thefoxesblog

Well, we’ve completed week three of our adventure to the far north. So far, so good. I just completed my first full week of work, and it seemed long. Though I have always worked through school, it’s actually been a while since I’ve worked every day for a solid eight hours. I’m really enjoying my job here. They’re giving me a lot more flexibility and responsibility than I had expected. I’m even getting to work on some projects all by myself.

On the home front, Ladybug and Katie are beginning to settle in more, too. They’re getting to spend a lot of time outside, when the weather is nice, making use of the numerous parks in our neighborhood. Every time they go Ladybug makes at least three new dog friends. Katie has also been able to make a few people friends, like other moms or nannies who are there with their kiddos. They also are going to be attending Musikgarten classes on Thursday mornings for the summer, too. (This is the same curriculum that Katie teaches in her music classes in Austin.)

This past Friday evening the pastor of our church here and his wife invited us for dinner. They’re a young couple with two kids, one of which is about Ladybug’s age. We had a good time eating and relaxing at their house, which was only minutes away from ours. After dinner we went on a walk around their neighborhood. It was lovely.

We also have plans to have dinner this Wednesday with another couple from church, whom we like a lot. We’re excited about it.

On the weekends we’ve been doing some tourist-y things, trying to see more of the city and the culture here. So far we’ve been to Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, Brookfield Zoo, the Magnificent Mile, and the Shedd Aquarium. They have this cool program in Chicago where, if you’re a member of the public library, you can check out free passes to many of the museums and attractions around the city. We’ve been taking advantage of this the past two weekends with the Brookfield Zoo and the Shedd Aquarium.

Here are a few shots from around our neighborhood:

Here are some shots from both zoos (Ladybug really loves monkeys, you should ask her about it):

And how do we get to all these wonderful places? Well, thanks for asking! By bus and by train, of course. Ladybug loves the “choo choo train,” though she doesn’t love staying in her seat on it. It’s been nice to not have to drive very much.
Waiting for the train:

On the bus:

At the dolphin show at the aquarium (sorry, no dolphins):

Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza—you know I had some. Thank you, Giordano’s—customer satisfied:

It can get kinda rainy here, but Ladybug’s prepared:

There are a few more photos on our flickr page if you’re not yet satisfied. Thanks for coming to check in on us, and we hope you’re all doing well. Until next time—signing off.

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We have now been in Chicago for just a little over two weeks and there is so much to say that I don’t even know where to begin.  We finally have internet set up at home, so we will be able to stay in touch with everyone much more easily now!  I guess the best place to start is at the beginning…

Ladybug and I arrived on Saturday the 15th at Midway Airport and hopped in a cab to our apartment.  Shaun arrived the next day after making the 18 hour drive up from Austin.  We were very glad to all be reunited.  We are living in Little Italy, which is a wonderfully charming neighborhood with many great places within walking distance.  We can walk to two great parks (one with a big green space and one with a great playground), restaurants, coffee shops, the library, and the subway stop very easily.  Our apartment itself leaves a bit to be desired, but it will be just fine for the summer.

Since then we have been trying to get settled in, and doing some sightseeing as well.  Shaun started his job on Tuesday the 19th, and so far he is really enjoying it.  He is getting to do a lot of real work, which is great - you never know what might happen with an internship - but so far he hasn’t been asked to get anyone’s coffee!  He has even been given free reign a few times on some projects, and the word on the street is that his boss is happy so far.

The first full weekend we were here was Memorial Day weekend, so it was a little crazy when we were out doing touristy things - I think half the state of Illinois joined us.  We went to Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, and walked up and down the Magnificent Mile.  On Memorial Day itself it was 55 degrees!  We had to go buy a jacket for Ladybug at Target.  We also went to a cook-out at one of Shaun’s co-worker’s apartment.  It was fun to go meet some other people.

We visited a church that weekend, as well, and we went back yesterday, too.  I think we are going to stay there for the summer.  It is right here in our neighborhood, about a 7-8 minute walk.  All the people are very warm and friendly; we immediately felt welcome there.  It is a small church.  There are a lot of younger people and young families, and we are told there are tons of UIC students there during the school year but the numbers have dropped off since the semester ended.  Last Thursday night I went to a ladies’ gathering at the apartment of one of the girls, and I had a great time.  Last night we all went to someone else’s house for a game night.  So we are already feeling like we are making friends and that makes us very happy!

One thing about Chicago in general is that it seems like everyone is sooo friendly!  Everyone says hello or smiles when you pass them on the street.  On the bus or the subway, they freely speak up to offer help when they see you fumbling with your map and wondering where your stop is.  Everyone loves Ladybug and stops to say hello and chat with her.  In our neighborhood, there are always dogs at the park and everyone stops to let Ladybug pet their dog and chat with us for a bit.  It has been really refreshing.

In general, Ladybug seems to have adjusted to the move very well.  She already calls this place “home.”  She was a little scared the first time we rode the subway; I think it was because it can be very loud.  But now she loves riding the “choo-choo train,” and the bus is exciting, too.  Her vocabulary has really taken off; she is now speaking in full and correct four and five word sentences, and she surprises us all the time. Funny story: at the Memorial Day cook-out, she was leaning up against the wall and pushing against it with all her might.   I noticed what she was doing, and went over to her and said, “Ladybug, what are you doing, sweetie?”  She finally turned to walk away, shaking her head, and saying, “Too big.”

She has also hit the “terrible twos,” even though the age isn’t official yet. Everything belongs to her.  At the library, if other kids come in, she runs to them and asserts, “My library!”  When we were at the zoo and the dolphins swam away, she cried out, “My dolphins!”   And she wants to do everything herself, such as dress herself - which she can’t actually do yet.  But she says, “I’ll do it!” It is funny although it is certainly frustrating at times, too.  We are working on sharing and accepting help.  Sometimes those things are  just hard, even for grown-ups!

Shaun misses Mexican food.  I miss HEB. We all miss our friends and family.  But for the most part, we are doing really well and so far we like Chicago a lot!  We will post some pictures soon, so check back!  Thanks for reading and caring and loving us.

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