Leaving on a jet plane..

Tomorrow morning, the family and I are headed to Chicago for ELEVEN days!! We have a few plans; visiting family, going to the zoo, checking out Kiddieland, catching a White Sox game, eating A LOT of yummy food, doing some shopping, etc. Try not to be jealous.. ;)

We're no where near ready to go or even close to being finished with packing, but for sure we will make our flight! We better!

Have a great eleven days! I know we will!!!! :)

Gracie Alexa Zdenek

This past Saturday, our little coconut turned ONE!! Sniff sniff..

Ryan and I can't believe that our baby girl is now one, and now considered a toddler not a baby.

One year ago, Ryan and I welcomed another beautiful little girl to our wonderful family. Gracie came as a welcomed surprise. Unlike Payton, we weren't "trying" for Gracie, but were SO VERY excited that she choose us as her parents!

born at 9:26 a.m. on June 13th, 2008

weighing in at 6lbs. 14 oz. and 19 1/2" long
She was perfect! Everything that Ryan, Payton and I prayed for.
Our doctor decided to deliver her early due to her lack of movement. Dr. Skrypzak figured that it was time for our little coconut to enter the world, and we were ready to meet her!
Gracie was born with beautiful red hair. I was shocked when the nurse brought her to me! I thought they hadn't cleaned her off yet, but nope! She has RED hair! She gets it from both Ryan and my sides of the family.

Ryan and I were both a little nervous on how Payton would take to being a big sister, but she has been everything that we would've asked for. Payton LOVES Gracie and tries to protect her.

We were so excited to take our little girl home and start our lives as a family of four. BUT we were also very nervous. How were we going to juggle having two kids?? We had forgotten what it was like to have a newborn in the house.

Thankfully, Gracie was easy. She slept a lot, she was an excellent eater, and only cried when she was hungry or needed her diaper changed. A LOT different than our first time around! ;)

One month down, we were in the swing of things!

We couldn't get enough of her smiles and thankfully at two months, she was right now schedule.

Was rolling over by three months..

Trying to crawl by four.

So happy still at five months.

Couldn't stop her from trying to move at six..

At seven, she was off and there was no stopping her from crawling EVERYWHERE!

Gracie has brought us so much happiness and is such a love.

She a little cuddle bug and we can't get enough of her

Even at ten months, her personality was still growing.

I can't believe my little girl is one. It makes me so sad that the first year has come and gone so fast. We're excited for this next year too though.

Gracie, your daddy and I are so happy of the little girl that you are and look forward to what the future has in store for you! We love you so much and thank you for choosing us to be your parents!!!!! We truly feel blessed!

I love you baby girl.

One year ago today

One year ago today..

On this particular day one year ago, Ryan and I were getting ready for my c-section that was going to take place the next morning. Our baby girl was originally scheduled to be delivered on June 19th, but on this day last year, I wasn't feeling her move much, so my doctor decided that it was best if she was delivered the following day.. Friday, June 13th, 2008. One year ago today, we were a family of three, preparing to become a family of four. One year ago today, Ryan and I didn't know how much another child could fill our hearts with love as much our baby girl.

This picture was taken, one year ago today.

Tomorrow is our baby girl's first birthday. I'm having a hard time with how fast this day has come. I just can't believe my baby is going to be one..

Long overdue visit!

Friday morning I met up with my friend Janet for coffee. Janet was initially my Stroller Strides instructor when I started back in January of 2007, but she became so much more than that! She is one of my good friends, someone who has taught me how to juggle motherhood and friendships while still taking time out for myself. I owe her a lot! She brought together a wonderful group of girls, got us to workout together, and now are forever friends!

Janet moved to Southern California last June to be closer to her family. I completely understood why she moved, but selfishly wished she still lived here!

Gracie, me, Kendal, Janet and Payton

Janet singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider with the girls

Payton and Kendal running through Starbucks

Really, would you expect anything less with these two??

Ever since they met when they Payton was eleven months old and Kendal was nine months, they have been little trouble makers. The two of them wouldn't even say anything, they would telepathically scheme what they were going to do.

At first when Kendal and Payton saw each other, they were a little shy. But maybe five minutes passed and they were back to their old selves.

Janet, we miss you terribly and wish we saw you more often!!! I'm looking forward to coming down and visiting you and all the trouble you and I can get in to together!!!!!! Miss you and love you! Thank you for EVERYTHING you have taught me!!!!!

Ryan's 33rd Birthday

Last Friday, June 5th, was my brother Ryan's 33rd Birthday. My sister-in-law Rachael threw an impromptu surprise birthday party for him at her parent's house that night.

My brother and Gracie
Gracie receiving a "cheers" from Debbie for uncle Ryan's birthday

My sister Rachael and her parent's dog Lacy. She kept saying "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!" She's crazy and I love her!

Trent, Payton, Aurora, and Kaden running around in the yard, while Kevin and Debbie watched.

Gracie eating her first ice cream cone. As you can guess, she LOVED it!!!!

Ryan opening his presents

Trent's drawing to his dad. It's Ryan snowmobiling. Trent is such a good artist!!!!

Gracie, Trent, Kaden, and Payton.

They looked pooped after playing so hard!

Gracie flirting with Dave

Grandma and I

Ryan, Gracie and I

Trent holding Gracie

Gracie and Grandma

The picture is a little blurry due to the smoke from the fire pit.

We all had so much fun at Ryan's birthday party.

Happy Birthday Ryan! I hope you had a great birthday! Love you!!!

No food in the house

I promise, we feed her! Payton loved to eat with Luke too. We are constantly trying to pull Gracie away from his bowl when he's eating so she doesn't eat his food, but sometimes she's too quick. On this day, I had to stop and take a picture or two.

Thankfully Luke doesn't mind..

Playing nicely

Payton has been so sweet and letting Gracie color with her. She will even hand her crayons, but Gracie tends to put them in her mouth rather than put them to use on paper.