Happy Family Day!

It was 2 years ago today that we became a family of 3! The past two years have really flown by, it's hard to believe it was that long ago that we sat in that hot Civil Affairs office, waiting for our name to be called and change our lives forever! Words really can't describe what it's like when they finally hand that little baby to you and say she's yours. We are patiently? waiting on a sister for Sophie to join our family and we can't wait to be a family of 4, but today, it's all about being this great family of 3. We love you baby!

We recently received this photo of us, minutes after meeting Sophie for the first time and thought we would share it as well.

More Fourth of July

A few perks come with living in the OP. It is a nice walkable community with a great farmer's market, nice parks, beautiful architecture, and a lot of great community events. One of the nice perks about living on the street we do is that the 4th of July parade passes right in front of our house. Sophie got out her favorite chair (check out those socks!) and staked out a spot in front of the house nice and early. She was very excited about all the flag-waving, the old cars, and especially the candy. One of the things that all of the participants in the parade do is to throw candy at everyone. Judging by the photo below, I am not sure Sophie new what was in store. We had a few friends join us for brunch and "Happy Birthday America" mimosas. It ended up being a very nice day and perhaps the start of a new tradition.
Since the weather has been sweltering hot since the fourth, Sophie and Ileana decided to go to the pool this week. Sophie loves the pool and is quickly on her way to becoming a little water sprite.

Happy Fourth of July

More to come.....stay tuned.

Millennium Park - Take 2

So, one of the great things about living in Chicago is there is always something to do. There are 2 zoos, 3 children's museums, aquarium, botanical gardens, arboretuem, and the list goes on. We could do something different every day and never get bored. Great for kids - right?!! Well, when you are 2.5 going on 3, none of that seems to matter. You find something you like, you stick with it.

Last weekend, we took our visitors to Millennium Park and had a great time. So on Monday Sophie & I get in the car and she says to me "Mommy I want to go see the Bean......I want to take Ella to see the Bean" Apparently, Ella hasn't seen the Bean and Sophie feels it's a MUST. "Ok," I say, "I'll talk to Ella's Mommy and we will go see the Bean." "Today?" "Well nooo not, today but this weekend." And I get a dejected "oh" from the back seat. Luckily, Kim & Ella are free on Sunday to make a trip to the Bean.

Tuesday's conversation in the car -
S - Mommy you talk Aunt Kim? We take Ella to the Bean?
M - Yes, we will go on Sunday?
S - Sunday?
M - Yes, Sunday, today we go to Nancy's house.
S - (sigh) oh

And you can imagine how the rest of the week went.............................

So we had a lovely morning at the Bean (minus a few meltdowns, but we'll leave that part out) and Monday morning rolls around; we are getting dressed:

S - Mommy we go to the Bean today with Aunty Kim & Ella?
M - No, Sophie, we went yesterday, we will see Ella at Nancy's house today
S - We go Wednesday to the Bean (apparently, Wednesday is the only day of the week we know, every day is Wednesday)
M - Well, I'm not sure when we are going to the Bean again.
S - (deep sigh) OH

This weekend we are going to try the pool. Wish me luck.

Enjoy the pics ~

~ip

Weekend Visitors!

This past weekend we had Grandma & Dick in town to help us celebrate Daddy's birthday. We had a nice time and did lots of touristy stuff. Of course, most importantly we hit the OP Farmer's Market which debuted for the summer this past weekend and ate WAY too many donuts. No pictures of the pigging out, sorry. This weekend I think Sophie & I will WALK to the market (to make room for more donuts) Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, we made it to an Antique Car show, saw the Globes on Parade along the lakefront, and had a really nice birthday dinner one night. The next day was Millennium Park, The Bean, & the Mark DiSuvero sculptures. Weather cooperated for the most part and we had a good time.

Sophie is looking forward to Grandma & Dick coming out to visit again soon!