Already Growing So Fast

Afternoon Discussion

Just A Little Boy And A Dog

Ryan and Enzo

Baby Steps

We have a changing table and a mobile and a rug and a table lamp,


















which is more than we had in the nursery last month, when we just had the stroller.

One Of The Best Things About Spring

Dining Alfresco

The Charcoal Oven Grill

The Charcoal Oven Grill is one of our favorite restaurants. It doesn't look like much from the outside but inside it's pure old school goodness. We have a standing date with the Woods at the CO and have even managed to work our way up to our own booth. Last week Alex thought it would be fun to celebrate my "retirement" (i.e. maternity leave) at the CO. We weren't there 5 minutes when she whipped out fancy cocktail napkins and happy retirement confetti from her purse to decorate out table. Good times.

Jackie & Chris's Chicago Visit

After hearing one story too many about her parents visit, my cousin Jackie decided to come out to Chicago and visit for herself. She and her husband Chris made a quick weekend stop-over that started with a 10 hour flight delay out of Boston and ended with me sick in bed and out of commission all day Sunday. In between we made the most of our time with a tour of Millenium Park, a parade, lunch at the University Club, a few hours at The Art Institute, and a Chicago style stuffed pizza dinner followed by giant beers at the Brauhaus. Paul stepped it up on Sunday and showed our guests Navy Pier, took them on the Architectural Cruise and cooked them a very Midwest dinner (grilled brats and sauerkraut) while I stayed in bed. I hope you guys are already planning your next visit - I promise not to get sick next time!

Yes, We're All Pregnant. No, We Didn't Plan It That Way.

The week before my book shower my sister-in-law Gwen and mother-in-law Cheryl hosted a Babies Shower for Alexis and I. We had a camera malfunction so I didn't get any pictures (which is too bad because it was another beautifuly done shower)but my father-in-law got this photo of cousin Kelly, me and Alexis. I'm not sure how I feel about the photo, but it is pretty amazing that we are all pregnant for the first time and due within weeks of eachother.

Baby's First Library

My friend and fellow East Coast girl Alex hosted an amazing book shower at her house for some of my Chicago friends. It couldn't have been more perfect.

The Invitations

















The Set-up













The Flowers













The Favors













The Books

















The Stickers

















The Girls













The End

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

I try not to get political on my blog because I'd have to spend 10 hours a day online getting all of my opinions on the table, but once in a while I read something that makes so much sense I just have to repeat it. Yesterday the California Supreme Court overturned a ban on gay marriage. Here is a very small part of the courts decision:

"Our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation"

Well, no duh.

Massachusetts is the only U.S. state to allow gay marriage. But Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont permit same-sex civil unions that grant largely the same state rights as married couples but lack the full, federal legal protections of marriage. And what do all of these states have in common? That's right, they are all on the East Coast. Just another reason to be proud.