We're home

For real, safety first y'all...even when reading your bedtime stories!

(Sorry it's blurry, I couldn't get the better pic to upload correctly...technology!)

 

Paul and I are back from our kid-free true vacation. We had way too much fun. We're in the process of "grandparent detoxing" the kiddos. They were thoroughly spoiled and enjoyed every single minute.

The day before we left we found out we're having a GIRL. It was the first pregnancy that I didn't honestly have a preference so it was just pure excitement to dream about our "little boy sandwich with girl bread." We have a real reason to keep all our little girl clothes now. She is doing well, growing and moving tons. Paul was able to feel her move for the first time on our trip, which was just awesome for both of us. She apparently really enjoys camping, and was ready for another 7-mile hike yesterday. She wouldn't let me take a nap she was moving around so much (taking a hike of her own, apparently)!

Summer time is well underway and our Chicago temps are in the low 90's almost every day. It's hot for us. I've most definitely become a wimp with the heat - although it might just be being pregnant in the midst of it. Here's to July and August!

Peek-a-boo

Grayson, although your "terrible 2's" have fully begun and you're much more of a handful than you've ever been - we are thoroughly enjoying your love of simple pleasures, like peek-a-boo!

Oh lovely June!!!

A few months ago, Paul's boss insisted that he put himself "out of the office" for the entire month of June. When we all got back from traveling at the end of May, we were so excited to welcome JUNE to our 2012. He still has to go into the office, but he's been able to get some organizing and other bigger projects done that have been on the "to do" list for awhile. In addition, no one's been able to schedule meetings with him for the entire month.

We decided to not take a "big" family vacation this year, but instead, Paul agreed to take a few days off here and there go to into the city with the kiddos and I to explore some of the things we haven't done yet. Number one on the list: The Museum of Science and Industry.

(All these photos were taken with my iPhone, so the quality is pretty awful, but you'll get the point.)

We climbed on all sorts of large farm equipment...

Saw some real-life trains (Grayson was PUMPED!! and becoming quite independent with steps)...

MSI has an enormous train table, with tons of trains all throughout it. A model downtown Chicago is behind Grayson in the picture. It's pretty amazing. Well, I put Grayson on my shoulders so he could take it all in a little bit better. He immediately army gripped my head, covering my eyes completely. I laughed hysterically for about 10 straight minutes. I'm glad he enjoyed the view.

You can't tell from this picture, but the kids loved spending the day WITH Daddy...

Grayson and I enjoying the tornado exhibit...

In the cafeteria area they have this enormous wall display. A ball rolls all around the whole thing, dinging bells, riding trains and elevators and starting all sorts of "mechanical" things as it goes. I was sitting at our lunch table when I took this picture, so you can see how close it was to us. Grayson was completely distracted for the entire hour of our lunch break. He would come back to us for bites to eat, then immediately go back. Do you think he got the "Miller engineer" genes? He's got the knack!

We've been enjoying our June. Paul even took a few days off of work last week so I could go to Houston to visit a good friend all by myself. The last time I did a trip solo was when Ilana was 18 months old - it's been awhile! I can't believe how easy it was to pack, get ready in the morning, get out the door, order food at Chik-fil-a...everything. It was a wonderful, much-needed and relaxing break. Happy June!

Safety first y'all!

Travelin'

Well, we went east again. It was a quick trip, just a few days at each grandparents' house. But, there's no way I would've survived here with the kiddos for 11 straight days without Paul. Here's some pics...

We enjoyed tons of cousin time in Annapolis...

5 kiddos in the sandbox at once! Awesome...

Of course, Grayson only wanted to be outside, so he enjoyed lots of solo sandbox time also...

Ilana's always up for reading a book with Nonni, and Nonni is always up for reading with Ilana! It's a win-win...

Then we went up to Hanover and we couldn't get Ilana out of Grammie and G's kiddie pool...the whole time we were there...

Grayson wasn't much for the pool, but he did love the trucks and gravel he got to move around...

We had a Memorial Day picnic with some neighbors and family and had a blast...

The cousins took a self-guided garden tour...

Ilana and Jack had a blast running around all night, but we knew the night was coming to a close quickly when the water wars really began...

Ilana's look of complete satisfaction in this picture is slightly disturbing to me...

No worries, justice was brought to Ilana. She was not much of a fan either. But peace was made in the end and she still can't wait to see Cousin Jack again.

Then we came home again and had to make due with our old toys again :) ...

We're making some minor upgrades to the playroom this summer, in hopes that when the baby comes it will be something "fun and new" for the older two. I still can't believe we're going to have three - wild! More on that later.

Thankful

We went east for 8 days, a quick trip, but much-needed. One of the first mornings we were back, I found us "up and at 'em" early. So, I decided to get out. We were at the park at 9am. Let me tell you something amazing, NOBODY ELSE WAS THERE. We had the whole park to ourselves for a good 45 minutes. I found myself extremely thankful for our lives here.

Clovers picked...

Sandcastles created...

Guarding the "clubhouse"...

Swinging silly...

That run (what am I going to do when he stops swinging his arms like that?!)...

Local construction...

Wow, did I make one little boy's day!

And Ilana was drinking her yogurt smoothie, so she was pretty happy too. :)