diapers and skinny jeans

For our recent week in the maternity series , we headed to the Chicago MCA.  Erick and I both had no idea they had activities and snacks on their "family day" and were pleasantly surprised when we decided to stop by.  It was the perfect afternoon of browsing around with no specific time constraints, sheltered from the cold, Chicago winter and watching our daughter completely enthralled, tagging along her Papa's side.  I stayed on the sidelines a bit just to watch them interact with each other - it's a beautiful thing the love a little girl can have for her Papa.

We don't usually plan for extravagance.  In fact, it's usually the opposite. We have visited the same exact restaurant for brunch countless times over, at least switching up our orders every now and again.  The park she favors is also one you've seen in most every "playdate" photo, not too far from brunch and always crowded with kids.  We like simple, here.  Some days are nearly identical, but each with their own unique twist... we've grown comfortable in our dynamic together as a family, and it's such a great feeling.  As little ones change and grow, (and my so quickly!) life with a baby has become life with a toddler: fast paced, challenging, but more fun than Erick and I have ever had.  We are living and loving each day as it comes, and I couldn't be more grateful. Today, Nina and I are taking the girls on a fun Halloween excursion.  Sofia was thrilled when she saw her Yo Gabba Gabba costume-- and I have to admit, she looks ...

We were waiting for this day. The rare occurrence of warm weather struggling to stay around just a bit longer.  As the breath of the late, autumn wind touched our skin, I was instantly reminded of our summer: icy pops, trips to the beach, sand in our hair, bare tanned feet.  So many wonderful memories were made, adventures taken, and time spent in complete and utter relaxation. The beach in autumn is a silent beach, an empty beach. Frankly, it's one that I don't mind at all- often better than the busy, sticky original.  We ran with full force into the sand, which was a cool in contrast to the warmth of the day.  Thinking Sofia would surely be frightened after we learned that the new tactile sensation of sand didn't sit too well over the summer , but to both Erick and I's surprise, she loved it.  I am relieved. Thank you again, friends for your warm words and welcomes over on Facebook . It means the world, truly.

A while back, I had posted about dreading the change of the season.  I was so caught up in my whirlwind of a summer, the beautiful weather, the bare feet, the music and late night dancing in the wilderness, camping, and vacations that I barely remembered or welcomed the un-rushed pace that comes with the beginning of fall. Living in the middle of the city has been a blessing for finding new, exciting and bustling places to eat and explore, but so many times I'm wishing for the opportunity to do something a little less... urban .  I grew up in the country, and Erick, in the city- so now we've been doing our best to give our child the best of both worlds. We took a drive about 40 minutes south of the city to a little place in the suburbs and welcomed the crisp and cool air that kissed our cheeks as we embarked on a tiny adventure in the forest.  Hiking with a toddler is such an enriching exper...

As you can see, spoons are for combing your hair, slobbering on, tapping Papa on the shoulder with, and especially  making noises on the table. Trust me when I say that there is never a dull moment eating brunch with the De La Rosa's.  We can't be beat! Erick, Sofia and I had a delicious meal over the weekend: black bean cakes with chorizo and eggs for him, and dandelion root and leek omelette for me.  Sofia had bites of both, plus her own bowl of fruit and scrambled eggs.  The weekend was unusually warm, all of us spending most of the day trying not to break a sweat. Pictured above: M.Henry's gorgeous outdoor patio.  If you've never been, definitely give this spot a look. (And from what I hear, their Sunday brunch menu is even better then what we had!)

Have you ever decided to be a tourist in your own town?  Today, that is exactly what we did. Erick, Sofia and I ventured out amongst the heat to the sweaty and overcrowded Millennium Park downtown in the city to show our daughter The Bean, the spitting fountain, the crazy cab drivers and painted sidewalks on State Street for the very first time.   She loved it. I actually ended up taking her running through the water for most of the day, and was most definitely not prepared for the consequences of my fully-dressed self.  While Sofia was able to  lose her shirt  and dry off for a few minutes, mama could not.  Not that I think it would have been appropriate in front of all the children, but wow, was that an uncomfortable walk back to the car!  I am so very lucky that Erick was able to capture a majority of these shots while I was busy discreetly trying to wring out bits and pieces of my ...