Match Made in Heaven

Maureen (my cousin and maid of honor) and Andy are engaged!!!!!!! Maureen called me last night and was ecstatic. We are so absolutely thrilled for them and can't wait for the big day!!!!!!
We love Andy and can't wait for him to be officially part of the family.

We are also will be adding one more to the Mark family. My cousins Patrick and Becky are expecting in April. How exciting! That will make 8 new babies in under 2 1/2 years! Holy moly!

We've been getting all the last minute details ready for #2 to arrive. I've been trying to savor my last few days as a Mom of 1. Lily and I have enjoyed doing lots of cooking together and we made a trip to the pool together. Hopefully, we will go to the zoo this week. I did go to the doctor this week and they said I was a fingertip, not even 1cm., dialated. Some is better than none, right?

Last weekend by friend Lindsey came in town from California and we attended by our sorority sister, Beth's wedding. It was gorgeous and fun to reunite with some AGD's. That was wedding #7 this year.
Another new ride...our double stroller. Lily and I took it for its' first spin and I absolutely love it. We did stop at the mailbox and I grabbed the mail and put it in the other seat. Lily very firmly said, "No, Mommy! A baby!" And I quickly had to remove the mail. Only the baby can sit there. ha!

Lily twirling in her tutu from Grandma Mayer! She is a girly girl through and through.

Now we're headed out to the Chatard football game where Lily will be sure to yell, "Go Tard!" She loves going to any Chatard event!

OFFICIALLY OLD!!

Tyler and I own a minivan.

I can't believe the day has already come. Tyler no longer has his Ford F150. I wasn't quite expecting to have a minivan this soon. Tyler had talked about trying to trade in the truck, but I thought we owed too much on it and it wasn't a possibility. But he did his homework and looked at some dealers and found out that we would actually be able to save around $100 by trading in the truck.

When I bought my Civic I remember my parents telling me to also look at the Accord, because I may want more room. I thought they were crazy! Why would I need more room? I'm just one person and don't really lug around too much stuff, so why would I pay extra money for a larger car. Then I got married and long came Lily and I definitely wish I had the roomy Accord. Then with the truck, we knew we would be moving a lot and it would come in handy. We didn't consider the factor that it doesn't hold car seats safely. With the purchase of the minivan I feel like for the first time we are looking more ahead than we have before. Number 2 is going to be here VERY soon and we know he/she won't be the last.

It was a little bittersweet to see the truck go. Although, I hated hoisting myself up in that thing and feeling like I was driving a tank, it was our first purchase together. We were only engaged and not even married yet.

We got a Dodge Grand Caravan. It's got the stow and go and sliding side doors. I'm excited, because it will be MUCH easier to get kids in their car seats. So although I'm not thrilled about being a minivan owner already, I know it will come in handy. I'll get some pics of it this weekend.

Worst Blogger Ever!

Yes, I get the worst blogger award! So I'm including lots of pics and info!! We've been busy and really trying to enjoy the last days before school started. Tyler and I were just talking about what a great summer it has been. We've gotten to do so many fun things with Lily and Tyler has really been able to be around a lot. Below are some pictures of my cousin, Deardra's wedding. It was absolutely gorgeous and we had a blast. Not to mention, Tyler was able to finagle 3 pieces of cake for this pregnant lady, so I was VERY happy! We were invited to 9 weddings this year and still have 4 more to attend. Although, I don't think we'll make it to the last two. They are the weekend before my due date. My good friend Beth is getting married on the 28th, so I'm very excited for that.

Lily with her godmother!! Don't you love Maureen's new haircut?

A family photo, but Lily REFUSED to take her hands out of her mouth.

Going to the sprinkler park. Lily was much more interested in climbing through the tubes with dad rather than running through the sprinkler.

School has officially started. Tyler and I are back to work and Lily goes to school twice a week! I was a little sad to send her back. I loved being with her everyday this summer. She's just at such a fun age and we can do so much with her. But I know she adores school. I brought her in the first day, fighting back the tears and she just strolls in. She sits down and starts to color a picture and says to me, "I color, Mom, bye." I thought I was the one who was going to help her make the transition going to back school easier, but she was the one who made it easier for me! ha!

I have my 34 week doctor appointment today. They've scheduled me for all the rest of my appointments...YIKES! So far, everything is right on track and going great! We've been working on turning the guest room into Lily's room. We FINALLY got our new crib (remember our other one was recalled) and it's up! Poor Lily was in the pack and play for over a month. I was starting to feel guilty.

Our genius child reading...or maybe we've read the book a BILLION times and she remembers all the pictures!

Lily still loves to dance to Usher!

Keeping busy!

We've been able to go on lots of outings with Dad. July is Tyler's month off, so he's been home a lot. Plus, he decided to not coach football this year which kept him occupied for like a million hours a week.

Dad and Lily checking out the turtles at the zoo. Lily was not as excited about the zoo as I thought she would be. But she was always interested in the animal droppings. uh!

We were lucky enough to have Fr. Steve over for dinner. Of course, Lily convinced him to have a tea party. BEWARE...if you enter our house, you WILL have a tea party with Lily. She does not take no for an answer.

Dad and Lily at the Indians game! The whole time she yelled, "Go Sox!" She is a little baseball fanatic.

Lily has been busy lately. I got another steal at a garage sale....a $5 sandbox! YES! She has learned how to say "yes," only she pronounces it "yesh!" We've even gotten her to go on the potty a couple of times.

I only have about 8 weeks till we become a family of four, which seems absolutely insane. We've been working on getting Lily's new room ready. Although I am absolutely thrilled to welcome another little one into the world, I really am going to miss the one-on-one time with Lily. I love being able to play little games with her and cuddle with her before she goes to bed. I know those things will still happen, but just not quite as frequently. It will also probably be a good thing that "Little Miss Princess" does not get quite as much attention. She's quite the little ham.

Back From Vacation

We just got back from beautiful Sylvan Lake in northern IN. My parents rented a lake house on the lake. Coincidentally, the Mayer's cousin (Cindy) lived about .25 miles away, also on the lake. We were lucky enough for Grandma, Papa, Auntie Emily, and Fro (Emily's boyfriend) to come visit.

Tyler's only catch of the week. He was so proud!!

Swimming with Daddy in the lake.

More swimming!!

Drinking soda with Katie and Uncle G.

Rickey enjoying the boat.

Eating corn on the cob!!

It was a very relaxing week!! Lily was in heaven with all the aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We played lots of Uno, drank many beers and margaritas (not me of course), and ate delicious food, and kissed deer (please talk to Tyler for further explanation on this one). We also visited Sylvan Springs where the Sisters of the Precious Blood used to reside and help those with health problems. It is said that the Virgin Mary visited one of the nuns there. There have been many apparitions since then and then even have some photographs. We visited some of the buildings on the grounds that were over 100 years old. Very interesting!!!

We are glad to be home. School is going to start before we know it!

Happy 4th!

I spent my 6th 4th of July in Glen Ellyn! I can't believe I've been hanging around Tyler that long. All the festivities again, did not disappoint this year. Uncle "Neek" and Aunt "CC", as Lily calls them, had their annual party on the third. Lily enjoyed finding all the candy hiding around Aunt CC's house and bossing Rocky and Gizmo around.

We actually missed the Freedom Four, which is a 5K that Tyler runs every year. I always just watch. I tried one year and made it all of 200 yards. The weather was a little dreary. But the rain held off to just a sprinkle for the parade. Lily was mesmerized by the fire engines and loved waving her little American flag.

The parade is always fun if you get to sit with PaPa.

Eating candy and watching the parade with Mommy.

Grandma, Tyler and Lily watching the parade. Lily is not looking, because she wouldn't take her eyes off of whatever was coming by in the parade.

We went back to Grandma and Papa's and had a delicious cookout! We celebrated Auntie Emily's 18th birthday with cake and then Tyler and I went to the Annual MacDonald Brew Ha-ha! We saw lots of Ty's friends from high school and then walked over to the lake to watch the fireworks. They were REALLY good this year. Another great 4th!

My Latest Steal

For those of you who know me well, I love a deal. Yes, I clip coupons and only buy diapers when I can get them for $8.99 and have a coupon. When I shop for clothes I almost always have a coupon. So I'm totally pumped about my last purchase.

Lily and I were on our way to the library and drove by a garage sale in our neighborhood. I slowed down so I could get a quick glance. I had been wanting to get Lily a little table and chair set and I thought I saw one. We stopped to check it out. I have a picture of it below. It's totally cute and we don't even need to repaint it. It was only $5!!!!!!!! Also, the tea set was right next to it, so we went for the tea set as well. Lily absolutely loves both!! She drags anyone who walks into our house upstairs for a tea party.

Not only did I find the tea set and table, I got Lily one more thing. It's a Little Tikes Vanity set. Lily can sit on this little chair and look in the mirror. When you pick up the hairdryer is makes the hairdryer sound. When you pick up the brush, it says something about styling your hair! Ha! Lily is a total girly girl, so I when I saw this, I knew I had to get it, too. It keeps her busy for over 10 minutes at a time, which is huge. I'll try to get some pics of that later, because it's hysterical to see her put on the lipstick and nail polish. And if you need a pedi, our house is definitely the place to visit. All 3 items for $15! I don't think you could find a better deal.