Chicago

We are back in the frigid Midwest. It's a high of 16 degrees today. Good to be home...

Thank god we're getting out of town again next weekend! The upcoming trip to Florida is our so-called "babymoon" and we'll be cutting it pretty close to the cut off date for flying. I'm officially grounded starting the 30th of January (32 weeks), so I'm getting some much needed traveling out of my system before then. I can't handle being stuck in Chicago for an entire winter...I can't even imagine what I'm going to do here for an entire February!

This picture was actually taken from Midway, the morning Mark and I left for Baltimore. It was cold then too.

Friends and Family

Sasha's friend from Parker, Julia, is temporarily living and working in San Francisco. We had the pleasure of spending Saturday and Sunday together, shopping, snacking, stretching and catching up.

Heading Home

In case you were wondering when/if I was ever coming home, the answer is we are on our way now! It is a bittersweet homecoming for us. On one hand I am beyond excited to be home with Mark again. I've missed him so much! On the other we have really been enjoying the record breaking warm weather here on the west coast and are not looking forward to the negative degrees which are supposed to greet us at O'Hare. Yikes! To pass the time we have crossword puzzles and Dr. Spock.

See you soon, Chicago!

Mocca

Nona goes to Mocca everyday for coffee and lunch. When we are in San Francisco it's a highlight each day to sit outside with the pigeons and enjoy a latte and a tuna nicoise. It's located on the chicest alley in San Fran: Maiden Lane. It shares the block with such venerable retail establishments as Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Yves Saint Laurent and Hermes. Pretty swanky, eh?

Sunrise Over the Bay

Good morning San Francisco! We are early risers here on the Pacific coast. Dad and I watched the sky turn bright while checking in with the office. Thanks to Colette, Barbara and Marley for holding down the fort!

Smokey Apartment

They say ex-smokers are more sensitive? Just Kidding...

Here's Nona and Josh sharing the couch at the apartment. Everyone is smiling this trip.

Hat Brothers

Keeping toasty warm in San Fran...

It's warm in the sun and cold in the shade. If you're heading uphill, it's hot hot hot! Here are the famous Hat Brothers in front of the wedding chapel.

San Francisco Treat

I'm in San Francisco with Sasha, Mom, Dad and Uncle Josh visiting Nona and Uncle Mike's family. It's sunny and beautiful here! This is the view from the Mandarin Oriental, aka the place where Mark and I said "I do." Still gorgeous.

Baby Shower!

Thanks to everyone for coming to my shower yesterday! It was so much fun to celebrate and catch up with you all, and especially to open the presents and coo over the massive cuteness! I had such a great time!

A special thanks to Susan for hosting! Your home was the perfect place for this shindig and it couldn't have looked better! The food was fantastic! I had so much fun, I really didn't want to leave. Thank you so much for all your hard work!

Also, thanks to Bethany for taking so many great photos! I'm so grateful to have them! To view all the photos from the party click on the picture above.

Goodbye Love

Coco Chanel Grodzins Woodall
February 8th 2003-December 18th 2008

My beloved friend passed away. My heart aches for him. He was such a good boy and we should have had many more years together. I loved everything about Coco and I will always treasure the many happy memories I have of him.

It was love at first sight for Coco and me. He taught me a lot about love, friendship and responsibility--lessons I badly needed at the time when we found each other. He was a loyal and constant companion who went everywhere with me. His company brought me joy, peace, comfort and laughter. He was such a silly puppy who always made me smile.

Coco had a well developed appreciation for fine foods that I admired. He had the rare gift of being both pretty and smart. He enjoyed shopping with me. He liked getting a bath and having a fluffy blow out. He was always game for cuddling and kissing. He could run very fast. He followed me everywhere--even into the bathroom, whether he was invited or not. He would have been a devoted and loving big brother to our baby girl. His presence was human to me and I miss him more than words can describe. But Coco never wanted me to be sad or angry. He is not here anymore to cheer me up-now when I need him so badly- but I have to remember the lessons he taught me, and focus on the time we had together. I am grateful to have known him and honored to have called him my best friend. I love you, Coco. You will always be a part of me.