Fall Review

I realize there are still a few weeks left of fall but there is too much to go over!  We started off the fall at my Aunt's Halloween party.  She did an amazing job transforming her house into the Adams Family house.  We went as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach.  I am already planning our group outfits for next year.

Shelly got all (but one) of her bridesmaids together to go dress shopping.  Our Houston family was home so Kim (Andy's oldest sis) got to come too.  This is my first time being a bridesmaid.  We went to this adorable little bridal shop, Perfect Bride.  With seven opinions and multiple dresses it made for an interesting day!  You really learn a lot about one another's taste when you try on dresses together.  You'll have to wait to see the final product but I am happy to announce it was my favorite dress of the day!  Afterwords we ate at my new favorite restaurant Joe's.  Andy's mom knows the amazing owners and we were treated like queens!  (Very fitting since we had just tried on 100 gowns.) I never liked tabbulee, here I just never had good tabbulee, theirs is amazing.  I highly suggest it if you are ever in Rocky River.

Celebrating D's birthday ended up being a week long celebration, very similar to mine during my college days.  With the election and lack of energy we had we opted not to throw him a big party like last year.  We celebrated with Andy's family Sunday since his Papa's birthday is the day after his, we had our own mini party for him on his birthday and then celebrated with my side of the family the next week.  I only had the one candle left over from his party last year, my BIL told me just light it twice!

For our anniversary my parent's stayed with D while we went downtown to D.B.A.  It was all sorts of deliciousness.  A favorite chef of ours that I use to work with works there, we love his food so this place was on the top of our list to try.  Great food, great service and Andy is still talking about the duck he had.

Recently I bought a new vacuum on my lunch hour.  I must admit it was one of the most exciting things I've done in a while.  The salesman was part Uncle Leo, part Ed Grimley.  His dad owned the store before him, been in business over 50 years, it just warmed my heart.  He was so passionate about this Fuller Brush I bought it on the spot!  I could not wait to get home to use it.  Sweeping is one of D's favorite chores, he shared in my excitement by giving a, "Woo woo" when I brought it in the house.  Andy's sister also added a new addition to her house our new niece, Landry Shae.  We had a wonderful thanksgiving and have so much to be thankful for.  Hope you had a great thanksgiving, now bring on Christmas!!  

D takes blowing out candles seriously...

Look who's 2!

The deuce!  I can't hardly believe that my little man is 2 today.  With the election just a few weeks away I've had to take a moment to step back and realize I now have a 2 year old, will be married for 6 years to my soon to be 31 year old husband all before November 6.  I've got a busy couple weeks before this election is over!  In the fall being a campaign volunteer and an employee at William-Sonoma when the gravy and cider are flowing things can get crazy busy.

In between lit dropping (that's campaign talk for stuffing paper boxes with campaign literature - you're welcome county residents!) and heading to work at the store I squeezed in a trip to the park with D on what I am assuming might be one of our last nice fall days.  We ran into his pediatrician.  I had a master plan of not going back to the doctor until his 2 year appointment.  His first year at the doctors went great.  That one year appointment and all of those shots sent him over the edge.  He cries when they call his name and then for the REST of the appointment.  I even bought him a doctor kit to take with us, it did not help, except for his cuteness being in just a diaper wearing a fake stethoscope while screaming.  After his 18 month I thought we can make it until his 2 year without a trip to the doctors erasing every horrible memory he every had!  One good look at his doctor at the playground and the tears started to flow two weeks before his appointment.  Almost 6 months and he still remembers!  This is just one of the many eye opening moments I've had as a mama of a now toddler.  Here are a few more interesting tidbits:

1. He is very tech savvy, hide yo iphones and computers.

 

2.  He's a lot smarter than we think.  He's always been fascinated with this family picture from his first opening day (this is a picture of him admiring it in January).  The other day when he looked at it he started naming people: Papa,
his favorite Uncle Mike, Lala, then looks at me and says, "Where's Pat?"
Sure enough my future brother-in-law was NOT in the picture!

3.  I now go grocery shopping at night...like late.  It is so quiet, the deli lady
seems a little more chatty but it's totally worth it.  Sadly one night my zen like
experience was ruined by a father and his 4 kids picking up some late night lunchables.

4.  24 months is the last size of the onesies and adorable
little matchy outfits with stuff on the butt - I am so sad!
Not only does he dress like a little man now, but without the
onesies he can be naked within minutes of being left alone.

5. A night out is super important!  My sweet manager took me out for a drink after work the other night.  I am sure I was talking nonstop since I didn't have to shout or be interrupted by the little guy.  It was so refreshing it felt like someone hit my reset button.  It was awesome!  Andy and I are much looking forward to going out for our anniversary in a couple weeks.  

6.  Thursday night is now my cleaning night.  The first week I tried it I was so excited that I didn't have to worry about cleaning my house all weekend I could hardly sleep!  I highly suggest it.  

Happy birthday sweet D!