I’m really having fun with Pinterest.  I check it once a day (usually on my phone while I’m nursing Vivian), and its always a fun pick-me-up.  Like most people, I’ve pinned far more than I can possibly accomplish, so when I actually attempt a pin I’m particularly proud of myself. Chris and I took a […]

Every year, there’s a Sunday in October when just about every good-natured Chicagoan wakes up too early and heads outdoors to join about a million friends and neighbors.   Today was that Sunday. It was the Chicago Marathon! Yes, 45,000 runners ran the race, but an estimated 1.7 million spectators lined the streets, sipping coffee and […]

I can’t believe my sweet little Vivian is now 6 months old.  How time flies!!  I still so clearly remember the morning of her birthday – I had no idea that she was about to be born!  And now she is grabbing everything and smiling with friends and strangers.  Her newest trick is sitting up, […]

Tomorrow is a big day for the planet.  It is Walk to School day, when kids all over the country will skip the car and opt to walk to school instead.  I love this idea so much.  Walking to school not only helps the planet, but its a wonderful way to slow down and enjoy […]

My grandma sent me a link today about an upcoming disposable diaper shortage.  Apparently, an explosion at a Japanese chemical plant this weekend will leave the world in short supply of acrylic acid, a critical ingredient in disposable diapers.  My first concern was about the people near the explosion: sadly, 1 firefighter died and 34 […]

Today was absolutely beautiful. Warm sunshine, gentle breeze, clean air, perfect fall weather.  As any Chicagoan knows, its a good idea to take full advantage of weather like this.  Next week it could very easily freeze! I was determined to spend the entire afternoon outdoors, but without a traditional backyard I need to get creative.  […]

The weather has turned decidedly fall-like.  There’s a briskness in the air, and even when its warm the tinge of cooler temperatures looms.  So, I can’t say I was surprised when my husband requested soups for lunch again.  Its been a summer of salads for him, but heartier fare seems more appropriate now that its […]

The other day when I drove out to my hometown to drop the car off for repairs at the most honest dealer I know, the kids and I spent some time with my mom.  She was so nice to watch Evie and Mack while Vivian and I dealt with the car issues. I can absolutely […]

Lately I’ve been feeling like I need to keep a slightly tighter reign on the day-to-day flow of our family.  We are settling into a new home and a new back-to-school routine, and I need a better balance between work and life.  I’ve always believed that kids thrive on a predictable routine, and it is […]

We went out to my parents’ house today.  A check-engine light lit up on our dashboard last week, and along with my recent dead battery experience I thought it would be wise to get the car checked out.  An honest and friendly dealership in my hometown diagnosed the problem (something about an air compressor?), and […]