Do You Know What Today Is, It's Our Anniversary...

If you recognize this song title, you may have worked at a fabulous retail location (such as Walgreens) during your formative high-school-to-collage years. You know those loved-but-hated songs that somehow played during every shift. Well, my hated-favorite was Tony Toni Tone's It's Our Anniversary. It's sticks in your head like caramel on an apple and it's terrible. Don't take my word for it:



Moving on to a less annoying note (ha!), Dan and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary this weekend.

It's no secret that I love birthday celebrations and I think I'm going to like this whole anniversary thing too.

First we rented bikes from the Urban Ecology Center (hidden gem!) and headed north on the Oak Leaf Trail. Enjoying the sunshine while talking and peddling like kids - perfect! Next, we headed to The Pfister for a couple's massage. Amazing. Or should I say, spAH-mazing. Now, Dan's only spa exposure to-date was our Kohler babymoon getaway back in January. As we enter the historic, breathtakingly beautiful Pfister spa, he turns to me and says "So, do they have like a pool or fireplace here?" Who knew he'd be such a spa snob. 

No, we didn't enjoy a pool or fireplace - but we did enjoy a relaxing, quite massage and I took my sweet time standing on the heated floors following the blissful experience (add this to my dream house checklist).

Then, we headed home, dressed Ingrid like a little bumble bee and handed out candy to our BayView trick-or-treaters with Grandma Carolyn. Ingrid was the sweetest little bee and as she snuggled up next to me as we watched the older kids cruise by - I thought about how she'll be joining them in a few years - but for now, she gets to snuggle with me and has no idea how processed sugar tastes (watch for pictures coming soon!).

Finally, we wrapped up the day with dinner at Roots. It was a little fancy without being fancy and the food was better than expected. I had the Mushroom Terrine, Dan had the steak and in keeping with celebratory traditions, we actually ate dessert and toasted with adult beverages. All and all - an anniversary success.

On our way home from dinner, Dan and I joked that our second year of marriage won't possibly be as dramatic or unpredictable as the first. I think we're both looking forward to a little stability and normal-ness this year. Then I remembered that we have an almost-seven-month old at home and we have no idea what the next year will be like, or sound like or feel like.

This weekend was about us, not Ingrid, and I'm so thankful we were able to pause, enjoy time with one another and indulge - here's to another year of fun! Broast!

Hey, when are you two going to...

Move in together?
Get engaged?
Set a date?
Choose a venue? Pick your bridesmaids?
Go on a honeymoon?
Get a house?
Have a baby?
Find out the sex of the baby?
Have another baby?

With the engagement news of one of my best friends, I started thinking of all of the exciting things that will soon unfold for them. I'm grinning like an idiot - by myself - and already can't wait to celebrate their union.

When people tell you to "enjoy your engagement " - they mean it. Although our engagement was incredibly brief. We really did enjoy it. Our friends threw us an amazing engagement party and we just ran around Milwaukee - sublimely happy (little did we know, I was 6 weeks pregnant). 

I started thinking of the unnecessary questions they will soon receive. From the age of 18 until you, I don't know, stop having kids - with every milestone - people can't wait to ask you one of the questions from the list above, listen for about .2 seconds, nod, and then launch into their own story of engagement, wedding planning, marriage, pregnancy, childbirth - you get my drift.

I crave advice from all sources and love listening to these stories to pick up tips and learn more about their journeys - but perhaps because my engagement, wedding and pregnancy were crammed into one season, I had an abundance of advice coming at me from ALL directions.

It took me awhile to learn that some people have your best interest in mind and truly WANT to hear about your story. These people listen to your every word, understand that every couple has their vision and they offer you advise without judgment.

But, "the others" leave you with a sour taste in your mouth. You walk away from the conversation thinking - "Who are you? Seriously, I wanted to have a relaxing dinner, not be scolded for ordering a cup of decaf!?" These energy-suckers have your best interest at heart - but for some reason they suck at life.

To avoid feeling overwhelmed and judged and to embrace encouragement and support of friends, family and complete strangers - I have started to listen to the tone of "the question", the source of "the question" and respond appropriately. Then I'll "get that dirt off my shoulder" or feel fortunate to have a network of people that truly give a shit about our life.

My friends, the newly engaged couple, are best friends, they radiate love and happiness - and they suck the nectar out of life! I not only wish them the best - but every happiness life can offer!

Patty's Pub - Engagement Party, August 21, 2010.
Cheesy? Yes. Do we care? No. We're floating on a cloud of engagement-happiness!

Love is in the Crisp Fall Air!

I picked up the wedding photos from our photographer this week and had a blast going through all 800 of them!

My coworkers in Alabama coworkers felt the wedding was beautiful as well. They put together this thoughtful post on our Plate and Pattern blog. Little do they know that my palette was inspired by the Harvest M&Ms.

If I could do this all over again - I would be sure that our cousins and friends from out of state could attend. Other than that - it was such a perfect day!

20 Weeks

One of the best weeks ever!

I was overjoyed for my friends to tie the knot and was honored to stand up in their wedding. We kicked off the weekend on Friday with spa treatments. If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas (besides Target gift cards and baby stuff), feel free to treat me to a prenatal massage. Ah-mazing. After the rehearsal at Gesu and dinner at Milwaukee Ale House we enjoyed cocktails with Market at Miller Time Pub and crashed in the Hilton suite. Saturday was the big event followed by dinner at the Wisconsin Club. It was hands-down the best wedding I've ever attended (besides my own - I think everyone has to think that) because of the genuine happiness expressed by the Fischers, the personal touches (our flowers were amazing!) - and the elegant-unstuffiness of the whole event.

I understand why some love being pregnant. I am starting to really enjoy it too! On Saturday I felt energetic, vibrant and was told that I had "that prego glow" (sweat?).

Basically, we all had an amazing night of good food, friendship-love and flying around the dance floor celebrating the Fischers.

Baby Atkinson update: He or she is now the size of a cantaloupe and down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day (his/her taste buds are actually working!). I'm trying to get a diverse diet too - studies have shown that after birth, babies respond best to taste they've already had via amniotic fluid. I'm predicting that he or she will have a love for cheese, soup, apples and frozen yogurt (ok, all treats...).