Chapter 2

Home Sweet Home

Having been over a month since I last wrote in the blog, I don't even know where to begin.  So much has happened.  We successfully closed on the condo and new house, moved, painted, unpacked, painted, unpacked, painted, unpacked, hosted Evie's first sleepover, celebrated the New Year, and painted some more.  Will's parents came to help with getting settled and we absolutely could not have done it without them.  For every waking moment they were either helping take care of Evie, paint, or unpack (or paint or unpack...).  Then, just as they were ready to leave so they could begin their trip to FL, Chicago got hit by a two day winter storm that grounded them here.  For more painting.  I'm sure they were overjoyed.

Evie's first sleepover!

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve mass

All the children were invited to join the Christmas
play at church. Evie kept taking off her shoes and
trying to trade with the girls next to her.

Evie, on the other hand, was thrilled to have Nana and Grandpa here for such an exciting time.  We were lucky to be in the new house two weeks before Christmas.  Having unpacked 50% of our items two days after arrival, it only seemed appropriate that we set up for the holidays.  Within a day of buying our tree, it was surrounded by presents for Evie.  I got a glimpse into what life as an only child is like. (No wonder Becca was less than thrilled to have me come along to share her spotlight.)  It is AMAZING the amount of attention one receives.  And Evie has no problem lapping it up.  Each morning she would come down for breakfast with Will and I, and 30 minutes later relish in the opportunity to share second breakfast with Nana and Grandpa.  If my lap wasn't available, surely Nana or Grandpa was open.  If Dadu was busy painting, she could be certain one of the rest of us would keep her entertained.  And the presents.  Oh yes, back to those.  She actually got tired of opening those for her midway through Christmas morning!  She started bringing everyone else gifts because she had lost interest in opening those for her.  Not to worry though, once she saw what was inside some of our presents, her attention was immediately regained.

Evie helping to bake, caught with a mouthful of flour

Back in October I remember hearing all sorts of reports that this was to be one of Chicago's worst winters in over 10 years.  So far, so true.  The last two days it's been -15 degrees, with a windchill of closer to -40.  Prior to that it's been non stop snow, with about two feet on the ground at this point. And more snow is due in the next few days.  I have been SO grateful to be in the house for all of this.  We have space.  We have a playroom.  We have an ATTACHED GARAGE.  If Evie goes stir crazy and starts screaming, we don't have to worry about a neighbor banging on the door.  To help pass the time with some of this weather, I've been keeping Evie busy with all sorts of indoor activities.  We've already baked two batches of cookies.  The first was your traditional absolutely-terrible-for-you-Christmas-sugar-cookies, with icing and sprinkles.  The second can barely be called a cookie consisting only of almond flour, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla.  Evie has loved both.  Especially eating the sugar, flour, or dough when my back was turned. Although she still has a limited vocabulary, she picked up the word "cookie" in 2 seconds flat.  She wants them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Last night she didn't want to eat her Broccoli or Cod, and asked for a cookie.  I told her she could have one if she ate her dinner.  She literally inhaled her food, then turned and said with a mouthful "cookie, peeease".     

Train ride into the city

In the "big city" for Macy's windows

Overall, we have all adjusted quite well and fairly quickly to living in the 'burbs.  There are moments when I feel a bit like I'm living someone else's life, running someone else's errands, and expect to return to the condo eventually.  But every morning when I wake up in the new bedroom and walk down the new stairs into the new kitchen (all of which are really quite old), I feel immediately at home.  Evie seems to have settled right in, taking naps that last an average of an hour to two more than she used to take in the condo.  She loves chasing Jack up and down the stairs, and playing hide and seek with me from room to room.  She has even done fairly well with maintaining all the progress we'd made on potty training.  Certainly there was an adjustment phase, but we're almost back to exactly where we left off.  I wish I could say the same for Jack...