Baby blabbles

I started crying this made me so happy! Enjoy :)

Zoo Lights

We attempted our first family trip to Lincoln Park Zoo last night, and now know better to avoid the Saturday before Christmas downtown Chicago for years to come! It was crazily crowded, but fun nonetheless. Although Grace slept through the first half of our trip (and the gorillas and lions), she absolutely loved the sparkly lights surrounding the zoo. It was a beautiful night after the first true snowfall, and sure to be a festive family tradition going forward.... only next year we'll be sure to visit the first week of December instead of one of the last :)

Dad and G-mack.

Pretty lights.

Grace bundled for the chilly night.

Family shot. Zach and I thoroughly enjoyed the warm, spiced wine served at the zoo cafe! Delicious!

Happy 3 months (and 2 days) Gracie Mack!

Amazing 3 months have already passed us by since Grace's big debut into this world! Grace is continuing to make slow and steady progress at PT, and at home, with her various stretches, exercises and mommy massages. I keep telling her that most people pay to have their neck massaged like she does each week, but I'm not sensing the same spa appreciation from her that her mom has :) Her neck still has a ways to go before being perfectly normal, but we're hoping the doctor provides some peace of mind today that she is on the right path. She seems to be growing like a tree and gets heavier by the minute! Lugging her car seat here and there is soon to be a thing of the past as her mom's muscles aren't quite what they used to be during her glory gymnastics days.

In other news, Zach was promoted last week to an Outside Wholesaler who will be mainly focusing on covering the Detroit area! To top off an already wonderful week, he was given Internal Wholesaler of the Year for ETF's. We couldn't be more proud. His new position starts January 2nd, which unfortunately puts him on the road Monday through Friday for quite some time until we're able to relocate. The news is bittersweet given how much we love Wheaton and being so close to our family and friends, but is sure to be an exciting transition nonetheless. Not to mention our wonderful friends, the Stowell's, recently moved to the Detroit area as well! We're hoping for a July move date (right after the big Ullrich/Anspach wedding) assuming we're able to find fabulous occupants for our wonderful home.  Keep Zach in your thoughts and prayers and he prepares for this exciting new chapter beginning the start of 2012! 

Here are a few recent (random) photos displaying the typical lazy nights in our home. Kingston is truly our second child. Hope they make you as happy as they make me :)

"If I can't lay on Dad, I will lay in the most awkward position I can think of while I'm at least touching him." - Kingston 

Happiness.

Gracie's Baptism

To top off an already wonderful, memorable weekend with family, we decided to have Grace baptized on Sunday November 27th at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton. Not only was this the church Zach and I were married at, but it is also the church I was baptized in during Easter weekend 2010. It was a beautiful day to say the least, and extra special having Grace's best girlfriend, Lyla Rose Labelle, baptized with her! She slept through the entire ceremony, and only fidgeted slightly when the water was poured over her head. I was honestly amazed! We felt so blessed having so many of our family members together for such an exciting event and couldn't be more thankful for Grace's godparents, Uncle Brock and Aunt Brooke. We were not only thankful they accepted this honor, but also for playing such an important part of the day and in Grace's life going forward. I accidentally volunteered Uncle Brock for a reading beforehand,  and he couldn't have done a better job :)

Mom, Dad and Gracie before the Baptism.

Grace looking beautiful, and happy as can be in her new bonnet and cute shoes from her Great Grandparents, Mimi and Papa. Unfortunately they couldn't make the trip to Chicago, but we were thinking about them the whole time! Grace missed you both!

Proud Papa :)

Ullrich family.

Livingston family.  

Proud Mama :)

Brock and Carolyn. 

Grace's amazing godparents, Brock and Brooke (not hard to say in the least.. haha).

Grace and her BFF, Lyla!

Baptism

She hardly made a peep! 

Sporting a new bib and oily "do" post baptism :)

The only man tall enough to light the candle! 

Wonderful grandparents

Such a special day for the Labelle and Ullrich families!

Godparents :)

We headed over to the Ullrich house for a delicious late lunch and dessert following the ceremony. Thanks again to Jodi for entertaining everyone once again after such a crazy weekend, and to everyone who came to support Grace! She is lucky lady having so many incredible people in her life who love and support her so much. 

Our wonderful host! 

Amazing cake created by Ta Dah! 

"God Bless Grace Mackenzie"

Grace, Grandma Jenny, Great Grandma Faye, and Great Aunt Kym

Dad, Great Uncle Neil and Great Grandpa Rolly 

Dad and Grandpa Brad celebrating! 

Grace and Great Aunt Kym

More celebrating of course. 

My beautiful sisters, and Grace's incredible Aunts! Love you all!

Fun playing cards :)

 Thanks again to everyone for the thoughtful, and extremely special baptism gifts!  I can't wait till Grace is old enough to understand the meaning behind everything you picked out for her. 

Turkeys, Trots and Treats!

What a fun filled weekend we had with family! We started Grace's first Thanksgiving celebration with the Livingston family's annual 5K Turkey Trot in Naperville. Luckily the Ullrich family was up for the morning challenge as well, and met up with us and the Pavela family for the run. Grace slept through her first 5K and first thanksgiving meal at St. Charles Country Club, but was alert and lively for meal number two at the Ullrich home. We have a tradition at the Ullrich's of going around the table with a wine filled baron stating what we are most thankful for. It was an emotional meal to say the least, until Grace decided to let out a rather loud fart immediately following Jess's beautiful speech about her love for Aaron and their future together! Haha. It certainly broke the mood, and is officially my favorite Thanksgiving memory to date :)

Livingston family pre-run

Livingston and Pavela clans meeting in Brad's "secret parking spot" for the Annual Turkey Trot.

Grace's first 5K. She had no idea she even participated :)

Ullrich family feeling good after the Trot.

Ullrich fam running the Turkey Trot sans Grandpa. He was "in the zone" at this point!

Grace and her lovely Aunts! 

Livingston Thanksgiving meal number one. Never mind the antlers blocking Grace's head.. haha

Mom and Grace photos are rare these days.. haha :)

Kisses from Daddy

Family shot :) 

Auntie Dizzle holding Grace Mack in the outfit she gave her as a baptism gift! Perfect for Thanksgiving! 

Ullrich Christmas card photo for Thanksgiving meal number two!

Grace with Auntie Kels and her wonderful Great Grandparents

On Friday the Livingston ladies took Grace shopping for her first "Black Friday" experience. We were smart to head about in the afternoon to avoid the craziness at Oakbrook mall. We accomplished a few Christmas gifts on our list, and even had time for a relaxing meal at Cheesecake with our sleeping angel!
We continued the holiday festivities on Saturday with a cookie baking party at the Ullrich home. Our first baking party couldn't have turned out better, and will definitely be a fun family tradition for years to come! Grace even decided to help Mom with her favorite grapenut oatmeal cookie recipe by hanging out in the bjorn for the majority of the day :) We topped off our cookie party with one of Grandma Faye's card games to compete for her hand made Christmas ornaments to take home. They are absolutely stunning, and couldn't be more special hanging from Grace's first tree.

All the Waller ladies pre-baking. My preggo look is really just Grace Mack hiding under my cute apron.  Thanks again Kym for the adorable matching aprons! 

Chef Grandma Jodi and Grandpa Tom loving on Gracie. 

Grandma, Auntie J and Great-Grandma with our first finished product! Blondie cookies - very appropriate :)

Babe in the Bjorn. Great baking buddy.

Waller ladies post-cookie making!

Grace's first Christmas tree.