Wednesday, March 31, 2010

90/365


90/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Elmo did not survive. He was a Christmas gift for Kenzie from my parents, and he was discovered a couple of nights ago laying on our bed...destroyed. I hadn't thrown him out just yet, and he was just sitting on my dresser, when Kenzie found him tonight. The baby did not destroy Elmo. This destruction was from Zoe the Ridgeback. We have no idea why she chose to destroy him (or even where she found him), and when we looked at the damage, we couldn't believe she even bit through the hard plastic. We have one more Elmo left in the house, but it was disappointing to see that this one got ruined.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

89/365


89/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
For as long as I can remember, my grandma has always been crafty and makes a lot of things. She makes all sorts of crafty items and one of the things she has made for years has been wreaths. When we moved into our townhome, she made me a Christmas/Holiday wreath, and she also made a spring wreath. A couple of weeks ago, I started thinking about making my own wreath that isn't as seasonal. Our front door is just a really basic ugly brown door that, in my opinion, looks nicer with something hanging on it. Since I love daisies and owls, I thought why not incorporate the two into a wreath. So I tried my hand at being crafty yesterday and assembled this wreath. I like the simplicity of it, and I think it suits our house really well.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Bench Monday | And Baby Makes Four Edition /// 88/365

"You're such a baby, baby girl
So kiss me on the cheek before you go to sleep"

- belle & sebastian, you're just a baby -

Last Wednesday, we went for our first ultrasound to see Baby #2. I'm just about 12 weeks along, so we don't know if Baby #2 is a boy or girl yet, but so far everything looks good. Baby #2 would hardly stop moving long enough for the tech to get measurements. I don't remember Kenzie being like that.

We don't mind either way if Baby #2 is a boy or girl. Another girl will make things easier, since we have a lot of girl stuff that our daughter hardly wore or in some cases didn't wear at all, but a boy would round things out nicely. And a boy would make my grandfather really happy. He's been waiting on a great-grandson for years, and so far has all great-granddaughters. The timing would be nice if it is a boy, since my grandpa's birthday is in October and Baby #2 will be here in mid-October.

Now we just have to wait and see what has already been determined. :)

Happy Bench Monday everyone!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

87/365


87/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"Colors
I see colors going to light and dark"

- nancy boy, colors -

We colored easter eggs today. I haven't done this in years, but it was fun and the colors turned out great.

Last night we went to the roller derby. The Windy City Rollers were at the UIC Pavilion which is right by our house. We had been meaning to go for awhile now, and since I was still under the weather and we weren't doing anything else, we figured we'd go check it out. We took K and had a good time. She really enjoyed watching the derby girls skating around before the bout began. She didn't enjoy when daddy left to get drinks and food though, and I was stuck trying to control a baby about to have a tantrum. Apart from the baby breakdown it was fun, and we'll probably go again.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

86/365


86/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Today was the annual easter egg hunt at our townhouse complex. Being that Kenzie is only 20 months old, we figured one egg would be all that she needed. Somehow she ended up with a couple of hard boiled eggs and a couple plastic eggs and candy. I think some of the other parents made the older kids share with the little kids. We weren't really that worried about her getting a lot of candy, but it was nice that the kids shared anyway.

After the egg hunt, we went and bought some new fish for our tank. Since both fish that we had ended up dying, all that we had left was the big snail. So now we have 2 neon fish, and 2 small guppies, along with the existing snail. We'll see how these all survive.

Friday, March 26, 2010

85/365


85/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Currently listening to:
artist: She & Him
album: Volume Two

This year we will be coloring eggs. A couple of years ago we bought a kit, but never used it, and last year we didn't do it either. This year, K is older and I think it will be fun. We have new eggs and everything. John keeps asking when we're going to color eggs. Maybe we'll do it this weekend.

In other news, I've been fighting off a cold for the past few days. I have never been sick so often in my life. I think since October I have had about 3 or 4 colds. It's really annoying. And I can't even really take anything. I can take Robitussin, but just don't feel right taking anything if I can manage without. Some of you may already know, but I'm pregnant with baby #2, so I'm really trying to limit any medicine that I take. Unfortunately, being sick was really bad timing too. We were supposed to do dinner with a couple friends tomorrow and their 5 month old baby. We haven't even meet little Ella yet, and we were really looking forward to it, but there is no way I want to get her sick. I would feel terrible. So we are hoping to reschedule after Easter.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

84/365


84/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"Needles in my eyes won't cripple me tonight alright
Twisting up my mind please pull me through the light alright"

- the beta band, needles in my eyes -

Just a lazy, laid-back day. It's windy outside, and the house is definitely much colder upstairs than it is downstairs. You can feel the difference just walking up the stairs. The wind is really strong from the north and our windows are really leaky. I know I keep saying it, but I really cannot wait for warmer weather to get here and actually stick around.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

83/365


83/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Just another owl related item laying around my house. This is part of a bag that my brother and his fiancee got me for Christmas. Now that the weather is getting nice out, I can start using it.

82/365


82/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Yesterday (March 23) Kenzie had her first dance class. It's a creative movements class for 18 months up to 3 at the Hubbard Street Dance Studio in Chicago. The studio is only a few blocks from our house, and I really wanted to get her into some sort of movements class to help put all that energy she has to good use. It was a small class, and K was definitely the wildest in the bunch. Not wild in a bad way, just wild in that she wanted to stand and move around constantly, even when we were supposed to sit in a circle with the other moms and kids. Hopefully, over the next 10 weeks she'll start learning from watching the other kids that running around isn't entirely what the class is about. She had fun, and that's all that really matters.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Bench Monday | Really Simple Edition /// 81/365

The sun was shining, so we headed out for a walk. I wanted to time how long it takes me to walk to the dance studio near my house, because my daughter starts a creative movements dance class tomorrow. (it took less than 10 minutes, and that includes being stopped at a couple of lights on the way.) I thought I might skip Bench Monday this week, but while I was out I decided to head towards this rock near the park that I always thought about using for a Bench Monday shot. Unfortunately, since last summer, neighborhood dogs have apparently used it as a toilet, so I opted to try and find something else to stand on. Ended up finding this rock just around the block and decided to use this. I know this is an extremely basic shot, and shot with my terrible cell phone camera. I have plans that next week's shot will be more interesting.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

80/365


80/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
This morning my husband ran in the Chicago Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k. He ran it two years ago, and was signed up last year but due to weather the group that he was going to run with all cancelled. This year, they made sure they all ran. It was really cold and rain/snow all day yesterday, so we had no idea what it would be like this morning. It was cold, but at least the weather conditions were not like they were yesterday. So he ran with a couple of friends, and they made it to the end. He finished in just over 52 minutes, which wasn't too bad considering the weather, and that he didn't train at all. I think he ran 2 miles on the treadmill at home maybe 3 times. He does walk to work though, so that probably helped. I considered signing up, but I am so glad I didn't since I woke up feeling pressure in my head and had a headache most of the day. I also knew a 5 mile run would be pushing it for me. Maybe next year, I'll be ready for that.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

79/365


79/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Currently listening to:
artist: The Happy Hollows
album: Spells

I bought this canister at Target yesterday. It's part of the Liberty of London collection. It was the only one like it, and I had to have it. I'm planning to use it in my sewing room to store some sewing items in it, so I can declutter my work space a little bit. Plus I have enough canisters in my kitchen, and the colors work so well in my sewing room.

Yesterday we had amazing 65+ weather here in Chicago. Today I woke up to sleet and snow and cold temperatures. My husband is supposed to run the Shamrock Shuffle 8k tomorrow, which just figures we get hit with this weather this weekend. Same thing happened last year, only last year there was a lot more snow and he ended up not running. I think he's still planning on running tomorrow. We'll have to see how the day looks in the morning, I guess.

Friday, March 19, 2010

78/365 /// Week 11 of 52

I ordered some new sandals earlier this week from one of my favorite shoe websites. They arrived a couple of days ago, but since it's March and Chicago I haven't really been able to wear them yet. I did wear the other more casual pair out to run some errands, and then came home and tried on the new denim skirt I got with these sandals. They are so comfy, I can't wait to be able to wear them out. The weather people are predicting cold temperatures and snow this weekend. I really hope they are wrong. We've been enjoying 65 degree weather yesterday and today, and I really don't want the temps to go back to the 30's.

77/365


77/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
We had a playdate with Milo and his mommy Erica at the park this afternoon. It was so beautiful outside we had to take advantage of it. Of course, the minute the camera came out, K decided to stop smiling. She really WAS smiling right before this. She does look bored. She wanted out of that swing so desperately, so she could go run around and play on all the fancy new playground equipment. Unfortunately, because this is the newest and fanciest playground in the neighborhood, it was extremely crowded, and we found that there was not a lot for little kids. There were a few things she could go on, but of course she preferred making mommy chase her and drag her away from where the big kids were playing. I was also disapponted that after the park renovation that took place late last summer and into fall, that they only put up 4 new baby swings. I think there used to be at least 6. Even if there were only 4 originally, they should have added a couple more. The park is nice, but for a 20 month old, she was just too little to do much apart from go on the swings and the little slides. Otherwise, she would have been stampeded by 6 year olds.


*** I'm breaking my own rule again, by using a Kenzie photo for my 365. I just didn't take any others, like I thought I would. ***

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

76/365


76/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Happy St. Paddy's Day!

I remembered to wear my green today, did you? I don't usually wear a lot of green on St. Paddy's Day. I like green anyway, so tend to wear it any day. This pin is something I've had for probably 6 or 7 years. It was just a cheapy accessory that came with a shirt I bought years ago, and even though I don't have the shirt anymore, I have the pin and wear it a lot. So I made sure I pulled it out to wear today.

In other news....I spent most of my day today waiting on a Fedex delivery person that apparently decided it was not worth his time to show up today. I missed the delivery yesterday, and was annoyed to find that they didn't leave the package at my door, like UPS normally does. According to the door tag they should have redelivered today. I even signed the tag to ensure that I did not miss the package (it's beautiful out so I didn't want to sit inside ALL day waiting). I went for a quick walk with the dog, came home and the tag was still on the door. I played outside with the baby, my front door in plain sight, and still no delivery. I checked the tracking and it was reported that at 2:54 p.m. there was a Delivery Exception = customer not home or business closed. What? I was AT HOME in my house getting ready to get my daughter upstairs for her nap. Needless to say, I'm pretty annoyed. How can I trust they will redeliver tomorrow when they clearly did not even attempt to delivery today?


***EDIT*** Package was delivered today at 3:35 p.m. I have no idea why they marked it the way it was, but then delivered anyway. At least I can save myself a trip to pick it up.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

75/365


75/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"Come down from the mountain, you have been gone too long
The spring is upon us, follow my only song"

- fleet foxes, ragged wood -

The weather was so nice today, I had to get outside and enjoy it. I didn't feel like running on the treadmill, so we went for a nice walk instead. Ended up walking almost 2.5 miles with the dog and baby, then came home, dropped the dog off and walked with Kenzie to the playground. She had so much fun playing at the playground, that she didn't want to leave...at all. So she decided to throw a tantrum the whole way home. A neighbor lady who was out walking her dog, even stopped with the dog to try and cheer her up, and then commented that 'She is too pretty to be crying like that'. ha. So I've learned my lesson that even though K loves to walk, we CANNOT walk to the playground. She needs her stroller, so I can get her home quickly, and prevent her from laying on the sidewalk and crying.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Bench Monday | Green with Envy Edition /// 74/365

"There was a place for you and for me."

- greenlight, only you would call -

Just a simple Bench Monday shot for me today. In honor of St. Patrick's Day on Wednesday, I decided to wear the green Fluevogs and use the dark green wall for the background. This was my very first Fluevog purchase back in 2003. The moment I saw these shoes I knew I had to have them. Like most Fluevogs, these were a limited edition color, and I know I will probably never part with them, even though they do fit a little more snug after having a baby.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

73/365


73/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I know this may not look very appetizing at all, but it sure turned out extremely tasty. We've never made corned beef and cabbage before, but John decided this morning that we should do it. Our friend Theresa makes delicious corned beef, but John's turned out just as good. I think Theresa cooks hers in a crock pot, whereas John slow cooked it on the stove for almost 6 hours. He added carrots and turnips along with the cabbage, and it was delicious. We enjoyed our corned beef while watching a marathon of The Inbetweeners on BBC America and just relaxed for most of the afternoon. It was a pretty nice way to spend a Sunday.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

72/365


72/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Yesterday my parents came over, and while John was at work my dad installed some shelves in two of our closets. I had been wanting to add a couple shelves to maximize storage, and it just needed to get done sooner rather than later. While emptying out the closet, I came across these Beatles toys I had bought about 10 years ago. I don't think they are worth much, so I think I might just open them and display them. What's the point of having fun toys if they are just going to sit in a box collecting dust?

Friday, March 12, 2010

71/365


71/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I was doing a lot of other stuff today and never got around to taking my 365 shot until now at 11:00 p.m. So this is all you get for today's shot. My comfy slippers with some added texture.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

70/365


70/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I was undecided which shot to use for my 365, but I think I'll use this one. This one was shot with the 50mm and I set up the tripod. The other was with the diana+ 35 mm with no tripod.

I had lunch today with two former co-workers, so it was a good excuse to dress up a little. It was rainy, but I planned to wear this black dress I just got and decided to pair it with these reddish-pink tights. I was going to wear my tall black boots, but the black flats looked better. Bright, fun tights...perfect for a rainy day. :)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

69/365 /// Week 10 of 52

"hang up the chick habit
hang it up, daddy,
or you'll be alone in a quick
hang up the chick habit
hang it up, daddy,
or you'll never get another fix"

- april march, chick habit -

Today really did feel like spring. The temperature on my computer says it is 62 and that sounds about right. Now if only it wasn't supposed to rain for the next few days it would be perfect. I should have taken my camera with me, but it's hard enough walking the dog and pushing a stroller, so I left my camera at home.

My only complaint for the day, is the number of people who do not clean up after their dogs, especially when there is snow on the ground. It's like they think the snow will melt it away or something. Instead, once the snow melts you have to dodge the piles that cover the sidewalk. So a nice heavy rain will be nice just to clean the sidewalks, but seriously, is it really that hard to pick up after your dog?

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

68/365


68/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
After living in our house for almost 5 years, it is about time to finally get the fourth and last bedroom painted. It was painted this horrible dark green color and there is this textured bamboo-like wallpaper on the wall with the window. It wasn't a good paint or wallpaper job, but the thought of working in that room was not fun. There are a lot of nail holes to patch, and the wall with the wallpaper will probably need a lot of repairs to it once we get the wallpaper down. But it's time to get that room painted. I also want to add shelves to the closet for better storage, and possibly figure out a way to get my cutting table into the closet., so that when it's not in use it's out of the way. So much to do, and painting is just the start. Making it more kid-friendly will be good too. Right now, there is so much in there that K can get into if we don't watch her closely.

Bench Monday | Army of Baby Chicks Edition /// 67/365

"Los pollitos dicen
pio, pio, pio
cuando tienen hambre
cuando tienen frio."

- elizabeth mitchell, los pollitos (the little chicks) -

I took a couple of weeks off from Bench Monday. I was out of ideas two weeks ago, and last week I was just busy all day. I knew I had to participate this week. I missed playing along. Of course, if I had more time I would have made sure I set this shot up perfectly, but having a toddler running around made it a little hard. Though I do kind of like that it is off-center. Thank goodness for Sesame Street though keeping her distracted for a little while.

Happy Bench Monday everyone!

Sunday, March 07, 2010

66/365


66/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"We used to talk about girls who play guitars
We used to talk about plans in tiny bars"

- maximo park, girls who play guitars -

We had band practice today for the first time since October. We got really thrown off with practicing when we had someone living with us temporarily. We use our basement to play and since our guest was staying down there it really limited our ability to play because her stuff was there. When she finally moved out, we knew we would start playing music again. So we finally got a practice scheduled. We just brainstormed today and got used to playing together as a band again. We have ideas that we were working on before that we just want to finalize. We're hoping to get some songs tracked. We don't currently have a drummer, so John is going to probably do double duty on bass and drums. Well, I guess triple duty, since he sings too.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

65/365


65/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"I want certain words more than a thousand flowers"

- cibo matto, flowers -

The sun was shining, the temperatures were in the mid to high 40's, and everybody seemed to be out in Chicago. We went to the Garfield Park Conservatory just to walk around and enjoy the weather. Afterwards, we went for lunch, ran a couple of other errands, and came home for the afternoon. In the evening we went out with a couple friends for dinner. We went to dinner at 7:00 and didn't leave until after 10:30. It was nice not being rushed. We had the baby with, but she feel asleep in my arms around 9:30 and slept until we were ready to go. I'm hoping she sleeps in tomorrow morning, but I have a feeling she'll be up at her usual 8:00 time, playing with the toys in her crib.

Friday, March 05, 2010

64/365


64/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
Currently listening to:
artist: Post Honeymoon
album: Post Honeymoon


Bought these comfy slippers today at Target. I saw them the last time I was there, but decided I didn't need them. Today, I decided I did need them. They are actually more aqua blue in color than they appear in the photo.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

63/365

"I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
Is it up to me ?
You won't wait to see
Screwed us both again
About as close as you dare
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
I feel the pain of everyone
Then I feel nothing
Is it up to me ?
You won't wait to see
Screwed us yet again
About as close as you dare
Hey now, take it back
Get off the attack.
Trailin' on your scene
Just try and keep it clean"

- dinosaur jr., feel the pain -


Seeing the sun shining outside makes all the difference in the world. The sun just makes me so much happier. I went for a walk today, and actually just wore a thick sweatshirt jacket layered over a long sleeve t-shirt, instead of my winter coat. It felt good to not be so bundled up. It was a little chilly in the shade, and the wind was brisk, but it still felt nice. It made me feel like Spring really is just right around the corner. I think the temperatures this weekend are supposed to be even warmer. That makes me happy. I am so tired of the cold winter temperatures, and the snow. The dog is happier too, because even she knows her chances of going for nice long walks are improving.

On a side note, this was just the song I chose for today's photo. Has nothing to do with how I am feeling.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

62/365


62/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up"

- secret machines, nowhere again -

Despite what you see in this photo, the snow is melting and the temperatures today were warmer than they were earlier in the week. I went for a walk around the neighborhood, camera in hand. Unfortunately, I didn't take as many photos as I had hoped. This is one of the first I took today.

I had a bad headache most of the late afternoon, it made me feel sort of ill, so I tried to take a nap to sleep it off. Unfortunately, it didn't really work. I tried to avoid taking anything for it, but caved in around 6:00. Now I feel better.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

61/365


61/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
"Bring on the dancing horses
Wherever they may roam

Shiver and say the words
Of every lie you've heard"

- echo & the bunnymen, bring on the dancing horses -

My parents bought this rocking horse for Kenzie sometime last year. I can't remember when we got it exactly, but when we first had it, Kenzie was so little on it and we had to hold her to make sure she wouldn't fall. Now she will try and climb on it by herself, and she can climb off on her own. Mostly though, she just pushes the buttons on the ears to make the head and tail move and make "neighing" sounds.

Monday, March 01, 2010

60/365


60/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three
I had a doctor's appointment today, so most of my morning was spent waiting around in a waiting room, and then finally heading home just before noon (for a 9:30 appointment). By the time I got home, I was so tired from all the waiting around. Kenzie watched some Yo Gabba Gabba while I napped on the couch (unintentionally). After putting her down for her nap, I realized I forgot to collect the mail for some friend's who were on vacation. I meant to do it yesterday, but we were in the suburbs longer than we thought we would be. So after John came home from work, we headed out to collect the mail. I didn't have any good photos for today, so I brought the camera along, hoping to find something I could use. This shot just looked so perfect with the lighting on the church and with the coloring of the clouds and the sky. This photo is SOOC and was taken in a moving car. I love my 50mm.

59/365 & 58/365


59/365
Originally uploaded by daisy plus three

I was too tired to upload my photos from yesterday, so finally got around to it today. We went out to the suburbs to visit the in-laws for most of the day. Kenzie had a lot of fun playing with her cousin Eric who is 2 years older than her. They played well together most of the day. It's nice watching her play with other kids, and I think she learns a lot from doing so.

58/365 Z is for Zipper

"And I'm not the kind that likes to tell you
Just what you want me to
You're not the kind that needs to tell me
About the birds and the bees"

- new order, age of consent -

Z is for Zipper

For my alphabet series.

Finally, the last day of my alphabet series. Phew. It was hard finding things around the house that matched the letter I was on, but I did it. yay! I have been compiling these pictures into a book that I may offer through Blurb. Haven't completely decided yet. I know I will definitely get one my daughter. I'll post info if I make it public.

My parents are in Florida for the week. They haven't gone on a proper vacation for years, so they headed south yesterday. They drove, and stayed in Georgia overnight, then headed on toward St. Augustine today where my mom is reuniting with her cousin who she hasn't seen in probably over 30 years. On their way back home they will stop off in Savannah, GA for a couple of days.

My parents vacation got me thinking about wanting to take a vacation somewhere, but we always feel limited since we have to arrange for someone to take care of the dog. Last vacation we went on was in Spring 2007 and that was our trip to Paris and London for my 30th birthday. Before that was our honeymoon in California in 2004. And before that we went to Ireland in January 2003. We've taken little trips to St. Louis a couple of times back when we were playing in our band, but we haven't really gone anywhere else. We're in much need of a vacation, and back in the fall I started planning a trip to Amsterdam, but some things changed and now we're talking about aiming for just a long weekend somewhere. If we had planned the trip to Amsterdam, we would have planned to go in March. So I'm a little bummed about not having officially made the plans, but it's ok. I think I'm just thinking about getting away because I'm so tired of this Chicago winter, and I'm ready for Spring and warmer weather!