A day in the city

Day two was spent in the city.  We went to the Chicago History museum.  Aparently Chicago is named after a wild onion which thrived in the area.  While the others went to the Art museum, Soph and I checked out an area where the planetarium and aquarium is.  We didn't have time to go in - the queues were long - but it was a nice place to walk around.  

later on we checked out the giant bean.  I had a moment of terror when I lost my in-laws and Jbird and nobody had phones.  Or cameras.  And I left Soph with a screaming baby to circle the mini van around the city blocks.  It was soon remedied.

We strolled down the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave) checking out all the fancy shops.  This pic is in front of the old water tower which survived the great fire of Chicago in 1871.  

For dinner that night we ate pizza Chicago style - deep dish.  And there was a tired BabyBird and a tired MamaBird.

Five adults and a baby in a minivan

We drove off to Chicago for a three day two night stay. The drive there was quite pleasant - everyone was excited about two nights in the big city and Ken led us on a sing-a-long.

Indiana likes to claim a small portion of the water front on Lake Michigan.  We spent the first afternoon at Indiana Dunes, enjoying the sand and the water. Eating popcorn and drinking root beer like true Americans.  Or what I imagine them to eat and drink at the beach.  

Jbird found a place to stay through Airbnb, a great website which allows you to rent space in someone's house.  It's like staying at a friends place and is much cheaper than a hotel.  We found a place with one bedroom, a kitchen and a lounge. The owners were intending to eventually use it as a day care centre so there was a lot of baby equipment available for BabyBird.

 

Fun in the sun

Last year we were invited to spend a day on the lake with some friends who had rented a pontoon.  Jbird and I had a blast so we decided to make it happen again this year with his parents.  Unfortunately, I forgot my togs and BabyBird decided she could barely nap under such circumstances.  Except on her mama.  And nearly on her Grandma Sue.  Screaming was a much better option.  We eventually got her to sleep lulled by the motor and I had a skinny dip, then borrowed Jbird's shorts to go on the biscuit.  It was a lovely day with lots of sun and a gentle breeze.  We spent the day driving around the lake, getting in and out of the water.  The Birds had a crazy game of water frisbee.  Imagine highly ineffective throws followed by uncontrollable giggles. 

The repercussions of an early milestone

BabyBird has taught herself to roll onto her tummy.  It seems like this has happened very suddenly.  Two days ago I was getting really excited as she got closer and closer to doing it.  But it turns out that she doesn't like being on her tummy when she's going to sleep so she wakes up and screams.  And here I was feeling like we were in a good rhythm where she was sleeping during the day and going to bed at bed time without undue fuss.  Gah.  Back into the swing you go little Miss!

A dedication

BabyBird was dedicated at church last Sunday.  It was a special day for us and though I felt sad that my family could not be there, I was so pleased that Justin's (mostly) could be.  Although she was dedicated at a church we may only attend temporarily, I felt the importance of the big day. She is a tiny little person in our lives that we have come to love so much, that we loved before we even met.  Together Jbird and I acknowledged that we can't raise her alone and that we seek the help of His family.  What a privilege for us to have the responsibility of being her parents.

And just like that they left again

I can't believe The Big Visit has come and gone, it simply flew by.  We hold remnants of this visit: a humming bird wind chime by the door, a coffee maker, a beach umbrella.  These are merely items, yet items that hold special memories.  As I try to restore order to our previously bursting-at-the-seams apartment, I feel a bitter sweet longing to return home too where BabyBird can be surrounded by family as she has been for the last few weeks.

Sunny side up

These days, people often greet me with: "Wow, you're looking great!" I mostly say "thanks!" But I've recently come to realise that I don't feel as great as I look.  On the inside I'm often anxious, and sometimes just plain glum.  I don't want to go into too much detail here, I'm sure you can imagine what is going on if you've ever been close to anybody that's had a baby.  I tell you this so you don't read my happy lighthearted posts with a completely wrong perspective.  As my good friend told me yesterday when I told him I felt overwhelmingly underwhelmed: "This too shall pass".

She got it!

I'm watching our little girl grow in real time.  She's just started reaching across for hanging things.  She even sometimes manages to grab them, though I know she doesn't know how she does it, or how to let go when she does.  It takes her so much concentration, she sometimes starts to cry out in frustration.  

This wee mouse pulls down and vibrates as it is released. What a sensation that must be for her to feel.  One day she'll be able to do it on purpose but for now I love her uncoordinated aim.

Slightly less guilty

A friend of mine posted these '4 ingredient' chocolate chip cookies on facebook.  I added the dessicated coconut, making it 5 ingredients.  I figure if there's no butter and no white sugar they must be better to eat than the standard fare.  Better for your body.  Depending on how many of them you choose to eat.  Here's the recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 Ripe bananas
1 cup quick oats
1/2 c choc chips
1 heaping spoonful of natural peanut butter

1/2 c dessicated coconut

Mix well
Plop spoonfuls onto baking sheet
Bake at 350 for 15 min

Just get that latch

BabyBird and I managed to get to the local event for The Big Latch On for breastfeeding awareness week.  It was surprisingly fun.  They were giving out gift bags for the first 30 ladies through the door so my friends and I got there super early and queued up outside to make sure we got ours.  It was a really nice event with food, door prizes, and lots of friendly ladies to chat to.  

The purpose of the event was to join in on the world wide latch on.  I assume it's worldwide because I know a cousin who was involved with one in NZ the other day.  We were all supposed to be feeding out babies for one minute at the same time and wouldn't you know it, BabyBird fell asleep ten minutes before the time!  She'd been up for two hours at this point and she just could not keep her eyes open.  So when it came to the time, I had a bit of a rush as I jiggled her, tickled her, and undressed her to wake her up.  I finally managed to catch her interest just in time.  The room became disarmingly quiet during that minute.  And back to sleep she went straight afterwards.

It's so bizarre getting together and showing off how our babies getting on with their milestones but I kinda love it.

Socialising with Joseph

Getting sleepy

The room as it began to fill up

A special moment

BabyBird meeting her grandparents for the first time