Skyline

I love the feeling I get when I see the skyline of a big city we're headed to from the highway.

Exciting.

We had such a fun first visit to Chicago a couple of weeks ago.

So much fun that I didn't take many pictures with the Nikon. Too busy looking up and around.

We spent most of the time at the Shedd Aquarium, where we saw the aquatic show...

(Verdict: Baltimore's is way better.)

We also got to pet sting rays! 

(Verdict: they feel surprisingly slimy and just, gross. Sorry rays.)

Some funny Chicago stories...

We were supposed to meet my cousins at 10am at Shedd. 

We totally forgot about the hour time difference and ended up downtown at 8:30CT. 

Oops.

We had the hardest time finding a place for lunch.

We had spent so much time at the aquarium that by the time we left the kids were really antsy.

(^ that is an understatement, folks! ^)

With the aid of our combined smart phones, we finally found an open place near Millenium park.

It was called "The Tilted Kilt."

Of course Matt and I had no idea what a Tilted Kilt was, being the naive, sheltered kids we are. ;)

But we figured it out pretty quick once we saw the hostess.

However, the restaurant was practically empty, and the kids were nuts. And we were all starving.

So...mistake or not, we just ate there.

And laughed the whole time, because seriously, WTH were we doing? 

(But to their credit, the waitress behaved extremely well and was super nice and the food was good.)

Mt. Pisgah

Also over the past weird, chilly weekend: we climbed Mt. Pisgah.

(Which is really just a huge sand dune.)

There were a whole mess of stairs to climb.
(239 to be exact.)

But the view from the top is worth every step.

But then you have to climb back down...

...Which totally justifies a stop for ice cream, amiright?

^ (He's righteously ticked off that he can't eat ice cream too. Darn milk allergies.) ^

We walked by Lake Macatawa on our way back to the car, just as it started to rain.

I love exploring this area! I feel anxious to see as much as we can outdoors before the weather gets seriously cold. It's coming all too soon - this summer is passing much too quickly! 

Like Christmas In July?

This weekend the weather changed dramatically.

You could feel the difference most at the beach, where temps were under 60*F and very windy.

We had to all wear jackets, and were still freezing!

I love the constantly changing weather and landscape of Lake Michigan.

However, I was a bit freaked out by the cold.

Because I am in no way shape or form ready to say goodbye to summer yet.

(Luckily the sun's supposed to come warm things back up this week. Yay!)

^ This girl loves sand. ^

^ Despite the rip current warnings, there were still para-surfers (right word for it?) Crazies. ^

^ Big Red really pops when it's stormy. ^

^ Can't tell if he's giving the stink eye to me or Olive, but it was probably me (for lagging behind taking pictures of his bum. ;) ^

Missing

I love my husband's job for one main reason: it makes him really happy.

I love love love that he's blessed with a job that he enjoys. It's a privilege. 

The thing I hate most about his job is that it requires him to travel.

I'm so excited that he gets the opportunity to travel, and I'm really proud of him.

I just really, really hate being left behind every time.

Last night he flew into NYC (first time he's ever been there.)

We had always hoped/daydreamed we'd be able to visit for the first time together (sigh.)

When he called last night he said "this would be so much more fun if you were here."

And of course I cried in the most unattractive, blubbering way.

Because he is really, really sweet and loving that man of mine.

And I am really very pregnant and emotional this week.

And I don't even know what the point of this post even is.

But I'm sure I'll look back on it in a couple of years and be like,

"Gosh I was a big whiny baby. Grow up already 27 year old me. Ugggh."

But I'm posting it anyway because, gosh darn it, I'm a pregnant mom with two crazy kids, and it's raining outside this morning so there goes our "wear the kids out at the park" plan of attack, and my husband's waking up in a beautiful hotel room in Manhattan this morning, and our kid that looks just like him woke me up at freakin' 6 AM, and why is it so hard for me to fall asleep when he's out of town, and man my back hurts, and now our other kid (who also looks just like him) is yelling at me from the bathroom to come wipe her bum.

I most definitely will regret this post.

(Apologies future much more mature me.)

Happy Friday! Here's a Bunch Of Phone Pictures!

^^ Before the weather got so hot, we were having fun going to the park almost every day. ^^

^^ My kids are in love with their Auntie Grace. I'm so thankful for the time we have with her! ^^

^^ The splash pad downtown is our favorite summer spot, ever. We spend most evenings there. ^^

^^ Grace bought a car, and it has a sun roof! :) Yay for sister dates and girl time!! ^^

^^ 16 weeks. The "bump" is getting bigger every day. ^^

^^ It is taking Silas a long time to warm up to the fountains at the splash pad... ^^

^^ ...He likes it best when Mommy or Daddy are getting soaked with him. ^^

^^ Matt and I finally got to watch the sun set over the lake. It was beautiful. ^^

Anyone have fun weekend plans?

We're heading to Chicago tomorrow to visit with some awesome people,

and take the kids to the Shedd Aquarium! So excited!

Lovely Maternity & Etc.

Image source

As the weeks fly by by and my waist expands, I've been thinking more and more about maternity style. I try to avoid thinking about it as long as possible, but at some point it becomes a necessity.

My personal philosophy on maternity style is to get by with as few traditional "maternity"pieces as possible, and to invest in pieces that will not only work for pregnancy but also in that awkward, nursing postpartum phase. Not an easy order, but do-able with some hunting and patience. I also believe that looking good and feeling confident about your appearance is good medicine for your stress levels, mood and energy, so I personally think it's worth it to purchase a few special things during pregnancy that make you feel pretty and put together. Pregnancy is tough enough, man, without feeling frumpy!

One of my biggest maternity style inspirations has been blogger and mother to two, Naomi Davis. I love the idea (and practice!) of wearing vintage during pregnancy. So feminine and pretty.

Another huge influence and inspiration: photographer Tim Coulson's wife, Kesh. Lots of maxi dresses, loose fits from American Apparel and menswear inspired outfits. She makes everything look effortless and fresh. 

Last of all, even though it's been years since this maternity series was done, I'm still in love with the photos Ryan Marshall did of his wife Cole. She wore a lot of basic, non-maternity American Apparel, and looked amazing through all 40 weeks. 

I think these tunic dresses from Vanilla and Lace are absolutely lovely, and perfect. 

Vanilla and Lace also makes beautiful baby clothes!

ASOS is a great maternity resource, with unique pieces at affordable prices.

Thief and Bandit sells pretty maxi dresses and leggings, (not maternity, but could easily work in pregnancy.) I love the fun patterns on their clothing, (and their kids selection is adorable!)

P.S: I have to also somewhat guiltily admit in a post like this, I'm a sucker for Forever 21 during pregnancy. (Alright, I'm always a sucker for the Forever 21.) You're sure to always find something stretchy, trendy and cute there (even if it falls apart three days later.)

Summer Saturday

Yesterday started out hot, and continued to get hotter.

It felt really, really good to me.

We decided to take Grace (my sister, who just moved in with us for the time being,) on a Frey family-favorites walking tour of downtown Grand Rapids. A stop at Madcap for iced lattes, and some fun with the sculptures at Calder Plaza were had. I continue to grow more fond of this strange-to-me, little midwest city. It's calling me to explore.

After our long walk, we got mexican food for lunch, watched the kids play at the mall, came home and took naps and then walked quite a bit in downtown Holland after letting the kids cool down at the splash pad.

I paid for all the walking this morning. The newest, most frustrating thing about this pregnancy is a little thing called "round ligament pain" which I had never experienced before up until the last two weeks. My OB warned me that I would probably experience a lot more aches and pains this time around because it's a third baby and all those lower muscles have already been through a lot of stretching and pulling, but I didn't believe her. But I'm now ready to concede to my doctor, and accept that she is right, and gosh - it's not fun.

Also, there has been much debate lately about whether or not to find out the sex of this little one. We found out with our other two, and it was so much fun, but something tells us this might be the last baby, and therefor might be the last chance for such a big surprise. What to do, what to do...