Ohioans...

Chicago, we have left the city. Cincinnati, we have arrived.

After several days of frantic packing, tearful goodbyes and the discovery of dust bunnies the size of rottweilers we were finally heading to our new home by 2:15 CST.

Andy drove our 17 foot U-Haul (note to selves, we own way more than 17 feet worth of crap). Every time he had to make a turn or navigate a curve he had to stabilize our very heavy chandler so that it would not slam him in the temple and knock him out. Patty and I took off at 80 mph in the Mazda with a mewing cat and a screaming baby. Luckily they took turns on who got to be the vocal one. As we cruised down 94 the skyline shrank behind me...and yes it made me sad (no, really, just a little bit...I am rock afterall!!).

Our movers showed up an hour late and looked to be about 16 years old ~ however, they did an amazing job and did not drop our most important box, the one marked "Fragile. Alcohol". We meet our other movers tomorrow at 1:00....watch out squirrels, here we come.

Many thanks for the many calls, texts and messages wising us well. Hugs and kisses to our coffee and bagels suppliers...you made our morning bearable.

I'm going to go pretend to be awake for the UNC game...

Good night Chicago, sleep tight. I know I will.

**Lauren, as we drove by Demotte we gave you a shout out...welcome back to the midwest!

Are you joking me??

Does he wake up with you at 6:30 a.m. even on Saturdays? Has he changed 99.98% of your dirty diapers? Does he put you in adorable outfits with fabulous shoes? Has he taken you to all the best lunch spots in Chicago?
I don't think so....but all you have to say, anyway, is this...geez thanks.

Reuter's words (Michelle that is...)

Dear Michelle,

Thank you for helping me fight the man. I received a Notice of Determination today from the City of Chicago stating that I had to pay my fine for having expired plates, a ticket I contested last month. Boo Hoo.

Then I went on line to do my civic duty and found this out.

That's right City of Chicago, you have enough of my money! No more for you....perhaps a beer for Michelle for her well worded and obviously powerful letter.

Sincerely,

Jessica

Little Leprechaun(s)

Back in the day St. Patrick's Day meant waking up at 7:00 am, shoving my face with fatty food with Karen or Christie or both and joining my husband at some random location to drink copious amounts of alcohol. We celebrated at Lee's, 1925 W. Grace, Goldie's....but mostly 1925 W. Grace or the old Clifton apartment of Murphey, Phelan and Fowler. We drank, we played games, we made general asses of ourselves (not just Andy & I, all of us).

This year I drank a Starbucks in Beverly with my friend Erin and her sons Tristan and Logan. I packed a box of clothing and shoes. I met Laura Boyd for a lovely lunch at Southport Grocery and then headed out to Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's for corn beef and cabbage (okay, and maybe some Guinness).
Addie showed off her Irish spirit with a her cousin Emmett...and when I say showed off I mean competed for Grandpa & Grandma's attention.






**Oh, and by the way Aunt Kelly, Uncle Rory and Emmett....we're going to miss you a whole freaking bunch. But, seriously, we're not going to live that far away and Cincinnati has great zoo...not only that, but you have FREE place to stay. Come visit...there is more fun to be had

Let the goodbyes begin

The long parade of goodbyes have begun. So far Addison and I are holding up. After our date with Renee & Nick on Tuesday, we managed not to cry. Yesterday we took a walk through Lincoln Square, where we were kept sane during the warm months...we said goodbye to Enjoy, The Book Cellar, The Chopping Block, had one last super delish turkey foccacia at Costello's and took one last stroll around around the square.

Today Renata and Evan came over so the two pipsqueaks could have a final playdate...they squirmed and smiled and giggled and played on their mats. Over all it was a huge success. Renata and I tried to explain to them that they may not see each other until this summer. They didn't seem too bummed about it...in fact they seemed quite enamored with each other!

Tonight I am going to say goodbye to El Tapitio's margaritas, or maybe their mojitos, or maybe both....either way it'll be sad.

Playdate

Nick at the Zoo

Yesterday Addison and I met Renee and Nick at Lincoln Park Zoo. Renee and I were under the impression that the weather was going to be nice and balmy. It wasn't. It was Chicago in March,windy and cold. Nonetheless, we wandered around the Lion House, the Primate House, the Sea Lion tank and the Africa Exhibit. Addie spent a good 20 minutes tracking the lion while he paced to and fro by the window. Once she was bored with the lion she found plenty of amusement in Nicholas. He is quite the chatterbox and little flirt.

We stopped by the Polar Bears, but didn't stay long. They looked a little sad and there was debris floating in their pool and a bone carcass with a crow feasting on it in their exhibit. Don't worry Addison didn't see the sad little polar bear exhibit ~ a trip to the zoo is exhausting.

Not a Stan Fan?

I mixed Addison up some delectable oatmeal, prunes and apples for supper tonight...mmm, mmm, good. While I was getting her gourmet meal ready she had a slight disagreement with her bib. Their relationship started off nice but quickly went down hill.

Is is just a coincidence that bib she had such a falling out with is the one Stan made her?....I sure do hope so. I tried to explain to her who Stan is, but she wasn't understanding. Maybe the two different names thing threw her off. Perhaps it is because in her short little life she has yet to meet him. It could be because the only picture of him that I showed her made him look like a martini glass with hair (strike that, not hair...with ears). Either way she didn't seem to happy to be "Stan's Little Girl".

I can't help that sometimes she has a little attitude...I told her Stan would understand, sometimes he has a little attitude too.

Two Toasts to the Eights!

First a toast to Addison....today she is 8 months old. I can't believe how much she has grown!

Second, a toast to Gramma Kathy. Eight years ago today she underwent surgery for breast cancer...and she not only survived, but continues to thrive. Way to go Gramma!

Sweetness

I have dentist appointment today (yes, two more freaking cavities...I don't want to talk about it.) and Grandpa has bravely volunteered to stay with Addison (thanks to Christie who was willing to come over too). I purposefully dressed Addison in this outfit so that when she decides to throw one of her "where's mommy??" shit fits, Grandpa will still find her irresistible and love her. Should work like a charm....

I really think the shirt is false advertising. It should read "97.4 % sweetness, 2.6% sassiness".

Aunt Ruthie...

Downtown adventures...Addison got to spend some time with her Great Aunt Ruthie this weekend. Last night we went to FlatTop Grill in the West Loop. We had a reservation, thankfully, because it was one super busy restaurant. We all know how much Andy & I love FlatTop, and I just have to comment that of all the ones in area that we've been to this one had the worst service, was most disorganized and was a little messy. That being said I still had two delicious bowls of stir fry, one mojito and a fantastic mango margarita. Just like last time Aunt Ruthie was in town, I couldn't hang and was in bed by 9:45. So was Andy. We are such party animals.

Today I took Addison downtown to have lunch with Aunt Ruthie and her fun friend Cindy. We ended up eating at the Sheraton's Chicago Burger Company. It was wonderful to sit and visit, especially since the valet took my car and said he wouldn't charge us for parking, just to remember to take care of him. Nice...saved at least $10. Actually I saved more like $60, being that Aunt Ruthie and Cindy wouldn't let me pay for a freaking thing....I felt like I was back in college, it was kinda nice! (Kinda nice especially since 2 burgers, 2 sodas and 1 order of french fries was thirty freaking dollars!!).

Thanks for coming and visiting Aunt Ruthie...It was good to have you back in Chicago one last time. Thanks for spoiling us. Thanks for the swag from the hair show. But mostly, thanks for not feeding Addison any of your mango margarita!

300 feet of bubble wrap and counting

Andy & I realized late last week that we have very little time to get our entire condo packed. Basically this weekend and next weekend are it. March 14th Andy has Steak Nights (better known as Steak Knights); March 15th Addison is going to Grandpa & Grandma's so we can go be silly with our friends (and hungover on the 16th). We're both out of town on the 19th. Andy is heading to Omaha for some Smitty time, and I am heading to Pittsfield for some Gramma/Mom time. Andy returns the 23rd, but I am not back until the 26th ~ 3 days before we move (I know, I know, POOR planning!). So this weekend was spent getting to work....our dining room now looks like this:

Muffin Top?

You know those mornings when you go to get dressed and nothing fits right? Well, I think Addison had one today....

When I first put this shirt on her it was snug, but I thought it would do for a while. I put her down to play and started cleaning the kitchen...when I looked over her shirt had rolled up over her squishy little belly and everything was hanging out.

Oooops.