Steppin' Out Sunday On Monday

Mandy over at Harper's Happenings does a great weekly picture of what she and her adorable two year old Harper wear. I have to admit my weekend wardrobe, much to Glenn's dislike, consists of New Trier Softball sweats, my Patagonia fleece and a t-shirt most days. After getting ready/dressed each day, I just want to lounge around on the weekends. I really should get dressed but between working out, errands and chasing a toddler I default to the casual stuff. This weekend was an exception so I thought why not link up with Mandy on a well dressed weekend. Maybe it will inspire me to get dressed more often!

I used to care, I mean really care about what I wore out on the weekends. I would stare in my closet forever trying to find the right shirt, perfect shoes and the jewelry that would pull it all together when I went out. Just ask Glenn, he will tell you all about this because it usually resulted in a tornado sweeping through our bedroom of clothes, us being late and me whining on our way about how I looked. But then this little guy showed up a year ago and just getting out the door seemed to be monumental. And this weekend was no exception. We had these plans forever. We asked my brother to babysit a month ago. We were looking forward to this night. Good friends, good food and good beer. Revolutionary Brewery. I was skeptical but it came through for us. I wanted a nice dinner but a change of plans led us here and the Beef Stew was delicious. Beef from Ottawa, IL that did not disappoint Jake. Ever heard of a beermosa? It was delicious. Think orange juice and Blue Moon type beer. Yummy for a girl who loves Coors Light.

This evening was finely organized and falling in to place nicely until Brady's genetics got in the way. We spent the afternoon with our pediatrician who confirmed our suspicions that this nasty little cold had turned in to an ear infection. He hasn't skipped a beat. The poor kid has had two colds in his lifetime and both times ear infections are the result.
And while it took some convincing, we stepped out. And we dined. And we talked. And we drank. And I knew he was in good hands.

What I Wore:
Skinny Jeans- J.Jill
Flat- Arutro Chiang Von Maur
Cardigan- French Connection
Tank Top- Eyeshadow (Von Maur)
Necklace- Jules Personalized Rectangle Tag Necklace (Twinkle Twinkle Little One)
Necklace- Vintage (my grandma's diamond reset)

Brady Wore:
Pajamas- Carter's (never to early for Christmas pajamas)
T-Shirt - OshKosh
Pants- OshKosh

Short week means time with my two favorite boys!
Happy Thanksgiving! We are headed to Bloomington!

Thankful Thursday- Already?

It's Thursday already. One week from Thanksgiving. Seriously? This week has flown by yet at each day has slithered from start to finish. Is that even possible? I guess it is but regardless it sounds weird.
We are battling colds in our house...we ALL have them. A so every day someone takes a step forward and someone else takes a step back. Glenn is taking vitamins, I am chugging orange juice and Brady, well he just keeps on truckin, acting like nothing is wrong. Seriously, it has not stopped him from throwing things, laughing, ripping his socks off and squealing in delight at the front door.
A visit from my parents yesterday and trip to see Glenn's family last weekend makes for a lot of family time these past few days. So as Thanksgiving creeps closer, I am realizing how fast the year has flown by and how lucky we are to have the families we have. I have a thirteen month old. Holy cow! That is just nuts!

I am thankful for...

41. all of us getting colds this week so we can enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday! Hopefully, keep your fingers crossed.

42. my sister in law, Laura, and the amazing appliance lottery that we won this week. Seriously, this is one of those things that will turn any bad week into a good one. Seriously, all new stainless steel GE kitchen appliances for $420? AWESOME!

43. my mama and pops who in an afternoon managed to get us partially decorated for Christmas. And yes, pops, I will not turn the lights on until after Thanksgiving to respect the Turkey.

44. the opportunity to see almost all of the Fischer side of The Fischer Family last weekend.

45. a generations picture of Four Fischer Men that was taken last weekend. How amazing will it be to show Brady that picture in twenty years of him, his dad, his grandpa and his great grandpa?

46. 93.9 The Lite to be playing Christmas music because it continues to keep my spirits up when I hear "Do You Hear What I Hear" when I am battling traffic home.

47. our awesome family pictures that were taken by Renee Gooch? I can't wait to show you what she captured.

48. spring break plans/trips to Florida that are panning out giving me something to be excited for through the winter.

49. a two day weeks next week that will allow me to rejuvenate, celebrate and spend time with my family.

50. my life. Honestly, life is good and when it is I am thankful and grateful and content.


50.

All I Want For Christmas Is...

How can you not love Christmas when you see this nugget with a reindeer on his butt?

I love Christmas. Love every single thing about it.

I love the smell of a fresh tree and yes Glenn I still want to get a real one this year even if it comes from the Jewel parking lot and Brady rips it down.

I love the sounds of Christmas music, people bustling and glasses clanking one another. Mary Did You Know, The Christmas Shoes, and O Holy Night could play on repeat until December 25th. Sorry dad, Drummer Boy is sadly nowhere near my favorite tune.

And I love the sights of snow falling as I sip hot chocolate, babies sleeping in Christmas jammies, and the ornaments so carefully picked to represent the year it has been glistening on our family tree.

I also loves to be a list maker. I check things off (sometimes). I gett this from my mother. No one else. She has Christmas lists in July. And now so do I.

All the bloggers I loyally read, have started to post, talk about and discuss Christmas lists. And since I am a sucker for red holiday cups from Starbucks and and Christmas music on 93.9 I thought, maybe I would publicly give my mom and my husband some insight to what I want for Christmas early this year. Don't worry, I will still be making my official lists but this is a glimpse into the things I am hoping Santa will bring me. Also, I thought I would share with you all some things I am loving because most of them are handmade and on the web. You need to get them ordered early mama, so get moving.
So, the three things on my radar right now..

1. Gussy. Where do I start? I have been a silent lover/stalker of her goods for quite a while. I was and I still am. I finally got some courage and reached out to her on Twitter to say hello and to introduce myself and I just want something Gussy even more now. I listened/read as others swooned about her stuff, I follow her on twitter, read her blog, enter any giveaway that she is hosting or providing goods for because I am desperate to have a little Gussy in my life. What is it that I want you ask? Well, a laptop bag would be amazing. How awesome is the print and a ruffle in the color of my choice? LOVELY. I am hoping this little present will eliminate my need to bring EVERYTHING HOME EVERY NIGHT from school because this bag only holds so much and I would hate to ruin it. If the bag doesn't make it I will be sad but, Christmas will not be complete if I don't get small pouch for my Droid. This is a must for me. See, my smartphone is my life. It is constantly lost, banged, beat up, and sometimes thrown if Brady gets his hands on it but if I had this cute pouch like this one, I would not worry about those things anymore. Mom are you reading?

2. Torie from 25 Designs makes these things, all these beautiful things that I just want. I am teacher as you all know so looking nice, updated and appropriate is important daily. Some days my outfits feel a little old, a little dated and little frumpy. But this cuff below, is adorable and would go a long way. What I love the most about her cute Etsy shop (seriously, I could spend my entire paycheck on etsy...that's another talk for another day) is its affordable. Cute, cheap and adorable. I'd say it's a must.
3. So, this brings me to something that is not handmade. I have a large obsession that seems to be getting bigger and bigger every day with photography. It all started with getting some SLR cameras at school and taking one home for the summer. I was hooked. I became obsessed with photoshop, editing images, and I keep telling myself that I will never be as amazing as our photographers Heidi Peters or Portrait Life, I may be able to hold my own and capture some memories. So, I am asking for some help on this one. I want an SLR camera. But which one to ask for? The Canon Rebel, a Nikon or a Sony? What do you think? Does anyone have a preference? I just want something that is easy to shoot with, lets me view on the screen and is user friendly. So, my third item is a toss up. HELP!

Week Like These- Thankful Thursday One Day Late

Motherhood, friendship, and work.

All week, the only reference when thinking about these three things I come up with is hiking. Hiking a tall mountain, climbing through the hills, the peaks, and the treacherous valleys. The deep valleys that that you land in and you have to keep moving forward, keep pushing to get through so you can get back to the peak and see the view from the top. This week was a valley, a deep valley that I was stuck in. I was stuck my in own head consumed with thoughts about the negatives. The negative side of people who I thought were good. The negative in a job where simple struggles consumed me and days that I forgot to remind myself that I am teacher, because it is my calling and its my passion. The negative about the choices I make for my son because I allow others question, ridicule and criticize the choices I make for Brady. And only tonight as I was giving Brady a bath did I realize that all of this sooner or later will lead me back to the peak. The valley I decided in the bathroom tonight, can't be that deep when you love something as great as my kid. I am thankful for...

31. Brady, who constantly teaches me what it means to rise above and be better.

(Don't you love the stick...entertainment for hours!)

32. Nights with beer and good friends from school who keep me steady.

33. Starbucks holiday cups because they just make me ooze holiday cheer.

34. A husband that unequivocally supports me and reminds me that there is always someone in my corner.

35. A new sister-in-law and brother who returned safely from Aruba and Curacao.

36. Seventy degree, blue sky, fall days in November here in the Windy City that bring running shorts back out of my drawer.

37. My rocking parents who volunteered (I SWEAR) to come up and "get my house ready" for Christmas next week.

38. Parent Teacher conferences because for the first time in my teaching career I stopped and thought, " Be gentle, this is someone's baby and it could be yours in 5 years".

39. friends like Angela (yes I named you) because every time I think I am screwing Brady up for life since he won't drink milk, she gives me hope, ideas and feedback in way that makes me believe that we are all in this together and doesn't make me think she judging my parenting.

40. dates on the calendar in December with friends from college that make me want to walk out of the valley and up that mountain when I have a week like this because those hours are so worth it!

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful on a Thursday

So, here we are at another Thursday. And as Brady was WAILING, not crying, WAILING all morning from the three teeth that have sprouted in four days in his little mouth, I took a deep breath and I reminded myself that I am thankful. I am thankful every day for the things that I have but today because it is Thursday, I will tell you that I am thankful for

21. a one year old who managed to "make it" down the aisle on a very important day. How cute right?
22. the opportunity to see my grandma this past weekend, who is almost 90. She reminded me that there a lot of moments left to savor and that memories, family and love is what matters.

23. family who can travel to be with us on important days which shows us that distance is no obstacle and family is what you make of it.

24. a couple of hours that allowed me to get pampered on Saturday. It felt good to sit, soak up someone else doing my hair and make-up and to drink a yummy pomegranate mimosa.

25. fall leaves and rakes that make Brady's eye light up with wonder as he explores new things. Yes, I know a one year old and a rake does not sound safe, but I promise we were careful.

26. a nanny named Anne who makes my life easier daily (errands and laundry need I say more) and makes my heart beat effortlessly knowing she loves my kid like her own.

27. old nanny's like Jana who step up, help out and still support us when we need her even though her own babe will be here soon!

28. the simple pleasures like Halloween gift bags that make high school girls smile and revert to being little girls again.

29. my running shoes, which have seen better days, that still allow me to clear my head, sweat and have some "me" time at night as the day winds down.

30. a husband who always shows me the other side of an issue, the power of two people working together, the connection between a boy and his dad, and sticks by me in the ebb and flow of a marriage that is full of life.
Even though Nish, who started Thankful on a Thursday has stopped, I will continue because through her I have stopped, listened and started to be more mindfully thankfully. And my husband appreciates it, because the glass, well it's half full not half empty anymore!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Super Brady

So, as you know Halloween weekend took a different twist this year because my little brother Todd got married! So, we (Glenn) toyed with the idea of having him walk down the aisle in his superman costume but thought better of it. Then, we decided we would have him trick or treat on our block with Glenn but Brady decided to cut two of his first year molars this weekend and it was cold. Seriously, it was chilly last night, especially after the sun went down. So, we resorted to him standing at the door and handing out candy. My little busy body would sprint to the door every time he heard it open and would stand there as Glenn gave out candy. Sometimes, Brady thought it would be best to throw (literally) Milk Duds at kids.


Luckily, last weekend we were able to dress him up at take him to our friends the Vick's house for a Halloween Party. He loved being with all the other kids and seemed to enjoy being Superman for a day. And next year, I look forward to him saying Trick or Treat.