Brad's New Office

Brad's firm moved offices. He is no longer in the Sear's Tower. I thought this would be a major bummer since the Tower is so close to the train station. But his new office is closer to the attractions downtown that I actually want to visit- and he gets $10 parking on weekdays and $6 on weekends. That is a big deal for me! Usually parking is $25 downtown.

So from now on- I am always driving in. It was so nice to come and go as I wanted. And Maggie took a nap in the car.

It was fun to go see his new cubicle- it was our first time to the new office. I really liked it- it looks much nicer than their old floor in the Tower. The new office also has big windows with great views. Maggie enjoyed the view.

When we got home- the weather was too nice to stay inside so we went to the park.
And check out this physique- This is what hours at the gym every week can do.

First Halloween

We went to our Ward's Trunk-or-Treat. We heard that all the adults dress up to in our ward so Brad and I panicked and threw together our costumes in the last 5 minutes. It was actually pretty fun. Brad originally was just going to be a toolman- but he figured out that he looked like "Al" from Home Improvement. And Maggie is pretty much the cutest duck I've ever seen. Thanks Costco!

O

O is for.................................Oprah!

Brad's good friend from college, Grant, was training at the Q Center in St. Charles this week. He and his wife and son joined him for the same training last year. Jennie, his wife, had registered online and received Oprah tickets!!! She was so lucky- maybe because they were from out of state- they live in Denver. We were excited to go last year- but Oprah cancelled the taping a few days before. We were oh, so disappointed.

Ever since then, Jennie had received e-mails from the Oprah Show offering her tickets pretty much any time she could make it out to Chicago. So- she booked a flight to come join her husband again this year. I was a lucky beneficiary of one of the prized Oprah tickets for Thursday, October 21st.

It was seriously so much fun! I was so star-struck. I had butterflies for the first hour. We signed a release saying we couldn't say anything about the show ahead of time- but I just looked on the Oprah Website and they have already announced our show. We were at the Jessica Seinfeld taping for her new cookbook, Double Delicious. (and none of us liked her outfit. I mean come on- it's Oprah!)

Before we went in- they had us waiting in a large waiting area. They called different parties in- we were one of the first! This meant we got to sit in front for the first three segments until the people on stage came to sit in the audience (and then they moved us to the back). But for the first hour- we were sitting 2 rows behind Jerry Seinfeld!!!!!! It was so cool. Jennie was actually sitting right behind him. So cool!

It was definitely an experience I will never forget- I would have paid a lot to do it- but the tickets were free! I can check it off of my bucket list! I was actually impressed with how nice and accommodating the whole Oprah crew was. And even Oprah herself was very gracious and real. They wouldn't let us bring anything into the studio- so I only got a picture of us outside. And we all had to wake up at 5 to be there by 7 so it was super early!

So watch Oprah on Tuesday, October 26th! (In the studio, they told us it would be aired on the 28th- but again- on the website it says Tuesday, October 26th!) Every time they shot Jerry- the camera angle was shooting at my sister-in-law Melissa and her friend Michelle. So we may be on!!! I will definitely be watching at 9 am on Tuesday! I was wearing orange- Melissa purple, Jennie aqua, and Michelle - green!

Oh.....and we got a free cookbook!!!

I'm a Mom and I love it

I know we all feel blah sometimes. I sometimes get sick of the same old routine day after day. I was really feeling the itch to have some alone time. We also really needed food- so I did my October grocery shopping two days before October even started- how does that always happen?

Staying at home with Maggie is what I want to do- I am so lucky that I can stay home. But sometimes I get antsy. For 22 years of my life I was pretty much selfish all of the time. (At least I will admit it. ) And then one day- I had a baby. My whole life changed and was kind of turned upside down. My life now revolved around my family.

My day consists of straightening the house 5 times a day, making meals, doing the dishes, folding laundry, changing diapers, and playing with a 10 month old. Some days I just want a printed list to show everything that I accomplished that day. But when the house is a mess again after I just cleaned it and there are a ton of dishes in the sink after cooking dinner and my feet hurt- I don't feel like I accomplished much.

When I worked in my old jobs- I had a boss that gave me positive feedback and I accomplished everything on my to-do list. I also had co-workers to compare myself to and make myself feel good. I interacted with people and could see the positive influence I was in their life. With a baby- I don't get the feedback. Most days- I am fine- I can take it. I know that Maggie loves me and that's all I need. But I know I have days where I just want to be recognized. Like those days where I am wearing my favorite outfit and someone comments on it- totally makes my WEEK!

Why do I like recognition? Am I really that narcissistic? Maybe because as a Mom, I sacrifice some of my loves in life for something greater? I used to be really good at tennis! And I used to be really good at the piano and practiced hours everyday. And I used to be smart- was even a valedictorian at my ghetto high school. I still love to play the piano, tennis, swim, and sew. But I just don't get to do whatever I want when I want to anymore.

So, needless to say- Wednesday afternoon I was feeling lost- where am I? I needed a date with myself. So Wednesday night, when Brad got home from Savior of the World practice, I headed to Costco- ALONE!!! at 8:00 right before they close. It was so nice. I walked up and down most aisles noticing 100s of items I wanted. I gave in to two of those superfluous items (not the Christmas tree I want so desperately). I LOVE COSTCO. I don't necessarily think I save a ton of money having a membership but I think they have amazing products and great quality that you can't get anywhere else. I go to this store for fun!

Today- Brad had it on his calendar to work from home so I could go to a piano workshop this morning. Since he was going to be home the whole day- I jam packed my schedule. Right after the workshop, I went visiting teaching. Then I went to the outlets to make some exchanges and returns. My final stop was Super Wal-Mart for my huge month's shopping. By the end of my "alone" day- I was exhausted. I was starving. I was tired. I had a headache. (probably not the best mood for a wife ;-))

I came home, made dinner, had my last piano lessons, sent Brad to play practice, and put Maggie to bed. And tonight- all I feel is exhausted-from shopping all day. Shopping is fun but it definitely does not bring the kind of fulfillment I get from being with Maggie.

I missed her so much. When I got home- she was so excited to see me and I was so excited to see her. This is really what it is all about- FAMILY! There is nothing I would rather do or work for. I loved the Visiting Teaching message this month. I love The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Even though this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do- I would bring it upon myself again and again if I had the choice. There is nothing in life that even comes close to this. Sometimes I have to step outside of my little bubble to realize just how much I love my life.

I also felt really good when I got home and the house was a mess and Brad said, "It's really hard to get anything done around here." Tomorrow- I just want to be a mom again and go to the park!

Thanks for reading the long post.

(This is what I missed today- wearing Daddy's flip flops)

9 months?

No- I am not pregnant. But Maggie turned 9 months old last week. It is crazy to think that she has been out of me for longer than she was in my tummy.

We Love Maggie. Her doctor's appointment was today and she was a champ. 3 shots and she only cried for about 10 seconds.

Here are her stats:

Height: 29 inches, 89%

Weight: 21 pounds even, 82%

Head: 18.5 inches, 99%

She is growing fast- she gained 6 pounds since her 6 month check up- holy cow! She is a chub. Her carseat limit is 22lbs so we have to go shopping!

Maggie at 9 months likes to......

• scoot around everywhere
• laugh at her dad a lot
• eat yogurt
• play picaboo with her blanket
• play with the piano pedals
• follow her mom everywhere around the apartment
• get into everything that she shouldn't
• sleep 12+ hours at night (I am so lucky)
• take two naps during the day
• swing at the park
• outgrow her clothes way too fast
• poke people's eyes
• pull people's hair

Maggie's favorite thing to do right now is definitely take a bath- she loves it. She stays in there for close to an hour some days.

This is her new sour face

Making a mess in the high chair

Playing picaboo with a bowl

She likes to help me cook- the little chef!