Saturday, April 28, 2007

Chase Rolled Over!

Last night Chase rolled over for the first time... from his back to his belly! We were told most babies roll over from their tummies to their backs first, but we didn't think that would be the case with our son, who is not a fan of tummy time (so we can't get him to stay there long enough to try)! After he rolled over he kind of layed there for a minute before realizing, "Wait a minute... I'm on my tummy and I hate that!" So we're not sure he's ever going to do it again (knowing now where it's going to get him), but one time was good enough for us! ;)

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Google Eyes

Brian had his LASIK surgery tonight. He is currently chilling out in his recliner with his eyes closed in goofy goggles, and Chase isn't quite sure who this wierdo is!

Appalling Idol

So after they announced Jordin was going home last night on American Idol I stopped watching... but I guess I shouldn't have because Brian learned on Yahoo! today that after they told Jordin she was going home they announced that after their big feel-good charity night they weren't going to send anyone home... that they will vote 2 people off next week.

I am appalled. How incredibly tacky. The poor girl was in tears last night thinking she was going home. If they wanted to do a feel-good, kick-nobody-off episode, they should have gotten to the last 2 and said, "both of you are safe, no one's going home this week." I am livid they toyed with that poor girl's emotions like that.

I am speechless once again! My blood is just boiling!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Goodbye Jordin

I AM IN SHOCK at this week's American Idol results. I actually thought Jordin would win the whole thing! She's not my favorite, but out of the remaining 6 I thought she was the most likely to win. I always liked her voice but her immaturity bothered me. But she definitely shouldn't have been sent home this soon! Unbelievable. What a weird top 5....

That's all I can think of to say! I'm speechless!

Monday, April 23, 2007

4 Month Stats!

Chase had his 4-month doctor's appointment today and he now weighs 16lbs 1oz (75th percentile) and is 25 1/2" long (75th percentile). He's a big boy!!

The doctor said he was ready for cereal so we're excited to try that out tonight... a new adventure!

He also got more shots which, of course, he screamed about... but Brian said as soon as he picked him up he stopped screaming and gave him a big smile so I don't think it scarred him for life (phew!).

While he was there Brian talked to the doctor about the fact that Chase won’t sleep without being wrapped/swaddled at night (click here to see what I'm talking about) and she confirmed what we already knew but were trying to deny: he’s too old to be wrapped anymore. So I have a feeling we’re going to have a LOT of sleepless nights ahead of us while he gets used to not being wrapped up all “snug as a bug in a rug” at bedtime. Wish us luck (we are dreading it)!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Goodbye Sanjaya (Ahhhhh....)

It's a miracle. Sanjaya was finally sent home on American Idol. It's been a long time coming!

First of all let me just say I like Sanjaya.... I feel for him, and I also have a lot of respect for him. I think he has been through a lot of media hell and has taken it in stride and made the best of it. Pretty impressive for someone so young (man, how old did that just make ME sound?)!

I think Sanjaya has talent, he's just raw. He needs more training and experience, that's all. He has a beautiful tone to his voice but it lacks power and confidence.

As for the bottom 3, he was the only one I agreed with. Blake's performance this week was pretty painful for me... incredibly pitchy (though none of the judges said it for some reason) but overall he's the best guy left. LaKisha didn't have one of her best weeks but she is definitely one of the best performers, so when it came down to either her or Sanjaya I made a declaration that if LaKisha was eliminated before Sanjaya I would never watch the show again! (Needless to say I am relieved Sanjaya was sent home so I didn't have to eat my words.)

Monday, April 16, 2007

Curves Accomplishment

About a month ago I posted that I had just joined Curves, and that I was nervous telling that to the world because I have such a bad track record when it comes to sticking with going to the gym, etc. (click here to read the post).

Every month at Curves they weigh and measure you to track your progress. Today was my first weigh-in after joining 5 weeks ago, and I am thrilled to report that I have lost 7.5 lbs, 2% body fat and several inches! GO ME! I am very proud of myself....

Operation HOT MOM continues...!

4 Months

Chase is 4 months old today. I can hardly believe it! Here is his 4 month photo.


Random photos of him taken in the last month are now posted in our Photo Album (labeled "Chase: 3 Months - Misc."), FYI.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Doctoral Student of the Year

Last night Chase and I went to an awards ceremony at NIU where my hubby received an award for being named Doctoral Student of the Year in his program for the 05-06 school year (apparently they forgot to tell him he won last year). Everyone shout out a congrats to my hubby!

Friday, April 13, 2007

Goodbye Haley

Thank goodness for Tivo this week (I was in tech week rehearsals every night... see previous post)!

Anyway, Haley was voted off American Idol this week. I have been waiting for this day for a few weeks. I was never really impressed by her. She doesn't have a very smooth, pleasant voice to listen to and it grated on me a little. Every once in awhile she would choose a song that actually flattered her voice, but those performances were few and far between. She thought she was a powerhouse but she was not, and every time she tried to prove it I cringed. It was time for her to go, for sure.

As for the bottom 3, I agreed with Phil but only sort-of agreed with Chris. I go back and forth on him. I thought he was pretty good this week. He'll go soon, but I wasn't sure he was one of the worst 3 this week.

The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage

This week was tech week for my theatre company's next production, The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage, which opens tonight. We are so excited about this show because we actually got handwritten permission from Academy Award winner Emma Thompson to do some comedy sketches she wrote for PBS about 20 years ago. This is the WORLD STAGE PREMIERE of these sketches. Cool, huh?!?

Click here to read an article about it!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

4-Points Photography

As some of you already know, my parents are phenomenal photographers. After joining a camera club for fun years ago, they have moved themselves up into the professional grade category and are now trying to make it a business! To check out their work, go here!

www.4pointsphotography.com

Monday, April 9, 2007

Easter with Family

We had a full house for Easter this year. Brian's parents came up to visit again and this time we were joined by Brian's sister, Jen, and nephew, Ryan (both pictured here), who flew up from Tampa!

It was a very eventful weekend. Highlights:
  • Chase's very first swim at Elmer and Sheila's hotel pool (he loved it)!

  • Coloring Easter eggs with Ryan. Ryan put the plastic decorative wrap around his first colored egg and the spoon before dipping it into the boiling water to seal it... producing an Easter egg with a long, silver appendage!

  • Easter egg hunt Saturday morning at an area church. Ryan made out like a bandit!

  • Yummy pizza at Gino's East!

  • The Easter Bunny came to our house for the first time! He hid eggs everywhere for Ryan to find Sunday morning. Once again, he made out like a bandit!

  • Grandma and Grandpa (also known as "Maw Maw and Paw Paw") brought Easter baskets full of goodies for Ryan and Chase!

  • Brian's pool table saw lots of action. Ryan, the future pool shark, challenged us all to at least one round (and beat several of us)!

  • Ryan was so great to his baby cousin Chase all weekend.... He took such good care of him!

Phew! I'm exhausted just thinking about everything we did this weekend! Lots of the above highlights were captured on film, so keep your eye on our Photo Album to see all of our photos from the weekend (I'll download them as soon as I can)!

"Exploring Chi-Town" Blog

So many people ask me what to do and where to go when they vacation in Chicago that I started my own little info blog of everything we know based on our own experiences in the city. It's a work in progress but if you're ever planning a trip to Chicago and want some info/recommendations, check it out (and feel free to share it with others)! Also, if you have your own input to add to any of the posts, please do (via comments)!

www.explorechitown.blogspot.com

FYI, I added it to our website's "Links" page, too.

Search Blog (I'm Slow)

So you know that box at the very top left of this page with "Search Blog" next to it? Apparently you can use that to search for specific posts by keyword! I can't believe I just now figured that out. Anyway, thought I'd pass that information along... just in case you are as slow as I am!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

SQUEAKS!

Tonight Chase found something funny about my McDonald's cup full of ice, and he surprised me with a new kind of laugh! Thankfully I managed to catch a little bit of it on video. Make sure your sound is up and ENJOY!

Goodbye Gina

I'm not thrilled with this week's American Idol results. I don't think it was Gina's time. I didn't think she would ultimately win, but she was sent home too soon. Out of the bottom three she was the one I thought they would send back to safety first. She definitely deserved to stick around longer than Phil and Haley. *sigh*

And Gina was from Naperville so I was rooting for my suburban neighbor!

Monday, April 2, 2007

Our Blog Has Moved!

Check us out at  3c-family.com !