And a good day was had by all.

Happy Father’s Day, Dads!
Happy Birthday, Nikki!
Happy summer everyone!

Last night Fitz and I were snuggled up on couches, cheering on the Blackhawks to a thrilling victory and a berth to the Stanley Cup finals. As we yelled and shot our fists up in excitement, I marveled at how cool this hockey journey has been…both for the team, who started off the delayed season with a BANG, and even for me, who six-ish years ago, was a complete novice to the sport. Fitz and his brother Matt took me under their wing (no pun intended), and taught me the ropes- explaining why Chicago’s young talent was so special and unique, how Rocky Wirtz stepping into the spotlight assisted with getting the fans into the seats, and how momentum kept building from there. This team has breathed new life into the Chicago sports world.

This entire weekend I’ve been masquerading as an artist, both during the day and at night. My DIY abstract project has required a few daily sessions complete with brushes, water, acrylics, and sponges. It feels awesome and completely strange to dip my toe into a hobby that is not my own. Realization is building that this huge thing is going to be in my living room soon, and truthfully? I’m kind of freaking out about that part. Especially because Fitz just walked in and goes, “Oh yeah, I liked the heart in the bottom corner…” (have no clue what that means, as I did not paint anything that resembles a heart). 

Pretzel bagels (!!!)

Gearing up both my outfit and my heart today for the engagement party of two people that I love so very much: Matt & Nikki. They are our family, our best friends, babysitters extraordinaire to Wells, generous in spirit, and absolutely hilarious company. To get to raise a glass and cheers to their love is something I cannot wait to do (plus, again, anything that involves me shopping at Crate & Barrel is a blessed occasion).

Beautiful message at church this morning that talked extensively about compassion. I want to have more of it and let it become a part of my everyday life.

I am reading and re-reading books all day, everyday. Children’s books, books I selected from the library, book recommendations, and books that will hopefully help get me from here to there. I love the feeling of finishing a book and thinking/reflecting/analyzing/dreaming of it for days after. Each day I keep nudging toward that dream that my book is right on the horizon. One foot in front of the other. 

(photo taken this morning)

The vet specialist’s office has to be one of the saddest places I have ever been. 

There are animals everywhere suffering, and alongside these sweet creatures sit their suffering owners. There are not good moods to be found; the atmosphere is tense. Sitting in the waiting room is torture, but hearing our names called is even more scary.

Despite all of this, I tried to be brave…for both my dog and my son (and Fitz, who couldn’t be there). This is my family and I need to be strong for them.

While juggling loud, wiggly Wells, his snacks, his toy phone, my purse, and Theo, a huge lump formed in my throat as the vet discussed the pros and cons of the recommended procedure. My eyes grew to the size of watermelons when I was given the estimated bill (basically equivalent to a down payment on a car). Hot tears flowed down my cheeks as I signed the scary paperwork that talks about the ‘what ifs.’ I wanted to cling to my little dog, bury my sobbing face into his soft black fur, and never let him go, but I knew he was sick and needed this procedure. When they took him from my arms and carried him into the surgical area, I called Fitz and did the ugly cry while attempting to explain what was going on. 

I tried to stay busy throughout the day but I was a bundle of anxiety. I shared a guacamole salad with Wells. I went on a half-assed run in the neighborhood (took a short cut; felt really sluggish). I put on Wells’ favorite tv show so that he could practice his dance moves. Just when I thought I was going to lose my mind, I got the call…that Theo was doing GREAT! Relief! JOY! SWEET, SWEET HAPPINESS!

He is waking from the anesthesia and will be ready for pickup very soon. 

I cannot wait to go get my sweet boy!

:)

My perfect day:
Brunch at Lula Cafe
The Art Institute of Chicago
Red lipstick and dark skinny jeans
Blue skies and green trees
Love + family

After spending the entire morning shampooing carpets in the basement, and having Fitz make a whole lot of dumb jokes involving carpets + drapes, I’m happy to report  that the furniture will soon be moved back into place…which means that our rec room, home office, and play room will once again be in functioning order (HELL TO THE YES, no more tripping over toys in the kitchen!).

Hard to believe that it’s been about 3 1/2 weeks since I woke up to a flood and posted this (BTW? That necklace would make a swell birthday gift). Huge thanks to my Dad, who kicked serious ass at this rehab project and kept my spirits high every day. :) Tomorrow may be mother’s day, but everyday of my life is father’s day with a dad like him.

We ventured to Chicago around noon to take Theo to the vet, and get a referral for a specialist. My little woof continues to battle health issues that mystify doctors and frustrate me. Let’s just say that I look forward to one day having conversations in which the words ‘anus’ and ‘rectum’ are used at an absolute minimum (yeah, that’s right, I went there). 

Post-vet, we went to Panozzo’s, a favorite spot in the South Loop and one of the best damn Italian markets in all of Chicago. I had a mushroom conserva cresentine (pictured) with whipped ricotta, balsamic onions, and greens, and I damn near made love to that sandwich, it was so good (yes, I realize that I’m giving you all sorts of visuals with my posts today; enjoy!).

Now I’m going to work on motivation for a run. I think I can…I really should…

Running late for a Mother’s Day celebration for my mom-in-law, and invitation-stuffing soirée for my brother-in-law’s upcoming nuptials.

Combined for a good time.

In a place I love with the ones I love.

(was a tad chilly) 

• High-waisted denim shorts would go right back to the 80’s, never to be seen or heard from again
• I had a full-time barista on staff (you know, if I actually had a staff)
• Greek yogurt didn’t taste like wallpaper paste
• I could be the kind of girl that always wore the right socks and hosiery: MATCHING trouser socks for dressy occasions, knee socks for boots, tights in the fall, Spanx when I’m off my game, ankle socks that aren’t too thin, etc. 
• People were more compassionate. Bums me out to see so much rudeness. 
• I could properly thank my dad for all the ways in which he helps. For installing a dimmer switch, playing with Wells, or taking on a humongous post-flood renovation project…I always feel like I can’t properly show my gratitude.
• Heidi Klum was still married to Seal (this thought was random; watching Project Runway on DVR right now)

Wore sequins + scarves
Watched dry wall get ripped out
Selected four books from the library (it’s been years)
Put a Groupon to good use
Watched my niece play the violin at her orchestra concert (!)
Sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law
Introduced Wells to oxfords + Epic Burger (he got to hold onto my lucky number)

And I washed it all down with a slice of the world’s most liberally sprinkled cake 

We adopted Theo Huxtable*, our sweet Boston Terrier, in May of 2010 (we worked with a great rescue).  Our lives instantly became better the moment we opened the car door to let him bound on in. 

I proudly walked him all over Chicago, and marveled at the fact that he never, ever barked. We took him along on a trip out east (a getaway we cleverly titled “A Boston Goes to Boston!”). We brought him on boat rides at the lake house. I eventually gave up and stopped correcting people who would exclaim, “Look at the French Bulldog!”  Sometimes he slept in his bed. Sometimes he slept in our bed.

“Just wait till you have children. It won’t be the same. Your dog will just be a dog.” -a whole bunch of people

Turns out…you can live your life in accordance to your own rules.

Yes, we adore our child. And yes, we still adore our dog. We did not cast him off the moment we became parents. We don’t love him less or more. Our capacity to love is not limited. I firmly believe that children and animals have their own special language, and supportive evidence to this theory is witnessed on the regular. The dynamic between Wells + Theo? Remarkable. Wells lights up like a Christmas tree when Theo bounds into his nursery first thing in the morning. Theo still sleeps next to the glider every time I nurse. When we take walks together, Wells will crane his little neck to see what new tree Theo is marking.

I love this dog for accepting us as his family.
I love him for all the times I was sick, sad, weeping, and sobbing, and sought comfort in nuzzling his soft black fur.
I love him for the moments in which I playfully chased him around the living room or showed him what Santa left in his stocking (always a rope toy, his fave). 
I love him because he chose to love us.

Yesterday, Theo turned 4 years old (or I guess, 28 in dog years). After all this time, he is still the best around, still the apple of my eye. 

Happy birthday, sweet puppy.  

*Yes, I really did name our dog after Malcolm-Jamal Warner.