Girls trip to Chicago!

Every year the roommates I had in college (Truman State) get together to catch up and have fun.  We try to vary the location and time of year, depending on each other's schedules.  This year our annual trip was in Chicago.  2 of my roommates live there with their families and it was a nice central place for everyone to meet.
Our trip is starting to need some serious planning though, because each one of my roommates, there are 6 of us, have kids of our own now.  So before, we would plan on hitting the clubs and partying at night, and now we plan on hitting the zoos and childrens parks.  My, how times have changed!!

Maggie and I flew in on Thursday night and came home on Sunday.  This was her first time flying and she did FANTASTIC!  I thought for sure she would fall asleep on the flight there, but she didn't and luckily I had a seat partner that was having a good time making Maggie laugh.  Free entertainment!
I wasn't sure how well Maggie would do sleeping in a new place, but she didn't mind at all.  She did really well sleeping at night and during her naps while we were there.
We stayed with my girlfriend Jamie and her family's house (that they just moved into 1 month ago!).  She has 2 kiddos, Owen who is 4 and Ava who is 1.  They had tons of toys and we had lots of fun there, especially since Ava is totally obsessed with babies right now.

Here is Maggie sitting in Ava's chair in her room. Maggie slept in Ava's crib while we were there, and I slept on a futon in the same room.  It worked out really well.

Jamie and Maggie at the park right by their house.  We had beautiful weather - it was 80 degrees and sunny the entire time we were there.

We had a picnic lunch at the park the first day. 

Maggie really liked laying in the sun on the blanket!

Maggie and I, and another roommate Deidra with her little girl Evelyn (who is 1). 

Watching the kids feed the ducks

I found another swing, just like the one that used to be at the playground by my grandparents house in Michigan.  We took lots of pictures of Colin when we were there a couple of years ago, but they took the swing down since then.  Well, this park had a swing like it and of course, I had to snap a few pictures of Maggie in there, even though clearly she was too small for it.

She wasn't as excited about it as I was!

Ava entertaining Maggie.  She would've just loved on Maggie all day long if we'd let her.

Maggie with my friend Angie.  Angie just had a little boy one week before Maggie was born.

So big!!

Here's a shot of all the babies (and there were other kids that were older, too!).  It turns out that 3 of us were all due with babies within a few days of each other. 

Chris is on the left (2 months older than Maggie), Lucas is on top (1 week older than Maggie), Keagan is on the right (2 weeks younger than Maggie) and then Maggie.  LOTS OF BABIES!

Maggie doing a high-kick for the camera.  She was by far the smallest of the babies, such a little peanut!

All of us girls hanging out one night. 

Me, Stephanie (from St. Louis), Karla (from Nevada), Angie (from Chicago), Deidra (from Kansas City), and Jamie (from Chicago) 

They are so thoughtful.  My swim team was being inducted into Truman State's Hall of Fame the same weekend we went to Chicago.  Of course, I had already bought plane tickets so I wasn't able to attend.  But, my roommates got me a "congratulations" cake and put together a slide show of a bunch of fun pictures from college.  We sat around and drank wine and reminisced about the good ol' days.  Had tons of good laughs and funny memories. 

The flight home was pretty uneventful.  Maggie did great again and Daddy and Colin were waiting to pick us up when we got off the plane.  Geez, I missed Colin like crazy!  He and Daddy had fun while we were gone though.

I can't wait until next year.  I am so lucky to have such a great group of friends!

Remembering Jakey Todd

Well, it finally happened.

We put Jake to sleep today at around noon.  He had been really going downhill quick.  He hadn't eaten for 4 days, had been getting sick, and wasn't even able to get outside to go to the bathroom.

After we talked to the vet, he confirmed he probably had cancer and there was a really big (almost the size of a softball) tumor in his tummy.  He also had a lot of fluid in his stomach which was causing him a lot of discomfort.  The cancer had likely spread and even if we chose to drain the fluid from his stomach, it would've just been a temporary band-aid and could've only gotten us anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks longer with him.

We thought it would be selfish to prolong his discomfort any longer, and we chose to put him down.  He has always been such a great dog, it was a very hard decision for Brian and I.  We made sure Colin said his good-byes to Jakey this morning, giving him lots of hugs and kisses.  That's what makes us the most sad...not having Colin's buddy around.  

Reasons why we LOVE Jakey:
*how whenever I was crying, he would come over to my side, and just sit there patiently, waiting for me to pet him and help comfort me - he even did this as I was crying my eyes out at the vet making one of the hardest decisions ever - always putting others first

* how he woke Brian and I up when the tornado was just about to hit our house 3 years ago (then practically shoved me out of the way getting downstairs cause he wanted to get down there first!)

*he was so mild-mannered with Colin, letting him climb all over him and pull his tail

*he loved going on walks and going for rides in the car
*how terrified he was of thunderstorms, especially at night, sitting right by the bed and panting directly in our face for hours

*how he would frequently get his collar stuck in the register vent at night, and bark very quietly to wake us up and help him out - and how he practically spent 90% of his day laying on the register vents

*when Colin was a baby, he would lay in his room at night and protect him

*he loved to chew on rocks outside and would lay for hours outdoors if we'd let him

*he'd do pretty much anything for a treat

*he was always so nervous to walk on our hardwood floors, then he'd slip and slide all over the place
*how he would run like the wind whenever the vacuum was pulled out

*he let Colin play with all of his toys and didn't seem to mind - such a patient dog!

*everytime he was let out at Grammie & Grandad's house, he would run around the perimeter of the fence, trying to find a way out of the yard

*when on the loose, he would always run to the creek and get all muddy

*he would smile at me while I was brushing him or clipping his toenails

*he had the WORST breath ever

*you could tell exactly what he was thinking with all of his different facial expressions

*he flunked out of obedience school, but was always such a behaved doggy for us

*he was the best dog with our kids, teaching Colin responsibility and unconditional love

Some pics of Colin (about 1 year old) and Jakey (about 12 years old):

We will always remember you Jake.  Thanks for being such a great dog and a loving member of our family!

Rice Cereal

Maggie is just growing up so fast - right before our eyes. 

And lately, our eyes have been open a lot...meaning Maggie has ended her "she's a great sleeper" run.  Seriously, for the past 2.5 weeks, she has gotten up about every 3 hours, just demanding to be fed.  This is so unlike her, as she really has been sleeping through the night since 8 weeks.  Hopefully we can get back to our normal routine once we return from Chicago.  Keep your fingers crossed, there are 2 really tired Mommy & Daddy's in our house.

But, we thought maybe Maggie would like to start some real food, which, in baby terms, is rice cereal.

Eating her pre-meal snack (her left foot toesies)

Waiting (somewhat patiently) for her food, being entertained by Brother

Come on guys, it's not a 4 course meal you're preparing, hurry up!

Um....not my favorite.

 

Brother wanted a turn feeding Maggie.  Here goes nothing...

Too far...you're sticking the spoon in too far!

But, she survived and we tried some more.  Still, not her favorite.

The finished product. 

We will try, try again.

A successful road trip

 Finally, I am able to sit down and post some pictures from our recent trip to Michigan to visit my grandparents and the kids' Great-grandparents.  It was only the 2nd time they have seen Colin and the first for them to meet Maggie Mae.  My mom (Meemaw), Tiff, and Chad also made the journey with us.  I know they must love us to agree to driving over 13 hours each way with 2 young kids in tow.  

We had a lot of fun firsts along the way.  

We split the drive up into 2 days, making it to Joliet, Illinois the first night.  We got to stay in a hotel, which was the first time Colin has done that since he has been old enough to understand where he is.  

We first hit up the pool to try and burn off some energy (the water was really cold, boo!).

While Brian and Colin were playing, I was getting Maggie ready for bed.  She slept in the bathtub.  Yes, the bathtub.  But we put tons of pillows and blankets in there.  She needed a room with a door so she had a chance to sleep since we figured Colin would be up past his bedtime.  It worked out really well.  Please don't let her know this when she gets older.  She might hold it against us.

 

 Colin and Daddy sharing a bed.  Neither one of them slept well.  Colin starting getting a cough the day before we left for the trip, and continually coughed on Brian the entire night.  Colin insisted on sleeping RIGHT beside Brian, literally sharing the same pillow.  Such great bonding.  Then, Maggie woke up around 2 am, I fed her, but that woke Colin up, so he came and slept with me.  But, neither one of us slept.  He just kept coughing and tossing.  So, around 5 am Colin joined Daddy in bed, once again, and the alarm went off at 6 am.  It was a LONG night!

 We headed out the door early the next morning and made it to Grandma and Grandpa Rice's without any problems.  It was just in time for Colin's nap, so we hurried and got his stuff ready then put him down.  Everyone else really wanted a nap, too, but we toughed it out.

The guys.  Apparently Grandpa missed the memo to wear Mizzou attire.  Still, I love this picture!

Grandpa Rice.  An amazing man.

Grandma Rice.  An equally amazing woman.

Grandma and Grandpa live right next door to an elementary school with a really cool playground.  The forecast called for rain every day we were there, but it really only rained the last day so we took advantage of the park, especially over the weekend.  Colin had a blast.  Brian and Chad had even more fun, I think.  They were trying to sharpen their skills for American Ninja Warrior.  I don't have time to explain ANW now, but ask Brian about it and I'm sure he would love to fill you in.  

Checking out the lily pads.  He never did get across them on his own, but he attempted to.

Teeter Tottering with Mom (I'm on the other side, with the camera)

Woah, that's a long way down!

Chad, impressing Tiff, with his awesome swinging skills.

Colin did the swing by himself.  It was so fun to watch.  Tiff pushed him very gently and he just loved it.  The swings were by far one of his favorite item on the playground.  He's such a big boy!

As you can see, there were plenty of people willing to play with Colin.

Swinging with Daddy

Swinging with Tiffey

And where was Maggie?!  She was back at the house, eating, sleeping, and playing with her favorite clown toy.  Everyone was amazed at what a great baby she is.  Just smiley and happy and hardly made a peep.  We're pretty lucky to have such great kids.

Maggie (and the clown) with Grandpa

Another favorite item from Michigan....C.J. the dog.  Colin loves dogs, and he loved playing with CJ.  He just followed her around the house, throwing her toys for her.  I think Colin got to be a bit much for her by the time we left, but she provided some fun times for Colin.  Here they are on a walk with Tiffey and Chad.

Grandma and Maggie (and clown)

We also passed the time playing with Playdoh.  I think Colin is feeding Daddy some cereal for breakfast.  It looks like he's pretty hungry.  

Colin is really into Playdoh right now, making pancakes, balls, and whatever shape cookie cutters he can find.

Maggie is getting so much stronger.  She is able to sit with only just a little bit of assistance now.  I love this picture - her blue eyes look so bright.  

Aunt Gladys and her daughter Alice, with Mom.  They spent the afternoon with us on day and we had so much fun telling stories and reminiscing.  

Chad frosting Grandma's famous Pigs Eye Chocolate Cake.  No pressure Chad, it's only the best chocolate cake in the world.

Colin thought it was pretty cool having a chair that could go down the stairs.  Daddy and Colin rode it a few times.  So. Much. Fun.

Tiff with Meemaw and Grandma and CJ

Grandpa and Mags

4 generation picture

We had such a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa.  We wish we could've stayed longer, but we're glad we could get up to see them.
Then we embarked on our 13.5 hour drive home.  We didn't stop much, just to get gas and take potty breaks.  Of course, that was after we stopped when Colin had a minor vomiting episode 1 hour into our LONG day of driving.  We were so glad to be home, and it only took me 3 days to get everyone totally unpacked.

Next up...my trip to Chicago to visit my college roommates.  I'm taking Maggie with me and we're leaving the boys at home.  Should be fun!