Joseph 2.0

Posted in Oh Baby by widdershins22

My sweet little baby is gone. He has morphed into a full-fledged toddler, so full of life and energy. It has been such a joy and pleasure to watch you grow, learn and explore. You amaze me with your never-ending enthusiasim for life and all it has to offer. I love watching you learn and how determined (some might say stubborn) you can be to figure things out. I love how you grab me by the hand and say “Come with!” and pull me to where you want to go. As busy as you are, you always find time to sit and cuddle with me. I hope that you will always do that no matter how big you get. I so look forward to what this next year will bring. Happy Birthday, Joseph William, you are my shining star. Mommy loves you so very much.

I’m two, I’m two, I’m two years old today! That’s so much more than one! Hurray! ! This past year I have grown from a baby into a full blown toddler. I have learned to do so much this year. I learned how to walk -and run!- count to twenty, know my ABCs, colors, how to use a fork and spoon. . . so many things I can do! Mommy and Daddy can’t get over how big I am. I’M GI-NORMOUS!

10Mar2014

Instagram Challenge #31daysofstelladot

Posted in Fashion by widdershins22

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you might have noticed that I’ve been posting photos each day as part of a Stella & Dot challenge for March. It’s under #31daysofstelladot Its been a lot of fun and a bit of a stretch for me shoot something every day. I usually have some Stella & Dot piece as part of my daily wardrobe, but styling it in a way that is photo-friendly is sometimes a challenge. I hope that I’ll see some improvement by the end of the month. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

8Mar2014

Three Years . . . .

Posted in All About Me, Oh Baby by widdershins22

Why does it seem like yesterday and yet a lifetime ago? Three years. How is this possible? I cling to your memories, what little we were able to have together. Most of it while you were inside me. I used to chuckle and call you my little octopi, you would both wiggle and squirm and wrestle one another. I think about the brief moment that I got to hold you both, amazed at your tiny preciousness. Rosy pink and oh so fragile. Such fleeting time together, but you are both etched into my brain and my heart.

Your little brother grows and grows. He is so full of life, I sometimes wonder if he will burst. A ball of energy and always on the run. Quick to smile and laugh, he brings joy to everyone. I know that you are both looking after him, keeping him safe in this world.

I struggle this year because we have moved away and I’m unable to visit you today. I feel overwhelming guilt that we are not near you. Please know that no matter where you father, brother, and I live on this earth, we all love you and keep you close to us in our hearts. I love you Mary and Christopher, Happy Birthday my loves.

6Mar2014

Outfitted: Hints of Spring

Posted in Fashion by widdershins22

Either the calendar is lying and it’s really January instead of March, or Old Man Winter has decided to long overstay his welcome. I’m search if signs of Spring everywhere. Unfortunately, any that are out there are covered in snow. That’s why I’m incorporating some hints of green into my wardrobe. Maybe Mother Nature with finally decide to do the same.

19Feb2014

101 Things in 1001 Days: Round Three

Posted in 101 Things by widdershins22

This will be the third time I’ve participated in 101 Things in 1001 Days. Its so interesting how your focus and interests change over time. I started my previous list on May 24th, 2011. I was living in Wisconsin and was not yet pregnant. I didn’t have any idea the roller coaster that was to come with moving, the twins, Joseph,moving again. I was focused on my Etsy shop, knitting and starting to think about learning to sew and make a quilt. Amazing how much has changed. I’m looking forward to starting anew with this list and to see what life will bring over these next 1001 days.

Here’s my new list, I’ll be updating my official 101 Things page soon, but thought you’d like to see the old one to compare. Let me know if you want to join me this time around!

001. Go to Stella & Dot’s Hoopla Event
002. Promote to Star Stylist
003. Earn enough money to take family on vacation
004. See 10 concerts:
005. Go to a classical concert/opera with Roz
006. Go to a book reading event
007. Read 50 books:
008. Join the Chicago Art Institute
009. Join the Brookfield Zoo
010. See 25 movies:
011. Go on Chicago Architectural Tour
012. Go to Lincoln Park Zoo
013. Rent a cabin
014. Go to 10 different museums:
015. Teach Joe how to swim (with professional help)
016.Teach Joe how to read
017. Get Joe potty trained
018. Commission painting of Walter
019. Get Joe a passport
020. Have a picnic
021. Buy a higher quality sewing machine
022. Teach someone to knit
023. Make a pie for Pi day (3/14)
024. Get certified in CPR
025. Start golfing again
026. Join a yoga studio
027. Finish a 5K
028. Go fishing
029. Go camping
030. Go canoeing
031. Go to Great America
032. Find a reliable babysitter for JWC
033. Get a home safe
034. Donate to Locks of Love again
035. Get a safety deposit box
036. Find doctors/dentist for family
037. Find a new church to attend
038. Take Joe to the beach
039. Make a will
040. Get a library card
041. Organize and edit digital photo library
042. Teach myself how to crochet
043. Get a massage
044. Get a facial
045. Read 50 books:
046. See all Academy Award Best Picture Nominees before the awards show.
047. Take Joe to see a parade
048. Get personalized stationery
049. Get new business cards
050. Get address stamp made
051. Go to a Chicago Bears game
052. Go to a Chicago Cubs game
053. Go to NorthernGRADE
054. Go to a Chicago Blackhawks game
055. Go to a Kane County Cougars game
056. Complete Couch to 5K
057. Go iceskating
058. Take a cooking class
059. Host a beer tasting
060. Go to 30 movies:
061. Find local non-profit to volunteer
062. Knit preemie caps/blankets and donate
063. Make a quilt(s) to donate to a worthy cause
064. Make another quilt for Joe
065. Make a quilt for nephew
066. Make ice cream using a recipe from Jeni’s cook book.
067. Host a wine tasting party
068. Create cookbook of family recipes
069. Cook 10 things from Mastering the Art of French Cooking
070. Cook 10 things from 1080 Cook Book
071. Make pasta from scratch
072. Host a cookie exchange
073. Go to a wine tasting
074. Host a potluck
075. Visit a country I’ve never visited before
076. Go to the drive-in
077. Go to a National Park
078. Go strawberry picking
079. Make strawberry jam
080. Go apple picking
081. Make applesauce
082. Go to a county fair
083. Join a CSA
084. Join or start a book club
085. Go back to Hawaii
086. Fly somewhere with Joe
087. Get all artwork framed and displayed
088. Use Aveda points to go on vacation (I have enough!)
089. Go to Las Vegas
090. Have a girls weekend
091. Have a dinner party
092. Plan a surprise trip
093. Plant a garden
094. Get a bike
095. Clean up track information in iTunes
096. Have Family Christmas party
097. Figure out what to do with Instagram photos
098. Plant a tree for the twins
099. Get a tattoo in memory of the twins
100. Put $10 into savings for every completed item
101. Donate $10 for every completed item

13Feb2014

Joseph: 23 Months

Posted in Oh Baby by widdershins22

I’ve been adjusting pretty well to living at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I miss some of my toys, my room, and my friends, but I’ve made myself right at home and have taken over the entire house. I think that I’ve livened it up around here quite a bit!

I really love playing outside in the snow, only it’s been way to cold to go outside! This makes me REALLY mad, especially when mommy tries to put me in the car and won’t let me run around. Hopefully, it will either get a little warmer so I can play in the snow, or get a bunch warmer so I can go swimming.

Mommy has been coming up with some creative ways to keep me entertained. Some of my favorites are baking cookies, coloring, playing “marching band” and going to play with my ball and trucks in the basement. I also like to play hide and seek with Grandma’s cat, but I wish I was better at finding him.

I still love Thomas the Tank Engine, but also really like to watch The Tigger Movie and The Hungry Caterpillar on Netflix. Wonder Pets and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood are also on my preferred list.

I am working on walking up and down the steps a lot. I still have to hold onto mommy or daddy’s hand and the railing, but I’m getting better at it. Soon I’ll be running up and down them just like everywhere else I go.

Only one more month and I will be two years old! Can you believe it?

4Feb2014

You have to do the hard things.

Posted in All About Me by widdershins22

You have to do the hard things.

You have to make the call you’re afraid to make.

You have to get up earlier than you want to get up.

You have to give more than you get in return right away.

You have to care more about others than they care about you.

You have to fight when you are already injured, bloody, and sore.

You have to feel unsure and insecure when playing it safe seems smarter.

You have to lead when no one else is following you yet.

You have to invest in yourself even though no one else is.

You have to look like a fool while you’re looking for answers you don’t have.

You have to grind out the details when it’s easier to shrug them off.

You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option.

You have to search for your own explanations even when you’re told to accept the “facts.”

You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot.

You have to try and fail and try again.

You have to run faster even though you’re out of breath.

You have to be kind to people who have been cruel to you.

You have to meet deadlines that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled.

You have to be accountable for your actions even when things go wrong.

You have to keep moving towards where you want to be no matter what’s in front of you.

You have to do the hard things. The things that no one else is doing. The things that scare you. The things that make you wonder how much longer you can hold on.

Those are the things that define you. Those are the things that make the difference between living a life of mediocrity or outrageous success.

The hard things are the easiest things to avoid. To excuse away. To pretend like they don’t apply to you.

The simple truth about how ordinary people accomplish outrageous feats of success is that they do the hard things that smarter, wealthier, more qualified people don’t have the courage — or desperation — to do.

Do the hard things. You might be surprised at how amazing you really are.

Original article from Business Insider.

I read this last week and it really struck a chord. Moving. Living in a state of limbo at my parents house. Solo parenting while Shawn is traveling for work. Snow, snow, frigid cold, more snow. Starting my Stella & Dot business from scratch. Housebound with a toddler. All these things are adding up and making me want to “take to bed” like a Victorian dowager. However, I continue to slog away and do “the hard things” knowing that all this shall pass and Spring -figuratively and literally- will bring sunnier days. Until then, I’ll keep my head down and keep pushing forward.

29Jan2014

Outfitted: Chiberia Chic

Posted in Fashion by widdershins22

Chicago has welcomed me with open arms and arctic temperatures. When I do actually venture out into the polar vortex, I’m attempting to keep it a little stylish while not becoming a frostbitten fashionista. Keep warm everyone!

24Jan2014

Sweet Home Chicago

Posted in All About Me, General Life, Noble County Gold, Oh Baby by widdershins22

You might have noticed my recent lack of posting around here lately. Well, I’ve had good reasons, to be sure. I’m happy to report that Shawn has accepted a new position and we’re in the process of moving back to Chicago.

As you can imagine, things have been quite the whirlwind. Getting the house on the market, and subsequently sold, packing, getting Joseph and Walter out to my parents, etc. It’s been overwhelmingly insane. Thank goodness for my parents helping us and the aid of some of our good friends. I would probably be moving into the loony bin if it wasn’t for them.

I have to admit that the move is bittersweet. We were so happy to move back here – only three short years ago – to be reunited with our good friends, have our children here, being able to have Jeni’s ice-cream whenever we want. (Just kidding – not really!) But, I am thrilled with being close to my family again. I haven’t lived in the Land of Lincoln since I was 20 years old. I am hoping to rekindle some friendships from school, it will be wonderful to see them outside of the land of Facebook and the Interwebs.

We will be temporarily living at my parents house while we look for a home. They have been so generous and supportive, although I think that my mom is solely focused on the fact that we will have unlimited access to Joe. I hope that we can find a home soon, so we do not wear out our welcome.

I hope to be checking in a bit more regularly to let you know how things are going with transitioning, how Joseph is handling the changes, etc. But for now, I am just going to sit here and listen to this on repeat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l16G6UrvN0