tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540542242097896502024-02-19T23:37:40.884-08:00Raising Little Miss and Four HensTrying to expose my city girl to country life...with some hens and a container garden.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-89760153254720346222012-11-02T07:02:00.002-07:002012-11-02T07:03:36.727-07:0011 month summaryLast post - january, 2012. Really? Really??? Well, life has been busy, but you'd think I could have had time for a post or two rather than the pressure of summarizing 11 months in this one post. Sheesh.<br />
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The quick (in an organized bullet list):<br />
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-Had a fantastic trip to visit Alex's extended family in the middle-of-nowhere Texas end of February, beginning of January. They live on a huge farm in a location where you can't see any other houses from there house. We enjoyed amazing food, art and company and had the pleasure of meeting many salt-of-the-earth people and making new family connections. Ended the trip with a little jaunt to San Antonio, where I fell in love with cowgirl boots and purchased my first pair.<br />
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-Got hired in a tenure-track assistant professorship position in the spring (to start September 2012). Stressful process, but exciting. <br />
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-Summer was nice. It felt like summer. Lots of time at the pool and park. I feel like we all sufficiently soaked up enough vitamin D to make it through the winter months.<br />
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-We took a big road trip this summer. Went up north and hung out a couple of days with Lauren and family (super fun!). Drove across northern Canada (beautiful and desolate). Stopped by Almanzo's (Laura's DH...Emmeline is into the Little House books) childhood home in New York. Spent sometime with friends in Vermont and then finished up the trip in New Hampshire. I got to see a Shaker Village which I very much enjoyed. Drove 16 hours home. Fun and stressful trip - most likely, a typical family road trip vacation. <br />
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-September came quickly. Emmeline started preschool and is thriving. It was an effortless transition that I am grateful for. I started my assistant professorship position and then...<br />
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-About two weeks into starting my new job, we found out that I am pregnant. Yikes! We had really settled into the idea of being a one child family...she's thriving, two good careers...I had even planned a couple week trip to Italy next summer. And then there was that + sign on the pregnancy test - the plus sign that I had tried four long years to achieve and only did so with the assistance of IVF. <br />
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-Oh, and did I mentioned that at an ultrasound at 10.5 weeks they discovered it is twins. Two babies. TWO BABIES!<br />
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So here we are. I'm going to try to keep this blog more updated as an overall family blog, but I am also going to start a separate twin blog. I documented my entire pregnancy (even pre-pregnancy) with Emmeline and I am so grateful I did so. I want to give the twins the same...because it may be the only thing I'll be able to do "the same". <br />
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And now we have three chickens instead of four. Bad raccoon! <br />
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Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-69867914439677426102012-01-19T13:27:00.000-08:002012-01-19T13:37:08.525-08:00January randomness...Who is Emmeline this January?<br /><br />-You love the alphabet and recognize most letters. Your favorites are H, I, O, M and F. I have no idea why these are your favorites. I'll sing you the ABC's and whenever I stop or pause, you fill in the next letter. It's fun. Maybe our first game?<br /><br />-You say "I tried" a lot. You didn't enjoy sledding. When we came in, you took off your gear and said "I tried". When you can't poop, you say "I tried". It's like you know that trying is the important part of it all.<br /><br />-You love to play "chase". Just randomly running around the house, either me chasing you or you chasing me. You can do this for a very long time - very long.<br /><br />-You like to keep things orderly. At music class, you put away the other kids toys. Umm...good, but yikes. Maybe your ma should be a little messier.<br /><br />-Speaking of music class, you have a small obsession with it. Particularly with holding hands with this one little girl (she's about 5). Her name is Sophie. You call her "Soph". Unfortunately, Sophie is not that into holding hands with you. But Olivia is. You seem fine with that. You just want to hold someone's hand. Yesterday, you insisted on putting on your coat 45 minutes before we were due to leave for class. You literally couldn't wait.<br /><br />That's some of the stuff - you're a hoot.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-15701830329468403892012-01-01T17:53:00.000-08:002012-01-19T13:27:19.247-08:00Your first neighborhood birthday party...It was for Annabel, your 5-year old friend that you know from the park who lives down the street. Man, it was fun. Your daddy was so excited for you to go...I think he feels that you are "popular" if you are a two-year old getting invited to a 5-year old's party. :-) He's kind of right...the kids kind of flock around you. <br /><br />You were by far the youngest, but that didn't matter. You just got right into the action. When they started running circles around the house, you did the same and joined their congo line. When they are bolted up to Annabel's room, you jumped off of daddy's lap and said "and me!" and took off with the rest of them. You waited somewhat patiently for your favorite party - the candle blowing. And you would have at an entire piece of flourless chocolate cake and a big scoop of chocolate ice cream if I hadn't scammed some off of your plate. Initially, you didn't quite get that the presents weren't for you, but you learned pretty quickly. Then, when all the planned party activities were done, you went upstairs with all the big kids and played in Annabel's room. You know how small dogs often don't have any self-awareness of their size when they are with big dogs? Well, I think it was like that. You thought you were a 5-year old today. <br /><br />You loved everything about it. Really, I think you love parties because you love people.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-59979282154249831032012-01-01T17:29:00.001-08:002012-01-01T17:52:09.444-08:00Holiday festivities...This was a fun and interesting holiday year. You loved the trees. We had a small one at the top of the stairs, a big one downstairs and a small white one in the sunroom. As soon as you would get up, you would ask me to piug in the small one at the top of the stairs. Then you would head downstairs and ask me to plug in the big one. You loved pointed and touching all the ornaments. Although we had a couple of ornament fatalities, your touch was usually quite delicate. I also got a little house with 25 little doors. It was right up your ally this year, as you are really into houses right now...with "doors" and a "roof" and "win" (windows). In fact, as a side note, you are actually trying to draw them right now. You also love the train around the big tree. You love trains so much right now...choo choo, choo choo.<br /><br />We had a fun time at Greenfield Village Holiday Nights with Denise, Tom. Andrea and Jackson. There was a Santa there that yelled out "Merry Christmas, Emmeline!" and you road the carousel - a rooster. It was fun and I think it may become a tradition. <br /><br />We also had our family get together at our house, which you loved. You love people - having them over or going to their houses. The highlight of this party is that Santa showed up, at our house. When we asked you if you wanted to sit on his lap, you simply said "no ways" (one of your favorite sayings these days). Same at the mall - our Santa picture this year is of the three of us, me holding you near Santa. You got some fun presents, including your first "puter" (computer) from Aunt Barb. You love it because you can type and send emails like ma. <br /><br />Santa came to our house on December 18th this year because daddy was scheduled to be on reserve on the 25th. You sat out cookies and milk and we explained to you that Santa would come down our chimney. We I put you to bed the night before. You told me that Santa says "ho, ho, ho" and brings "pres" (presents). The next morning you came down the stairs to find that Santa did indeed visit and brought "pres", including a doll crib, some books, a puzzle, a doll and some Sesame Street decals for your wall. You truly enjoyed opening and playing all morning long. And Santa also brought a stocking filled with various things, including chocolate. You love chocolate. Just like your ma...well, actually just like most people. :-)<br /><br />And then Christmas day came. And you barfed in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve. Then ma was sick and in bed all day Christmas Day. Grandma and Gramps came over on Christmas Day to help take care of you while ma was in bed. Then daddy was sick and in bed a few days later. It was okay, though. At least we were all together in our house. And Santa had already come a few days earlier anyway, so it all worked out for the best. <br /><br />You were fun and enjoyed all things holidays...and because of it, I found myself enjoying them as well.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-63895950133507364592012-01-01T17:23:00.000-08:002012-01-01T17:28:51.770-08:00Your first poo...Yes, this is worthy of a post. Your daddy and I went on a trip to Chicago to celebrate his 40th birthday and Grandma and Gramps watched you. You had a great time. They claim you never cried and wined. I believe it - you are such a good-natured, adaptable kid. <br /><br />Anyway, it's simple. They said you told them you had to "poo", so they sat you on the pot and you did the deed. You were proud, they were proud and pictures were taken. You haven't done it since (it was about three weeks ago). But I do think you are ready to take the potty training plunge soon. It's more of a matter of when I'm ready :-). We need to have a couple days of downtime to make it happen. And, baby...you will learn that your ma is not big on downtime. :-)Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-37507706465934152702012-01-01T17:14:00.000-08:002012-01-01T17:22:34.276-08:00Your actual birthday...your's and daddy'sSo I'm trying to catch up on posts so I can start the New Year and maybe be a little bit better about writing as things happen. Although you had a little party earlier in the month, I tried to make your actual birthday (this year, the day after Thanksgiving) a little special too.<br /><br />You and daddy got breakfast in bed...well, you helped my assemble it, then we brought it up to daddy, then you got to sit in our bed with daddy and eat pumpkin pancakes (a current favorite right now) and bacon. I think you got a kick out of it. You always get a kick out of hanging out in our bed and to be able to eat breakfast in our bed...well, I bet that just blew you away.<br /><br />A relaxing morning, then an afternoon trip to our park after your nap. It was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day. As always, you loved going down the slides...the "BIIIG" one and the "TI" (tiny) one. Then we headed to the arboretum for a little walk. <br /><br />We topped the evening off with a homemade chocolate cake. Again, you LOVED blowing the candles. I have a feeling that you wish every cake had candles. Fair enough. A few presents..a cute outfit from Michelle, some horse pajamas from Auntie Lauren and some train cars from Grandpa and Susan.<br /><br />Happy two beautiful!Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-65640243197038612942011-11-13T03:29:00.000-08:002011-11-13T03:42:30.412-08:00Little party for you...Hey Little Miss. So yesterday we had a little early birthday celebration for you. Great fun! I didn't realize that you would get the concept of a party, but it is clear you did. For days before, when I would ask how old you were going to be, you would say "Twooooo!" in your usual enthusiastic voice. And then we would proceed to have a conversation about the "Par" (party), "take" (cake), as well as all the people who would be at your party - Auntie Lauren, Sam, Aaron, Ben, Matt, Susan, Grandpa, Grandma, Gramps, Debra and ma and da. You were really big into "all"...as in everybody. You like having everybody around you - such a social creature you are. <br /><br />Ma made you a Sesame Street cake - you are big time into Sesame right now. It was strawberry cake with yellow cream cheese frosting. You loved blowing out the candles - LOVED it. And boy, you made out with the presents including a "cell phone" from Grandma and Gramps that you immediately took over to your car, climbed in, then started talking on it. Yikes! Ma needs to talk less on her phone while driving. See, you're ma's little mimic. You also got an Abby Cadabby doll from Auntie Lauren, some great puzzles from Debra, a very cool pilot jacket and teddy bear from Grandpa and Susan, and ma and da got you a train table. <br /><br />Great party - I can only imagine they get better and better. You know, people always say "it goes so fast", in terms of raising kids. I haven't felt it yet. Maybe someday I will. But as of now, I feel like I've spent a life time with you. These past two years have felt like twenty years...in a very good way. I feel like I have savored every moment. And your party yesterday was no exception.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-21855931750818956832011-11-06T17:53:00.000-08:002011-11-06T18:00:17.389-08:00Last of the petting farm days...So today was beautiful - 60's and sunny. We went to the petting farm that we belong to. Based on our schedule and the weather, this may be one of our last, if not our last, visit before next spring. As always, you loved it. You've come a long way, baby, since we became members of this petting farm last spring. Early in the spring, you would just sit in your stroller and take in all the animals. Today, you walked the whole farm while holding onto my hand, called all the animals by name and made their respective noises. Today, you were really into the sheep. You kept saying "Baaaaaaaaa" at full volume. :-). On our way out, I showed you the moon. You were fascinated and wanted to "talk" to me about it. We had a nice day baby cakes. I'm glad we took advantage of the weather...tomorrow, rain.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-83223246418116848452011-10-31T17:50:00.000-07:002011-10-31T18:02:54.649-07:00Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Wicked Witch of the West...and Toto!Oh baby - you just L-O-V-E-D Halloween! So much more so than I ever thought you would this year. Here's the rundown: Saturday, I took you to the mall trick-or-treating. Big mistake. It was so crowded and you will learn over the years that your ma just doesn't do crowds well. You didn't quite get the candy-in-the-basket concept yet (although by Monday, you were completely a pro). So we mainly went on the merry-go-round. It was a short trip. <br /><br />On Sunday, we all went to the Liberty Athletic Club for a Halloween party. Although you seemed to enjoy yourself and looking at all the kids, we think you were just a little young for most of the stuff. But all was not lost - we won first prize for our Wizard of Oz themed costumes. You were the cutest Dorothy there ever was and ever will be...complete with ruby red sparkly shoes. <br /><br />And then today, actual Halloween, we went trick-or-treating on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor with Auntie Lauren and cuzes Aaron and baby Ben. I think Aaron showed you the way with the trick-or-treating because by the second store, you were a pro. And you had a clear preference for anyone handing out KitKats...those are one of ma's favs too. Then Matt joined us for lunch and after lunch you had the experience of eating your first candy bar...a Kit Kat :-). I think you thoroughly enjoyed it. And ma thoroughly enjoyed watching you. <br /><br />So that was our craziness. We even got some candy from Gari, your music teacher...also a KitKat. I think she would say that you enjoyed Halloween with "great gusto" - as you do with most things in life.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-45359106693193826562011-10-28T10:50:00.001-07:002011-10-29T17:57:09.253-07:00I knew it! Stashed eggs...So we got our first two eggs at the beginning of this week...found them in the coop. We know that the time between eggs is usually about 25 hours. So after those first two eggs, we had no eggs for 3 days. We suspected something was up. Then yesterday, when I went to clean the coop, I discovered 6 eggs next to our wagon, behind the coop. Apparently, I freaked the chickens out when I took their eggs that first day so they started a "secret" nest. As a mother, can't say I blame them. We ate those first two, BTW. Yum!<br /><br />Little Miss, tonight I took you to the mall for trick-or-treating. You actually really enjoy the mall - in fact, now, as we get on the highway, you say a very clear "mall". Part of the reason you like it is that there is this little merry-go-round that costs $1 and I usually bring $2 and treat you. Of course, we did that tonight and you loved it. But the trick-or-treating part? Not so much. You really didn't understand that it was ok to take the candy from those handing it out. Honestly, I didn't like it so much either. Sooo crowded. You'll learn - your ma is not the biggest fan of crowds. So we may skip it next year...no worries, you won't be missing much.<br /><br />Tomorrow, your da comes home and we are carving the pumpkin and going to a Halloween party. You already painted a small pumpkin at your art table yesterday - it's all blue and very pretty, I must say. For almost two, you are quite the artist, Little Miss. <br /><br />That's another thing you started today...when I ask you how old you are going to be, you say "Twoooo". You are currently obsessed with that number. So much so that I've considered ditching the Sesame Street theme and having "Twooo" be the theme to your party. How easy would that be? :-). Nah, I'll still probably do Sesame.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-45233403791440067092011-10-23T18:12:00.000-07:002011-10-23T18:18:33.664-07:00An egg! And other adventures...Yes! Finally! Maybe my hens are fertile after all. Or at least they can produce eggs. DH found one when he was closing up the coop tonight. He brought it in while I was giving Little Miss a bath and brushing my teeth. I spit my toothbrush write into the sink and said "Get the f&#k out!" (Sorry Little Miss). It was every bit as exciting as I expected it to be.<br /><br />Other adventures these days...your da and I took our first little trip by ourselves. To Cleveland. Who knows what Cleveland will be like when you eventually read this someday. We went there because we lived there back in 1998. It was a great trip and although I of course missed you, I also know that a little time away every now and again will help me be a better mother. We brought you back an airplane bath toy from the International Women's Air and Space Museum. Grandma and Gramps watched you and from what they say, you were an angel and had a wonderful time. They said you talked a lot and that it appears that you know that our last name is "Wall". Impressive.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-84799924248918802442011-10-17T03:40:00.001-07:002011-10-17T03:47:29.898-07:00Baby cheeksSo, we have had an enjoyable few days...soaking up sunshine and fall weather in preparation for the long winter. Yes, baby, in Michigan the winters are long and gray. No worries, though. We'll still play a lot in the snow...just bought you boots yesterday and will probably pick up your snowsuit today. I want to be prepared for that first snow fall - I think you'll be very excited by it this year.<br /><br />So one interesting thing - As we've been playing at parks, running errands and swimming/playing at " the Club"(your daddy and I recently joined an athletic club in Ann Arbor. We've decided to refer to it as "the Club" in an attempt to feel richer than we really are)this past weekend, three people have said the following "Look at those cheeks!". And then two others said "So, is she about 14 months?". I think it is because you have such baby hair still. I haven't gotten it cut yet because I don't want to loose that cute little curl on the back of your neck. So if you want to know what others think of your looks right now, I'll sum it up in two words...baby cheeks. And I L-O-V-E them.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-29891900531205388642011-10-12T13:58:00.000-07:002011-10-13T17:23:04.493-07:00Eggs, please, for this stage maSo I've chatted a lot about Little Miss, but what about the Four Hens part? They are about 5 months and 2 weeks old and still no eggs. Although most chicken literature says they will start producing between 5-6 months, I'm worried they will never produce eggs. In fact, I can't envision actually finding an egg they produce. Or if I do find one, I can only picture it being all messed up in some way. I often wonder how this lack of faith in their systems working correctly relates to my own infertility trauma. I imagine there is some connection. And so it goes...projecting our own experiences and expectations (or lack there of) onto others - including chickens.<br /><br />On another note, I take you, Little Miss, to music class on Wednesday mornings. Today, a local journal, affiliated with the Crazy Wisdom Bookstore, came for a photo shoot of the class. Side note - Ann Arbor is a bit of a hippie place and this is a bit of a hippie journal...and, well, because your ma has chickens, she may be considered a hippie as well by some. You will probably either love or despise parts of Ann Arbor living. I just hope that in some way parts of it have a positive impact on your growth. So this photographer was there and I'll admit it - while the idea was that we were suppose to just interact how we normally do in the class, I was very conscious of this camera person and did my best to "help" her get some pretty cute shots of you. Yes, it's true, I hope you are the feature picture because, let's be honest - it's hard to match your cuteness.<br /><br />While eating your snack of teddy grahams and juice at the long kids table (your favorite part of the whole experience, I may add), Gari, your teacher, came up to me and commented about how you seem to approach every new experience with great "gusto". I love that. It is probably the best description of you at this age that I've ever heard. I do truly admire your gusto.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-13446997395306858912011-10-09T18:58:00.000-07:002011-10-10T06:55:29.570-07:00DeterminationWow, baby cakes, what a weekend! You and I went to Grand Rapids visit your cousin, Liam and friends Becky, Ella, Abby, Macy and John. We played hard, went to an apple orchard, played on a playground and went to Meijer Garden and saw a huge bronze horse sculpture. I think you had a lot of fun. You seemed happy. You also seemed very independent and determined.<br /><br />I know this independence and determination will serve you very well in life. However, I also hope that you learn to be a little dependent...just once in awhile. Ma doesn't have these skills, and frankly, it's exhausting. So keep that spunk Little Miss, but also know that it's ok to ask for help. <br /><br />By the way, you currently call me "Ma".Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-74518599311539452692011-10-06T19:00:00.000-07:002011-10-06T19:21:47.382-07:00Gingerbread HouseAbout three Christmas's ago, I was shopping at Target and saw this wooden house with 25 little doors...places to put small little treasures for little hands to find. We had just failed our IUI a few weeks prior.<br /><br />I picked it up. I held it. I carried it around the store while I daydreamed about putting it in a very special place in our house. I envisioned our beautiful child (yes, Little Miss, I knew you would be a beauty long before you were born) waking up with excitement and opening each little door to find a treat or trinket. I thought about what a fun tradition it would be - I have never been a big holiday fan and have put it on my list of "Things I don't want to pass down". I also thought about the day that you would talk about what a fun tradition it was. <br /><br />And yet through all this daydreaming and debating, I couldn't bring myself to purchase it. I just couldn't be sure that there would ever be a child in our house. And I couldn't bring myself to take the risk.<br /><br />And the next Christmas I saw these houses at Target again - only I didn't pick one up and daydream about. We had failed our first cycle of IVF that previous summer. <br /><br />Today, while having a little mommy time, I saw one of these houses yet again - only this time I purchased it with little hesitation for you, Little Miss. I hope you enjoy it. I hope it becomes one of those traditions that you talk about when you are an adult. But if you don't like it or talk about it when you're older, it's okay. Purchasing it was as much for me as it was for you. It is a symbol of the fact that I no longer have to take the risk. <br /><br />It was a happy day.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-33744084912134152872011-09-30T18:39:00.000-07:002011-09-30T18:50:55.679-07:00Traverse CityWow, baby, you were amazing on this annual trip. I'll admit - we had our doubts. Traveling just hasn't been good this summer. Our New Hampshire trip consisted of spending 3-4 hours a day/night in the car getting you to sleep...many of those hours in the middle of the night. We were beside ourselves when we got home - exhausted. And this was when you were confined to a crib. So when you busted out of the crib a month or so ago, we had no idea how you would travel. <br /><br />Your bedtime routine still takes a solid hour. About 15 minutes of reading, following by 45 minutes of sitting on your little airplane stool as you toss, turn and rearrange and tuck in Ernie and Piggy. Well, the routine was about the same in the hotel room, but once you fell asleep, you stayed asleep. And that was G-L-O-R-I-O-U-S. Thank you, thank you, thank you.<br /><br />You seemed to be filled with joy on this trip. You loved playing in the rocks along the Lake Michigan shore. You enjoyed some gelato with Daddy at an ice cream shop in a converted asylum...a little creepy I must say. And you were a superstar at Mission Tavern for dinner. You were the only child in the restaurant, and it was clear by the single booster seat and community crayon cup that children didn't frequent the joint. We got some dirty looks when we sat down, but you were quiet and shared my whitefish nicely.<br /><br />Yes, you were a joyous superstar on this trip.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-87142675588379468012011-09-08T18:18:00.003-07:002011-09-09T04:46:04.284-07:00Mommy time...It's so interesting to me that having Little Miss changes the motivation behind everything I do. Healthy or not, I find that she is the motivation of most everything I do. I'm trying real hard to take care of myself and my needs because I want her to grow up knowing that it's okay to take care of yourself - that everyone benefits when you take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is not selfish, Little Miss.<br /><br />So in the spirit of this, I am at a hotel tonight - the Holiday Inn Express near the mall. I checked in, checked out my upgraded room (thanks, hubby) and promptly went shopping. I bought odds and ends. Honestly, most of my purchases were for Little Miss; some socks for the fall and some Thomas the Train sheets for her big girl bed. I miss her. I’ve checked in at home about three times. Hubby said she cried for me during dinner. But this is a step – a step in learning how to take care of myself and give myself a break so that I can come home not only feeling refreshed as a mother and wife, but also as an individual with an individual identity...oh, and also as a chicken farmer.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254054224209789650.post-34844078001671719532011-04-19T17:14:00.000-07:002011-04-19T17:33:33.171-07:00This blogI use to blog about our infertility issues. Blogging provided an unexpected and much needed support system. Now that our Little Miss is here, we are just enjoying life and our time with her. But I miss blogging. In addition to creating such a support system, blogging was also my creative outlet. Little Miss is 17 months, my crazy semester at the university ended today and I am ready to get those creative juices flowing again...to dive into something new...to keep life interesting...to do something quite different from the aviation industry.<br /><br />What is more different from the aviation industry than raising chickens in the city? The chicks are ordered - Two Wyandottes, one Ameracauna and one Road Island Red. We willingly got permission from the neighbors. They seem excited - not just about the fresh eggs, but also about just having chickens around. One of them is convinced they will become the "neighborhood chickens". I think he's right. I hope he's right. I hope locals will appreciate a little bit of farm in the city...or grow to appreciate it. I know the risk...becoming known as the hippie "chicken lady". ;-)<br /><br />It's a risk I'm willingly to take. I am grateful to be able to expose Little Miss to such a great town and now, with the passing of this law, I can also expose her to a little bit of country. I want her to see something grow - whether she'll remember it or not. I want her to see where food comes from. I want her to enjoy a fresh egg.<br /><br />We also got the permit today. The coop has been picked out. Chicks are due to arrive May 4th. Oh - no worries. There will be pictures...lots and lots of pictures.Retro Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10520769739651681722noreply@blogger.com0