Blogging Break

I'm back! After taking a two week (not by choice!) blogging break, I'm happy to reappear with some family updates. The last two weeks have been the longest and hardest two weeks for me since becoming a Mom. Marcus found out a month ago that he had to travel for two weeks to work the SAS Championship in Cary, North Carolina. So, that meant I was on my own with a newborn, a toddler, a dog and a big, new house. With the help of my sister for three nights, my parents for two, a great babysitter, amazing maids and of course Starbucks, I managed to survive. I made it through alive. It was really tough coming out of a week long bed-rest with my bout of mastitis, nevertheless barely 6 weeks post-partum, but we made it work! I really hope our family doesn't have to go through this anytime soon in the near future. Just as hard as it was for me, it was ten times harder on Sonoma. She cried every day for Daddy, talked about him constantly, and each time we FaceTimed, she asked Marcus to "please come home soon." She would cry in her crib at night for Daddy, and hug and kiss her Daddy book. It was heartbreaking for me to see her so sad, and I know it was hard on Marcus too.  Especially after he was spending so much time with her since I'm constantly with Cora.   Oh, and Cora definitely missed Daddy changing her and rocking her in the middle of the night.

I hate not updating the blog, but I've been going non-stop the past two weeks and unfortunately blogging was not on my priority list!

Here are some pictures from the past two weeks so you can see what all we have been up to:

Auntie K was such an amazing help and stayed with us for three nights. Sonoma had tons of fun with her and especially liked the trip to Oberweis after achieving her star goal for the week on her responsibility chart (more on that later).

I was able to get a few of my first workouts in after being cleared by my doctor the day before Marcus left (for all those who have been asking - baby weight blog entry coming soon!)

Krista let me go for a solo run while she pushed the stroller one day.

This girl LOVES to take pictures

Luckily Sonoma got some outside play time with Auntie K

Daddy worked extremely long, long hours while in NC

And here's Daddy finally enjoying a little bit of down time during the tournament:

Sonoma's hair is finally long enough to braid!

I took the girls on our first lunch outing by ourselves to meet Christin, Griffin and Sage in downtown Geneva.

Loving these smiles

Cora discovered herself in the mirror in the swing and is always smiling at herself now

The Friday night that Mimi and Pa arrived, we went to Heritage Prairie Farm for pizza night.  It was quite chilly out, so we brought the pizza home, but stayed just a while for Sonoma to play for a bit.

Mimi's first time at the farm!

Last Saturday morning we visited Blackberry Farms' Pumpkin Weekend for their fall festivities.

Their new adventure playground is awesome!

Sure wish Daddy was here for this!  I am NOT good with painting!

Money from Pa!

Sonoma got the umbrella and broom that have been on her wish list!

Marcus' plane got in earlier this evening and Sonoma couldn't be a happier little girl right now.  As for me, I'm happy I had a little peace and quiet to get caught up on the blog and with some other things around the house.  Welcome back, Daddy!  We are ready to celebrate our favorite season with you and pack as many fun fall activities that we can into the next two months!