and today it really does.

Feel like spring I mean.
It is a little strange to think about spring around the corner when you feel like you are still waiting for a typical harsh winter.  Nevertheless, we enjoy a gorgeous sunny almost 60 degree day today.  The furnace isn't running, a breeze blows through the house, this is my weather (no need for heat or air).  The park is calling to us this afternoon and we will definitely answer.

How is the spring cleaning?  rolling.  I have productive spurts in the day.  When I get that in the morning that is the best.  Today it felt good.  By 10am I had clean floors and rug (including under the couches) a spotless cleared out kitchen, a kitchen table I haven't seen since before the party hoopla began, two loads of laundry rolling, a clean dishwasher awaiting, and a refrigerator scrubbed inside from top to bottom.  I got tired of playing that fun game of "what is smelling inside of the fridge?" and decided it needed a full top to bottom makeover.  And best of all, I enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast with Quinn too.  Because apparently we missed national pancake day yesterday, and we couldn't let that one go.
With windows open, we have a happy (almost completely clean) house today.

Got to enjoy a mommy break last night with my regular movie date Jill.  Regular as in every few months we try to catch that cute girly flick that is out, and have a chance to catch up too.  Last night we saw The Vow, we enjoyed it, but also walked away thinking we could be way better in the film industrty than some people who put these movies together.  It was cute, very very cute, just lacked a little of what we expected and wanted more of, that fight and romance to make her fall in love with him again.  A couple hours away from normal mommy duty is always healthy and refreshing so it was a good evening out. 

The Oscars, here are my random thoughts:
Really good show.
Especially loved the winners: Olivia Spencer, Christopher Plummer and Meryl Streep.
Billy Crystal is always funny but tasteful.
Loved Jessica Chastain's whole look, especially her hair.
Liked Natalie Portman's fun polka dots.
Would love to wear Kristen Wiig's dress.
Did Angelina really need to stick her leg out every time she stood?
...and holy cow Tom Cruise looks half his age, no joke.
If you saw him hand out the Best Picture award you know what I'm talking about.
It looks like Marerick just stepped off the Top Gun set.  He is 50 this year, may as well be 25. Funny enough I googled pics and found that many others found that he looked the same way.
I mostly loved having my sweet little girl cuddled on my side as we watched all the movie stars strut the red carpet. :)


A few weeks ago we had our darling little niece's baptism.
Here are a few pictures from the event, that I didn't have the chance to blog yet.
Unfortunately I was not on top of my game with pics though.  Sorry Aim.

What's going on in the audience?

"But, look at my pretty dress mom."

This moment here:

Resulted in this expression from my sister:

and that expression was from this.

a very very oily little Brynn. :)

Brynn's Godparents are Todd and Courtney.  Todd was very excited. :)

Ugh. eyes are closed, but this was the better of the two family pictures we got.

and this, is just so sweet.

Happy Leap Day!
Happy Spring day!
Enjoy the sunshine.

feels a little like spring.

I don't mean this quite in the weather sense as we just had a snow day the other day and there is a bit of a chill today.
However, spring cleaning in our home has begun!
Exciting, right?
If you like to get things clean and organized then it is.
Unfortunately, our cozy little home is a challenge for finding everything it's own little place. And especially after a big event and lots of family in town it's hard to keep everything in a place. But it's time. We are pretty good at always trying to find a place, but some good ol' clean down to the baseboards is really needed around here. I'm motivated and with the party over I have a little more time on my hands, figured I better jump on it before I no longer have that motivation. My goal is 2-3 cleaning projects on my list a week.

Spring also symbolizes new things to me.

Today I made my stay-at-home mom status official.
I notified the school district that I will not be returning following the end of my leave of absence. Although I've already been away for over a year now, it was still very strange. I love teaching, I'll miss the kids and my friends, but I am so excited to be here with one very special little girl who deserves every ounce of my attention.

Other new things?
Well, we have an official toddler in our house and boy is she filling that title. Everyday she gets even more silly, more dramatic, and every day I see more of a little girl in her. The one that cuddles with me on the couch to watch all of the pretty gowns walking the red carpet last night. It makes me excited for all those things that are very mother/daughter. I can't quite imagine a little toddler boy sitting calmly and quietly though the Oscars. :)

In our new little toddler are new teeth! New one-year molars to be exact. Poor baby, I can only imagine how that feels. Her sleeping routine has been just a little off, but overall she still handles these things like a rockstar. She has been waking once a night these last few days, we spend 20-30 minutes playing, grab a little orajel and back to bed she goes. Last night she woke up at 8:30pm so we cuddled for some of the Oscars show for a while before she headed back to bed until 7:30 this morning. I hope all of these molars come in together. It appears they may. One is through on her right side, and the left side seems to be bothering her so those should be shortly behind.

My mom recently sent me some pictures of my one year birthday. Thought I would share a few along with our new birthday girl.

I see this expression on Quinn sometimes, it's so funny.  And she has a little doggie she carries around that she just got from her auntie, uncle and cousins.  Our hair is the same (except mine was cut with bangs already)  the nose and shape of the eyes is the same.  Quinn has more teeth though, and I think some fuller lips like daddy's maybe.  I was definitely chubbier. :)

Spring is just around the corner.
I'm excited about some new projects and possibilities.

And on that note, I hear a little girl singing in her crib awake from her nap. :)

dear quinn.

On Sunday at 12:58pm you turned one.  One.
Just minutes later people who love you dearly began to arrive to celebrate this birthday with you.
This extra special birthday of being you.  A new toddler one-year-old you.
Pictures, tissue flowers, balloons (which we now know you hate) were among the decor delicately placed across the big room.  Picture frame crafts, coloring, a photobooth, gym activities and a video of you were the entertainment.  Delicious food was served and cake pops, grandma's famous sugar cookies and covered oreos filled the sweet table.  An utterly adorable fluffy pink tutu was stretched around your waist with rainbow leggings, ballet flats, a shirt made just for you by grandma and a pink hairclip (we had matching ones tucked into our hair on this special day). 
You cried most of the first 40 minutes of the party, we often hid in the kitchen for a while to give you a break.  I shouldn't have expected any different, as I was the same way when I was young.  Shy, quiet, intimidated by lots of people.  I cried when everyone would sing "Happy Birthday" to me.  But you my dear are already stronger than me, and I'm so proud of you.  You sat perfectly in your chair for the singing and it was my favorite moment.  Not because you were sitting perfectly, because at that very moment your birthday was so very real for me.  I loved that sweet moment with you.

You had warmed up to your guests over time, which is quite typical of you.  You are mostly scared of men, unfortunately Uncle Drew being one of them (but you loved him when he gave you a cake pop!)  You ate chocolate cake for the first time, and you dove right in!  You were adorable.  Capturing pictures of you with your cake was the best.

And there is a lot of food leftover.  Between grandma and grandpa being in town all week, and all this leftover food, I'm afraid the pounds I lost recently probably just hopped back on.  The sacrifices we make for you. :)

You are a remarkable little girl.
And you did something very special for your birthday.
Instead of gifts for you, your guests brought so many generous gifts for children who are sick and spending time in the hospital.  (Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital) 
As we celebrated you, your mommy and daddy are most thankful and appreciative to have you and to have a very healthy you.  When you get older, you will one day come to see just how very lucky we are, and how many people unfortunately are fighting illness everyday.  I am so proud of the donations  you made to other children.  So many children will enjoy the gifts and prizes that you donated.  They will smile and giggle and shine because of you. It gives me the biggest smile and makes me cry all at the same time.

Pictures from our day dropping off the gifts for the children and enjoying a little of our sweet home Chicago.

I usually take all my pictures of you.  I'm a little proud of my amateur photography skills with this more landscape photo.  Ice skating, the skyline and a little sunshine.  so happy.

You were able to spend lots of time with Uncle Drew and Kristen.

You still received a great gift to you personally, and I think a rather special one.
A time capsule.  So, one day you will be able to open it and see all of the things that the people who love you wanted to share with you.  I know you won't remember your first birthday, but I think this will let you be a part of it and share it with everyone who was there with you in such a wonderful way.  It will be so fun to open and cherish.

You, my pretty girl, are one.
A big one that loves to stand, dance, sing, walk (with a supportive hand:)).
Your silly side has really come out, and it makes all of us laugh. 
You are still petite in weight, but definitely getting tall.  Your perfect fit is 9 month tops and 12 month pants in length (but a 6 month pant in waist).  Your tiny little waist.
Your eyes are hazel. green, blue and brown.
You love books and stuffed animals.  You are our simple little girl, but absolutely unique to any other.
Quinn Avery, the sweetest little one-year-old girl in the whole wide world.


Must check these out!
Fun pictures from Quinn's Party Photobooth can be seen here.

Just a few more party pics.
Storytime

Crafts
good thing we had sweet little Layla there to enjoy the crafts and coloring :)

Scrumptious sweets.

The photobooth, cake pops, caramel puffs and gym activities seemed to be a big hit at your party.

Even without any of it, your guests who love and adore you would be there to celebrate no matter what.  You are so loved...my sweet little girl.

Many more memories await  you in your time capsule one day.

Till then, always be your silly smiley self.
We love you dearly.

one.

Happy Birthday our sweet sweet little girl. 
We love you more than you could ever imagine.
You are our greatest joy.

Big Birthday post with all the pics and party events coming soon!
We are off to deliver many generous presents to the children at Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital.
Party-goers, pics will be up from the photobooth soon!  I'll post here too when they are up.

happy valentines day.

Kisses 25 cents

building the college fund :)


so kissable

Happy Valentines Day! xoxo

a girly girl.

As we approach her first birthday, I am on a mission to capture many pictures of this girl as she hits this big milestone. We've had quite a few little mini-photo shoots with just mama, Quinn, a camera and whatever we have around the house that may contribute to some cute pics. I haven't shared others yet (except for the cake smash), but here are just a couple from our "so girly" little shoot this morning.

Have a great day!

let there be cake.

and the festivities begin.

I have a feeling this month will be filled with many pictures.
I wanted to do some cake smash pics with Quinn.
I am no professional photographer, but I try my best.

I thought she would be a little timid with the cake. Nope, she dove right in!

just chillin' with some cake.

february fun.

We had some fun today.
February brings both birthday and Valentine fun.

just a little preview of the month ahead.

Happy Weekend!
& Happy Birthday Auntie Amy!