Chicago - No boys allowed

So this last weekend marked a first in my life. My first time being away from Norah!!! I spent the weekend in Chicago with some dear girlfriends and we were kid free, say it with me now "HORRAY!" 

I left Norah in great care with daddy Dan. Don't laugh, but I did make a "list" for him. A daily schedule of sorts accompanied with foods she likes to eat and things to do...Yeah I was that mom. I was just nervous leaving my baby for the first time. But now I might do it more often because they had a blast together! She didn't even want me when I came home, crying for daddy and all this nonsense. We have gotten back to normal since then, thank goodness. He even had the entire house spot clean upon my return...careful Mr. Mom, I may just go away again:)

Chicago is a great city, lots of fun things to see and do. Not AS MUCH when it's still winter (why is it still winter?) But the main thing was spending time with these lovely ladies. It was some much needed girl time.  Myself and two friends here in Grand Rapids took the train down to Chicago and met our other friend who recently moved away from GR. There we all reunited and we got to meet our friends sweet new baby, Mason was a champ!

We ate ourselves silly, shopped until we had blisters on our feet (wait, that was just me), and of course shared lots of laughs. Here is Me, Kristen and Katie waiting for the train.

Made it to Chi-town! 

So like a year ago we all read the Divergent series together and looooved it, so naturally we planned on seeing the movie together in the theater. First thing after we check in to our hotel, Katie pulls out these Divergent posters. Are my friends awesome or what? LOL

Next on the agenda was some deep dish pizza. We ate at a place not far from our hotel called Lou Malnarties...it was HEAVEN! Better than the last deep dish pizza I had a while back. 

Here's the four of us...Kristen, Katie, me and Lori (Masons feet are in the corner lol)

The next day was our site-seeing day. We made our way to Navy Pier and then Michigan Ave for some shopping. FYI...nothing to do at Navy Pier in the winter.

For you Divergent fans, here is the famous ferris wheel that Tris and Four climb! We're nerds.

Our last day (the coldest) we only had a few hours before we caught the train back to Grand Rapids so we grabbed lunch and made our way to Millennium park to see the bean! I'm not sure if it has another name, we just call it "the bean." But it was definitely worth the pit stop.

So there you have it, my girls weekend in a nutshell! Going on girls trips are dangerous because it just makes you want to do more of them! The wheels in my head are already turning... Watch out daddy Dan!

It all started with a Mouse

I have succeeded as a wife and a mother. My theory is two-fold...

1. I got Daniel to let us take a 21 month old to Disney

2. My child LOOOOOVED it!!!

Daniel was s firm believer in kids don't need to go to Disney until they are old enough to remember, can ride all the rides, bla bla bla. Luckily when a work trip to LA came up, it became an impromptu get-away for Norah and I as well. And a day at Disneyland became a priority along with soaking up as much California sunshine and warmth as we could. I have forgotten what grass looks like.

Let's rewind to the beginning of our trip.

• One hour flight from Grand Rapids to Minneapolis -- snacks and Jungle Book, winning
• 3 hour layover -- huge child's play structure, winning
• 4 hour flight to LA. Leaving at 7pm (but it's really 8pm for us in MI). Landing at 9pm (but it's really midnight for us in MI) Don't forget shuttles to get the rental car, driving 45 minutes to the hotel, laying our heads down at 11:30pm (but it's really 2:30am for us in MI) -- NOT WINNING!

If you're not tired from reading that, let me add that Norah didn't sleep. At all. All I remember is crying, lots of flopping around like a fish and a huge headache. The icing on the cake is, Norah woke up at 4:30am (7:30am in MI), right on schedule girl!

Sounds like a good day to go to Disney!!! And that's what we did. After a much needed morning nap around 9am, we were through the park gates at 11am and stayed the whole day:):):)

Besides the off and on rain, the 60 degree weather made up for that, the day was just about perfect. Norah was a trooper, short lines, and MICKEY MOUSE! I couldn't help but make a little montage of our day, I still get teary-eyed watching it lol.  

If you're reading this blog, you probably know me pretty well and know that I used to work for Disney in Orlando, the most magical place on earth. There will be many more family trips to Disney in our future. Hopefully, Disneyworld next time and for more than 8 hours. It was quick, but perfect for a first-timer like Norah.

HAVE  MAGICAL DAY!

Valentines Weekend

Has it been a month already? Is it me, or is finding time to blog getting more and more difficult?

Let's see, over the last month we have been... snowed in, fighting frigid temps, scheduling tons of play dates, going to the Y (alot).  Hmm, yeah that's about it. 

Until THIS weekend!

Grandma Furnell decided to make a quick trip to see us over Valentines Weekend. And guess what we did? NOTHING!

It was actually pretty great. Grandma played with Norah all.day.long. She's pretty bossy these days and pushes, drags and pulls you where she wants you to go, literally (Norah not Grandma). I'm so sick of being one of those parents who say "use your words." But seriously, when will she use them?

Grandma also baked us lots of yummy goodies to which Dan replies, your mom can come visit anytime!

Welp, see ya in another month:)