There are three children in this picture

Can you see them?

Baby Got Back

Someone (Nico) has got a bubble butt indeed!

Grandma's Pictures

Anyone who knows Grandma Jan knows that SHE ... LOVES ... PICTURES. Her constant refrain whenever I have reported a milestone to her has been, "Do you have a picture of it?". Another common phrase is, "If I didn't take a picture of it, it didn't happen." When I was young and carefree I used to take pictures just to cover my bases with my mother in law, but as the years have passed I am so grateful for her picture pressure. My memory already feels soft and so the glut of pictures I've taken is such a blessing.

When Gma Jan, Natalie & Jackson came last week Grandma brought her big, beautiful camera. It's new and spectacular. Just what this genealogist Grandma needs. We definitely put it through its paces.

Here's a taster of her awesome pics. ('Scuse the runny noses.) (And the fact that NEVER are all three kids smiling at once.) (And if my kids' hair looks too shaggy that's because it was too shaggy. I am sorry. It's been cut and shaped up and will be debuted in an upcoming blog.)













Nicholas is his own man, but I love this picture documenting his observant eye on his big bro.













Jackson's face says, "So this is what it's like to die." Nico's says, "Grandma, don't you see what's happening?" And Jacob's says, "I can show love and inflict pain at the same time! All right!"






























I love pictures of kids looking at each other. It looks like Jacob and Jackson got the joke. All of the adults in this house hate that book. Too many flaps!













Look familiar? (Again, their hair is bad. And Jacob has a crazy, mad dreadlock tuft.)













There are so many cute pictures it's overwhelming and I'm a bit too tired to keep looking...but expect to see more (as I am nowhere near done documenting their great trip) and check out this amazing shot captured by Natalie.

Oh thank you, thank you

Grandma Jan, Natalie & Jackson came for a whirlwind, wonderful visit this week. I am so grateful that they could come. It made my solitary week (while Matt was visiting firms along the eastern seaboard) not only bearable, but truly delightful.

They brought their lovely selves to my home, but they also brought back my enthusiasm for where we live and what we're doing. It's been all too easy to get mired in the inconveniences that abound here. My guests continually acknowledged that while this life is challenging it's also unique and exciting and "so big city"!

They also helped me realize how well I've gotten to know the place. We ventured into town (under the tutelage of my more city savvy friend Luann) one night without the kids and I was amazed to see that (with Luann's sage advice) I really did know where I was going! It was empowering.

That night we shivered our way down the Magnificent Mile to see the river. Exploring together. We thought we looked like this, but we really looked like this.














(By the way, Lorelai would freeze to death if she were really out in the winter dressed like that. You call that bundling up? Please!)

When we got to the river we were stunned (and oddly disgusted) to see that it was full of sheets of ice. Don't...fall...in.














Crazy Chicago.

Just running errands around Hyde Park left Natalie in raptures about city life. The architecture, the produce market, even the somewhat dirty snow! I guess I'm just going to have to believe the Tribune's assessment of my neighborhood:

"When you're bored with the usual...head to Hyde Park, Chicago's multicultural melting pot of cool."

That's us!

Skillz

Nico is doing amazing things lately. You can see his new tricks below.

Please see past my unnaturally high, squeaky voice. (Whenever I'm trying to capture a very specific thing on video my voice jumps octaves pretty fast...something about nerves and begging.) Also, please ignore my grunting in pain and annoyance when Jacob jumps on me. And my pronouncing Jacob as "Jeekbop".

But do see his amazing puzzle abilitays. Also enjoy his round of applause. And lastly, enjoy his new word.



His first time using his new word was when Jacob came out of his room a few days ago.

Brothers!

I'd like to take a moment to say that Nicholas really is delightful. He's a sweet baby (not a toddler yet, so don't even try to call him one). He is smiley and mild. He likes to pat me firmly on the back when I hold him and say, "ma-my". He also is a world class cuddler. Seriously, he would win any cuddle competitions (when he's in a cuddly mood, of course) hand down. I just am really enjoying him. And those cheeks! I'll stop.

To Natalie

As per your comment: I am here. We are here. We are well.

But, in order to walk to the library or the store or the other store or the bus stop or the church pictured below is the minimum effort I have to put out (to say nothing of putting my own coat, hat and scarf on).



Oh, and the boys' gloves (not pictured above) are just about as crazy making as really crazy stuff. They come off just about as fast as I can put them on. Glove on. Glove off. Repeat.

Apparently the creative juices to blog equal the strength to bundle two small children. It seriously feels like "The Christmas Story" every day around here. My struggles are especially disheartening when my friends with a Chicago winter under their belts scoff at this even being that cold. Gulp.

So, I have had lots I've wanted to blog about. But when the ideas enter my head I am either getting ready to go out, I am out, or I've just gotten back. And honey, my mind is pretty lax around those times.

The thought of you, Jackson and Grandma Jan coming is warming the cockles of my heart. We can hit the museums, hit the Magnificent Mile or just sit around, talk and eat fudge and candied pecans. You'll be warm, you'll be happy. And I can't wait!

Thank you for caring. Thank you to you both for coming. It's the best Christmas present ever.

Here's the new view from our window.


















Oh, and for the uninitiated I give you the Bundle me.