My little Preschooler

Today was Ella's first day of preschool. Here are the ubiquitous photos that all parents must take on days like these, right? Ella loved her first day of class with Miss Mary and the other children.

At least Nicholas and I have a great view while we hang-out and wait for her if we don't want to run errands.

Anxiously awaiting to leave

I can't wait to have Mama all to myself for a little while!

But what will I do without my entertainer?

I love preschool!

Big city behind a little girl

Live radio TODAY!

Anyone wishing to treat themselves to something fun today, I just found out

My Uncle Ron (who is always entertaining might I add) is hosting my cousin Andrew Grafe's radio show "Eclectic Blues" at 2-4p.m. Central time on WWOZ live from New Orleans Today (Monday 9/15/08).

use this link : http://www.wwoz.org/programs/streams

Of course you could tune in other Monday's from 2-4 to hear Andrew too!

A little bit about WWOZ: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Station: Our show hosts are part and parcel of the music community of New Orleans. Some are musicians, others are loyal live-music devotees. You get the local's perspective on every show.

The station does not provide these aficionados with playlists; each show is unique and hand-picked just for you. What's more, they are not influenced by commercial considerations (i.e., record labels, music venues, etc. do not pay for play). Pure intent, pure music, pure groove.

City Mom #3

Over the past few months we've been noticing a new development in Ella's speech. It of course continues to be very good, clear and quite extensive--however the new development is much more exciting: Ella has a Chicago accent!

I keep asking David, "Why does she have this accent? You don't. I don't. So why does she?" He of course said well, because she was born in Chicago and developed her speech in Chicago so she speaks like a true native Chicagoan. We love it! She's also constantly walking around on the city streets and riding city buses and city trains all filled with native Chicagoans here and there.

So if you're one of those parents considering having a baby in the city and then moving out to a suburban life, think twice. For so many, many, many reasons. But also because you might miss out on your kids sounding like Big Jim Colosimo when they talk.

Yet another reason why I love being a city mom.

Perspective

I am so blessed to live life in this beautiful city with my beautiful children and husband. I've been begging God to bless us even more in so many ways that sometimes I feel greedy or at least have convinced myself there's no way I'm going to get all of the things I want. I won't bog you down with the list.

Then I decided that I really could get it all. Perspective is what I needed. Sometimes it just takes some more creativity, survival skills or yes--worrying, praying, crying, laughing and maybe not the easiest way to resolve something. But in the end life goes on and we are not just surviving, we are thriving. God is showing me that I truly do have it all if I just have the right perspective

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Here are some pictures to catch you up for August through yesterday. Enjoy!

Hi There!

Nicholas has a personal entertainer--Ella

4 months old

Guess who's teething

Nice rolls

Trying out my future bed

I'm bustin' out of my bassinet!

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park

How cute am I?

They are so sweet when sleeping

Ella Jumping with Kaitlynn

What are they doing Mama?

Papa time!

At the beach--with some fresh wounds

before the storm

after the storm

Block Party

We love our diverse neighborhood

Shy firegirl

We love our face painter!

Reading books

Sashay across the living room

more from the personal entertainer

did we mention Nicholas is teething?

encore

Say Frommage!

Sweet baby boy Nicholas

What is this? Cereal? For me?

Yes! It's for you!

Ballerina Baker

Bye Bye!