If you’ll recall, we went camping in Door County last year for Labor Day and again this past June. If you can’t tell, we kind of like that part of Wisconsin and that state park, in particular. The only downside to the previous campsites we used was they were really close to their neighbors. You could see other people’s tents, hear other people’s conversations and watch kids bike up and down the road. This time, we decided to aim for a more remote campsite. One that was also along the water.

You can probably guess that these campsites are high in demand. So, last year, 11 months to the day before our intended arrival to Door County this year, I went online to make our reservation (you can only make reservations 11 months in advance). Somehow, I nailed it and landed possibly one of the best campsites in the park. Check out our view from our fire pit:

Yes, that’s right, we had a view of the water. Not only that, our campsite was one of maybe 10 on our access road, which meant limited car traffic AND our particular site had a short drive up to the site, which meant our site was invisible from the road. It was the largest site I’ve seen there … room for the two trucks, different space for the camper and tent, and even different spaces for the picnic table, fire pit and beach (though the beach was public, we only saw a handful of people all weekend). Needless to say, we did a lot of this:

Sweets and I might have ventured into town one day in search of some additional food bits and camping gear we forgot to bring. Oh, and I might have stumbled on a pair of these:

They’re shoes, but look like gloves for your feet. Vibrams have been out for years. Proponents claim the shoes stimulate muscles in your feet and lower legs and have benefits for your entire body. I wore them for a couple days this weekend and kind of loved them. Not sure you’ll catch me running a half marathon in them (though, some people do), but a long walk or working in the garden or even pacing the halls during labor? You bettcha!

But, other than that one trip out, we really didn’t venture out all that much. We’d eat breakfast in town. And then head back to the campsite for reading by the water, kayaking, long walks and lots of eating and chatting with our friends (lots of baby talk as our friends are due with their first two days before we are!). The weather was outstanding (outside of big time storms our last night there). And it was the exact removal from the grid we were looking for. Two funny stories from our trip:

Funny Story #1: Sweets and I were eating breakfast when a local sitting at the table next to us began chatting with us. When he learned we’re from Chicago, he said, Ahhh, FIBs, eh? (Those from Wisconsin and Michigan like to call people from Illinois, in particular from Chicago, FIBs, which stands for Fucking Illinois Bastards). Sweets and I laughed (cuz, the guy was really nice and asking in jest) and then he asked, Or are you FIBTABs? When we looked at him quizzically, he responded, FIBs Towing A Boat. hahaha. Never heard that one before, though I guess we’d be FIBTACs … FIBs Towing A Camper. =)

Funny Story #2: Sweets and one of our friends (a guy) were chatting with another couple walking by them at our outlet to the beach. The couple said this is their first time camping since having a baby. Our (guy) friend said, We’re due in December. Note, neither I nor our other friend (girl) were there, so it was just Sweets and our guy friend. This couple must have thought “we” referred to the two guys. Without missing a beat, the couple asked if they found out the sex. Sweets responded, No, that wasn’t my decision to make, giving no additional hints as to the true couples. As they said their good-byes and the couple walked away, our friend looked at Sweets and whispered, I think they think we’re gay. Did this story seem funny to you? When the guys retold their experience, we all broke out into laughter … it was one of those hysterical moments that carried with us the rest of the weekend … but, maybe you had to be there to find it as funny as we did.

And that’s it. One last item of interest, a belly shot. As you can see, my belly keeps growing. And no, there is no head to the shot. You see those wrinkles on my arm? Yeah, I’d just awoken from a nap and my face was puffy, swollen and wrinkled, too. So, all you get is the belly. =)

We left the weekend with our friends saying to us, “Same place, next year?” Pretty much guaranteed I’ll be back on the website trying to make reservations for next year. Two couples with 9 month olds? It’ll be a blast! Given, I’m getting a late start to an already short week, I know I’m way behind on blog reading. Tell me the most exciting thing that happened to you over your weekend!

Sweets came up with the following:

His reasoning was that he’d like for me to experience the initial stages of labor at home (the door on the left) … so that when we arrive at the hospital (door on the right), we will only be there for delivery (not, labor and delivery, as the floor is described).

My drawing looked like this:

My reasoning is multi-layered. First, labor is this natural thing, thus the trees, grass and sky. And each stage of labor leads to the next stage of labor, thus the doorway leading to another tree with another doorway and so on.

It was a fun exercise to see the different perspectives in our class.

Speaking of exercise, I’m thinking about lots of long walks this weekend with views like this:

And there will be other forms of exercise, too, because Sweets and I are heading to one of our favorite spots to go camping with friends. Four wonderful days ushering in fall, celebrating babies (our friends are due 2 days before us) and unplugging from it all.

Hope y’all have a great weekend and I’ll see you on the flip side!

It all started on Thursday after work. My old hair stylist who moved back to Kansas was in town. We caught up for a couple hours and I loaned her my bike for the triathlon she completed this weekend (so she didn’t have to ship hers from KS). Sweets picked me up so we could rush to one of my favorite Mexican eateries to meet another friend visiting from out of town. I went to UNC with this friend, though I didn’t meet him until we both were living in Chicago. He’s now living back in NC, but was in town for business. We had a great dinner catching up with him and getting all sorts of parenting advice!

Just as we were settling into bed, utterly exhausted, my phone rang. It was my brother announcing he was a dad, again. Another baby girl clocking in at 6 lbs 11 oz. He sounded exhausted, but was super stoked he was able to be there for the birth (his flight back to NY was on Friday night and he couldn’t skip it as he was then heading to London for work).

Of course, I was super stoked, too. On Friday at work, I told my boss I’d be taking a half day, so I could swing by the hospital to see my niece. First, it was to a kids store to buy some gifts. Then to a bakery to get some sweet nibbles. Then to a gourmet food store to get some healthier nibbles. And a final stop at Starbucks (the new mama wanted an iced latte, what can I say?!).

I made it to the hospital in the afternoon where I got to spend a precious few hours with my new and expanding family! It was such an honor to be in that room during the first few hours after Baby Zee got to meet Baby Roz. I’d point to the baby and ask Zee who that was, She’d whisper, It’s a baby. Then, I’d ask what was the baby’s name. Zee would respond in a hushed tone, Baby Sister.

OK, I know. You want to see pictures. Did I mention I brought my camera and didn’t stop taking photos the whole time I was there? I’m not kidding. Over 2 hours, I took about 170 photos. I won’t bore you with all of them … just a few of my favorites!

Later that night, Sweets and I had dinner with old co-workers. I brought homemade salsa and guacamole. There was roadside chicken. And beergaritas (I had to abstain – such a shame!). And lots of other good eats. Talk of showers and 50th birthday parties (it’s hard to believe some of my friends are turning 50 – does it count if they don’t act a lick over 35?). It’s a group of people I’ve known for over a decade and just love seeing from time to time.

Saturday morning, we were up early (despite Sweets’ over-consumption of those delicious drinks!). First, we had to get our painter situated. The orange in the kitchen was replaced (loved the orange, hated how it looked with our cabinets). Once he was geared up to go, Sweets and I grabbed SoMi and left town (thankfully, the painter is a childhood friend of Sweets, so we trusted him in our home while we were gone).

We drove to Kokomo, Indiana to visit with dear friends we met while we were honeymooning in Costa Rica a few years ago. Since our time with them was less than 24 hours, we chose to keep things low key. Hanging out. Going to the dog park. Watching too many episodes of Myth Busters (though, the boys would argue we didn’t watch nearly enough). Sneaking in Invictus, a movie I liked during those moments I actually kept my eyes open. And so on. Our weekend with them ended Sunday morning after breakfast, when we hopped back in the car to return to Chicago.

And Sunday. A day of rest, no? Well, actually, no. Not in our house. We got back to Chicago around noon. Stopped by Sweets’ parents’ condo to pick up a tent (to loan to a friend). Met my KS friend at her hotel to retrieve my bike. Got the truck washed. Came home to a kitchen with a beautiful new, green wall! Unpacked. Went grocery shopping. Brought dinner to the girls, so Dan could meet and spend some time with Baby Roz. And eventually collapsed from such a long week and weekend.

Seriously, I’m pretty positive I can’t do this week in and week out. Thankfully, this week involves our regular nonsense (aqua class, soccer game, childbirth class) plus getting ready for our camping trip next weekend and arrival of my mom next week (she’ll actually arrive over the weekend, but won’t be staying with us until next week). If you can believe it, this week feels like it’s gonna be a breeze compared to the week that just was.

Breathe in. Exhale.

Tell me, what was a highlight (or three) of your weekend?

The moment I had dinner with a girlfriend. Just the two of us. In a crowded, loud, bumping restaurant. And yet, with all the energy around us, we were able to focus only on one another. Sharing laughs. And even a tear or two. Cherish times like those.

The moment when Sweets and I picked up my brother from the airport, but couldn’t find him. On the phone, I asked him what he’s wearing. He said, a green shirt. And then I saw him, marching towards me in an oatmeal colored shirt. Cherish my color-blind brother.

The moment when my niece and the two mamas came over to retrieve my brother. Knowing my niece was soooooooo excited to see her daddy. As she was marching towards our front door, I asked, Who’s inside? Who do you get to see when you come inside? And she responded, Uncle Sweets?! Cherish the filters that girl lacks.

The moment Sweets and I attended a 1-year old birthday party at an amazing local park. Getting to share happy times with friends. Exploring a new setting. And enjoying lunch with the lakefront as a backdrop. Cherish this city and the capacity to discover new places every week!

The moments Sweets and I shared with dear friends and their children. The abundance of information they provided regarding child rearing. The tutorial they provided us on baby wraps. The warm baby seat cover they loaned us knowing we’d be bringing home a winter baby. The dinner and laughs we shared. Cherish friends like these.

The moments over a  brunch shared with our growing family. Loving the niece who ate butter straight from the little packets, followed by cream from other little packets to wash it down. The baby mama who is due with Baby #2 today, yet out sharing good times with loved ones. The extra time I got to spend with my brother, despite him being in town to support his girls. Cherish that my definition of family is uniquely mine.

The moments when Sweets helped our neighbors unload a heavy, wooden head-board from their truck. While I watched their little dogs, making sure they didn’t escape the backyard. And, after seeing said headboard being stored in their garage, innocently yelling to our neighbor, That’s a nice piece of wood you’ve got there. And him responding, That’s what she said. ‘Nuff said. Cherish the moments we find ourselves laughing uncontrollably with such good friends.

The moments in Buy Buy Baby where Sweets and I continued to add things to our in-the-works registry. Appreciating most of the big registry-related decisions are behind us, but fearing all the little decisions ahead of us. Laughing that I couldn’t let Sweets out of my sight, for fear of what he’d add to the registry, and yet he still was able to sneak in more White Sox clothing. Thankful for online editing capabilities, where I deleted said items. Cherish my time with Sweets as we prepare for an expanded household.

The moments during an afternoon spent with Sweets’ family celebrating the 40 years his parents have been married. Finding comfort in seeing how much pleasure Sweets’ parents get from a simple day with their children and grandchildren. Learning from Sweets’ nephew that I’m having twins who will be named Ben (boy) and Salty (girl). Cherish that I got so lucky by marrying into such a loving family.

Those are the moments that I just can’t fathom passing up. Running from one moment to the next, packing them in, loving every fleeting moment that passes by. Living life. And enjoying it. Those are the moments we’re supposed to create, embrace and remember.

What special moments made your weekend so cherished?

Scene: 6AM wake-up. Without an alarm. Long walk with SoMi. Trek to the gym with Sweets and our neighbors. Birthday brunch for our neighbor at another neighborhood favorite. It  was my first time there. Bread pudding. Spicy bean cakes. Fruity pancakes and French toast. Coffee and OJ.

Scene: Two bloggers-turned-friends and me. Izzes. Guacamole. Salsa. Chips. Tomatoes. Carrots. Hummus. Recaps of BlogHer (theirs). Recaps of registries (mine). Heirloom tomatoes. Goat cheese. Fresh peach vinaigrette. Homemade pizzas. Sliced potatoes. Goat cheese. Mozzarella. Leeks. Bacon. Rosemary. Discussions of sperm banks. And $55 million court settlements. (Unrelated to one another.) Ice cream. Homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Homemade caramel. Full. Happy.

Scene: Buy Buy Baby. Strollers. City Select versus UPPABaby Vista. Car seats. Chicco versus Graco. Play-yards. Graco versus Graco on steroids. Pillow crib bumper with risks of SIDS versus mesh crib bumper with risk of bruised heads. Registry officially started. Nursery furniture officially purchased. Still so much more to do.

Scene: Lunch with Sweets’ parents. Trip to park with the dogs. SoMi dashing in and out of water. Stories of Maine and Cape Cod (ours). Recaps with photos of volunteering in Roatan (theirs). Conversations of childbirth in America.

Scene: Nilsa passing out on Sunday night. It was one helluva a long and busy weekend. I wouldn’t change a thing.