Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Owen's birthday this past Wednesday with just the three of us along with some video chats with the grandparents. Owen doesn't really eat sweets, but he was into blowing out the candles.
And cutting the cake.

A little lesson...

It's always really sweet when Owen picks up a phrase from one of the grandparents (so far anyway.) Brett's dad says "Down the hatch" when trying to get Owen to eat something. Owen now mimics it, complete with the hand movement. It's hilarious.

Today was absolutely perfect weather in Chicago. It's so nice to enjoy some pretty weather before the inevitable gets here. We went to the park and had lots of fun. I also got to enjoy brunch with one of my girlfriends, Kristin, at a wonderful place called Hot Chocolate. It was so yummy. Owen went home from daycare sick yesterday and continued to get sick at home, so I was worried that our weekend would be ruined, but he woke up raring to go this morning which was good to see.

On another note, we ordered a toddler bed for Owen today. We caught him trying to climb out of the crib 2 days ago so it's just a matter of time...ugh.

Birthday party and Halloween Weekend

This past weekend we celebrated Owen's birthday and went trick or treating in Toledo with the family.

Friday
Owen had a Fall Harvest party at school. He is now in the 2 year old room and they drink out of big boy cups. It's so hard to believe. He looks so old to me here.

Owen's Buddy Alex

Owen's Buddy JayOwen's friend Zoe

Saturday

Saturday morning we had a family party for Owen's birthday. He was very excited. The theme was a "Two Two Train."

Kid's Table

Food Table

We got a cake for my mom, my sister-in-law Stacy and my father-in-law who all celebrate their birthday the week leading up to Halloween. It was also to celebrate my in-law's 40th anniversary which was November 1st. It's from Eston's, the place my wedding cake was from. They make the best cakes.

Enjoying Lunch

After lunch it was time for cake. Owen wasn't real sure what to make of the birthday candle at first but then he got it.

After cake we opened presents. Owen wasn't real sure about that either, but his cousins and friend Cooper helped him along.

My nephews (Caden and Bennett) coloring

My best friend's little boy Gus And her oldest, Cooper

On Saturday night we went to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house for trick or treating. Owen was a frog. Thanks to Nonna Barbara and Papa Mo for the great costume!Cousins Ben and Caden in their costumes

Holding hands with cousin Bennett

Sunday

Before we headed back to Chicago, Brett helped his parents rake the leaves as their anniversary present. It was a beautiful day to be outside. Owen had lots of fun helping too.

Owen has been pretty funny lately. Here are some of his sayings.
"Wowzer"
"It's amazing!"

He also knows the song "It's not my name" by the Ting Tings. Very silly.

Happy Birthday Owen!!!

Our little baby boy turns 2 today. So hard to believe! We love him more and more every day, even when he is being a true toddler.

Happy 2nd birthday Owen, you make mommy and daddy so happy!

Owen's Big Announcement

Allow me to translate for those of you that don't speak Toddler:) Owen is telling all of you that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. That's right, I'm pregnant again!!! We are so very excited. I'm due May 10th so we have a while to go.

This may be too much information, but it's my blog so I'm going to share it... The doctor and ultrasound tech both said we were lucky there was only one because I double ovulated. Brett would have fainted!

Here are some first pics. of the new baby.

6 weeks
7 weeks
10 weeks

It was quite a feat getting the one video announcement out of Owen. Here are some of the outtakes.

Catching Up

We have had quite a few things housed on our cell phones and needing to be scanned so I finally took the time yesterday to transfer everything so we could share them with you:)

In the beginning of October I took a trip to Canada with my mom and MIL. Brett and Owen had lots of fun having a boys weekend.

They went to the lakefront. Even though it was cold, they still had fun playing in the sand. Owen looks like such a little boy in these pictures. Not a baby anymore...

They also had fun playing in the leaves!

When they came to pick me up they had to wait quite a bit so Owen was ancy and did not want to sit in his stroller anymore. So instead he hopped a ride on the suitcase. So cute!

Here is some of Owen's latest artwork creations from school. He's transitioning to the two's 1 room this week and is officially in there on Monday. I can't believe it. It's gone so fast.
Here is his classroom newsletter for October. I realize the month is about over, but I still wanted to have it documented.

Viva Las Vegas

Brett and I enjoyed a few days away in Las Vegas this past Thursday through Saturday. It was so nice just to spend time together and not worry about schedules, tantrums or anything kid related!

A BIG thanks to our moms who came to watch Owen while we were gone.

Thursday
Arrived in Vegas and checked in to our hotel. We stayed at NY NY. The casino there was pretty lame but the hotel was nice and had a good food court.
We really just explored and relaxed. And of course gambled a little bit.

That night we went to the observation deck at the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris. It was a beautiful night and had a great view of the strip.
You could see the Bellagio fountain show from up there too which was really cool.
Friday
On Friday we got up, ate breakfast and headed over to the Luxor for a 9:30 poker tournament. It was really fun although I couldn't get cards to save my life. Brett made it to the final table though!

After that we hung around and gambled a bit and then decided what we wanted to do that evening. After looking over the shows at the half price ticket place, we decided it would be lots of fun to go see the Price is Right! It's a simulation of the show and is admittedly cheesy, but we both love the game show so decided to go.

Here are our tickets and official name tags:)
Waiting to go to the show. My dream is to play Plinko someday!
Sadly neither of us got called (although the 5 people next to, in front of and behind us did. Grrr.) It was still so much fun!!!!

After the show we went and had dinner at Serendipity, a restaurant in front of Caesar's Palace. Our table was outside and right off the strip. It had a great view!
After dinner, we went to the Bellagio to see a few of the fountain shows. There are incredible if you have never seen them and an absolute "must do" if you ever go to Vegas.
The first 3 videos are of "Chorus Line." It was quite possibly the best one I've ever seen. The fountain even did "kicks" to the music. Incredible.

The next two are of "All that Jazz." It was also good. Unfortunately I didn't get to capture the whole thing since my memory card filled up but it will give you a good idea.

Saturday
On Saturday we relaxed in the morning, packed and then headed back to the Luxor for a noon poker tournament. I did better than Friday, finishing one spot before they collapsed to the final table. Brett made it to the final table again! No money though...

Then we headed off the airport. Jane Seymour and her dance partner were at the Southwest gate next to us. Too bad we didn't get a pic, but we did manage to get one of her plane;)
It was really so much fun but we were both ready to get back. We missed our little one terribly and were out of money:)