I Heart the Spring

(Photo: Peonies in my backyard)

Spring is my favorite season of the year.  Mainly because the weather is not too hot or cold.  In my opinion, the weather is just perfect.  Here are some other reasons why I love the spring:

Flowers are beginning to bloom

Time for BBQ's

Opening our house windows to experience the fresh spring air

Hearing outdoor sounds such as the birds chirping
Peaceful walks 

Nice weather brings on happier people
Summer break is no longer miles away

Tea and hot chocolate gets replaced with refreshing lemonade

Delicious hot fudge sundaes

Pink, mint green, and other pastels are chosen for manis and pedis

A dress with a pair of sandals is an easy decision in the morning

White pants are allowed to be worn again-lol!

Songs sound so much better in the car with the windows rolled down.

What do you love about the spring?

So Proud!

Tom took on the challenge of running the Soldier Field Ten today.  Not sure if he chose to run this particular race because:  A. He wanted to see if he do it or B. He wanted the chance to finish on the 50 yard line @ Soldier Field.  I'm going more with option B because he is a HUGE Chicago Bears fan!  Either way, I am so proud of him.  Here are some pics:

7am shot of the field:

Tom waving to me after finishing the race: 

35 weeks pregnant supporting my man: 

 People are scared to challenge themselves.   Or simply to try something new. Give it a chance!  You might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it.  (Tom is now planning on running a half marathon!) 

A Brief Break

Taking a month off has seriously been one of the best decisions I've made in a long time.  On most days, I woke up with a clear agenda.  How often can we say we have absolutely nothing to do?  For the first time, I took really good care of myself and didn't make too many plans. 

Here's a little peek at some of the things I chose to do:

JUST FOR ME:

Spent time playing with our dog Frankie:

Cooked healthy recipes-thanks Pinterest!

Read books.

Slept in--no alarm clock what-so-ever!  (Totally necessary for a mother to be because sleeping in will soon be a thing of the past). 

I got rid of clothes--like my size 24 Seven and Citizen jeans (doubt I'll be squeezing into those suckers ever again!)

Went on relaxing walks.

Organized Jake's gifts.

Blogged more and checked other blogs more frequently.

Worked on three photo albums--finally have my Puerto Rico pics in an album!

Watched old and newer movies (that I have been meaning to watch) such as The Vow.

Downloaded music that was in some of the movies and shows that I watched.

KIDDOS:

Lunch at Nordstrom with Araceli and her girl Lyla.  

                 Visited the zoo with Nicole, Tori, and her son Landon:                

Lunch with Vasavi and her girls Alaina and Nola:

**Hubby painted nursery! (Pictures coming soon.)

FOOD:

Pulp Kitchen w/friends (check out my two plates of breakfast!)

Maestro's for a girls night out.

The Goddess and the Grocer in Bucktown.

Coopers Hawk with my sisters and mom for Mother's Day. 

Need time to unwind?  Schedule a day just for you!

Thanks Betty!

I wanted to publish this super sweet email that I received from my friend Betty:

Your style has changed!!! You were a good writer before but I can see you glowing through your words now...you are at peace, in this amazing state that it is honestly radiating!!!! You are just writing...not thinking hard about it and I love the pics you are posting. Like I said, it was good before but now...WOW!

Thank you Betty, without you I would've never created this blog! 

Maternity Pictures

I believe being pregnant is a blessing and you should embrace all of the changes your body is experiencing.  I think there is nothing more beautiful in life than a woman who is carrying a tiny little life inside.  I called upon my friend Nancy to take some pictures at our house so that I can remember what I looked like at almost 32 weeks.  I loved how she was full of ideas and captured pregnancy from a more glamorous and artistic angle than traditional.  

 She took over 200 color and black & white pictures.   I navigated through all and chose some for Facebook for friends and family to see, framed some, and made a photo album on Snapfish.   I am not good with decisions so these tasks have taken me forever!  Here are some of my faves I chose for my blog:

(Click on an image to enlarge)

 Posing with my scarves in the pictures below:

 Lots of kicking! Uploaded two of the same so that you can see movement from within:

 Love, The K's