Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

Lillie enjoying her bubble bath. Patrick bought her a new bottle of "Mr. Bubble" because, apparently, the bubble bath stuff I bought was totally inferior. I guess he was right, because Lillie never wanted to submerge herself in bubbles before...

Thank goodness there's an architect in the house...

...or this Gingerbread house would have been Gingerbread crumbs. Thanks, Pat, for the consultation and the fantastic structural reinforcements. Here we are decorating the house and Pat's handy work.

Catching Up

Here are a few moments in time from this past week...

First tooth!
Charlotte is getting her first tooth! Yea!

When does it happen?
This past week I have been wondering when is it that suddenly my little toddler became a little girl. I know, it sounds silly, but all the sudden Lillie's manners have kicked in, she starts conversations about everything, etc. For example, we often play doctor/nurse with her dolls and stuffed animals. (I'm waiting for the day she wants to use Charlotte as an unknowing subject!) She will come up with an ailment for her "friends". On Thursday it was a stomach ache.
"Lillie, why does Teddy Bear have a stomach ache?"
"He ate too much cereal."
Then it was my turn to be the patient.
"Lillie, what do you think is wrong with Mommy?" (no comments from the peanut gallery out there!)
"You have a stomach ache."
"I do... why?"
"Too many coffees."
See, they don't miss a beat. I guess I'm thankful she didn't say "Too much Jack." or "Too many vinos." Whew!

He gave me a back massage
Early Friday morning about 4:30am, Lillie came in our room and said she was scared. Pat went in her room to find out she was afraid of a "face" on the ceiling. Pat moved some things around to get rid of the shadow. Lillie came in our room about 4 more times. I finally gave in and stayed in her bed for a few minutes until we were SURE the face wasn't there.
On Friday afternoon the conversation went like this:
"I came in your room last night."
"Yes, Lillie, why did you?"
"I don't know. He gave me a back massage."
"Who did? Daddy when he put you to bed?"
"No, the face on the wall. It wasn't a scary face. It was a happy face and he gave me a back massage."
Hmmmm.... Well, all I can say is I want that kind of happy face on MY wall!

Lillie Scissorhands

For about a month now, Lillie has been asking me for "safety scissors" like she uses at preschool. Yesterday I finally remembered them and picked up a pair and some more construction paper. Since yesterday, Lillie has cut through about 1/4 of the pack of paper. Just cutting. "Look Mom, I can cut." "Look, Charlotte. Look at me." First words out of her mouth this morning when she got up? "Good morning Mommy, I love you." No, scratch that. "Where are my scissors?" So here is a partial pile of her work.
Since Charlotte was napping, I decided to join in the fun of 'craft day'. Here is... well... we'll call him "Art" short for "Artsy Fartsy" guy. I thought he needed a little Christmas cheer. Nothing some felt, cotton balls, and a glue gun can't fix! Hey, it's better than one of those geese dressed up on our front step, right??

And, lastly, for the Borzenski siblings...I'm sure you all remember this man in front of Grandma Sulzer's house. I've updated him and made him eco-friendly by putting in a compact flourescent bulb this year. He also stays inside because chances are he would soon be flying without he sleigh and reindeer if left outside in Chicago. HO! HO! HO!

I'm a lumberjack and I don't care!

We spent Thanksgiving in beautiful (ahem!) Lansing, Michigan. Good food, family, and great fun was had by all. Well, except for Lillie shouting "NO! Not Oliver" each time he came near her. Didn't phase Oliver a bit. BIG, BIG hugs and kisses for Lillie. I think, like so many men do, he just kept doing it to get a rise out of her! HaHa! Here are some pics of the wonderful, crazy day.
Clockwise: Dave with all the fixins!; Meghan, Brian & Oliver; The West Family; and GGma & Charlotte



To bring our Thanksgiving weekend to a close, we joined Kathy, Dave, Jennie, Dan, Oliver, and Sophia on a trip to Anna Louisa's Christmas Tree farm to cut down our very own tree. It was cold and snowy... a perfect Christmas-tree-getting day. Who knew Pat was so handy with a saw? Here's Mr. Lumberjack contemplating which is the right tree. Oh yeah, with Charlotte in tow.Fell that tree, Patrick! (Seriously, I've never understood the whole "fell a tree" thing.)For those of you thinking, "oh, poor Charlotte",don't. She was fine. Just fine.


We made it home with the tree in one piece! Yea! We got it decorated, well, "we" started and Mom finished. Lillie became totally distracted by the jingle bell ornaments that I bought this year. So yeah, I guess it's my fault I didn't get any help after I opened those. Here are the girls enjoying them. And so Christmas Season begins...

Music, Macy's Tree, Nap

Last Saturday, November 22, was the annual lighting of the Michigan Avenue lights here in Chicago. The parade is led every year by the one and only (as far as the kids know!) Mickey Mouse.
This year, we took Lillie down to see Justin Roberts in concert. She was ECSTATIC!!! Seriously, we couldn't control her.
Lillie has always been a "wait by the sidelines" kinda gal until she is truly ready to dive in. She eventually warmed up to the idea when I told her that there was a puppet on stage talking. She climbed aboard Pat's shoulders and enjoyed the rest of the concert!
















We then headed over to Macy's on State Street to see "the tree". It is absolutely gorgeous this year. I won't spoil it for anyone that has not see it yet and plans to. But I will say if you are on the fence, go. Lillie picked out a few ornaments, we had lunch, and I'm pretty sure we wore her out. Night, night Lillie.

Oh yeah, it was my birthday, too. The 8th anniversary of my 29th birthday. Any comments on the number of candles and you will be banned from viewing this blog!

Lastly, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone. Safe travels if you are headed to a destination and enjoy! I am just finishing this up so we can hit the road ourselves back to Michigan.

Southpaw for Patrick

Here's a little clip of Charlotte in "action." You will notice the ball is in her left hand. To quote my wonderful hubby... "Well, if I can't get a boy out of the deal, at least (maybe) I'll get a southpaw." We'll see, Patrick, we'll see.

What, Why, and How

As I sit and type this tonight, it is really snowing for the first time. Not flurries, snow. It's trying to stick to the ground. I hope it doesn't succeed for too long. Just not ready for that.
So, as we've all witnessed, it seems that the "Christmas Season" gets started a little earlier each year. Pretty soon, Christmas in July will really be Christmas in July. To that note, Pat DVR'd "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" last night. Now, Lillie watched this (we actually have the DVD, but if you know any man he will record and/or watch a movie/show on TV 1000 times before he has to get up, find the DVD, and actually put it in the player...) a million times last year. And to our enjoyment she called the green guy "the *itch" which I KNOW she didn't mean to say, it's just how it came out in her 2-year old voice. "MORE *itch, MORE *itch" we would hear.
It's so different this time around... now it's:
"Why does the dog have a horn on his head?"
"Why he has scary eyes?" (Yes, that's 3 year old grammar)
"Why he is taking all the ornaments off the tree?"
"Why is the dog pulling the slay."
"What's he doing?"
"Wow, that's a long rope."
"Oh, look at the pretty houses. They are all decorated."
Can't wait for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...

A Beautiful November Day

We were lucky enough this week to have a few beautiful, 70+ degree days to enjoy. We took advantage on Wednesday and went to Lake Katherine. Lillie loved the waterfall. She was sure that it was warm enough to go swimming and kept asking if she could go in the water with the ducks.

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Nope... just Lillie. Thankfully after telling me (in August) that she wanted to be a pumpkin for Halloween she didn't change her mind. Lillie talked a good game about going trick or treating, but when it came down to it she should have been dressed as a CHICKEN! Oh well, I guess I'm a little happy that she doesn't like going up to "strange" houses and asking for candy!

While Pat took Lillie around the block, Charlotte and I enjoyed a gorgeous Halloween night on the steps handing out candy. And Halloween 2008 is in the books!

A Pumpkin As Big As Daddy's Head

Can it be? Well, I don't know but that was Lillie's goal as we set out on an adventure to Bengston's Pumpkin Farm.
First things first. A pig race. Here are Pat and Lillie looking as though they have just finished watching the last Cubs game or they are watching a pig race. It is just THAT exciting.

After the pig races (as if you could top that!)Lillie was ready to find a pumpkin. "I want to find one big as Daddy's head." Ok, here we go! It turns out not only did Lillie want a big one but she also picked every non-traditional (round, orange) pumpkin there was. I asked "Lillie, why do you want the bumpy one?" Lillie said "Because it's different." There you have it. I guess that reasoning will be ok until she brings home her first boyfriend. Lillie followed through with "different" into carving her pumpkin of many eyes and Pat's more traditional face.

3:51 To Finish

Ok, so it's a very weak reference to 3:10 To Yuma, but maybe some of you got it!
Patrick did it! Yea! 3 hours and 51 minutes. Fantastic time for a first time marathoner, I think.
Here is Patrick and Lillie proudly displaying Patrick's medal.
Lillie asked "Daddy, why you get a medal? Did you win the race?" Now, at this point I might have told her "Heck yeah, I won!" But Patrick was too honest and disclosed the fact that everybody gets one.
I asked Pat how it went since it was, once again, a very warm day here in Chicago (85). He replied, "It went well, although the last 4 miles were pretty tough." Well, if it was only the last 4 miles, here's to ya! Great job, Pat! We are all so proud of you and love you very much.

On Your Mark. Get Set. GO!

And they're off! Patrick will be joining 44,999 of his closest friends tomorrow running the Chicago Marathon-- 26.2 miles. Good news is that it is supposed to be a very nice day. Bad news... well... it's 26.2 miles. So, here is a "before" picture of Patrick. Make sure to check back tomorrow evening for an updated picture. I'm thinking it will be Patrick on the couch, preferred beverage in hand and a bottle of Advil close by.

He has prepped this evening with his pre-long run meal of spaghetti smothered in butter with mushrooms and parmesean cheese. Mmmmm! He is staying downtown tonight with friends so they can just walk on over to the starting line.
Patrick has worked very hard over the past 17 weeks to get ready for this momentous life experience. Great job Patrick!! We are all routing for you (and feeling REALLY glad it's not us! Ha ha!).
For those of you that want to track Patrick online his bib number is 18208. Just go to www.chicagomarathon.com. Under "Spectators & Volunteers" select "Runner Tracking." Scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the link. You can elect to receive updates via e-mail, cell phone, or pager.
Good luck Patrick!! Good luck Daddy!!! WE LOVE YOU!

For my cousin Oliver

Happy 3rd Birthday Oliver!

Maybe somebody spilled applejuice on it

First, I have to start off by updating you on preschool. So much for no drama. I guess Lillie didn't realize that preschool was a CONTINUOUS activity. Day 2 proved that point. Crying, clinging, "mommy, don't go." Oh, what's a mom to do... leave, that's what. No, it wasn't easy. I went directly to my car, cried, called Pat, cried, and felt like the worst mother EVER! That feeling soon passed when I learned that after I left she said to her teacher, Ms. Podlasek, "You're going to teach me letters. Thanks." AAAARRRGGHH!
We have just completed the third week and Lillie has adjusted nicely. She even lets me drop her off instead of walking her to her classroom. Whew! She won't be a preschool dropout like her daddy.
"Mommy, why is the sidewalk a different color?"
"I don't know, Lillie. Why do you think it's a different color?"
"Maybe somebody spilled applejuice on it."
These are the conversations I have with my little curious-minded Lillie. Someone should really calculate how many calories you expend answering "why" questions. I probably wouldn't have to workout so much.

1,2 buckle my shoe. 3, 4 head out the door

To preschool! First day of school jitters, anxiety, can't sleep the night before... and that was just me! I can't believe my little girl is off to preschool. Yeah, yeah, it's only 3 days/week for 2.5 hours a day but hey! It's a start. Then you start wondering -- what will happen when Pat and I leave the room? Will she scream? Cry? Both? Cling onto my leg like it's a flotation device in the deep sea? Well, in Lillie's case- neither. Kind of broke my heart a little. Here I am, almost an emotional wreck and Lillie just hangs her backpack on a hook, walks into the "green door room", makes a b-line over to the "house" section and grabs her favorite baby to play with. Humph!

She then simply looked up at me and said "you're gonna come back and pick me up?" That's it. Pat, Charlotte, and I left the room and this chapter in our, oops- Lillie's life began.

I picked her up promptly at 3pm. She said "Thanks for letting me go to preschool today." And here is her very first school project! Awesome job, Lillie! Not bad handwriting for an almost 3 year old, huh?

I don't NEED a NAP!

Yesterday, we took a little trip to Lillie's preschool so she could meet her classmates and teacher. We returned home a little after 3pm and I told her it was time for a short nap. "NO! I don't NEED a NAP!" Many of you know, you just don't try to reason with an almost 3 year old, much less an over-tired 3 year old. A short while later...

Road Trippin'

Ahhh... Labor Day weekend. The close of summer with BBQ's, family, cold beverages, good times.

The Borzenski's set off on our first road trip with the girls Labor Day weekend. We packed the minivan and set off to Lansing, Michigan- woo-hoo!

I joined Uncle Brian and Patrick for a little golf... after a 3.5 year hiatus from swinging a club unless it was of the Fisher Price variety (boy I can hit a mean drive with those plastic clubs!)I can't complain. It was just like riding a bicycle, or maybe a unicycle? I managed to hit the ball so I guess that's all that matters for now. Patrick and Brian did very well and I hear tell that Patrick actually hit a green on a drive on a par 4. Dunno, I wasn't there to see it and it may have been after the boys had finished their six pack. Hmmmm....



We all celebrated Grandpa Borzenski's birthday which was wonderful. Lillie and Emmie were most helpful in helping Grandpa open his presents.


Lillie and Oliver also enjoyed some time poolside with Grandpa. Which, although he never stepped foot in the pool seemed to get the wettest.


We took the clan a bit further to Lake Orion to visit Kim and Wesley. Grandma and Grandpa Hammonds were also visiting from Alabama. What you don't see here is Lillie's little accidental dip in the lake... "daddy, the bottom of the lake is fuzzy!"


Last but certainly not least, Charlotte got to meet her Great Grandma Borzenski (G-Gma, as we like to call her)!

No! That's MY sister!

Ahhh... a day at the zoo. Lillie opened up the greeting to her friend Henry with "NO! That's MY sister Charlotte!" when Henry wanted to see Charlotte... and so the day began!

It was a fantastic day to spend at the zoo with great friends. Henry's sister Claudia celebrated her 1st birthday and we got a free air show out of the deal, too. The Blue Angels were flying overhead practicing for the air and water show this weekend and Lillie enjoyed every minute. Charlotte was a little bit TERRIFIED of the noise but she quickly became accustomed to it.

Pssst... hey daddy! Look what mom let me have for lunch!

Hey, after all it was Claudia's birthday!

How you doin'?

Didn't have any doughnuts...!

Borzenski-Chicago-01

posted by Patrick -

My procrastination is famous. So I apologize to all of you who are learning about our new family addition now.

Charlotte Amalie Borzenski was born May 22, 2008 at 6:30 pm. She weighed 7-pounds 10-ounces and was 20-inches long. At the same age, she is a spitting image of her big sister Lillie Ruth. Plumper checks, but uncanny how similar they look.

Charlotte now weighs 7-pounds 12-ounces and is 20.5-inches long...Nice. She is sleeping, eating and pooping like a champion.

Jen is recovering nicely. The labor went well as she pushed for about a half-hour after about 10-hours of labor progression. Now all of her body parts are beginning to go back where they should be for which she is grateful. She is re-adjusting to the fact that she has become a human food trough once again. We are sleeping about 5 to 6 hours a night which is OK for now.

Lillie is a bit jealous of her little sister right now, but she is getting more comfortable every day. She is starting to understand that this "thing" may not be going back wherever it came from. We did tell her that Charlotte came from Mommy's belly, but she just shrugged that off quickly and said, "that's silly." Good job Lillie. Lillie likes to hold Charlotte and give her many STRONG kisses and hugs. Tough love from big sister from now until...well, forever. Lillie likes to comment on her "tiny" fingers and hands and toes and legs and... You get the idea.

Jen and my hearts ache for Lillie as she adjusts to this new "thing". It is a hard balance even for me who loves her so much and has tried to pour so much love and attention her way for 2.5-years now. We try to be patient and let this be as fluid as possible. However, Lillie has to work on her inside voice...now, please.

I am going back to work full-time tomorrow (6/9/08), so Jen is mentally preparing herself for baby X 2 boot camp. Let's all try and support the juggling she now has to do. I am sure she will get much help from her good friends in our neighborhood; some of whom are going through similar additions.

Thank you to Jen's Mom, Sheila. She was here for almost two weeks helping out wherever she could. This transition has been easier because of her.

That's it for now. Charlotte is stirring.

Love and peace to you all. Patrick.