Moving on.....

Hello my few lovely and wonderful blog readers!
I'm moving on with a new blog :)
bubble tea for you and me is no longer.....

but!

I am happy to introduce -
http://thesum.tumblr.com/

My new blog!

Hope you enjoy it.
I will be posting soon directions on how to leave comments as it is a wee bit different.

<3 Becca

He has arrived...

Feeling sentimental

I think this is probably normal....
Right before a major life change....
To stop, reflect, and take in what is around you.

And what around me is this:

and this:



My first born.
Finnegan.
Just him.

and so very soon....that will simply not be the case!
There will be ANOTHER....
Imagine.
Another little BOY to add wonder, excitement, challenge and laughter to our lives.

And THIS little boy....

(Who is now FULLY POTTY TRAINED by the way - BOOYAH)

Is all I know.
And I have loved him with all my heart since his arrival.
I hope he stays the same, and doesn't lose the amazing things that make him, him.
His love of people
His friendliness
His outgoing and giving nature
His easy going disposition
His ability to play and chill and be on his own.
His willingness to say, "I love you" unprompted....all the time.

I can only hope and wish and hope that this new baby is HALF as kind and wonderful to us as you have been Finn.
(Like when you slept through the night...remember?! RIGHT away?!)

Sigh....soon soon, time will tell what changes are in store for us.
But what I DO know...is that there is a very real excitement and love already stored up for this new baby.

So come new baby!
Let all of us love you.

Testing...1...2...3

We are all about doing things at our own pace around here.
Nick and I are not big on reading books on following methods, rules, looking up studies, worrying about much of anything when it comes to milestones.
This is where our parenting styles align, and it works for us so we roll with it.

Potty Training.

It's gotta happen.
It's going to happen....right?!?!
I mean...this kid is not going to be pooping and pissing his pants in college right?!? (well unless he drinks WAY too much, but that is something we can cover a little later)

However, with this particular task, I'm feeling the last grains of sand leaving the hourglass.
I am imagining an infant. ALL the glorious infant diapers.
And the large, near man-size turds that we are cleaning out of a diaper now from our 3 yr. old.

Dr. says, if he hasn't been trained by now...don't even THINK about it....he'll regress when baby gets here....

Who knows!
We're just rolling with it at this point.

Finn asked tonight to sit on the toilet. The Big Potty and the Little Potty...
He's testing them out!

Let's start there....

Ready for baby...

Remember this?

Well!
My friend Gina sent me a link to a photo contest a few months ago...the topic of the contest was to submit a new perspective of Chicago's vast architectural offerings. I was totally flattered that she sent it to me and quickly realized that it was a ridiculous idea for me to enter, seeing as I really only have a few photos that even feature Chicago's amazing buildings.

The photo was taken on a TOTAL whim last December from the sky deck at the John Hancock Building. We were there taking Finnegan to see Santa and I remember thinking it was cool to see the skyline so flat lying over Lakeshore Drive and North Ave beach below....see the snow and teeny tiny cars?

This was the only photo I had.
I read more about the contest and laughed, deeming it a TOTAL long shot, and just decided to submit it. Why not right?

I found out today that I got an "honorable mention"!! Holy shit right?!?
My photo and byline are going to be PUBLISHED in an actual photography coffee table book.
And I got invited to this cool reception where the photo will be on display and my husband can drink enough complimentary martinis for the both of us.

I guess they got over 3,200 submissions...
I realize I AM bragging a little bit here, but with that being said, I totally feel undeserving and in shock that it got picked in the first place, for ANYTHING!

Anyway.........
Damn. Guess the lesson here is to just go for it.
Or Just Do It, as Nike would say.
:)

Visitors make us Very happy - with a capital V

The Keaty Family has been very fortunate to have had visitors TWO weekends in a row.
Last weekend! Auntie G flew in from the North and spent 3 wonderful days with us.

We hit the beach...
And also spent some time with our cousins Meghan and Emily shopping! Eating with Greta's friend Lindsay at a GREAT Indian restaurant, and sought out A/C whenever possible. We took Finn to his second movie, Despicable Me, and really just enjoyed our time together.

This past weekend we enjoyed a visit from Mom and Cathy! Mom and Cathy have been friends for a really long time....and I can remember many memories of my childhood that involve her spending time with my Mom, sister and I.

So it may not be a surprise to any of you that Chicago has a LOT to offer in the food department.
I personally have a list 60 miles long of all the restaurants I would like to try.
And people often come to visit with places to eat in mind.
Like my sister! and Veerasway...the amazing Indian spot
Cathy! Wanted the best deep dish pizza Chicago had to offer.
Mom! Wanted Garrett's famous cheese and caramel mix.
Me! I wanted to try this little pie shop that I've been reading so much about.

Everybody got their wish.
And I documented the PIE!

Banana Cream - delicious.

Cherry Berry - so FORKIN' good


Love that little boy and his coffee mug....

Don't know how I managed to not get a picture with Cathy. Haven't been taking my camera out much these days , to not add any EXTRA weight to carry around. But we also had a great time catching a Second City show, a BEAUTIFUL day at Millennium Park, dinner at Chinatown and a quiet night in watching A Girl With A Dragon Tattoo (great book AND movie by the way)

And the cherry on top of this visitor's sundae?
The chocolate mousse on this Old Town salad bar?
I get to see my family AGAIN this weekend for some wedding celebration in Milwaukee.
YES.......

Chicago Beach Days

And of course....a few Finnegan photos.
For all the fans out there ;)

Teeth WERE harmed in the making of this photo.

And.....I'm back.
More coming your way soon.

Summertime

Cousin Time

Before this slips TOO far off of the list of recent events, I would like to share some photos from a recent brunch date with cousins Meghan and Emily.
I always look forward to catching up with these girls, and appreciate Meghan working us into her action packed schedule when she came back to the CHI from the LOU :)

The Girls picked a GREAT spot to eat:

FRUSHI - (sushi like rolls made from fruit flavored rice and delicious fruit!)

FRUITY PEBBLE BABYCAKES w/fruity pebble infused BUTTER - for Finn


CINNAMON ROLL PANCAKES for ME ;)

And the only thing better than the food was the company.
I always love catching up with the girls.
They are at such a fun, different stage in life than I happen to be. And hearing about all that is going on reminds me of all the things I miss and don't miss about being younger.
And there is not much I don't miss.....
Can't wait to see them both again soon!

one big ass photo test

Beauty is....

Gone for Army Training this week....
Thought I would share this poem that a student of ours at work wrote recently.

******************************
Beauty Is, by Jasmine Holloway

Beauty is a newborn baby.
It is a woman in her wedding gown.
It is my mom when she’s happy.
It is the start of a new beginning.
Beauty is creating a new family.
It is God when he created earth.
It is when it is the end of winter and the first blossom has grown.
It is the giggles of a baby.
Beauty is a newborn baby.

******************************

And I would like to add, that beauty is sharing the first felt kick of an unborn baby with a best friend.

So happy to share the moment with Emily last night....I am getting SO excited about this new baby....

More when I'm back next week!

I couldn't believe my eyes...

Tonight. Usual routine.
Finn eats dinner.
Mama runs bath.
Finn and Mama play while Finn takes bath.
NEW: Finn and Mama talk to Grandma, and Grandpa and Nate on Skype! (loving it)
Finn and Mama read two stories.
Mama puts Finn to bed.

Mama goes into the kitchen.
Cleans up dinner.
Fires up the computer.
Folds some laundry.
Hears the usual, "Mama!? Mama?!" coming from Finn's room.
Mama chooses to ignore the cries in the hopes that Finn will just go to sleep.
Mama hears again, a little voice calling her name.
But THIS TIME, the voice seems a little louder?

This Mama turns around to discover FINNEGAN, standing IN THE KITCHEN, with this shit eating GRIN ON HIS FACE, pacifier still in his mouth, but beaming. EAR TO EAR.

Mama hears little Mr. Grin face say, "I don't wanna go to bed Mama!"

I just about had a heart attack.

For the following reasons:
1) This is the FIRST time Houdini has ever attempted to crawl out of his crib in his 2 years and 11 months of life. Let ALONE doing it with such grace and stealth that he didn't make a PEEP.
2) It was like he appeared out of thin air. It scared the DICKENS out of me.
3) He's big enough and old enough to want to get out of his crib!!! (Disclaimer: I REALIZE that most kids are crawling out of their crib WAY earlier than this) but this was truly such a shocker.

And that's all I have!
Just as a bonus to this story, here are a few of my favorite photos from a weekend with my family in Viroqua.
And ACTUALLY this is the only picture you're going to get tonight, because I have exceeded my 1GB limit for photos through Google. Better purchase some MORE BANDWIDTH!

Fun with Technology

As I sit here, in my parents kitchen....there is an energy.

There is an energy from my father who has JUST found the amazing thrill of instant purchasing on iTunes.

There is an energy FROM this energy as Dad discovers and rediscovers tunes he hasn't heard in ages and determines them an "automatic buy"

There is an energy from us daughters because they have INTERNET.

There is an energy from discovering the fun photo capabilities of my laptop web cam.

Exhibit A.


I am excited for my parents.
There are SO many cool things to learn and love.
Welcome family.

This is how you eat a peep: by Finnegan Keaty

Look them over...notice how they nicely they match your Easter outfit.

Taste a small portion, learn that they are made of marshmallow and sugar.

Carefully consider the amazing consequence that marshmallow and sugar are individually two of your all-time favorite things.

Take another bite for a thorough assessment of its deliciousness .



Devour and revel in the sweet sugary goodness.

More Music!

This past Saturday, we went on an adventure to check out an Open House put on by the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute.

Thought this would be a great opportunity for Finn to see and hear other kids playing instruments and maybe get his hands on a few himself!

And the morning was just that.....really fun, and educational.

These are the youngest kids, I think they were all 4 year-old's. Stop my heart. They were so talented, and precious! They played a number of versions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Complete with a little bow at the end.

This guy was SO serious, and adorable. He's playing the viola.

And then Finnegan got his turn on a CELLO! My favorite of the string instruments. It has just the most gorgeous sound. Wouldn't mind hearing that in the house some day.

Carefully, checking out the strings.....doing some plucking....

And THEN the violin, this sweet lady handed it to him, and like a natural put it right up to his chin like he's been playing it for years. He kept saying, "I need a stick! I need a stick! (A bow)" This cracked up the sweet lady, and she said, "This guy knows what he's doing!"
Sadly they don't give out bows to beginners.

But as you can see, that didn't spoil the fun. He was beaming ear to ear.
With a violin in between.

Always something new

It's one of the reasons I love my job so much.
No day is alike.
And there are certain days, that I'm really amazed and thankful for all of the cool people I get to work with and the things I get to do.
Case in point, this past Saturday we had some cartoon artists come in and paint a custom mural in the store.

Phil Yeh, one of the artists on the project has traveled all over the WORLD and has painted 1,800 different murals promoting literacy. His friend Geoff Bevington is from the area and he too came out to paint and promote the premiere of their new comic book which is set in Chicago.


I thought you might like to see how it all turned out!

Here is the progress from the first day. To see these guys work was pretty mind blowing. They just free hand draw the black outline with Sharpie!


We had lots of adorable helpers stop by to join in the fun.


I ended up painting quite a bit! Loved it.


After the painting - it's all gone BACK over a second time and is outlined by hand in either black paint or Sharpie.



Love this flying cat...



Navy Pier! Chicago Skyline!



The mural took about 20 + hours to complete. Here it is finished with the artists!



I love how colorful it is, that it's so CHICAGO!
Can't wait for you all to see it when you visit the store.

At our house...

We play instrument solos on YouTube.
It is one of Finn's favorite past times.
He plays along.
He requests:
Trumpet!
Flute!
Violin!
Clarinet!
French Horn!
And so on....

I am looking forward to finding new ways to keep his love of music alive, because music always brings so much joy to my life.

Bonus Post! 2nd Annual Dells Trip!

That's right Mom!
TWO POSTS :)
Here are some photos from our 2nd Annual Trip to the Dells.
It's always a really fun time, and this year was no exception.
With a villa upgrade, a birthday to celebrate, bunnies to kill and Finn's increasing enjoyment of the water, we had a blast.
Check out my sister's post too!

There is one thing that does stay the same, no matter what we are doing, it's just fun to be together. Enjoy the pictures!

Swimming with Grandma!


Enjoying bowls of delicious AND nutritious CHEERIOS!


Birthday Cupcakes for Nate!


Testing the waters!
Poolside Respect!