An Escape to Chicago!

If there is one thing worth time and money, it is to travel.
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, I enjoy it, I seek it.
My mind craves for new experiences, different sceneries, food and cultures.
It is always an amazing experience to see and visit a place you've never been before.
This is sometimes hard for us, because we've been everywhere, a few times or more.
One of the great things about this mini vacation was the fact that this was, besides numerous stops at the Chicago O'Hare Airport, our first official time in Chicago.
Since moving to Illinois, Chicago was immediately planned for a mini vacation, and for
the past couple of days, we conquered The Windy City.
Chicago was good to us.
Our hotel was AMAZING, Ritz-Carlton Chicago, we spent our days sight-seeing, taking in the metropolitan atmosphere. Autumn seemed at ease and already familiarized with the hustle and bustle of the busy streets. She strolled and skipped the concrete streets, pointing to the yellow "Taskies" (taxis) and she seemed so comfortable in this environment, which made me an extremely proud Mama. My little one is adapting to new environments, and she's not afraid of change.

One of the many reasons I love to travel with her is the hope that our journeys and travels will build the brilliant person she will blossom into one day. I hope the memories we are creating now, will someday have an impact on her success in life. Thank you Chicago, for a first unforgettable experience. We will be back VERY soon! 

Happy Birthday Autumn!

Happy Birthday my little one.

As you get older, our love for you continues to grow with the grace of each day.

I hope your smiles and laughter are a reflection of how much love we have for you.

Each year, on May 11, we celebrate your birth, but mostly we celebrate the mark you have left in our life. 

You changed us.

You completed us.

There is a beam in your eyes, a glow in your existence, I'm not sure what it is, but there

is something so mesmerizing about you. You are only growing and preparing for

something amazing in this world, I know it. Thank you, Autumn Rose Jackson, for

choosing me as your mother, for choosing us, as your parents. 

But mostly, for making us extremely happy and filling our world with so much LOVE. 

Party Planning And The Heartache Of Growth.

I always get emotional this time of the year. May is a celebratory month, but it can be extremely emotional as well. Autumn turns 3 in a matter of days, so along with birthday planning, there are the emotions of how fast our little one is growing up. Each year as her birthday approaches and throughout her process of growth, I reminisce our first moments, I look back to the very beginning. Autumn is molding into her own individuality, her personality blossoms on a daily. People would constantly say to me, "they grow up so fast," and I've started to see the accuracy of that statement. I think back to the day we brought her home, I remember everything from how happy, excited, scared and afraid I was, to how tiny and beautiful she was, and for a little over a year, I had everything she needed. I miss the consecutiveness of nursing, I miss that tingling feeling my body would get, alerting me that she needed me, as I needed her as well. I am not sure if we are going to add to our family, so going back to those early feelings is hard, because I'm not sure if I will get to experience that again. Her independence is blossoming, as she no longer needs me for every minor detail such as putting her shoes on so we could go to the playground, or the fact that she has excelled in using the potty on her own, and as I hear the two words "No Mommy," as I ask if she needs assistance throughout the day. I have enjoyed her second year, challenging at times, but overall we experienced and accomplished a lot: more traveling, moving to Illinois, potty training, and so much more.

I love her. I am so truly, deeply in LOVE. I am so in love with her tiny voice, her adorable face, her teeny body, and many times I find myself asking: how can one person hold so much cuteness, so much beauty? The celebration of another birthday also marks an accomplishment of how far I've come as a mother, how much I have learned and achieved. My patience has improved and Autumn has brought a calmness in my life that I've never had before. We have so much planned for the upcoming week and I am beyond excited!

My current status now, besides party planning: I am currently in the process of starting a new job (YAY!). Within the past 2 weeks, I had to decline an offer twice, as the second time around, the Chief of HR offered more money. The job was temporary and I needed something permanent. I had another  interview last week and two days later, received the call for acceptance and I graciously accepted! I am looking forward to this new experience!