cousins...they were very nurturing with Sadie

Nice Sunset in the Dells

Group Photo (one of many!). Sadie was distracted by the ducks and was reluctant to look towards the camera. I like that she was so into the ducks.

Uncle Owen with Lars, Dad with Sadie, Uncle Scott and Jules--

2009 Anderson babies, all a few months apart. Hmmm, there's a slight resemblance with the grown-ups here, eh?

Aunt Lida and Lars, Dad and Sadie-- not a couple with twins.

Sadie ready in her party dress for Aunt Claire's 30th bday!! Who-hoo Claire!!!

Gotta Say, it's nice to be back to work...I have a lot more me time, which I'm realizing I need more than ever before. I love love love vacation, and I especially love that my hubby and I are both teachers that share holidays. It's such a gift!! But, I also like having down time...and with my new schedule I am with Sadie at home for a large chunk of time daily, so that's nice.

Happy day to you!!

you spin me right round baby, right round...

Little Sadie ladie has gotten the hang of rolling over and is lovin' it! This is a clip of her rolling around in Chicago at her grandparent's:


Happy Tuesday! Hope Sadie's joy brings of spot of warmth to your day!

Sweet Sunday

Just made these...so easy and so good! I had 3+ boxes of semi-sweet chocolate in the cupboard and a visitor to host...so these cookies hit the spot, delightfully! Try 'em!

I only put in about 1 1/2 cups of walnuts


Chocolate Bliss Cookies

2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided 1/4 cup Butter, softened 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 Eggs 1 tsp. Vanilla 1/2 cup Flour 1/4 tsp.  Baking Powder 2 cups chopped PLANTERS Walnuts Make ItHEAT oven to 350°F.


CHOP 8 chocolate squares; set aside. Microwave remaining 8 chocolate squares in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min., stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add butter; stir until melted. Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder; mix well. Stir in chopped chocolate and nuts. (Note: If omitting nuts, increase flour to 3/4 cup to prevent excessive spreading of cookies as they bake.)


DROP rounded tablespoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets.


BAKE 12 to 13 min. or until cookies are puffed and shiny. Cool 1 min.; remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool completely

Suck it! The REAL Way to Prep for Breastfeeding - Parenting.com

I got this link from my BFF. So funny for you moms who have nursed your wee ones. I laughed out loud several times.

Suck it! The REAL Way to Prep for Breastfeeding - Parenting.com

Enjoy!

The Windy City

The talk of the town is the filming of Transformers 3. Here is a picture of the movie's mobile homes below. We thought it was kinda ridiculous that they brought their caterer with their truck all the way from West Hollywood. Hmmm, not very economical.  There was tons of debris littering the downtown Chicago streets-- upturned buses, newspaper stands, and cars. Also, there were large concrete slabs, billowing smoke, and general destruction.

The used these tanks in the movie. There were 4 parked tanks across the river from Mark's parent's condo (their red/green condos are in the background). The tanks are real, guarded by army personnel, but the guns on top of the machines are rubber.

Nate and Heidi came down to Chicago from Madison. So lovely to see them!

Sadie likes to hang out in Grandpa's room-- her main entertainment is ripping pages out of catalogues and bopping foreheads with Grandpa.

We went to brunch with Nate, Heidi and Nadia at Tre Kroner-- a favorite North Park spot!

Sadie went napless on this morning, but rallied and was all smiles when Nadia showed up. My social butterfly! Below: Nadia with mama!

Playing at Grandma and Grandpa's

Mark, Aunt Fern Emma, Mom, Sadie, and Uncle Arthur out on a walk. It was so nice-- on their way to Indiana to visit my other aunt and uncle, they stopped by downtown Chicago for an afternoon visit.

Uncle Arthur (Mark's Doppelganger) plays with Sadie

Sisters

BP Bridge in Millennium Park

The view of the lake from Mark's parent's place

Aunt Fern Emma with Sadie Fern

Getting ready for her first dip in the pool in her swimmers!

So far the trip have been wonderful and relaxing. Sadie is sleeping well and has loved seeing her grandparents. We are heading to Wisconsin for the weekend with the entire Anderson clan!