Whirlwind...

Phew, I feel like I have been riding on a crazy whirlwind for the past few days.

That thought that I had about going back to work??  Yea...that's happening!

I was given the job (Facilities Maintenance Administrator) with ATI last Friday and they want me to start asap.  But, they gave me this week to tie up loose ends and figure out what to do with Rylie.  After throwing around numerous options, we finally settled on enrolling Rylie in Chesterbrook Academy (sounds pretentious, eh?!  haha).  It will be very hard for me to leave her, and a huge adjustment for us as a family, but we are sure she will be well taken care of and have a lot of fun with her new friends and teachers!

I guess I'll have to save picture taking for the weekends now :-)  I plan on enjoying every second playing with Rylie after picking her up after work before she has to go to bed.  Like I said, this will be a huge adjustment for all of us :-S  {happy face and sad face all that the same time}.

For now, I have to continue to tie up those loose ends, gather all the things Rylie will need at daycare, and  just enjoy my last few days of "freedom"!

Girl look at that body...I work out!!

{Thanks, LMFAO!  Haha}

Rylie and I were invited to participate in a trial "play date" at My Gym in Aurora.  It is basically a big room with all sorts of things for little ones to climb on, sit in, hang from, walk on, jump around, etc and "work out"...  The "instructors" there have several activities planned out for the kids to all join in (it is fun for all ages - they just participate in different ways), and they also have some free time where the kids can explore on their own.  It was definitely a unique experience, to say the least!  The "instructors" there are suuuuuper upbeat and cheery (which I suppose you have to be in that kind of job!).  While I enjoyed it, I felt quite ADD because they were jumping from activity to activity quite quickly.  This could have been because this was a free trial kind of class, and they wanted us "newcomers" to test out all of the different types of activities that kids would normally do in organized classes (you could sign up for a class that meets once a week for a month or 2, and they have different classes for the different age groups and skill levels).  We didn't sign up, because it is quite expensive.  Though fun, perhaps she would get more out of something like this when she is more mobile and active.  We'll wait and save our money for now :-)

I think Rylie had an okay time... it didn't help that she didn't nap super well right before it, we were then running late, and she had to wait a little bit longer before getting a bottle.  She certainly did NOT love the ball pit, as much as mommy tried to get her to enjoy it :-/  The swings were a load of fun...and she even got to zip line!!  Very cool :-)  I took my camera, but it was safer and easier just to grab the iPod to snap a few pictures and videos:

Rylie trying out the Zip line:

Rylie swinging with her pal, Ava!

2 in one day...

You get 2 posts today!  I took a few more pictures this afternoon/evening, so I thought I should share them :-)  Plus, I've got some iPod photos to dump on here as well!

She has been acting like such a big girl lately...just wants to be on-the-move soooo badly!  Still not quite crawling consistently enough to consider her random-forward-movements "CRAWLING".... but loves to pull herself up to kneeling if she is sitting in front of a tall toy, and also will pull herself forward from sitting and get on her hands and knees if there is something she wants that is too far to reach.

And we decided to have a little bath time fun tonight!  Gotta love bubbles and faux-hawks!

And here are the most recent {phone}tographs for you from the Instagram app for iPods!  Notice that the Mouse kitty is in a lot of them this time....he has been quite the little stinker lately!  First he kept chasing around any snacks Rylie dropped on the floor....then he decided to take up residence in Rylie's clean laundry basket as I was folding her clothes...and THEN, he decided he would "share" some snacks with Rylie!!  sneaky, sneaky, sneaky little booger he is!

Some photos from the last week...

Here are a few recent photos of the little Princess, being cute as usual :-)

A quick Valentine's Day shoot.  We had plans to go to a Valentine's Day party with some other kiddos, but having just got back from a weekend away, Rylie and I opted to stay home for the day.  Chris went in to work earlier than normal for a Tuesday, so we were left to our own devices :-)  As usual, I grabbed the camera...placed Rylie in front of the window (this is in the still-to-be-decorated playroom)...gave her some flowers that have been sitting on a shelf in her room...and started snapping!   What a sweetheart...

And this is just some random cuteness...  I loved the shirt (actually a dress, I think...from Once Upon A Child) with jean jeggins...very stylish, my girl is :-)  I should take notes from her style! Hehe.  I broke out the un-used, brightly colored, feather duster to wave around and see how she would react.  Here she is, smiling away!

 Just yesterday, I plucked her from her crib after nap time, changed her clothes really quick, and headed out the door to the playground!  I use got the urge to take some pictures, and she seemed very willing to participate!  It was a little chilly, though (we live in Chicago...it should have been FREEZING!...but thankfully it wasn't), so we only stayed out there for a few minutes.  Just enough time to capture some big smiles and have a little fun!

Beautiful...

It's a beautiful day here!  I hope you are all having a great day, too!  We've got a few errands to run:

- Order a bridesmaid's dress for Chelsea's September wedding in Maine {aahh, can't wait!}
- Head over to Once Upon A Child to see if we can pick up some bigger clothes and toys {things she can pull up on} for Rylie
- Perhaps look in to getting her a passport
- Pay a visit to the park if the weather stays nice!
- Basically just enjoy the day as our little family of 3 :-)

My hubby suggested I send out a little clarification to my last blog post about The Real Me.  it was supposed to be more of a self affirmation and a wake up call for me.  I do not, by any means, feel depressed or wish I had a different life!  I wouldn't trade my family, house, and neurotic cat for the world!!  I have just reached a breaking point {not to say I won't opt for my frumpy clothes ever again!  they are comfy!}, and I felt like it was time I made a change.  I may not fit in to my pre-preggo, cute clothes yet...but I don't think that should stop me from making an effort.  I picked up a few things at the second-hand store {would rather spend very little money on something that I hope will soon be "too big" for me} yesterday, which has helped me feel a little more comfortable, yet presentable.  So I apologize if I made anyone worry!  Thanks to those who care so much that they felt compelled to call to make sure we are doing okay :-)  We are better than ever!

And here's a little photo dump of images from my phone and iPod taken recently.  I love the textured, grainy, and just different look that the Instagram app gives these little snapshots of our lives:

The real me...

I'm ordinary.  I'm a mom.  I'm the opposite of a neat freak.  I'm a bedsheets hog.  I'm addicted to Magic Shell on my ice-cream {more shell, less ice-cream}.  I'm not a fan of getting out of the shower when it's cold out.  I'm learning to live with the cold weather outside.  I'm a budding mom-tographer with the perfect little subject to practice with.  I'm a nail biter.  I'm a snorer.  I'm a jeans and t-shirt wearer.  I'm me.

And that's all well and good!  But don't we all just have days where we wish we could be just like someone else...or do something new and exciting for once!  I think about this a lot.  Of course, I love my family, my house, my neurotic cat...but some days I think there is something I am missing.  I think that I am missing the real me.

The real me isn't ordinary.  The real me is edgy and quirky.  The real me has long, dark hair and perhaps those short bangs that seem to be kind of in style right now.  The real me giggles at the thought of getting a small, inconspicuous tattoo.  The real me has a sense of style that is urban chic crossed with a relaxed, beachy look...maybe?!  {not quite sure that's the right explanation, but you get the idea...not jeans and a t-shirt every day...and that's if I manage to get out of my pjs}.  The real me pins things on Pinterest and actually follows through with all the new craft ideas, meal suggestions, style how-to's.  The real me makes the bed every day and has a bright, cheery, clean, organized house every day {sorry mom, that doesn't happen}.  The real me always has fixings in the pantry and wine in the fridge for last minute, spur of the moment entertaining.

The real me is inside here somewhere and I'm on a mission to find her again.  Just because I am a stay at home mom for now, doesn't mean that I don't need to get myself up in the morning and make myself look presentable {after all, you never know if/when Publisher's Clearing House or Ellen's video crews will show up at your front door!}.  Just because I'm a stay at home mom doesn't mean I get to graze all day in our fridge and pantry...especially because said fridge and said pantry are not very well stocked, so grazing involves chocolate chips that are meant for baking with, and a Pasta Side for lunch {or an afternoon snack!} that has zero nutritional value.  Just because I am a stay at home mom, does not mean I need to veg on the couch and watch TV while the baby sleeps {which doesn't happen all that often...but somehow the time still flies by!}.

I should be able to find the real me because I am a stay at home mom.  And the real me could be a stay at home mom.  The real me could wake up in the morning and throw on something "fancy", yet comfy, that allows ample movement for rolling around on the floor during playtime but is also presentable for running errands or having people over.  The real me could invite friends over at any time for baby play dates and not worry about not having anything appropriate to feed them or offer them to drink.  The real me can pinch pennies and cut corners by actually finishing all the DIY projects that are swirling around in my head.

The real me is back.  I've found my inspiration.  Welcome back, me!  :-)

Now, I just have to do a little bit of shopping to complete the real me look! hehe

The weekend...

We had a great weekend in South Bend visiting with Rylie's Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Eric, Auntie Heather, and Auntie Katherine!  Grandma was in a play - The Madwoman of Chaillot - which was very exciting to see (for mom and dad...auntie heather babysat)!  Although Rylie was kind of fussy most of the weekend (off her schedule routine?! teething?! fighting off a bug?!)...we still managed to have a little fun!

She enjoyed playing with Auntie Katherine...

Rylie had her first piano lesson with Uncle Eric (it's never too early to start learning, right?!)...

I also took some pictures of Rylie for her Baptism invitations... Save the date: April 15th :-)

 Chris was thankful to have taken the Monday off, so we stayed an extra night in South Bend.  Although we enjoyed our time there, Mouse sure was glad to have us back at home!

Christine M Chalko Photography...

Just a super quick blog post to announce the launch of:

chalkophotography.blogspot.com

and

Christine M Chalko Photography on Facebook!


Check them out...let me know what you think!!  :-)

8 on 8...

On this day, the 8th of February, our little Rylie is 8 now months old!!  We can't believe how much time has flown by already!  Her first birthday will be here before we know it (yikes - better start planning!!).  Since her 6 month visit, we don't have another doctor's appointment until she turns 9 months, so there aren't any new stats to share...I just wanted to post quickly to mark this occasion :-)

Rylie and I met with lots of friends at a play date this morning.  Perhaps one of these days she will figure out how to crawl by observing the other kids!  But, I guess there really aren't too many crawlers in the group...Rylie is one of the oldest of the "younger" kids, and the older kids are already running around!  She has been on the verge of crawling for just over a month now.  She just doesn't seem overly curious; is quite content just sitting in one place with whatever toy is near her...so I can't even bribe her to try to move (she just gets frustrated).  It'll come with time... she does LOVE to stand beside the couch, with us supporting her.  Perhaps she will skip crawling all together and prefer to cruise the couch cushions??  We shall see...

This afternoon, I took advantage of her desire to snuggle and decided to take a nap with her.  A 2 hour nap!  Didn't quite expect that, because in the past few days she has decided that she just needs 30 minute power naps.  But she settled right in on my shoulder and took a long snooze while I rocked a bit in the glider.  I usually end up not being able to sleep when she does this...instead, I check Facebook and e-mails... but today I was super tired and ended up snoozing quite well.  We both must have needed the rest!

Well, that's all I've got for now... I'm afraid if I blink, I'll be sitting here again writing a post about her first birthday party (and including pictures!).  Slow down, time...slow down!!

Sunday Park-Day with Daddy - 2.5.12

We had some beautiful (but a bit chilly) weather over the weekend!!  So we jumped at the chance to get out a bit and enjoy it :-)