Carter's Balloon Trick

Look What I Can Do

This is Carter's newest trick. Typically then it ends with a front roll and a "Ta-Da!"

I cringe each time praying he does NOT break his neck!

A good quote

"Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be a strong person."

Thanks Ildi for the quote. It is oh so true.....

The Second Trimester has begun.....

Well, I am officially in my second trimester today. 13 weeks along! Now, let's hope all the morning sickness disappears this week too! Only 27 more weeks till we meet baby!

Make a Wish

Happy Birthday Darrell! Cousin Mallory and Carter are helping daddy blow out his candles!

Our Baby

This is a pictures from an ultrasound that I had today. The baby is currently 12.5 weeks old. "It" is quite active. I got to watch the baby move around and kick like crazy. It looked like he/she wanted to "hop" right out of my belly. My new nickname for the baby is "hopper!"

Baking Daddy his Birthday Cake

Tomorrow is Darrell's 32nd Birthday, so Carty and I decided to bake him a cake! Carter LOVED helping me stir, mix and test taste the batter. He put the final touches of sprinkles on too!
Happy Birthday Darrell!

Yes, We're PREGNANT!

Darrell and I are so excited to share this wonderful news! We are expecting BABY #2!!!! I am due June 1st. Carter got to hear the baby's heartbeat at the doctor's office today and had the biggest smile on his face when he heard it! I have definitely been much sicker this time around, but as I approach my second trimester I am feeling better each day. We feel so extremely blessed and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the baby!

The Soon-to-be BIG BROTHER

Some pictures of the soon to be BIG BROTHER Carter in his new shirt!

Dirty Dancing Tickets=Parents Night Out

The four of us getting ready for the show!


Tricia and I LOVED the movie Dirty Dancing. So when we found out the play was coming to Chicago, we hurried up and purchased tickets!

Darrell and I enjoyed an evening out with our friends Tricia and Dan on Saturday. We went to the ever so AWESOME seafood/steak restaurant called NINE and then headed over to the Cadillac Theatre to see Dirty Dancing. The play was incredible and it was nice to have an adult night out! So as the show goes....Nobody puts Baby in the corner!!!

Happy Anniversary

I just wanted to wish my husband a very Happy 3rd wedding Anniversary! Darrell~ I love you more each day and year. You are an amazing partner and father. I am so blessed to have found you. Thank you for the beautiful flowers too. You made my day. Cheers to many more years of marriage bliss together. Love always~D

Guess Who is 20 months old today?

This 20 month old can put his very own hat on. And prefers to do it HIS way!


This 20 month old LOVES to run around the park!

This 20 month old knows how to play Peek-A-Boo with mommy!

This 20 month old knows how to play nice with his friends and is enjoying snack with them!

This 20 month old knows how to share snacks with his friends~

Future President of CommonMan

Hmmm....dad is not lookings, so maybe I should just press a few keys.....

ok, daddy let's work on the computer together. You can show me how to "work!"

Darrell's dream come true.... a son whom is as passionate about "puters" as he is!

Carter and I stopped by the CommonMan office to visit daddy today and then had lunch together.

Trick or Treat

This year Carter officially trick or treated and he had a BLAST! We went with his cousins (Jake, Lily, Kyle & Kora) cousin Tonya and Aunt Rene too. Carter did a great job keeping up with the big kids, but mostly preferred to suck on his Tootsie Pop and let mommy and daddy carry his treat bag around. He even tried his first piece of cotton candy. Yum! The weather was beautiful and it was a perfect night for Halloween!

Welcome to the family baby Katherine Cruz

Last Tuesday we welcomed a new additon to the Cruz family. My Uncle Joe and his wife Tracy had a little girl! Katherine "Katie" Cruz arrived healthy and big bro Kyle & big sis Kora eagerly awaited her homecoming. Carter and I got to meet baby Katie for the first time on Friday. Carter wasn't jealous at all that I was holding her. He did come by a few times to point at her, but then was off playing with the bigger kids. Baby Katie is a real cutie. I didn't get a chance though to take any pictures. Hopefully, we will get some soon and update the blog! Congratulations~

Bath time Fun

What could be more fun than sharing a bath with another little person? Carter was taking a bath and when cousin Lily caught wind of it, she stripped her clothes off and hopped in!