Where Have We Been?

Wine Tasting

Andria's Bachlorette Party

Chicago Summer 2009

I have been a very bad blogger but I am updating you all of life over the last two months:

Matt celebrated his 27th birthday on June 9th. I went to Home Depot, with the help of my dad, and bought him a table saw! Sweet! I got the biggest kiss EVER! We celebrated with friends @ Buffalo Wild Wings while we watched UFC 99, which was an awesome card and had great fights!

July 3, we celebrated our first anniversary. I woke up to a beautiful day at my parent's house, very similar to the day we got married. As the day went by, I watched the clock and recalled the events by hour: leaving my house @ 8:30; 9:00-12:30: having a blast at Ulta getting our hair and make up done, being as calm and giddy as could be; 1:00: lunch @ the Attards; 1:30-3:00: putting on my dress; pictures with the best bridal party, my family and that bus ride over to the church, singing, Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married" while drinking sparkling champagne; 4:00: walking down the aisle as if I was walking on air: 4:45: "I Do", 7 pm: cocktail hour; 8 pm-12:00: danced our butts off. Our wedding day is one of the most amazing days of our lives; we are so blessed to have spent it with our closest family and friends.

July 4th: Wine Tasting on the North Fork on LI with my Bayport ladies

July 11th: Poll Dancing for Andria's Bachelorette Party

So we come to the present. This past weekend, Matt, myself and his mom traveled out to Chicago, Ill for a midsummer Leonhard reunion. It's the first time we've seen his dad's family since the wedding a year ago. For me, it was a much needed dose of relaxation and familiy time. Aunt Laurie and Uncle Mark played host; I think she finished the basement just for us so we would visit more often :) Saturday morning was breakfast at the Junction, trip to Schnucks, an awesome grocery store because they sell wine and liquor in it and a drive to Chrissy's for the famuly gathering at the local park. I kicked Matt's butt in baggo, played softball in flipflops, watched Matt strike out against a 10 year old pitcher ( I swear its true)and played on the playground with my new best friend, Clara.
If you never realized how long its been since you've seen family, look at the little ones! They have grown up so much since the last time I saw them; Parker running around and actually holding my hand as we crossed the street; Clara telling me she was so happy that Matt married me and Jack, Gordy, Will and Spencer playing baseball...it was a blast. I really miss having little cousins around because you can play little kid games again that adults really aren't suppose to.
Matt has always been the "favorite nephew" of the family, even before his father's passing from what they tell me. His father meant so much to all of them and his loss was tragic and sudden. Matt's cousin Erik and I had spoken a few months back about a scrapbook Anita had made him during the holidays. Eric has always been compared to Bill; his wacky personality for the most part and he was always very fond of him; which is why he named one of his son's Will. Matt and I don't have any pictures of him at the house so Erik rounded up the Aunties and gave us 2 books of pictures of Bill with various members of the famuly. Aunt Anita had an extra surprise; 3 yearbooks from when his father was in HS. It was something very sentimental; something I know we will appreciate forever. The more pictures I see of Bill and the more I get to know him, I think he'd be very proud of how his son turned out....
Sunday was all about the Cubs. Matt and I were on the road @ 8 am to travel from the Suburbs into the city to watch his favorite baseball team ever. I can see a twinkle in his eyes as we drove in; the excitement in his smile and overwhelming desire to just get there as he bobbed around in his seat. We hit a minor snag in the trip; when we got to the airport to get the train, we realized we let the camera at the hotel. No way we were making this trip without a camera; cabbed it back to the hotel, got the camera and we were on our way...Wrigley Field here we come...

Outside the stadium as we came out of the subway was electrifying; people were covered from head to toe in Cubbies red, white and blue. The streets were packed with fans of all ages, with dad's carryign their son's and daughters on their shoulders to the local bars packed with roudy college kids. Seats for the bleachers section wrapped around two blocks, two and a half hours before game time. As the gates opened, they run for the best seats in the house. Wrigleyville itself is an amazing place, with townhouses bought by corportation with bleachers on the rooftops, restaurants and bars inside with black and white pictures remembering the good old days. Wrigley field, a historic landmark of Chicago, was breathtaking. Walking up the ramp, behind home plate, you saw the old school scoreboard area with the empty bleachers, looking like the Alter of Wrigley field; the bright green ivy covering the walls reflected perfectly off the bright blue sky. It gave me goosebumps and it was the perfect day for baseball.
We sat in on the third baseline; section 7, row 7, seats 4-5; right behind the pitcher's dugout of the Cubbies. I've never been so close to a baseball diamond like this in my life. The players were within arm reach; handing out autograph balls to the little kids with their oversized jerseys and painted faces. Their faces were in awe of the players; probably similar to mine.
As the Cubs beat Cinncinati, I stood with Matt singing "Go Cubs Go" as they raised the white flag with a "W", a tradition that was starting when the stadium first open so that fans who did not attend the game, knew the final outcome. I was sad to leave such a beautiful place but it was the best way to spend it...just with Matt.

This vacation was shortlived but we'll be back in Chicago for Christmas this year; something that we are extremely excited about. Matt has never spent Christmas with his dad's side of the family; I think his dad would be happy to see us all together as a family, the way he always wanted it to be....

A Growing Puppy and Memorial Day Weekend.

Wrigley is growing into quite the neighborhood attraction. My parents, Matt's mom and friend Cheryl as well as friends from near and far have come to play and meet her. Her personality seems to grow daily. Here are a few updates on her growing personality:
1. Wrigley is no longer afraid of the hardwood floors so she follows us everywhere. 2. She is able to walk to the back door and use the steps without us carrying her into the backyard.
3. She loves to bite toes and chases after your feet when playing tag
4. She absolutely loves her dog bed. She often falls asleep, goes into convulsions from dreams and rolls off the bed fast asleep. She will abruptly wake up and move back onto the couch and fall fast asleep again.
5. Wrigley does not understand the word "No"; she is starting to understand sit and stay when given treats.
6. She loves to sun her belly in the afternoon sun and chew on her toe
7. She inconsistently sleeps through the night but her morning wake up call is around 5 AM; Matt does not like this at all.
8. Fireworks don't scare her
9. She loves to give kisses
10. She loves to chew on sticks, plants and dried leaves; she is also learning how ti dig...there goes my gardens!
11. Wrigley's little body fits through the picket fence; she loves to visit the neighbors

She is doing alot better with the crate training and house training. She only has accidents when she gets nervous or Matt and I are not paying attention to her. I just have to remember she is only 8 1/2 weeks old. I was determined to keep her off the couch but as you can see, its hard not to snuggle up with her on the couch. She really is growing by leaps and bounds. I can't wait to take her back to the vet this week to see how much she's grown. I wish I could keep her in this puppy stage forever, kinda like a baby.

We left her overnight for the first time on Friday with my Aunt Sally and cousins, Kelly and Shannon. My cousin Michael was getting married on Saturday so instead of overwhelming my ailing family dog, Nike, we decided babysitters would be a better option. Leaving her was quite difficult since I've gotten used to holding and carrying her around the house (is this a sign of motherly instinct?) It was a little disturbing going to sleep on Friday night without hearing any type of whining or crying or telling Wrigley; go nite nites...yes, I speak baby now too!

However, before going to sleep on Friday night I was able to FINALLY catch up with Kristin to see her new rock and officially congratulate her on her upcoming nupitals in April 2009. My parents came along to Kristin's parents house, which turned into a few glasses of pinot, a brownie and alot of laughs! Before we knew it, it was after midnight and definitely way past my bed time!

Kristin's father is extremely excited and obsessed that Matt and I got a German Short Haired Pointer; he grew up with one and when Kristin and her brother Robby were young, they had one. He was not happy that she didn't make her first trip to LI, but we now know we have a permanent babysitter when needed if "Grandma and Grandpa" are busy! Awesome!

Saturday morning, my cousin Michael married his girlfriend Joana in Northport with the reception @ the Riverview in Oakdale. The wedding was bittersweet; Joana is applying for dual citizenship for the US and the Philipinees and arrived in American about 2 weeks ago. The visa she was issued with a fiance visa which meant she had to be married within 90 days of being in the country. Her visa was approved; however her parents were denied on 3 separate occasions. Her sister, who lives in China, was her maid of honor and she is fortunate to have family that lives in Valley Stream there; her aunt and uncle walked her down the aisle. If my parents were alive and not in this country for my wedding, I have no idea how I could keep a smile on my face all day but she did. She was a trooper!

And so was Table #1. That was our assigned seats, along with my parents, Sarah (my sister) her friend Lisa and my Aunt Phyllis. Needless to say, Table #1 rocked the wedding. We were basically the only people on the dance floor for the short time the DJ played music. I really hate being at weddings were you sit the entire time and neither can my mother or sister. So we stared to party. It didn't turn into a crowded dance floor but we definitely kept ourselves entertained. The video will show it.

We drove back to CT following the reception to find Wrigley upstairs in our room crying. My aunt and cousins had left her blocked into the kitchen after she had fallen asleep. We assume her woke up to no one in the house, got herself very scared, scaled the baby gate, ran upstairs looking for us (by the way, she has never go up our stairs) and was too afraid to go down so she went into her crate. I felt horrible! She was shaking and had accidents all over the hallway and 2nd bedroom. We had no idea how long she had been up there but I think she found some shelter in her crate. Thank god she didn't get into the closet or I'd have no clothes today.

Sunday, we hosted a mid afternoon BBQ with some friends from SHU. I cooked up some BBQ chicken, a lovely green salad and a chickpea mandarian orange salad (new recipe), which was awesome! Always a good time and lots of laughs. Sue and Erik, friends from SHU and also newly engaged as well as neighbors, hung out until about midnight. I have to say, its soooooo nice to lounge outside with a drink in sweats. I just need a firepit for the backyard and I'm set!

Today, "Grandma" and "Grandpa" aka, my parents, came to visit. My mom was in St. Martin last week when my dad came (don't cry for her...she's tan) Again, I was an excellent host with grilling up some lemon rosemary chicken, baked potatoes, steamed broccoli and some leftover salads as well as angel food cake with strawberries and cool whip! YUMMY!!!!! Wrigley did alot of running around, showing us how much she loves to chew leaves and plants. She actually hit full stride at one point, which was amazing to see.

Now I'm finally getting a little bit of R & R, watching the Cubbies and snuggling with my little girl!

PS...I think Matt is getting jealous : )

Fact or Friction: Ticks only live in the woods?

I took a "half" day at work today so Wrigley didn't spend another whole day by herself! The weather was absolutely beautiful outside so I got up, put on my cozy after work outfit and scooped up Wriggs and brought her in the backyard. As we were playing tag, yes I play tag with my puppy, and she turned over on her stomach, I noticed something shiny on her side. As I got closer, I realized it was a tick and it had it creepy claws already dug into her! I have to tell you, my heart skipped a beat. Wrigley goes to the vet tomorrow and she hasn't had any of the tick or flee meds. I picked her up and ran inside to find my tweezers and like any mom with no experience, immediately tries to call my mom to figure out what to do! And like any time you need someone right away, she doesn't answer! During this time, I also send a text to Mr. Mom Matt ( I got about 6 text messages yesterday wondering how she did...can you say crazy?!)
So I performed some minor surgery with a little yelp from Wrigley and got that creepy tick out. A little tear even ran down her face! I tried to stab the tick to death but it wouldn't die so I saved it in a ziplock bag. yeah, I know its crazy but it was pretty big.
So if anyone ever tells you that ticks dont exist in suburban Connecticut, think again!

Wrigley Video

Wrigley and Us

At 6 am on Saturday morning, Matt and I made our 3 hour trip from Milford CT to Tunkhannock PA to pick up Wrigley, our 6 1/2 week old female German Shorthaired pointer.

When we arrived at the breeder's house, she picked Wrigley out of the litter and put her into my arms. She cuddled onto my chest, laid her head on my shoulder and just looked me in the eyes with her sleepy face. She had already melted my heart. Her smooth coat, wet kisses and desire to cuddle up next to you; I was in love! She sat in my lap the entire 3 1/12 hour car ride home. My chest area was extremely red from her scratching to climb up onto my shoulder area; it looked like I was attacked my a cat! She cried a few times, but spent most of the trip sleeping. You could tell she was having dreams because her body would go into complete spasms. I just tried to squeeze her a little harder. We made a little pit spot at a Wendy's parking lot to let her do her business and drink some water. She stepped on the grass like a baby learning to take her first few steps; she would walk on the edges of her paws.

We spent most of Saturday afternoon and night between the crate, eating, sleeping and lots of playing in the backyard. She was sleeping so well in the crate during the day we figured that Saturday night would be cake. Guessed wrong, big time! Wrigley started crying around 1 AM, 3:30 AM and 5:45 AM; each time, we took her outside "to do her business" and she went. I sent Matt back to bed around 6:15 AM since he was off to Baltimore this afternoon for his semi annual sales conference with UnderArmour. Yes, I'm a good wife, sometimes! Wriggs and I spent the morning snuggling on the couch, her sleeping and me attempting to nap. Instead, I felt like a mom; I slowly stroked her skin, listened to her heart beat, cuddled her up in a blanket and felt her fast shallow breath on my skin. This little girl has been around for only a day and I'm already hooked.

After Matt left this afternoon, we had a girls day. Wrigley got visitors and admirers from all over the neighborhood. She tried to help me weed; she just tried to bite the tops of the dandelions in the beds. We laid on a blanket in the sun and let the warm sun hit our bellies. We ate dinner and now we are cuddling on the couch together. I have to say, it's been a great 1st Mother's Day!

Oh, and Wrigley was meant to be ours. When we were looking at her AKC paperwork this morning, we learned Wrigley was born on March 26, 2009. This used to be our Anniversary Date before we got married. It signifies the day after my 19th birthday bash at SHU when Matt spent in the night in my room, making sure I was breathing. How great is that! Wrigley will always remind us of the start of our relationship and now she is the start of our family : )

One week until Wriggs

We officially pick up our new addition to our family next Saturday. Matt spoke with the breeder on Thursday morning and said she'd be ready to go! We have one tiny little problem...Matt will be leaving for Baltimore on Mothers Day, which means I have Wriggs by myself for about 3 days. Reason this is a problem...I work about 1/2 hour from here and I cannot come back on my lunch hour! So I am now looking to find some help on my first few days with my new pups...

In reality, having this puppy will be like having a child. We picked out a name.; we bought a crate, bowls, food, toys! We will both have sleepless nights, listening to her cry at night...wait..not really because Matt can sleep through anything! We've both been doing reading and research on how to crate train her. There will be lots of pictures and videos to post. I get the giggles thinking about her coming home with us; a new memeber of the family but nervous about what my house will turn into. We'll have plenty of laughs and times we will want to kill her for feeting shoes or killing a couch cushion. I've had plenty of offers to spoil her and watch her. But I can now say my life will revolve around a puppy for the next year and I can say, we are pretty excited for the road ahead!

To the Future Mr. and Mrs....

Matt and I are proud to annouce the engagement of our our best friends in the world, Patrick and Kristin! We are so excited for the both of you! Love you both!!!