$5 well spent

I definitely have to say that this was the best $5 I've ever spent at a yard sale.

Just look at that big grin. This makes one baby girl very happy! SCORE!

What about you? What great finds have you found at yard sales? Did it bring you as big of a smile as Peapod's?

Chicago- Part Two

After thinking it through, I think it would be best just to show you our trip. Get ready for a photo dump.

Have you ever been to an arboretum? I had never even heard of one before Chicago. 

But it was one of my favorite parts of our trip. It was a HUGE outdoor kid-friendly plant conservation. 

 Beautiful. Peaceful. Wish we had one here.

 We went through my first maze. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, anyone? (Ahh, second Harry Potter movie reference! I've got serious HP on my mind. So good. So sad).

The Swartzendrubers gave us a great tour of downtown. (Despite the fact that we walked 100 miles in the blistering heat to get some Groupon free frozen yogurt only to find out it was closed... oh Grant... jk jk). I am seriously in love with this city. Its like NYC without the filth and ridiculous crowds. And I seriously love NYC.

We played in a face-spitting-water-out-its-mouth fountain structure thing downtown along with about a bazillion other people escaping the heat. 

We watched fireworks from on top the John Hancock tower- very late at night- too late for a little miss mini-me but she was a trooper.

We tried to take fun artsy pictures in front of the Bean. 

 We did not take ANY successful fun artsy pictures in front of the Bean.

 Hot day equals too many gross sweaty handprints all over the Bean screwing up every single potentially cute photo. Sigh. Why didn't I have my clean wipes when I needed them?

Thank God for antibacterial gel.

So we gave up and watched this crazy boy instead.

Speaking of a crazy boy, we got to be there for Gavin's 4th birthday party. Monkey Joe's- the mecca of all things that are blown up and able to be crawled on.

The favors for this Mickey Mouse themed party were pretty kick-a if I do say so myself. Mostly because Cara and I stayed up until 4am making them. Tell me they rock.

And there were these delicious ditties made by Cara's friend for the party as well. Cute.

All in all, Chicago was great and the Swartzendrubers were even better. 

Thank you Swartzendruber family for putting up with us Woods for the week!!!

Chicago- Part One

Now that we have caught up on *most* of our sleep, I figured it was time to sit down and hammer this one post out. Its been a week since we've been back and I've been replaying every moment of our trip in my head since we landed. Despite that I couldn't see straight from exhaustion when we got home, we had a fantastic trip visiting our friends the Swartzendrubers.

I could lead you through our trip multiple ways.

I could describe it to you through a timeline of yummy Chicago/ Swartz edibles. From some homemade Quinoa Cara specialty to Giordanos Chicago style pizza

I forgot to take a picture so photo via google

to a big 'ole Chicago dog to to-die-for Asian nachos (TO. DIE. FOR!).

Ending with a mouth-wateringly grand Grand Lux mojito.

Oh, and then there was, of course, this little slice of red velvet heaven.

Before you say anything.... Yes, I did gain 4 pounds a little weight while there, but that's beside the point.

I could describe our trip to you in ridiculous children's antics. There was Cheyanne's big night meltdown on the very night that Cara and I decided to head to the theatre in hopes to see THE LAST HARRY POTTER (no shame while tears stream down my face :( ) leaving Grant to stay home with the little sleepers. GULP! That was a first for me. After she had done so well our entire stay, her crying fit before finally falling to sleep was challenging to say the least. Thankfully, it was "short lived" and we made it and lasted through the entire movie. Awesome!

My movie night necessities. Yes, they are the large bags probably responsible for a few of those gained pounds.

I think I could actually make this entire travel post timeline based on children's crying/sleeplessness. Three children all under the age of four unfamiliar with each other but in love with each other's toys, food, and general presence. Yeah, you better believe there were some serious meltdowns throughout the week.

Yeah, this seating arrangement didn't last long. Poor baby girl stuck in the middle of two very sweet but curious boys.

To Be Continued... Very shortly

Am I too old for this?

Or am I just too much of a mom?

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Mary on Pinterest

NOOOOOO!!!!! I hope I never get too old to do this or more importantly, never get too old to like it. Place your judgement wherever you want, but I like it! Breathe Mom. This really should come as no surprise. I loved my pre-baby blonde and hot pink hair days a l-o-o-o-ong time ago. I may just do it again one day.

Thoughts? Does this work as well on short hair as it does on long? Remember, I'm still new to the short hair etiquette.

10 Month Traveler

What a busy month it has been- for Cheyanne and me.

Its been a big, busy month full of firsts.  I have to say, this has been my favorite month so far for Chey. I feel like I am oozing with pride and love. Ok, lets cut to the memorable details.

Cheyanne-

You are a crawler now! And you've got the red knees and top of your feet to prove it. Despite my constant attempt to keep that beautiful milky skin perfect with leggings, somehow your crawling escapades defeat all of my valiant efforts. Never mind the bruises, bumps, and scrapes that too have made their presence known in this new crawling phase.

Other things you are doing that keep me biting my nails... you love steps. Ah! Yes, that sound you hear is my heart pounding out of my chest only after being defibrillated back to life. ... You pull up on everything. No exaggeration. If it has a ledge, handle, corner, or string within reach above eye level, you pull up on it. This would be the other reason for all of the bruises, bumps, and scrapes that keep appearing on a daily basis.

You rode your first little slide and loved it.



You've been in 5 states via 6 planes and multiple car rides in 10 months. You started clapping on your 10 month birthday.  You also started pointing to things, although that may have been technically the day after you turned 10 months- unclear. You also ate your first week of solid food while in Chicago- no baby food. You love finger foods, mostly because you are just so independent you like to do things yourself. Now that we're home though, you are back on some baby foods.

You love your Momma more and more (as if that was even possible my little buddy). We're attached pretty much 24/7. You are ticklish. And you love to laugh. You have two laughs already. One, is your "sympathy" laugh for when something is fun but maybe its the 20th time someone has blown on your neck and while you still enjoy them giving you attention, I can tell its not the laughter of pure joy anymore. I call that your sympathy laugh. Its short and bursty and sometimes turns into a giggly throaty growl. Your second laugh is your real laugh. It is hearty and loud and the sweetest sound I have ever heard. I work hard for that laugh each and every day.

You are becoming more sociable with new people, but you still remain very hesitant on going to them.  You are much better to just sit and watch them for a while before being approached too quickly or close. And you never ever ever let me leave your sight without some serious distractions. I'm perfectly fine with that. You are more than happy though to flirt from the boundaries of my lap. Your bashfully flirty burrowing of the head gets 'em every time.

Every day you get a little older, a little smarter, and a whole lot cuter. there are days I just want to sit around and kiss those lovable cheeks. And some days, that's exactly what I do.

I love you Sweetheart. Thanks for being mine.

Back and exhausted

Chicago wore. me. out. Of course, in a good way. No, great way really. I am entirely too exhausted to type much tonight, but knowing you have been waiting anxiously to hear that we're alive.... we are. (Just kidding- I'm not QUITE that narcissistic but to avoid the Giant's sure-coming comments, here I am).

Here's proof we're alive- just a few quick pictures from our trip.

Obviously we're a little more than just tired.

I've got lots to fill you in on since I've been gone.

I left with a 9 month old and returned with a 10, so expect to see a complete Chicago recap AND Little Miss' 10 month post. Contain your excitement.

Who's had a harder day?

Let's compare.

Me:

• Began my day by awaking from a dream (nightmare) of a very large snake chasing me with nowhere to go- never a good omen for the day
• Leaving tomorrow for Chicago so I spent much of the day frantically going over my checklist of things to bring for baby and me.
• House hunted via internet and phone with Husband looking for future home
• Made many-a phone calls with realtor
• Found new recipe for salmon and stupidly decided to try it out tonight on the fam
• Also stupidly decided it would be a good idea to try out a new pasta recipe as well to go along with new salmon recipe - both turned out yummy but whew that kitchen was a war zone of pots and pans
• Luckily found time to rush visit with family who came in for the day from Florida and show off my baby boo
• Took dog to interview with possible new owner as I will not be taking her with us for our move
• Have been tossing around mental mixed feelings on giving away my dog (first birthday present form the Giant when we started dating :( )
• Nervously praying (and stressing) all day about my first flight with a MOBILE child- alone once again- Yes, I should be an expert at this by now traveling solo with child

Cheyanne: Before I even start this list- she wins hands down- poor baby- pain always takes precedence

• Dealt with frantic mother all day
• Has had no interest in eating any baby food whatsoever. And very little interest in eating finger foods for that matter
• Got hiccups three times today that only pissed her off
• Tried to get into everything that she shouldn't and constantly hears "No no" while doing it which just pisses her off even more
• Fell AGAIN and has a new big ol' bruise on her head- second chair to fall on her this week despite my trying to hide or move all chairs so they are unmoveable- this one really left a mark on her head and scared us both for a while. Its something about the day before a big trip and accidents with her. I'll be wrapping her in bubble wrap the day before our next trip FYI.

• Did not want to sleep today and fought with everything in her to avoid anything that even sounded like the word N.A.P.
• Is going to Chicago tomorrow and has no clue she will be caged up on Momma's lap in a plane for a few hours

Please say a little prayer for us before bed tonight. After a day like today, I have no idea what to expect tomorrow. But, yay for our trip to Chicago!! Can't wait to rub it in tell you all about it when I get back next week :) .... I say that like I'll be able to wait a week. Hubs will kill me for sure if I don't report back on how his baby girl is doing in strange northern Nobama country before then.

Stay still? Yeah right!

My girl is constantly on the move. There is no sitting still anymore. Ever. She sits long enough to decide where she will be crawling to next and laying out the land of her next mountain to climb. Her world has gotten a billion times bigger.

I stay quite exhausted because I can't take my eyes off of this curious missy.

I was not prepared for this new phase of life.

But, who wouldn't love chasing after this cutie all day?

Yeah, sometimes I want to make this face too Precious.

What a ham.