Pheasant Run 2009

Every year since our engagement, I have gone with Dan and his family to Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles IL for the Fourth of July. The tradition was started by Dan's Grampa and Grandma Soldato to ensure the entire clan got together and spent quality time swimming, golfing, and catching up. Addie has joined in the fun for the past two years, although I must admit, she was much more engaged this year.

She loved swimming (of course) in the various pools throughout the resort. She loved playing on the putting green and watching her Dad golf. She loved the dinners of choice - pizza and pasta. She was in heaven!

Of course one of my favorite parts as always was seeing Dan hang out with his brothers. No in the world understands Dan as they do, and the boys always have such a great time together. They have inside jokes that go back decades.

All in all, a very fun and relaxing weekend!

Papa's River Camp

My favorite part of summer growing up was the time we spent down at the River. My father inherited a rustic cabin on the Kentucky River, and as a child my family spent most summer days swimming, hanging out, and relaxing by the river. We have never had a TV at the cabin, which leaves much more time for conversation, playing cards, and outdoor activities. Life is simple, but in many, many ways, better.

I was able to take Addie to Kentucky for almost a week this June, and like me, she loved the River. She could not get enough of the pool - despite the water's cooler temperature. She loved exploring the creek with her Papa and letting the water run through her toes. She liked seeing many different critters - including a cute, little frog which she could pet and watch jump. All in all, outdoor life at it best.

My Dad is going to make "River Camp" an annual event for all the grandchildren, so we had to have the inaugural year with just Miss Addie. Next year she will be joined by her cousin Patrick and a younger brother or sister. Hard to believe Mimi and Papa's family is expanding so rapidly!!!

Addie's First Cubs game!

Long before spring training started, Dan worked hard to get four tickets to a weekend Cubs game at Wrigley Field this summer. Living three blocks away from the historic home of the Cubs, we knew we had to take Addie soon to experience America's favorite past time. My cousin Sarah and her husband Jeff and 12-month old son Nate were able to join us for the afternoon at the ball park. Addie and Nate did very well, and while Sarah and I did have take them home at the start of the 8th inning, I was impressed they endured the heat and crowd with a smile for the that long. Jeff and Dan make it through 13-inning game and were rewarded at the end with a Cubs' victory!

Playing at the park!

One of Addie and my favorite activities these days is taking a trip to the park. I've found one we both love, a little west of Wrigley Field. I love it because it is about a mile away, which provides a good walk to get there and back. Addie loves it because there is an abundance of sand throughout the park. It is especially fun to walk there on game days and see the crowds coming to cheer on the Cubs.

I videoed her today doing most of her favorite park activities: the swings, which these days she either loves or hates; the slide; the "jumping bridge," which I think you can tell from the video somewhat bounces as she walks; and of course, playing in the sand! No matter how I try to steer her away from this one place at the park, she always finds her way back. It is a little fort, under one of the slides, with a cute little window where several kids play restaurant, store, etc.

As you can tell, the park is very busy on nice days, which is good. Addie makes new friends each time we go, and it is nice for me to be able to interact with other Moms and Dads as well. I hope you enjoy all the videos!

Alomst a year and a half!

Several times over the past few weeks, I find myself staring at Addie. It seems she no longer is a little baby anymore -- I truly feel she is turning into a "kid." Whether it's running independently from one apparatus to the next at the park or fetching various books for me to read, I'm realizing slowly that she is truly a one-and-a-half-year old. While of course she is still very dependent on Dan and I, compared to this time last year, she really can get around now and entertain herself for long periods of time.

A couple weeks ago, I finally decided to give full self-feeding a try. Addie has been eating finger foods by herself for a while now, but I could tell she was ready to take over the fork and spoon. So despite the major messes, Dan and I have stuck to putting food on her tray or in a bowl for dinner each night, and letting her have at it. As you can see from the video below, she has made great progress. Today she fed herself an entire bowl of oatmeal. Last week, she mastered peas, macaroni and cheese, and grilled chicken.

I am so amazed at her development and how quickly she learns new skills. It is so fun to watch her grow!

Memorial Day at the Lake

Uncle Anthony, Addie's Godfather, was in Chicago for Memorial Day so we had a weekend full of events with Dan's family. Friday night the boys and Grammy and Grampa were able to see the Blackhawks beat the Redwings in hockey. Quite a game - and evidence the Hawks are going to be good for years to come.

Saturday morning we headed to Michigan to Dan's parents' lake house. While it was beautiful out, a crisp 75 degrees, the water was a little too cold for swimming. However, Miss Addie did not seem to notice. She played on the shore of the lake for hours - digging up sand and placing it in her bucket; "tap tap" tapping her shovel to get the sand off; and floating around in her yellow innertube. Once again, we have proof she loves the water!

The boys had a good time challenging each other in ladder ball. While I only took pictures on Satuday, when Dan and Pete were victorious, I can attest to the fact that Matt and Anthony were the victors on Sunday. They are very competitive, which is fun for spectators!

All in all, it was a relaxing two days at the lake, and a great start to summer!

Addie's BFF

My best friend from Notre Dame Maureen and I have luckily shared a lot over the past 11 years. We both lived in the cutest dorm Badin. We were roommates at a house a stone's throw away from our favorite bar Corby's. We both moved to Chicago two years after college graduation. We both married guys from our brother dorm Carroll. And we were both blessed with first-born daughters.

This has also luckily given Addie a friend for the past year. In fact it is so cute now because Addie can say "Evie" and the other day when Maureen and Evie came over, we swear Evie was saying "Addie" Despite being six months apart, the two get along famously.

As you can see from the photos, I bought a $7 plastic pool from BabiesRUs, and Evie came over to enjoy the warmth and sunshine with Addie. The two had a wonderful time - splashing each other and playing around. I'm so happy summer is finally on it's way!