Forest in the Plains

September 2012, Palos

When we moved to Illinois we realize how flat the Midwest is --- and I can say it's not one of our favorite things about Chicago. The closest things we have to mountains are the skyscrapers....which is fun for city-living but not when you want to get out and enjoy nature!

One of Ryan's favorite hobbies is mountain biking. We were able to find some good trails to ride in Minnesota, and even Wisconsin, but not quite in Illionois. Until we learned about Palos, a forest preserve about 20 miles outside Chicago. Pretty soon Ryan was spending his Saturday mornings riding and when his biking buddy couldn't make it one Saturday, I offered to go -- and take H with me.

We walk/hike the trails while Ryan rides, and it makes for a pretty great Saturday enjoying Nature. I love to talk to H and tell him what we are seeing: The colors of the leaves, the birds, lakes, wind brushing our faces, etc. I love this time with him even if he is usually sleeping or crying while we are doing it :)

I'm grateful for nature and the peace and joy it can bring to us in this busy, crazy world.

Baby H in the carrier

Our hike around the lake.

My mountain man!

Fall colors,

October 2012

H and I -- H mid-spit up...it was an exciting hike that day! Nursing on the trail, major blowout (note his blanket-pants) and lots of spit up. Living it up.

There's a New Sheriff in Town, Folks! {H's First Halloween}

My little cowboy sheriff!

Trick or Treat: Chicago-Style

I wasn't planning on taking H trick or treating -- he's only 3 months old! But when my neighbor asked if we would go with them and their 1 year old daughter, of course we couldn't refuse. H was a champ as we wound our way through our building....going up and down the elevator to meet our neighbors in true city-style. My pockets got full as neighbors couldn't refuse offering candy to my sweet little cowboy :)

A friend in Lincoln Park invited us to their neighborhood as she said it was the ultimate Halloween experience on their street. They block off the street to cars and let the kids and parents fully enjoy and embrace the Halloween experience.

Ryan missed the early train coming home from work, so we didn't think he would make it for trick or treating. But, to my surprise he called just as we were leaving and was able to run and meet us at the car to drive up to Lincoln Park. I'm so glad he got to enjoy H's First Halloween with us! I kept telling Ryan, Fremont Street looks like a scene out of a movie -- the decorations were amazing, fall leaves covered the street and neighbors were perched on their steps handing out candy to adorable little cupcakes and superheros. It was awesome.

Photo courtesy of a friend- we didn't get there in time for daylight pictures!

We came home to a warm bowl of chili (I thought ahead and prepped before we left!) and snuggled up in our favorite chair.

Happy Halloween!

Favorite Recipes

As you may know, I enjoy cooking and baking, and especially with my sisters & mama. Since we all live far away from each other, we contribute to a blog with new favorite recipes. If you want, you can check it out here:

What the Heart Desires

Happy Cooking and Baking!

xo

Pumpkins and my Pumpkin

H and I joined a few of his friends and their cute mama's for a trip to the pumpkin patch! I have never been to a pumpkin patch like this before -- one with a petting zoo, train rides, giant slides and more. Of course H could only do so much, but we had a blast enjoying a beautiful fall day and all the festivities.

check out that face!

The lama is going for H's head!

H and his friends. G is giving him kisses.

Train ride.

I can't wait for next year when H will be SO into all of this fun stuff! I love fall...

BYU vs Notre Dame

We had October 20 circled on our calendars for a LONG time. Ever since BYU went independent and announced games at Notre Dame, we planned to go. Months ago, we bought tickets with Mom, Dad and Matthew and weeks before the game Dad bought plane tickets to get everyone here. It was all worth it to experience the tradition and grandeur of Notre Dame football together. We couldn't leave Hunter behind, and with his great track record of traveling, we packed him up and of course he was a champ!

It was a gorgeous fall day -- the campus was full of fall colors and great energy of both Notre Dame and BYU fans. It was also fun to see so much Cougar Blue in Chicago that weekend! We set a record at church for the most visitors in our ward to-date. It was awesome.

It only could have been better if BYU pulled out the upset, but we still had a great time!

Family on campus -- loving our 'hard core' stroller holding all of our stuff!

Ryan and I on campus.

GO Cougars!

H snoozin through half time!

Family photo after the game.

Can't wait for next time!

Fall Weekend Trip: Ohio

After looking at a map, we discovered Kirtland, Ohio is the 1/2 way point between Chicago and DC. With Ashley flying out to Kirtland/Cleveland for a family wedding, we decided to make a family trip of it. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful countryside to drive through.Our weekend was full of family, fun and church history. We also listened to General Conference on the way back home.

H was, once again, our travel champ. He slept the whole way there! Once we got there though, he was ready to play with Grandpa. Good thing BYU football was on late that night....

First stop: Kirtland Temple. Of course, I noticed the gardens as well... check out the size of this dahlia!!

Family photo in front of the temple.

Family in front of the Johnson Farm.

Dad in Joseph Smith's Office in Johnson Farm

Cute Farmhouse on the way to the Johnson Farm.

Grandma and Grandpa at the pumpkin patch

Our little pumpkin!

How much does our pumpkin weigh?!

Beautiful fall colors and countryside.

At the Morely Farm

Our own personal tour and tour guide-- Ashley served her mission here!

School of the prophets

 

Family picnic in the Little Red Schoolhouse. Baby-twins!

Twinners!

We were so sad to say goodbye to family -- but knew we would see Mom and Dad again in a few short weeks for the Notre Dame vs. BYU Game!

Family Day Trip- Indiana

It was a cool but beautiful fall September Saturday, and we decided to head south to Indiana. We packed a picnic lunch and explored the Indiana State Dunes. It was so fun!

H snoozin during our picnic.

Hike out to the water.

Family photo!

Just hanging out.

I guess we weren't the first ones to head to Indiana during fall...

We'll definitely be back to the dunes!

Just another day in paradise...

A lot of people have asked me, "What are your days like"?

Well, these days this is what we do.

Wake up (if I'm lucky, H has slept 5-8 hours straight and we are waking up between 530-7am).

H is a morning person!

H eats breakfast, then plays on his play mat while I eat breakfast. Oh, and then we check diapers. H often has a morning blowout.

Blowout while playing on his playmat (note: he plays on his back, but I found this blowout and sent the pic to Ryan....)

Shortly after, we take a nap (or H naps and I try to squeeze a shower in).

snoozin.

He takes his naps seriously!

Late morning we try to head out for a walk (this may change with the cold weather approaching). We walk anywhere from 1-6 miles. We usually meet up with some of our friends for a walk or lunch or play time.

Afternoon walk through the west loop neighborhood.

Afternoon walk on Lake Shore Drive

Sometime in the afternoon we head back for an afternoon snack and maybe an afternoon nap.

We get dinner started and wait for daddy to come home (yay!!)

The evenings vary --- sometimes we head to mutual, sometimes we stay in, sometimes Ryan and H have daddy/son time.

Monday night football!

Mutual at the Bulls Preseason game.

H usually gets an evening bath-- especially if he is having a rough night. He loves it!

Bath time

By 9:30 it's time for 'last call' on feeding and then we put H straight to bed. If we're not so lucky, we are rocking/singing/playing with H until he falls asleep by 1130 or 12.

H loves the alligator hold :)

Start all over again.

I love it.

Baby H {1 Month}

 We were in Utah for H's 1 month birthday, so I wasn't home to get the same type of pictures.... but he is wearing the same pants in month 1 as month 2, and you can see his belly has only gotten bigger!

Stats:
11.5 lbs
22 inches long

Month 1:
Mover and a shaker - always moving his arms and holding his hands by his face.

After he eats he falls into a deep sleep and when I lift him up to burp him I joke that he is my little sack of potatoes -- all dead weight. He'll snuggle up into my shoulder and its the best. 

Hunter the Grunter is his nickname-- he is so loud sometimes!!

His lips get swollen after he eats and he is just so content.

H eats every 4 hours, and can sleep up to 7 hours at night! Its amazing when I can get 7 hours of sleep!!

When H is really fussing and crying I can lay him on my chest and rock him to relax and calm down. I love the way he feels laying on my chest.

As a newborn H loved to be swaddled, but as he got older, he wanted his hands out so we began to only swaddle his legs.

H loves tummy time and can lift his head up on his own already!

We had to take H into the Children's hospital to have his extra digit removed (he was born with a little extra finger!) it was a little traumatic for me to see H so upset, but it didn't take long to calm him down and his hand is completely healed now.

We took H on his first 'outing' -- a walk to the River. I was such an overprotective mom, worrying about the sun and the wind and all the loud noises!! To be fair, he wasn't loving his first trip in his stroller, but we've gotten past that and he loves it (most of the time) now.

H loves to suck his hand--- he fit his entire fist in his mouth! He will just suck away on it.... sometimes we try to trade it for a pacifer ...

I had my first overnight alone with H -- Ryan had a business trip. I was so grateful he was so good for me that day and slept so good for me that night. 

We are just so in love with our little man!

Baby H {2 Months!!}

Baby H with the best smile I can get out of him with my camera :)

I can't believe it's October and our sweet baby boy is 2 months old. He is such a sweet sweet boy and I love that I get to spend all my time with him! Here are a few highlights:

Stats:
14 lbs - 90% weight
23 1/4 inches long - 75% length

Notes from his Mama:
H is 14+ lbs!! We joke that I make 'muscle milk' because this kid just keeps putting on the pounds! I love his chubby cheeks and the rolls on his legs, but I am sad to see him growing out of his 0-3 month clothes already ... where did my newborn go?!

H has started cooing and it is oh so cute. He also smiles and giggles but not for the camera yet!! I will try to catch him and he'll stop as soon as the camera comes out ....

H is definitely a morning person -- so happy and ready to play in the mornings but gets a little grumpy come evening time.

H LOVES bath time!! It's become part of his nightly routine and I love the way he smells after a bath with J&J's nightime bath wash and Burts baby lotion rubbed on his body.

H also loves to swing! A friend of ours lent us their swing, and he loves to rock in it. It has been a lifesaver when I need to do things like take a shower!

H has become my best walking buddy. The fall weather in Chicago has been gorgeous so we have been going on 3-5 mile walks throughout the city. Most of the time he loves to look around, or fall asleep and occasionally, he will get hungry and scream, scaring off anyone near us!

H is a spitter!! I mean spewing out milk after he eats kind of a spitter. Its been really frustrating so I am trying to figure out if its something I am eating that is causing him to spit up so much. I cut out my milk intake and I have seen a big improvement in his spitting and his fussiness.  

H will take a bottle but he doesn't love it. I'm just grateful he'll take it!

We love to go on hikes! We've had a few family outings and thanks to the Ergo he gives me an extra workout as I carry him :)

Most nights he'll sleep for a good 7 hour stretch, from 10-5 and then go back to sleep after he eats in the morning until 8 or 9.

H is so strong! He can practically hold himself up and sit on his own. I still love it when he is in a deep sleep and is like a sack of potatoes though... that's my favorite.

My little man in 'his' rocking chair.

On his 2 month birthday!

On Grandma Pixton's Blanket

Note: I know I missed his 1 Month highlights -- that post is in progress... I'm playing catch up!