Happy 1st Mother's Day

Geoff, Lauren, and I decided to spend my first Mother's Day taking a family day trip. We traveled about 2 hours southwest to Starved Rock State Park.

Mother's Day actually started for me on Saturday night when Geoff bought me a rose after church in honor of Mother's Day. Then Lauren gave me the gift of a little extra sleep as she slept until almost 8am Sunday morning. That was after a little wake up around 4:30am when Geoff suggested we let her sleep in her car seat for the rest of the night. She has been fighting a cold or allergies and was having a tough time breathing while lying down, so sleeping upright was helpful to her. Geoff then made me breakfast, we got ready and were off.

Lauren and I relaxing after our picnic lunch.

One of the waterfalls we discovered on our hike.

Geoff and Lauren on a bluff over the Illinois River.

We really enjoyed our day as a family. The weather was perfect (low-mid 70s and sunny) and the time spent just the three of us was wonderful. I am so grateful to have a fantastic, thoughtful, and caring husband and a happy-go-lucky little girl!

Family Photos

Swinging with Daddy in Wicker Park near Aunt Steph and Uncle Jon's apartment.

Last weekend my family came to visit and celebrate Mother's Day. We had a wonderful time shopping downtown, walking around the Chicago Botanic Garden, and playing cards/dominos. It was so nice to spend together.



Lauren posing for a photo with my cousin Jess.

Insights into Lauren's Personality

Lauren has really started to become more aware and curious of her surroundings. With that, parts of her personality are starting to shine through. She is very patient and has been sitting on my lap just watching while I created this post. She is busy talking away and is very interested with the computer keys. She dances by bobbing her head back and forth now and can't quite crawl yet, but moves her entire body around in circles.

Lauren loves to make animal noises, especially lion noises. We call her Lauren the Lion.





Trying to escape from her car seat.



Lauren loves each baby food she has tried, but we are not so sure about "real" bananas.

Fun with Grammie and Grandpa

After a long and busy tax season, Grammie and Grandpa Spindler came to visit for a well-deserved four day vacation.

Grandpa and Grammie took Lauren to the Brookfield Zoo Friday afternoon.





On Saturday morning we took a walk to get donuts.



After our donut run, Geoff and Lauren took their first swim class together. Lauren loves splashing in the water.


Lauren loved wearing her new beach cover.


Opening her Easter bucket from Grandpa and Grammie. What fun goodies!


Uncle Jon, Geoff, and Grandpa enjoyed a perfect afternoon at Wrigley, while the ladies went shopping.


All dressed up for church.


Thanks for the super fun weekend, Grammie and Grandpa! Love you!

Happy Easter

Easter started early in the Hanson household, as Lauren decided to wake up around 5am! She has a little cold, so we are not sure if that was bothering her or if her teeth were hurting. Lauren doesn't have any teeth yet, but she seems to be teething, and for the most part, is handling it very well. Anyway, she fell back asleep on my shoulder around 5:30 until 7. Check out the photos below for a recap of our day.

Yum! A great meal of rice cereal to start the day!


Lauren's first Easter basket was filled with baby food, teething biscuits, onesies, a new swimsuit, a teething book, and some swim diapers. No candy yet!


We celebrated Easter at our friends Derek, Jillian, and London's house. Derek made a great meal and it was wonderful to spend some time together. London loved giving Lauren hugs! Lauren, on the other hand, wasn't so sure.

Lauren just loves her sweet potatoes! After a quick meal, the tired little girl was off to bed.

Cousin Shelby's Shower

Aunt Sarah, Aunt Stephie, Shelby (the bride), Kate, Lauren and Grammie Sue.

Last Saturday Lauren, Aunt Stephie, Grammie and I went to Shelby's wedding shower. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed our time spent with family.


Lauren was so busy with all of the extra special attention that she tired right out and fell asleep in Brenda's arms and then slept on the stairs in Jennifer's arms. She was such a trooper the entire weekend meeting many new people and traveling all over.


Lauren has really become fascinated with books. Grandpa was trying to read her a book about baby animals that he got from a local children's store, but Lauren kept grabbing for it and trying to turn the pages herself. Can you tell her mom is a reading teacher?

Spring Break

When we were in elementary school, Steph and I would always spend our Spring Breaks with our Grandpa and Grandma Spindler. Geoff and I decided to start that tradition very early with Lauren. She spent a few days last week with Grandpa and Grandma Hanson and then a few days with Grandpa Paul and Grammie Sue, while Geoff surprised me with a wonderful trip to South Beach. We enjoyed the warm weather, relaxing on the beach, fabulous dinners, and a few days of time just the two of us. Check out the picture of relaxed Geoff below.




Lauren stayed busy checking out the butterflies at the Meijer Gardens with Grandpa and Grandma Hanson and going with Grammie Sue to get her 6 month pictures taken.

If you have a chance, check out Lauren's photos! Go to www.trudyholtzphotography.com Click on Wedding and Client Proof site, then click on Clients and enter Lauren as the password. Feel free to let us know which photos you think we should select. This is going to be a tough decision!

After we arrived back home this past weekend, Geoff brought Lauren's jump-a-roo up from the basement and we made room for it in our "dollhouse" living room. Lauren just LOVES playing in this now!


Thanks again to our parents for watching Lauren last week. Geoff and I enjoyed our time without responsibilities and we know Lauren loved spending time with her grandparents.