CHICAGO!

Once Sears tower was in site we knew we had arrived. Savannah couldn't wait to ride the L (their train system/subway that is mostly above ground. Actually, it's elevated above the city streets.), a taxi, and the city bus.



I believe the hotel we stayed in was The Congress Hotel which I would highly recommend. The rate was VERY reasonable and as you can see we had an awesome view of Lake Michigan and the infamous Buckingham Fountain. The location was also ideal for the sites we planned to see.



The room itself was good size as well. I was expecting more of the closet size room like Mark and I stayed in in New York last spring.



After checking in we jumped on the L and headed out for dinner. We passed our stop on purpose just so Savannah could ride it a little longer. After being on a train the past 2 days, she still couldn't get enough! Of course being on thier public transportation train system was a completly different experience with a whole new landscape to view.

By the time we arrived at our dinner location, I could tell the lack of sleep was getting to Savannah. Our next stop was Sears tower and once we reached the stop she proclaimed she was ready to go back to the hotel and go to bed! It was not even 7PM yet. Poor kid.

None the less I grabbed a few photos from the top of the tower.




This is another view from our hotel room as the sun was setting. Savannah and I were in the bed by 7:45 to rest up for our next big day.

Better Late Than Never!

I have been meaning to post pictures from our train trip to Chicago for a couple of months now. Just about every kid I know loves trains and many of my friends are considering train trips. I hope these pics intice you to try an overnight train trip. Although the whistle wakes you up periodically, few things are more exciting for a child than sleeping and eating on a train.




Waiting with much anticipation at our local train station!




All aboard. I must comment on the hospitality. The conductor met us outside the train with a big greeting already knowing our names and who we were meeting up with on the train. Now that's service!

Once on board our attendant introduced herself and was equally accomadating and friendly.




Our compartment. The couch on the left made out into a full size bed and then there was a bunk that came down on top of that. Around the corner from Savannah, over by my dad was the bathroom (not shone).




Passing through St Louis.




Eve and Savannah listening to the Ipod.



We saw geese, hidden ponds, farmlands, and many adorable small towns along the way.



So we got on the train in the evening, slept, woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast in the dining car with more friendly service (the food is actually pretty good!), explored the train, played some games, Savannah napped, I read, ate lunch, and then...next stop Chicago! Time flew! Not a bad way to travel at all!

Dance Camp Rocks the House

It is no secret that I enjoy the fact that Savannah chose dance over any other sport or art she could take up (let me count the perks: air conditioning, cute outfits, no weekly games, 2 performances a year, fun hair excesseries...need I go on?). But, I find the greatest pleasure in watching her do something she enjoys more than anything else in the world.

She works hard to get her moves down just right. As I watch her I can see how much she loves the whole process from practice to stage. At first I thought she was just being a "little Mark" and that she just wanted to get on stage. But after her spring recital I realized it is important to her to perform well not just act like a ham for laughs! She really wanted to do well. It was neat to see something become important to her.






I'm not sure what this move is called. Karate Kid, maybe? Whatever it is, it looks like she is enjoying it!




plie



Arabesque






Boogie woogie




The end.

The Tradition Continues

Mark and I started a tradition years before Savannah was born. Every summer must include a trip to the berry farm to harvest blueberries and blackberries. It's a tradition that produces fresh and yummy culinary creations. The best of all being berries eaten strait off the bush.

Then summer after Savannah was born she came along for the pickin' at 3 months old and she has enjoyed it ever since. This year we included our MOPS friends and made it a big play date involving at least 8 different familes (MAYBE MORE, IT WAS HARD TO COUNT EVERYONE).



Savannah is a serious picker! However she still has not figured out that her basket will fill up sooner if she at less and put more in the actual basket.











The blueberries were not quite ready. That just gives us an excuse to go back again in a week or 2!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today June 23, 2009

Outside my window...mosquito breading weather.

I am thinking...that I have needed to get back to blogging for a long time. Things have been busy but things are always busy. That's really not an adequate excuse. I think it has more to do with my lack of creativity while pregnant. I think my babies suck all the creativity out of me. But judging by Savannah's creativity level, it's worth it.

From the kitchen...Marlboro Man Sandwiches from the Pioneer Woman's blog. Note: she thinks this recipe calls for about 2 sticks of butter. I assure you it is delicious with less than 1/2 that!

I am wearing...a brown tank top style summer dress (maternity of course to cover my "dramatically large uterus" layered over a turquoise cami with dangle turquoise earrings and mustard yellow Sanuk sandals.

I am creating...uh, a baby (I'm gonna use that one for a while!).

I am going...to take Savannah to dance camp every day this week.

I am reading...nothing. Just returned the library books today and am in search of something new.

I am hearing...Savannah chatting endlessly about the book she is making about the farm.

One of my favorite things...the new HUGE desk Mark built for us a couple of weekends ago. Since we both work out of the house, we were in DESPERATE need of something that would meet both our needs. We now have an awesome "T" shaped desk specifically built for our office. Isn't he amazing???

Around the house...things still aren't back in order from the big office.desk move, things are clean otherwise and laundry is done.

A few plans for the week...dance camp, work, play dates, and Savannah is planning our menu.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...




Savannah as a lion at her dance recital this past spring. She sings along with as much enthusiasm as she dances!

Double The Baby Bump

Today began with a visit to my OBGYN in hopes of hearing the baby's heart beat. I laid on the table as he prepped my growing tummy. And then he cocked his head and began to mash around. It's never good when your MD looks at you and cocks his head!

"Your uterus is really out there...and hard...and high."

"Yeah, I started showing early this time. At 5 weeks I no longer had a flat stomach."

"Yes, but your uterus is more the size of someone 16 weeks (I am 10 weeks by the way) and we know you are not 16 weeks pregnant. We are going to need to check and see if you are having twins."

"Uh, what?"

"Your uterus is dramatically large so I would like to check today. Do you have an extra 5 or 10 minutes to spare so we can wait for the sonogram room to be free?"

Did he just use the term "dramatically large" to describe me? That's something a pregnant woman never wants to hear!

"Oh, yes. I do have time to stick around and find out if I am having twins! I can spare a few minutes for that."

I calmly called Mark and left him a message. "Hi honey, I'm still at the Dr.'s office. I'm showing "dramatically" more than I should so he thinks there might be twins. I'll call you back soon."

Meanwhile Mark checks his message and hyperventilates. I was calmly in shock.

Finally it's my turn to go into the next room. I watched the TV screen and saw the cutest little figure swimming around like crazy. That's right, just one little figure. And it was normal size (I worried I was carrying a giant!). My Dr. even said if there turns out to be more than one baby, he won't charge me for the delivery.

Whew! What a day. Now, me and "dramatically large" uterus are going to go lay on the couch!

The Secret To My Success, Busted

Yes, I am still alive. I think this is the longest I have ever gone without blogging. As you know, we were gone 2 weeks on the train trip and then only home a few days before we left again for 5 days. That leaves many undone things on my to-do list at home. Therefore, no time to blog.

I have been feeling pretty good as long as I keep moving. It seems like if I rest, then I am more tired and need a nap. But, when I exercise and keep myself busy then I feel like my normal energetic self. A few bouts of nausea haven't slowed me down either thanks to my accu-p's home remedy.

And speaking of my accu-p, I went to see him this morning. He tested all my levels and was pleased to see that I have remained "balanced." There was only one area that needed a little treatment (just 1 needle in each arm). And then he mentioned that my energy levels across the board were low.

For those of you who don't know, my need for perfection extends to health as well. Once while I was pregnant with Savannah the nurse told me my blood pressure was a little high. I assured her she had made a mistake. My blood pressure could not possibly be high and she must not wright that retched number in my chart but take the measurement again. She tried to console me and tell me it was nothing to worry about. I said, "I'm not worried, I know it's wrong." She took it again and it was on the low side of normal as usual. I know, I know...I need therapy.

Back to today, I asked my accu-p what I could do to get my energy levels up (after all, I would hate to have an abnormal reading on my chart;). He said my body is just adjusting to being pregnant and I should rest. That's when I shared with him that the busier I am and the more I exercise the better I feel and the more energy I have. He basically told me I was addicted to "runner's high." The endorphins released by exercise are giving me a false sense of energy.

"So does that mean I shouldn't run that 1/2 marathon in October?" He laughed, "Uh, no. You might want to tone things down a bit." (Don't worry, I'm not planning on running it. Every health professional has told me it is not a good idea which I already knew. I just keep asking for kicks to see if someone will eventually say yes.)

So, what am I to do? Lay around and feel more groggy? Or continue to mask the fatigue with a flood of endorphins? I already feel lazy, I hate to slack off more. Most likely I will just lower the intensity of my workout for a while (but I feel like I have already done that!).

And then it hit me. I just had this conversation with a good friend yesterday. She is having a medical issue and I brought up something food related that is directly related to the area of her body that is not functioning correctly. She replied, "But I can't live without it. It makes me feel good."

I tried to explain the her that just because it made her "feel" good does not mean it's good for you. Feelings are misleading. I think it even says that somewhere in the Bible but I can't think of where right now. Anyway, you can't keep doing someting for the sole reason that it makes you "feel" good. You need more information than that. Hummm, let me swallow my own advice for a minute and I'll get back to you.