3 Year photo shoot and 4 generations

We got Amelia's 3 year old pictures done while we were in Utah. I trust Camera Shy to do a good job, so I usually wait until we go home to do any professional pictures and I always love how they turn out.  Since Anthony didn't come to Utah with us, I knew I couldn't use up the whole 45 minute slot with just pictures of Amelia so I invited my mom and grandma to come along and get a 4 generation picture. I loved how they turned out. Amelia's dress came in the mail a few days before and I almost died at how beautiful it was. I got the crown off Etsy.

 I brought her favorite animal, the Lion, to take pictures with her and I still can't decide if it was mistake. The photographer asked her what sound a lion made and she said "GRRRRRRRRR!" and then continued to do that the entire shoot. it was so funny, but kind of nerve racking. Luckily, they turned out and it was great in the end. I do think we could have gotten more smiles if she was saying GRRRRR in between each one.

Painting and the Zoo

My mom took us on a little date to Color Me Mine (one of my favorite places ever) to make some art. 

Amelia chose to paint a little turtle and I have to say I was completely shocked at how well she did it. I wish I would have gotten an after picture, but she painted this just as well as I could have; keeping everything in the lines.

Later, we headed to the Hogle Zoo. I have to say that since having a child, I am starting to get a little zoo and museum'd out. I can only handle so many animals, but going with family makes it a lot more fun. We went with my mom, cousins kyler and kennedy, and my friend Ashley brought her niece and nephew.

Obligatory Hogle Zoo picture

Utah in April

On April 18, Amelia and I flew out to Utah for 10 days. Since we both have birthdays in April, my family flew us out to have some fun and get away from the cold.

On the first day, we had a joint birthday party for Amelia (the 11th),  Brooke (15th), me (17th), and Braxton (18th). Yes, our my family likes April. So fun to see everybody, and it's fun to see that Amelia remembers them from our previous visit. That has never happened, since she has always been too young to remember between such large gaps of visits.

My mom bought her a scooter and she loved it. She seriously looks so big! I can't handle it. 

We must have partied too hard, because she laid down on the floor and just passed out. She NEVER does this. She never falls asleep during movies, barely in the car, never when we are holding her, so I was so surprised by this. I probably took 20 pictures.

It's Britney!

Rewind... to March

Let's just preface this with the winters in Chicago SUCK. I was going completely crazy and needed to escape. Luckily, my girlfriends came to the rescue with making my childhood dream come true. 

We all flew/drove down to Las Vegas to stay with Brittany and go see BRITNEY.

 Guys. I love her. I don't care if she lip syncs her music. I only have love for her. I may have almost cried, but I'm not going to admit that. but I DEFINITELY lost my voice. It was the perfect get away with girlfriends and I think it needs to be an annual occurrence.

Even though Brittany (my friend) lives in Vegas, we figured we would be up all night doing girl things (Never Have I Ever and Cards Against Humanity, anyone?) and didn't want to keep the husbands up too, so we stayed in a hotel near the strip. (run on sentence?) We felt like we were in high school again getting ready in the same room and laughing. We stayed up all night (Well 3 of us did, two were pregnant and passed out right when we got home) and laid by the pool all the next day. Well, in between eating some good food. We stayed completely off the strip, which I loved, and just relaxed all day.

As for the concert, I loved it. We lucked out and somehow got 4th row seats (I know my phone pics don't look like it, but I swear we did!) and she was so good. Her dancers were amazing and the stage was pretty intricate and changed often. I honestly want to go again. But I won't because that would over kill. Just know, if you like old Britney, you will love her show. 

Three. She's THREE!

How did this happen? Guys... I truly feel like my life is slipping away way too fast. Every year she gets older, I age like 5 years faster. I don't know how that happens, but it is happening.

For Amelia's 3rd birthday, we didn't throw a big party. Our house at the time, was too small to hold a bunch of toddlers and parents while still keeping my anxiety in check. Can you believe our townhome felt more cramped than our NY apartment? The layout was horrible just horrible. Good thing we moved!

We let Amelia decide what she wanted to do for her big day. We planned to go to the Shedd Aquarium, Shake Shack hot dog, and a Magnolia Cupcakes.
As per tradition in my family (and Anthony still does for me!), we decorated the house with balloons and streamer and woke her up by singing Happy  Birthday. she loved it and nothing makes me happier than seeing her THAT happy.

 Her favorite gift was her balance bike. Who knew these existed? It is AMAZING how fast she picked it up. I am certain that she will go straight to regular bike with no training wheels. 

 

For weeks we led up to her 3rd birthday telling her that she would be getting rid of her binkies. So the day finally came and we "Shipped them to Baby Cale" and never looked back. For a girl who was OBSESSED with her binkie, it was amazingly better than I had ever dreamed. Hoping the same thing happens with the crib/bed transition. (YES she is still in a crib. I'm not fixing what's not broken...)