Turkey-Bowl

I'm thankful for many things... two healthy kids that fill my heart, a husband that works hard so I can stay home with them, and when he's home still make time to help out, all our friends, and both our families for their support and love even though we're far away.

Turkey Day was a big success at the Ramsey house. Paul and Stephanie drove up from Seattle and we had such a great time with them! Our kids... adore them! :)

Steph and Vivian having some quality snuggle time
Paul and Big B playing around

I had to take a picture with my first turkey! It turned out absolutely perfect. It wasn't dry, it was cooked perfectly! I'm not the most fabulous chef around, and I'm pretty hard on myself about it, but this... this turkey meal I am happy to report was a hit! :) The casserole and mashed potatoes Paul and Steph made were awesome too!
After dinner we went bowling. It was Braden's first time... he LOVED it! We know we'll have to take him again. We all had a good time, I forgot how much fun it is!

The whole gang... it was a great day and after the kids went to sleep us grown-ups enjoyed a few cocktails. We're really going to miss having Steph and Paul close by. We appreciate you guys, thanks for coming!

Viv is 2 months!

Our little lady is 2 months old today! After we dropped Braden off at preschool we came back and did a little photo shoot. (She's in plain wear, just the white onesie so I can keep her in the same clothes month over month for these photos). She's spent the month filling out a lot. We don't have her "2 month" appt until Dec. 4th - since despite calling 6 weeks ago the dr's office was booked.

At two months she's doing pretty well with sleeping at night. Typically I get up with her once after a 6 hour stretch and back down again for another 3-4 hours.

She's begun cooing to us and I love it.

She's smiling more, although I haven't gotten many good pictures of it yet.

Her and Braden are super cute together, I can't wait to see this relationship evolve.

Her hair... it's like she has bangs, her hair in the front is starting to hit her eyelashes, which is why in most pictures I've pulled it back. It's over her ears already too. Big B got his first hair cut at 18 months, I am not sure Viv will make it to 6 months at this rate!

Realistically... she's just 2 months, they don't do a whole lot. But they sure do grow fast!!!

I couldn't resist sharing this face!
And this is Vivian telling me "Mom, we are done with your little photo shoot, I need food and a nap!" I quickly obliged.

A Reminder...

Because my extremely overtired child is upstairs having "quiet time" (that is anything but quiet) now, crying and screaming, I need a reminder about how sweet and loving this little man of mine is, and thought it was time to share some more pictures. (Not to mention, I'm trying to distract myself so I don't run up the stairs and sweep him in my arms to calm down, right now Braden and I are playing battle of the wills... who is going to back down first?).

*And how Vivian is sleeping through this... I'm not going to wonder about it... just be thankful.

We got back to the gym last week and Vivian was sleeping so I pumped and was going to bring the bottle with us, but she woke up just before we left the house, so Big Brother Braden fed her some breakfast. He was so excited.

Last Friday, the three of us got in the car and met with some people from the MOMS group here at the Jungle Playground in Mt. Vernon.

The big slide was super fun... and super fast. I caught a pic of Braden at the bottom. No worries, he wasn't hurt, he jumped up, thought it was so fun and ran back up to do it another 20 or so times.

Vivian got spruced up in jeans for the first time to go to the Jungle place.

Braden adores her... and it's fun now I can notice she's starting to stare at him and give him smiles (which he is so excited about)
She loves, loves to lay on top of our bed, she just stares and coos.
Hey... did you hear Thanksgiving was next week... we already got our little butterball! Last week, (at 7 weeks old) she weighed in at 12 lbs, 8 oz already!See... he's sweet. I feel better now. Sometimes you just need a little reminder.

Calling all Cubs fans...

I'm planting a seed and recruiting for visitors! :)

I've looked at the MLB schedule and the Cubbies will be playing the Astros in Houston over two weekends in 2010. Casa Ramsey will be open for business if you want to make a trip...

- June 4, 5, 6 and October 1,2,3 (this is the final games of the season, so if the Cubs are making a run for the playoffs these could be fun).

Strike a pose

Braden had his first school pictures yesterday, we got spiffed up and I wanted to get a picture. I'm pretty sure he was annoyed with me so he gave me this very sassy pose.

No Expiration Date

I remember it clearly... November 3rd, 2007 was my bridal shower. Before the event I had all my bridesmaids come to our condo to design their own handbags as our gifts to them for being a part of the wedding. My hands started shaking as I tried to work up the courage to tell these nine women... closest to me... that Chad and I had decided we were open to him pursuing an opportunity outside of the Chicago area, resulting in a move away from those closest to us and all the friends that had become like family.

December 14th, 2007, Ami and Jack Brown were over for game night and Chad spilled the news. He'd gotten an offer for a position in Vancouver. Wow... we were moving to the West Coast... and another country. whoa...

Fast forward to now, a lot has happened these last two years. We've gotten married, his father passed away, we moved to Canada, we moved to Washington State, and we've welcomed our Vivian.

And now, we're packing up again and moving... to Houston, TX. Chad has accepted a position with the same company as a Direct Sales Manager for Houston, Austin and San Antonio. They want us there before Christmas.

But this time there wasn't as much a shock. I mean, we really didn't think this would happen right now... but knew it would happen someday soon because when we moved to Canada there was always an "expiration date". Chad's work VISA was good for three years, so it still has a year left, but the way the job was offered two years ago was kind of with a two year (and change) plan. And he's done a great job and made good progress, all the while learning a lot about being a manager, which has prepared him for this next position.

It's no secret that I've hoped one day we'd end up in Texas... we know people there, Chad has family there too... but I really wasn't sure it would happen ever. While I had Dallas in mind, I'm sure I'll like a lot of what Houston has to offer (and yes, I'm aware... it's hot, hot, hot in the summer... and yes, we'll need good insurance in case one of those pesky hurricanes come our way). I know I'll like that in November weather averages the 70s.

But... more important than anything is Chad's making a good career move (this time without an expiration date) and maybe we can start putting down some roots. We're a family, we're in it together and onto our next adventure.

*** And I'm taking suggestions for our new blog title... really, this girl needs some help.

E-I-E-I-O

Here is our little farmer (or if you were everyone in the neighborhood you'd call him a cowboy). He loved trick or treating (but he may have loved passing out candy to the kids that came to our door even more). This was the first time we've had kids come by (Chicago condo one year, and in Furry Creek last year... no trick or treating in our area). Well we didn't know what to expect, but I bought a good amount of candy, and would have been enough if the first two hours weren't so slow, we started giving them a few pieces at a time (I didn't want any leftover for me to eat!). Then all the sudden we were slammed with kids... we made it through by taking a bit of the candy Braden had gotten and shutting the light off when it was time for Big B to go to sleep. I know we can't get away with that again next year!

And finally... I realize didn't dress Viv up. I know it was her first Halloween, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $30 on something that she'd wear for an hour. I couldn't be thrifty and shop in advance because I had no idea how big or little she'd be by now.


Final stop with mom... back to our house, we were dad's first trick or treater! Vivian was sleeping so after my turn, Chad took him out for more.

One for the books...

Wow. It's been the only word I can use to describe the wedding we went to this past weekend in Atlanta. The couple... Joel and Robyn. Two people completely and perfectly matched for each other. Joel and Chad were roommates for awhile in college, Joel stood up in our wedding and Chad did the same for him last weekend. Joel has also been a good friend to me through the years and I was happy we were able to pack up the whole family (took Viv on her first airplane at just 4 1/2 weeks old) and share this big event.

*** And I must say... Robyn looked every bit the blushing, gorgeous bride. The dress was... well... WOW, but not everyone could pull it off and she did so with beauty, grace and style.

This... was just for the dinner after the rehearsal! An old, charming mansion. Joel's parents invited all the people that came in from out of town too... a well planned, and fabulous event to kick off the wedding festivities!

A traditional Jewish ceremony... how beautiful is that???
The room for the reception, this picture makes it look nice (the lights were a soft, but distinctive pink), but I'm telling you it was breathtaking.
The band... I'll admit it, I'm usually a DJ kind of gal, I like to make requests or at least hear a wide range of music genres. But THIS. BAND. ROCKED. Here I could post pictures of me dancing with the lead singer, but I won't to spare you all my post baby bod squeezed into a black dress, but the dancing all night was off the hook... yo!

The Dubinsky's first dance... thanks guys for such a great weekend, we're so happy for you!

A huge thank you...

Guess who joined us in Atlanta... Grandma Ramsey! She came to see a bit of a city she'd never been too, and kindly watch both kiddos for us while we did wedding festivities. I just had to give her a big public thank you. I really needed a good night out... and it was great to catch up with so many friends. Chad would have gone to the wedding there either way, but I was only able to go because she met us there, so I really appreciate it.

While we were there Grandma, Braden, Vivian and I went to the Aquarium... said it was the world's largest! It had many impressive exhibits, but I was disappointed the whales and dolphins are on loan to the San Antonio aquarium while they remodel. I remember being so impressed with dolphin shows and was a bit disappointed Braden didn't get to see them fly through the air. Aside from that... a really nice day - which was only possible because I had an extra set of hands! Braden had a lot of fun!

Thanks again Paula! :)

Atlanta special visit

We spent 5 days in Atlanta last week... and one of the highlights was my half-brother Blaine driving up from Macon, GA (with his cutie girlfriend, Logan!) to have dinner with us. Shortly before my dad died (20 years ago), he was remarried and had his long awaited son (he always wanted a son). They named him Blaine and wow... we were all so happy to have a baby in the family. Our dad died when he was just 8 months old, and right after his death my sister, mom and I moved back to Illinois, so chances to see Blaine were few and far between.

I saw him again when he was 2, 10, 15 and now 21!

He's grown into a handsome (has a very, very strong resemblance to our father), really kind and respectful young man! He's got his own lawn design and maintenance company and when the time is right he's like to become a fireman too! I was so grateful they made the trip up to see us... hopefully we'll see each other again before another 6 years go by!

Relationship Moments...

This one is just for giggles! :)