Happy Memorial Day( A week later)!

And what a long weekend it was. Here is the roundup:

Saturday:
-Jeff hauled brush out of the backyard for hours, Cooper & I planted a wildflower garden and planted the seeds we had for the planters on the patio, we have our fingers crossed that some flowers will actually grow.
-We took Cooper out to the golf course to congratulate Grandpa Laux on a big win in the annual Memorial Day Scramble. Cooper got to teethe on a bottle of budlight - he screamed when Grandpa tried to take it away, he may look like Jeff, but he has my feelings about beer!

Sunday:
-We sold Jeff's car, the famous 3 fendered Saturn. And even though we are happy it's not taking up space in our driveway, we were both a little sad watching it drive off into the distance. It was the car Jeff picked me up in for our first date! It made us feel a little better to know the car is going to be back in West Allis at the very least.
-We celebrated Connor getting out of jail and introduced Cooper to him, Cooper smiled a HUGE smile, it was very cute. Connor is walking all by himself and confidently cruised around this whole party of about 60 people, it was adorable
-We stopped in Sheboygan to see Heidi's new apartment, Cooper loved playing with her new shower curtain rings and rolling around the floor.

Monday:
-We picked up Grandma Laux and headed to the Manitowoc Memorial Day parade, Cooper shook his red white and blue morrocos before the parade, when the parade started, we were worried he wouldn't be too happy with the noise. Well, Mr. Cool cuddled up on Daddy's lap and looked bored with the entire parade, it was very cute!
-We went to the Veteran's Memorial in Manitowoc where Cousin Patrick read the Gettysburg Address and I felt like we truly celebrated Memorial Day the right way, reflecting on those who provide service to our country, giving their lives to protect our freedom. It was a beautiful program and Patrick added a lot with his reading of the historic speech. It was a great warm-up for the upcoming Lincoln High School Graduation, where he will be a commencement speaker.
-We stopped at Angie O. & Mike's where the men built furniture for the nursery while Cooper tried out one of Warrior's new blankets and played with his toys. Auntie Angie even gave Cooper his first piece of watermelon, which he loved, further confirming he will eat anything!

Summer has officially started and we are BUSY, but enjoying all of the fun!

Things I can't do anymore....

#1) Watch Oprah
I have been a fan of Oprah for as long as I can remember. I have learned many things from her over the years. I have laughed, I have cried, I have even traveled to Chicago and seen a taping in person. But it's over, the magic is gone. I know this because yesterday when I turned Oprah on to kill some time before Jeff got home from work I witnessed the following. Oprah and Dr. Oz leading a group of people to a dumpster where a woman who was petrified of vomit ran her hand through some. Yep- I'm through. Ellen Degeneres is MUCH more entertaining.

#2) Stomach Denise Richards
I was reading Redbook the other day(yes, I have an actual subscription,hold your laughter, I also get Good Housekeeping) and first of all, I am not sure why slutty Denise Richards is on the cover. To add insult to injury, there is a lengthy article on her inside the mag where it basically paints a picture of her as mother of the year. I don't buy it, I think she did the article only to promote herself and upcoming reality show and I am sick of her. She is talentless.

#3)Workout like I used to
I attended the Interval 1-2-3 class I used to be at religiously 3 times a week yesterday. First of all, I almost died, second of all I had to wait to speak when I got home until my heart stopped racing and third my thighs hurt so much I may have to waitress on crutches tomorrow evening. But I do plan to get to this class at least 2 times a week from here on out - no more excuses!

Welcoming the Warrior

This weekend is the baby shower I am co-hosting with the fabulous Barb & Liz for our dear Angie O. as she gets ready to welcome her first baby into the world. I am seriously just BUZZING with anticipation and delight as I get ready for the big fiesta. The planning is all coming together and I am BEYOND excited to spend tomorrow cooking and shopping and prepping all of the ADORABLE things we have planned. None of which I will mention here in case my favorite mommy to be happens to read the blog before Saturday.

I also think it is so hilarious that Angie & Mike call their unborn child The Warrior! We were never that creative before Cooper was born, we just called him Baby H. And secretly I called him Luciana, my absolute favorite girl name because I was POSITIVE he was going to be a girl.

Here's to Angie and Mike and hoping these last 6ish weeks are comfortable, go fast and are filled with rest and relaxation, because I am not kidding when Warrior is born, it will be awhile before any of these are possible again.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am excited to celebrate my first Mother's Day with Cooper in person. Last year he rode along(in my belly) on 9 holes of golf and then we went to the Dugout Bar in Manitowoc for Grilled Cheese, one of my favorites. I joked the whole day that it would be the last Mother's Day for awhile that I wouldn't be changing diapers and I enjoyed every minute of it. This year we are celebrating by taking both grandmas to The American Club in Kohler for brunch, hopefully it will be an enjoyable day for everyone.

Being a mom is something I take very seriously, it's the most important "project" I have ever taken on and I am determined to do the absolute best that I can. Being Cooper's mom is very rewarding in a way I can't even put into words. It makes me appreciate my own mom even more and wonder how in the heck she ever dealt with 3 kids under the age of 4. I mean I don't think I could handle 2 kids under the age of 4, and sometimes I don't think I can handle the 1 kid I have who is under 4. But my mom did it, plus took care of the neighbor kids, always had a big dinner on the table and was there for everything we needed. And now she is an even more dedicated Grandma. I definitely didn't know it when I was a kid, but I know it now, I am lucky to have such a great mom and I really appreciate all of the things she is still doing for me and teaching me. I guess being a mom is the job that never really ends.

Here's wishing everyone has a wonderful mother's day, whether you are celebrating yourself, or celebrating your mom, I hope it is a great day.

Home is Where my Heart Is

Although this Friday night that I spent in Milwaukee going out to dinner at Swig with Kim and then staying at the Hilton downtown was absolutely wonderful and the Making Strides walk for Breast Cancer I participated in Saturday morning was inspiring and the most exercise I have gotten in a long time, I have come to the realization that I like to be at home the most. I think it is because even though I was away from Cooper for less than 24 hours, I feel like I have missed something. He seems bigger and to have developed more personality in the short time I was away. Sappy I know, but definitely the truth!

And today we have no plans on the agenda, I need to straighten up the house, grocery shop, and if the weather cooperates, I need to get outside and clear brush, plant flowers and spray for weeds and bugs. I know - I am the most exciting & glamorous person you have ever met!!!

PRAY FOR SUMMYR

I know I haven't blogged in much too long, but let me tell you this is a great reason to get back in the habit. In the picture above are two of the most wonderful people I know, Mike & Summyr Zuern. Mike was my mentor when I started at Direct Supply and quickly became like a brother to me. He taught me everything he knew and is mostly responsible for my success at selling. I could give you a million examples of Mike being so nice and so smart and such a gem as a Partner and more importantly a friend. And his wife, the absolutely stunning Summyr is just as fabulous. They are so fun at all the DS functions and truly the kind of people that would do ANYTHING for you.

Here's my point(as we all know it takes me awhile to get there, but I get there): Summyr was diagnosed with Leukemia late last week and is going through treatment right now. Please pray for her while she goes through this tough time and send all your loving thoughts her way. No one deserves this, especially not my friends The Zuerns!

Visit her CaringBridge page at: http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do