Monkey Business

Fred is 5+ mos now and it is amazing! He can roll (front to back or back to front) if he wants to - only if it strikes his fancy. He can pass from hand to hand. For his really cool trick he has been working on grasping and getting his nuk back in his mouth on his own. When he does I feel like he's such a big boy! Lots of grunting, whining, cooing, babbling, and my personal favorite making raspberries! He's such an observant little bugger swinging his head from side to side. Very nosey - I love it! Sleeping is awesome & we just love playing with friends and family. Other than that it's pure monkey business, as the video demonstrates (pardon my baby talk its a bad habit). The co-star was a gift from a set of triplets in my class this year (they were my favorites but shh! don't tell), Stan had to find a new puppet as Fred is his own man not to be controlled. Grow Fred grow!

The Wedding - Finally!

I know, I know it’s been over two weeks since the wedding. Part was just getting laundry and things back on track & then we had an unexpected plumbing emergency, which sadly has dipped into Fred’s college fund – only public universities for him. It was a wonderful wedding.

The day started with hair, nails, and make-up. Mary looked so cute in her blue jeans, white button down, and veil. She walked back to her parents condo and I so desperately wanted a picture of her walking down LaGrange road - I thought it would be so neat, but I couldn't capture the moment as I was having hair pins inserted into my scalp and being shellacked with industrial hairspray which did not wash out until the following Thursday!

Back at the Philips' homestead, everyone was getting ready. Jeff was so calm and just ready to go. The was some assistance with way too many people to help get on a pair of Obama cuff links and Molly's favorite picture showing Stan strangling...uh I mean helping my dad with his bow tie and my mom looking like Debbie Downer in the background.



But don't we clean up nice?




Off to the church!



No pre wedding jitters just ready to get married. Oh I should note here that some of these pictures are mine, but most were taken by the fabulous Nick, a bridal attendant for Mary, and my new bff. He had awesome photos that I had to steal. Isn't he a doll?

Mary's niece and nephew did so well walking down the aisle - super cute. The ceremony was beautiful.

It really was just about perfect and almost went without a glitch, until Mary was ready to yell at Molly and I for being talkative. It wasn't so much that we were talking as arguing. And it wasn't so much as we were arguing as I was trying to rationalize with a semiconscious individual. It was rather warm up on the altar. Molly has a tendency for ummmm, shall we say dropping like a sack of flour during such moments has choir concerts, Thanksgiving Day parades, and when people play with her hair. So I asked her during the first few moments of the ceremony if she was feeling all right, I could feel her breathing on my back. She responded all annoyed in that tone of "yes mother!" that she was fine. Ok, so I went back to paying attention to the ceremony. Not more than ten minutes later I hear "Jess... Jess...Jess" and can feel her breathing all weird on my back - someone locked their knees. So I quickly looped my arm around her waist and propped her up. I was trying to get her to sit down but she was arguing that everyone would be looking and she was fine. Now while Molly is a stick it was pretty obvious that I was supporting all her weight while standing up and we were both swaying back and forth, not the most subtle of moves yet in her mind sitting would be this big distraction. Finally we were all to sit. I told her to stay sitting, but she assured me she was ok now, as people began to bring her little cups of water from the congregation! The wedding party was to go up to the kneeler to take communion - I told her to stay there and she said she could do it. So we all stood up and as she got into kneeling position her head starts bobbing back and forth like she is going to take a head dive over the kneeler rail. I can just picture her butt flying up into the air. So I pick her up around her waist again and drag her over to the nearest pew. What a fun little side show we are. The Priest is coming down the line offering the host and looks at the two of us sitting to the side with a quizzical look as if to say "This is not how we practiced it girls. If you don't want communion just put your arms across your chest." Now the ushers start bringing us water, and we are able to get back into our chairs with the rest of the bridal party. She starts to argue again that she is fine, and through gritted teeth I tell her "If you don't drink every last drop of water you are not having one drop of alcohol at the reception". Mary's older sisters Julie and Krissy are silently laughing behind us, as well as the other bridal attendants. Guess who started chugging all the water? Stan is having a field day laughing at her on the other side of the altar while some of the other groomsmen show concern. Molly was able to get back down the aisle with out dropping so all was well. Jeff and Mary left in grand style.









On to the party!




They had their reception at the Danada House. It is this beautiful old estate that that is on forest preserves property and has an equestrian stable and grounds.

















Cocktails and appetizers were served out on the grounds and in the house and then dinner was in an atrium that attaches to the house. It was a really lovely setting. Mary and Jeff had such a neat idea for tables, each table had a card with a catch phrases of things that were important to them and then on the back of the was a he said/she said description on the story – it was such a nice personal touch and people were trading the cards to read more stories.



The toasts were marvelous, the décor was simple and elegant, and it seemed everyone was just waiting to get out on the dance floor. Lynn had practiced some Napoleon Dynamite moves, and Harry did his legendary twist.



































We had so much fun – I think next to my own wedding I had the most fun at this one. And that’s it now – all over after a year and half of waiting no more showers or parties and I think Jeff and Mary are fine with that. They had an awesome time on their honeymoon, the house they stayed in looked amazing. We got to catch up with them this past weekend at my folk’s house celebrating my dad’s birthday and Jeff’s 27th b-day. We just love getting together as this big family!

Fred's First 4th (F cubed)

Fred's first 4th as Stan noted being completely dependent on independence day. Our neighborhood was freakily quiet. I don't know if people went away, but it felt like we missed an evacuation order. We spent or day, napping, taking walks, and packing for the next day. We were so lucky to have some ridiculous neighbor shoot off a fortune in illegal fireworks that we were able to see from our back door. Next the ceremony....

The Rehearsal...

If I keep trying to post everything for the wedding its not going to get done so let me just post in chunks...
Well the first thing was that the Wednesday before the wedding I went and got a spray on tan - as most of you know I'm an idiot when it comes to these girl things & somehow I always end up looking like a fool in wedding pictures - so I was determined to get it right this time. Well the tan turned out wonderful, but I had to race home to feed Fred his lunch. He was starving and after he gulped down his first side I pulled him off to discover the tanning solution had not quite completely dried and I tanned his nose and cheeks. He was still howling for more so I put him on the other side and by the time he was done he had a nice bronze glow on his face - all I could think was "your father is going to kill me!" We were able to wash it off for the most part that night in the tub, why is it I can't use beauty products like a normal person without complications? So Thursday we all at the church for a very through yet tightly and quickly run rehearsal followed by what I can only describe as an enchanting dinner and evening on my parents porch. I know that sounds corny but really - it was so magical and lovely. The weather was perfect, the yard was beautiful (with tents and the soft glow of candles and twinkle lights), the food and drink was amazing (yeah for having a full glass of wine for the first time!), Jeff and Mary have such nice friends so it was fun to mingle with everyone. I kept thinking I wish I had my wedding in the yard it was so fun! We put Fred down but then popped him in the car seat to get back home so we left I guess what would be considered early has these young single guys hung out around the fire pit until 2:00am! Friday everyone just got to relax and enjoy the holiday and catch up on sleep which was really nice. It was the most fun I've had at a rehearsal dinner, so laid back and enjoyable - it was just a wonderful evening filled with people who loved Jeff and Mary. Jeff I don't think even was annoyed with Molly and I as we toast/roasted him.

Saturday Mornings

Fred loves saturday mornings because mommy relaxes a little with her schedule and we all walk to the Farmers market and the coffee shop for Saturday fun. Mommy lets Fred take his morning nap in the stroller if he wants, but she is still protective of the sun. There is no one cooler at the market than stylin' Fred cruise'n in his stroller - especially with his feet propped up on the snack holder.

A Trip Across the Border

Fred and I made a trip up to Wisconsin... Fred's first out of state adventure. Two states down 48 to go. We went to visit a friend of mine who was my boss in South Dakota and her kids. They have great names just like Fred... Erma, Ernie, and Ray. Stan said it sounded like old people getting together at a sauna - I said he's one to talk. It was so fun and we hope to see much more of them - despite our differences in baseball and football teams. PS - watch Ray in the background of the video, its my favorite part. This video also exhibits Fred's awesome baby mullet. There is no plan for a hair cut any time soon.

Cousin Time!

Ok let me back track to just about a month ago... the fabulous cousin Owen was in town. He and Fred seemed about the same size yet Owen was non-stop bouncing from the time he woke up to going back down - bounce bounce bounce. Fred would watch him, and by the end of the visit Fred was testing out his own bouncing skills, and while Owen looked like Tigger and ready to pounce down the road, Fred has a slow motion expression that might involve one or two bounces and then a rest. Owen also has the funniest way of expressing himself, it sounds like a sick cat whereas Fred has taken the donkey sounding approach. Owen also lets you know how he is feeling by using his whole body - when he gets excited he can't contain himself and does a full body tense with a squeal of delight - the most precious thing ever! Owen can flip flop all over the place by rolling from belly to back and back to belly with the greatest of ease. He was able to pass things between hands (which Fred just started doing with some proficency this week). It was so neat to see what is down the pipe line for Fred. They only have six weeks between them. One thing that really struck me was Owen's attachment to his little lion toy. Fred doesn't really show a preference for any such specific toy. Lion went in the crib and was used as a helpful smiling prop for professional pictures and a must during stroller rides. It was super cute to watch his face light up with love for this great little toy. It was wonderful family quality time with walks to the farmer's market and just out in the neighborhoods. We miss our cousin. So the video below is the typical interaction between the two cousins. Now don't judge or pay any attention to the mamas in the background because it is 7am and while it maybe babies happiest time, I was not ready for a close up.

Chill Out Dudes...

Fred will continue to update but he's a busy guy this summer. Uncle Jeff is getting married this weekend so maybe after that mom will get a chance to update, but for right now cats & kittens be cool, cause its summer time and Fred is having fun.