Lincoln Park Zoo

I have been wanting to take Lola to the Lincoln Park Zoo all summer, so after her morning nap, we headed downtown. It's amazing how fast we can make it down there when there's no traffic! It was a perfect day--even thought it was overcast, the cool temperature and the soft breeze were quite enjoyable. We both had an absolute blast and the best part--it didn't cost a penny. I'm amazed such an awesome place is FREE. 

I haven't been to the LPZ since I was a Brownie, so it was a whole new experience for us both. Lola loved seeing all the animals, especially the Giraffes and Meerkats. We hiked a little further south of the Zoo to visit the Farm and she really liked the new-born Pigglets. After that, I let her run around and burn off some energy in an amazingly beautiful green space just outside the Zoo. Shortly after, she feel asleep in her stroller and I knew it was time to head back. But just before we got back to the car, I walked through the peaceful Caldwell Lilypond--something that has been on my to-do list. 

You can see all the pictures from our fun day HERE.

She's actually trying to say "fish". She's really good at making the S sound. She does it all the time for "shoes".

Fun with the Meerkats!

Who knew there was a farm in the city?!

She practically started tap-dancing on the drain cover.

Um, when did we get a toddler?! I love to see how big she's getting in pictures.

A little mommy...

Lola LOVES her baby doll these days. She is such an affectionate child, showering us with hugs and kisses. It is such an amazing feeling to see her show compassion and love. She gives her baby hugs and kisses, too, and we think it's the sweetest. Hopefully she'll be the same way whenever we decide to add another child to our family.

Teaching Baby how to go "nigh-nigh"--which Lola does so well, all on her own now.

On her way to Mass

Now that Lola is very steady on her feet, she loves to walk all by herself out our front door all the way to the car in the parking lot. Here she is in action, on our way to Mass Sunday morning. I think this might be her new "Sunday" dress. It's so perfect for church and was a gift from the Curry family, who Mom babysits for in Florida. 

Introducing: Hello, Cupcake!

Wow. Someone has found their calling! We're so proud to introduce the world to our genius of a baker sister, Renee Hernandez. You may recall the sweet treats she created for Lola's 1st Birthday party in Florida. Tomorrow, she is catering the sugary confections for a Luau themed 5th Birthday Party. Take a look at what she's whipped up for the lucky birthday girl!

If you know of anyone in the Orlando area looking for an affordable, incredibly talented baker, email Renee Hernandez at:

hellocupcakebakery@gmail.com

Website will be coming soon!

Little Ballerina

Technically, dance class doesn't start for another a year. But whenever this baby hears music, she starts to groove. Often, she doesn't even need tunes to move to, she just makes it up on her own. It's one of our favorite things about her at the moment! 

I couldn't resist spending a little of her birthday money on this adorable skirt. She'll be trotting around all fall in it. Her "Godfather" shirt Silvia got her from The T-Shirt Deli is going to look awesome with it!

A New Leaf

A few months ago, I partnered with a company that offers an awesome way to earn additional income from home. I looked and looked for something I could do from home to make more $$$ for our family and couldn't find anything that wasn't a scam or would require additional education or a degree. Then, as fate would have it, this opportunity fell into my lap.

From the very beginning, I realized this opportunity wasn't just about changing the financial future of my family, but it was also about sharing it with as many people as I could, to potentially help them change their financial future as well.

If I haven't already shared this new opportunity with you, chances are I'll be speaking with you soon! There are only 24 hours in a day and I can only make so many calls. I'm trying to teach my business partner how to work a real phone rather than just her Fischer-Price model so we can double our productivity. I'll let you know when I succeed.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in a opportunity to create FINANCIAL FREEDOM, please tell them to CLICK HERE

A great week!

(Lola kicking back in her new baby pool-compliments of Papa and his tired lungs!)

Lola and Mommy are headed back to Chicago this afternoon. We've been in Florida for the past week so I could attend a convention. It just worked out that the convention was in Orlando which meant not only free babysitting, but free room and board!

I was gone all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday. During those 3 days, Lola had an amazing time with her Florida family. It's so obvious that she is just as in love with them as they are with her. Each of them--Mom, Dad, Renee, Mikey, GiGi--have a special bond with her. I think it's because she spent several weeks with them earlier this month. So when she saw them again this week, to her, it was like she just saw them yesterday. She is so comfortable with them, I never worried about her for a second while I was away.

I can't tell you how much joy it brings to John and I that she KNOWS them. They have plans to come up for Thanksgiving and we'll be back in Florida for 2 weeks to celebrate Christmas and the New Year! It's hard to be away from them, but when we are together, we really make the BEST of it.

The highlight of the week had to be Lola saying "Papa" on her very first day here. And she continued to say it for her Papa. To say all of us melted is an understatement!

Check it out!

Rachel Williams, the photographer we worked with a few weeks ago, just launched a new website for her company. It's really great and completely reflective of her quality of work!

Brisham Photography <----Click Here

Our First Date

Five years ago today, I went on the BEST date of my life! John asked me out--I accepted. We went to Stanley's in the city and the rest, as they say, is history. In 5 short years, I love the history we've made together. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world that he picked me and I was able to make him "mine" before anyone else got a chance!

I LOVE YOU HONEY!

(PS...this is not a picture of our first date! Just a good one of us from our trip to Cabo that I've always liked.)

Neat Repeats

I love re-sale shops! They're such an adventure. You never know what you're going to find. Today, we got a few great pieces to add to Lola's wardrobe at Neat Repeats in Orland. Auntie Karen's mom, Pat, volunteers there every Friday and she told me last month to come check it out. I brought some clothes I had set aside for Goodwill and donated them--all proceeds go to benefit the Women's Crisis Center of South Suburbia--an awesome cause! Then, Pat helped me find a few cute things for Lola--and I found 2 fall sweaters for me that are perfect for work.

New Denim Dress--$3!

Pink Sweater--$1.50

Overall Dress--$3

Beautiful vintage piece I don't know how anyone could have parted with--$3! I'm sooooo in love with this. It's a little big, so I just have to have the seamstress move the buttons up a bit. It's going to look great layered with a light pink, blue or yellow top and her "boyfriend" jeans from Baby Gap. What a hip chick.

First Grilled Cheese

I forgot to take the flank steak out of the freezer this morning--so that meant Grilled Cheese for dinner. And then I realized--Lola can eat that! So for dinner, Lola got her first taste of this old stand-by. Without a doubt, she loved it. You know it's a hit when not one piece can be found on your kitchen floor after your baby is done eating their meal!

12 Month Stats

We went to see Dr. Geja on Monday morning for Lola's 12 month check-up. Doctor was very impressed with Lola--she said she was very smart and very social. Of course Lola was all smiles for her and Dr. Geja said she didn't just make her day, she made her week (Lola was her first appointment of the week--I guess a good way to get it started.)

She weighed in at 20 lbs. 4 oz. and measured 29.5 in. 

50th percentile for weight and 40th percentile for height. She's going to be short like her Mommy!

A Baby In Cloth

I seem to be getting around to doing things I've had on my mind for awhile now that Lola has turned ONE! Before she was born, I seriously considered giving cloth diapers a try. My mom helped talk me out of it and put the fear of an insane amount of laundry into my head. But now that she's not longer an infant and I'm not doing multiple loads everytime I turn around, I thought I could give cloth diapering a try. A few friends I know do it with ease and they each have two children--so how could I not manage?!

Lola and I drove into the city today to pick up some cloth diapers at a great store in Lincoln Square-Be By Baby. Here's a few pictures of what the diapers look like. They work the same way disposables do, you just don't throw them away. I'm looking forward to not having to pick diapers up at Target everytime I turn around! And since she'll be in diapers for at least another 1.5 years, it makes perfect economical sense--which we're all about these days!

These diapers are by Swaddlebees....

Lola's Little Academy

I have been wanting to decorate Lola's playroom for the past few months, but just haven't gotten around to it. So today, when we were at Lakeshore picking up some new materials for my Spanish classes, I was able to pick up the materials I wanted for her. We also used some of her birthday money to buy new musical instruments and a great Melissa & Doug farm puzzle.

Our Family at One Year Old

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of working with an amazing photographer--Rachel Williams of Brisham Photography. She captured some incredibly sweet pictures of our little family that we will treasure forever! She posted some on her blog and you can see them all if you CLICK HERE

Rachel charges a very affordable price of only $75. That includes her time, talent, editing and a CD of all the images which you are able to print from. For the work she does, it's a bargain. We couldn't recommend her more for anyone in the area looking for a great, affordable photographer!

Here are just a few. These are not hi-res images, but once I get our CD, I'll print some and share.

John picked this flower and placed it behind Lola's ear. What a sweet Daddy! Make me love this picture all the more!

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT BRISHAM PHOTOGRAPHY