Over so soon?

My trip to Florida. Being the bad parent that I am (I dont try to pretend that I'm not anymore) I took off with my hubby to a Podiatry Conference (yay...) in sunny Florida (YAY!) and left the kids with my folks (YAY again!!!) over my daughter's second birthday..(oh.).
Let me just say...I am sooo glad I did. We had so much fun. The hospital was paying for most of it, so we went all out on some things. And I dont feel guilty at all. Chuck is chief resident this year which means that he gets to put up with a lot of crap, spend all evening making phone calls, and pay extra for his phone bills - and he gets paid no more than the other 3rd year resident. So, he (we) deserves it!
We stayed at the Sanibel Island Resort and Spa. I took advantage of the spa the second day I was there and got a wonderful massage and a haircut (just a trim really, nothing drastic) and I got to spend time in the sauna and steam room. Ahh...I can still smell the cedar. Unfortunately Chuck had to spend his day in a lecture. While Chuck was at his lectures though, it was bliss for me...relaxing by the pool with my drink of choice...a Sanibel Sunburn (fruity rum drink) reading Nicholas Sparks' "The Lucky One." Lucky me. When Chuck was done all he wanted to do was find a way to drive the rental car - a convertible Volvo. We spent one afternoon on Sanibel Island at a bird refuge (who's idea was that?) and another day kayaking in the gulf through a little swamp. Yay. And we watched the sun set at the beach every night. And the dinners...they were great - steaks, sushi, fish - yum! So much fun.
On Saturday we went to Fort Myers beach and saw a sand sculpting contest. Among the entries was a man from St. Louis. I dont know who won, but they were all amazing. On Sunday we returned to the Island to buy some souvenirs for the kids before making it back for our flight.
It was heavenly. I did miss my kids, but it was sooo nice to get away. I only felt guilty about twice a day, but they were short-lived bouts. Cant wait to do it again!
See more pics on flickr and facebook.
And yes, there will be a post shortly about Gracie's b-day - I'm not all bad.

Bye Bye Hump Day

My sweet hubby surprised me at work yesterday (Wednesday) with these beauties in celebration of my last Wednesday at work. Next week is my first week back to part-time. YAY! I'm wiped out! :)

I Love You!

I remember the first time Chuck said it to me. Actually he didnt say it. We were sitting in my dorm room with about four other friends. I was seated on my roommate's bed and he was sitting on the floor below me with a notepad doing homework or studying. We were enjoying the company of our friends - laughing, joking, having fun...ya know - studying. He was jotting down notes and every now and then would poke me with his pencil so I would look down at his notebook to see something funny that he had written. One time, however, instead of a funny remark, he had written the words, "I love you Kim." It was such a sweet feeling. When it was time for him to leave we went outside and said the words to each other. I'll never forget it.
And just as clearly, I remember the first time Jonathan told me those words. It was when we had first moved into the townhouse - he was 2. I had tucked him in and went to the door to leave. I turned around, as I did every night and said, "I love you Jonathan." I always waited for a response, but up until then had never gotten one, just a nod and smile. But that night, he said "I wuv you." It made me melt.

Again, I had the joy of hearing these words spoken to me for the first time by someone sooo special to me. She brings so much joy to my life! People tell me she is just like me...I hope they're right, and I hope they're not. As I'm sure all moms of daughters do, I dream that we will always be best friends no matter what. She is so independent, yet loving and caring. She loves to play with her dolls and kiss her figurines. I start to sing to her and she shakes her head and gives me that serious look as she says in her less than 2 year old dialect, "stop." She climbs on the big kid toys at the park - better than the big kids do. She pulls jewelry out of my armoire and piles it on herself. Says "I do it" - and does it! She still likes her milk warm.
Every now and then, and even more so lately, Chuck has been able to take the kids to daycare on his way to work. We usually leave for work right about the same time. This was one of those mornings - and I was on my way out the door first. I turned over my shoulder and said to the kids, "Bye, I love you" and just as I was turning to leave, little Gracie said as clear as day "I love you Mommy!"
These simple little words...

Jon the writer

My boy
Originally uploaded by Sweet Portrayal

Jonathan is now a writer! He wrote j's - lots of them! And o's and T's too. He wrote the word JOT . It's a start! Jonathan is a long name to spell. If he can learn to write the N I suppose I would be fine with calling him Jon for awhile.

Having fun with couples

Originally uploaded by Sweet Portrayal

I've been doing couple pics for my friends lately trying to prepare for a wedding coming up. I need to get used to posing couples, making them act natural and laugh. This picture is of a friend at work and her boyfriend. I just love her - she is the sweetest - and makes my day brighter since I sit by her at work. There were lots of great pictures from this session in downtown St Charles, but this has to be my favorite. I think it shows the essence of their relationship. I can't wait to do more of these - they are so much fun. If anyone out there wants or knows someone who wants me to do couple pictures *gratis* for my portfolio (will be under engagements) let me know!
FYI I am thinking about creating a second blog for Sweet Portrayal so that I dont keep leaving out my kids in my posts (the few there are). That's just one more thing to keep up with though - a second blog. BTW if you havent already please become a fan of Sweet Portrayal on Facebook!

Finally got a babysitter!

Finally got a babysitter!
Originally uploaded by Sweet Portrayal

Last night I convinced Chuck to spend the first part of our date taking pictures of us since we really don't have any since our wedding eight years ago! We had so much fun! I set up the tripod and we used the remote. I'd like to do it again sometime but it may be another eight years before I can convince Chuck :(
After that we went to Spiro's, a Greek restaurant of course, nearby. We had an appetizer and some Baklava - my favorite! Then we went and saw The Hangover. It was hilarious. A little raunchy, but hilarious.
See more pics at flickr or facebook.

A Zoo Day