Twos

Teagan woke up this morning in her usual hit the ground running style and two things came out of her mouth within the first minute of being awake. "Where is baby?" And "I go to twos!"  They have been hyping up the move from the toddler room to young preschool or the "twos" room. We have echoed the hype at home as we quickly approach her second birthday! Two of her buddies - Matthew and Kai have already made the move with a couple of friends to follow in the next couple of weeks. Today was the trial day and she received a great report!! She was shy at first but blended right in as they did gym, art, danced as well as meals and a nap. Oh and this room has potties...aye aye aye! At pickup there were 4 kids just hanging out with their pants around their ankles waiting to be wiped. It cracked me up inside!  

Anyways, we were so proud of the good report and the photos they sent home showed her in a blur of dance, walking a balance beam and drawing. She has been a champ these past weeks with all of the changes...new twin bed, new bedroom, new baby and now a new class at school!  I can't believe she is going to turn two.  Well, actually I can now that Breckin is here. She seems so big and grown up and it wasn't that long ago she was in his shoes...er, socks!

Big week coming up...Gma and Gpa come from CO! 

XO,

EAT

Family of Four

Breckin is 10 days old...wow! I don't think anything you read or anybody you talk to can actually prepare you for having a second child. I know people have many more than 2 these days. But for our family, it was a matter of jumping in and throwing any predictions out the window. Teagan has been SO good with Breckin and is adjusting to life as a big sister. We joke that it is no longer "zone defense" it is man on man all the way! Divide and conquer for these early days. Our first family dinner at home involved me nursing while eating and Rick spoon feeding Teagan...all we can do is laugh! And she knows what gentle is and is usually very gentle around Breckin. Sure she launched him in his swing (which we call his chair because swings are meant to sit in and be pushed) and has practically climbed on him but mostly it is "I kiss baby." Or "Mom, hold baby!" The little man constantly has kissy marks from Teagan on his head. She loves bringing him his belongings like a blanky, paci, toy or diaper. Just yesterday she was taking photos and "showing Bweckin" the people in the pics...mom, dad, both sets of Grandparents, baby Teagan, Ryker, etc. I think sometimes she wishes he didnt sleep so much so they could play! She wants to give him high fives and loves to tickle his toes! The mornings are interesting as sleep schedules collide but I forgot how functional you can be after a short amount of sleep! 

Breckin is coming out of the newborn haze but he seems to be relatively relaxed, strong and adaptable. Everybody says he looks like Rick! He has very little blonde whispery hair, dark blue eyes, long fingers, big hands, long trunk and legs and big feet! He has the cutest face and I can already tell he is gaining weight.   His night sleeping has been pretty good but my word this boy can eat! Just like his sis as an infant! Nursing is going well now that we are seeing some sort of pattern in his feedings. 

Well that is all for now...we are having fun as we get to know the little guy and observe the first weeks of interaction between the two kids (whoa that is weird to type!). Pics below ----

Breckin Isaac Tiltges 08.19.13

Breckin Isaac Tiltges was born at 12:40pm on August 19th, 2013!! He weighed in at 8lbs 5oz, 21.25 inches long  and is a healthy little guy all around! We are just enamored with him and amazed at the family of 4 we have now - mom, dad, daughter, son. 

I had been having labor contractions the morning of the due date...August 16th. They went away later that morning but Rick stayed home with me and by the afternoon we were up and about and going through our day. We grilled out that night and played outside with Teagan and Saturday was a normal day contraction free. We went to breakfast and then had nearly a 2 hour park play time with the little lady. We met this dad of 3 girls that cracked us up as he talked to us, drinking his coffee, feeding a bottle to his 3 month old while his 1 and 2.5 year olds roamed the playground. I think it have us both a boost of confidence as we prepared to parent 2 of our own. We spent that afternoon at the pool which being pregnant is the best feeling! That night the contractions were back but once again went away after I was up and about. That afternoon we were back at the pool with Grandma Candy. The contractions started to work their way back in and through the night were closer  and closer and harder and harder. I thought they might go away once I was on my feet so I told Rick to go to work and I got up to get Teagan ready for school.  It wasn't an hour and I called Rick to come home I think it's "go time." He got her off to school while I labored at home basically to the point where I couldn't hardly walk. I thought if this isn't labor then I don't know what is! Turns out  I was right...we got to the hospital about 8:30am and was in triage when they told me I was 4cm dilated and not going home!! This was real! Rick reminded me to breathe while we did all of the initial procedures.  We barely had a chance to notify family we were there and we were up in labor and delivery.  Nurse Z was amazing getting us settled in as the last patient before she set off for 2 weeks to get married. Nurse Mary's shift started and she told us she would be the nurse present at delivery...I liked her confidence! We got the back labor under control and my water was broke by 10:30 and I progressed quickly from there. Rick and I joked that we were  expecting to be watching movies like we did when I was in labor with Teagan! Not the case here, an 8 quickly became a 10 and we were ready to go! I pushed for 20 minutes and they even had to tell me to stop while they got the Dr in! Quite a difference than nearly 4 hours pushing  with Teagan! We knew there would be an army of people again because like his sis, Breckin had passed some meconium so they had to have the Ped crew present. The Dr turned him around and Rick and I were in shock of what we saw! Everybody was smiling but not bigger than Rick and I at the first sight of our son. We joke because with Teagan we practically forgot we didn't know the gender but with Breckin we knew what we were doing! I was in shock with tears of joy while Rick gazed at the little fella. The Dr said the labor and delivery went so smoothly that the hospital was going to offer us a 50% off coupon for next time. Lol! He also called it a drive-thru delivery...meaning we were just out and about and decided to swing by the hospital to have a baby! The haze that follows is tough to put into words...this instant love as we headed off to the recovery room. Recovery is/was much different this time around. I was on my feet within hours of delivery and feeling pretty good.  Grandma Candy brought Teagan to meet her brother that afternoon. She was shy for about 2 minutes but climbed right into the hospital bed to "kiss the baby" and bring him his gifts. She was so sweet like she thoroughly understood why we were there and this was our new family member and her baby brother! I was so proud of her and just melted at the sight of the 2 kiddos together. It wasn't long before she was marching the halls of the hospital as if sharing the news. Multiple nurses commented on her confidence and curls of course! We checked out of the hospital 48 hours later on Wednesday August 21st and were so very happy to show Breckin his new digs!! 

XO,

EAT

Girls Weekend and Shower

This years annual girls trip was a short trip from home...downtown Chicago! We chose to spend the weekend we all lived in together post-college. With Christy and I being in our 3rd trimesters, we didnt want to travel to a new city. Plus, we could use that Sunday to host a baby shower for Christy! We met up Friday and enjoyed mani's and pedi's on Michigan Ave. We stayed at the Raffaello right off Michigan. We checked out their rooftop lounge/bar (Drumbar) and then got ready for dinner out at Bavette's. It was nice to indulge in a long dinner just chatting and noshing on some yummy food! 

Saturday we woke up and headed to the neighborhood we all lived in at the beginning. The whole Southport corridor in Lakeview is nostalgic for us as that is where we turned from college grads to young women in a big city. We had a quick breakfast and strolled by our old hangouts and apartment. We grabbed some snacks and beelined for the Oak Street beach. Oh yes....the weather was amazing all weekend...80's with no humidity or clouds. After a brief shopping trip we got ready for our night out. We dined at Piccolo Sogno on an intimate garden patio. We had yet another amazing meal and even got Christy a little birthday dessert. After that, we headed to the UC for a Bruno Mars concert! We danced and sang through the concert which was high energy with some great songs and performances. We laughed as we headed back to the hotel and were in bed by midnight...much different than Nashville in September! 

Sunday we had Christy's baby shower at our house. She was glowing as she was surrounded by close friends and family that are anxious for baby Reese's arrival! We were sad to see her and Michele head east but were left with another weekend of fun memories and great times! The girls trip continues to be a favorite annual trip no matter how far we live or travel to make it happen! 

Here are a few pics from the weekend - 

4th of July at the Lake

Mostly pics here but we had a blast at the lake for the extended July weekend. Grandma, Grandpa, Sandy, Rick, Ryker, Dan, Cara, Jimmy, Great Grandma and Grandpa, Tracy, Kim and Steve were there. We played in the water, sand, on the playground, in the dirt, on the boat all weekend long. The weather was gorgeous so we enjoyed unwinding, relaxing and playing the days away! The kids even had their first skinny dip in Pelican Lake! 

MawMaw and PawPaw visit IL

The following weekend in June we were treated by a visit from Grandma and Grandpa from Colorado! They got in Thursday evening and boy did they wake up to a happy girl on Friday! Teagan warmed right up to them and thought it was extra special they were staying in our home for the weekend! We didn't have set plans but played in the backyard lots, attempted the pool but got rained out (twice).  My dad grilled some amazing shish kabobs and we made a chocolate cake.  Glen Ellyn was having its annual cardboard boat regatta on Lake Ellyn so we headed over to check out the event and visit the park. Teagan was intrigued by the boats and the people rowing them. I must admit it was a sight to see as some boats sailed to the finish line while others crumbled and the passengers bailed. It is so fun to watch her in brand new experiences as she takes it all in and gets excited as it starts to make sense. She thoroughly enjoyed having Mawmaw and Pawpaw on the playground as well! We went to Tap House for dinner and then pawpaw had to leave the next morning. Sunday was spent lounging around, a little pool time and early to bed to prepare for the week...and a trip to Pelican Lake for the 4th! It is crazy to think that is the last visit we will have with them as a family of 3. The next trip will be to meet the new baby and celebrate Teagan's second birthday! 

Springfield Summer Visit

Oh the hustle and bustle of summer is here! We have been go go go buy looking back at the calendar, each summer activity makes me smile as I recall the memories. I snuck away for a night at the end of June with Teagan to head to Springfield for cousin Bridgette's bridal shower and a quick visit to mom and Grandpa on the farm. It was fun to briefly see the Richardson ladies and celebrate Bridgette as the bride to be. We also saw the Tapocik family, Michele and Jacob along with Terry and Debbie Knox. Grandpa Richardson and his farm instantly bring back memories of my childhood in the pool and running around his house and property like it was some magical land! Teagan was an angel and equally enjoyed her visit to the farm!