Just Another Day…

Category: Photo Post

Super Nanny Maria, One Door Closes & Another Opens

It was just over a year ago that we were, on very short notice, in need of a new Nanny after having one that just didn’t work out after only 2 weeks on the job, and another one before her that quit with no notice. This was one of those times that when you look back, what seemed like a bad situation was really a setup for something better.

Maria was hired before she even left the interview after spending 2 hours talking and caring for the boys while we asked questions. We could tell just from her interaction with them that she would be a great caretaker for the boys. In no time at all she was in love with them as if they were her own. Even now, just saying “Maria is here!” gets the boys running to the front door looking for her. She has not only been great taking care of the boys, but most days she helps clean the house, do the boys wash and makes us dinner. What’s not to like!

So now the boys are almost 2 years old, and we’ve realized that hey need more help then we can give them on our own or even with the help of a Nanny. They need more stimulation, more challenges, more interaction with other kids and need to be more engaged in general. We recently found a school (a pre-preschool) that seems to have a great balance of all of these. We knew after our first meeting at the school that this was what they needed. We did one trial day with the boys at the school to see how they liked it, and it was clear that we were doing the right thing.

So starting next week, the boys will be in school from about 9-5 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. This gives Brenda time to relax and start “nesting” for the new baby, and sometime next year if she chooses to, it gives her a chance to continue her career, something she’s still very passionate about.

Maria is still weighing out her options and may continue to Nanny or pursue some other opportunities that have come her way recently. One thing is clear, if she continues to Nanny she will not have a difficult time finding a new job, even in this economy. She is second to none, and the only bad part about having her help out is that any other caretaker after her will just not compare.

So while she’s no longer our Nanny, she will always be a great friend. We love you Maria.

You can find the rest of the photos on SmugMug.

October 15, 2009
Fire Station Open House

This past weekend we took the boys to the local Wheaton Fire Station #1 for their annual open house. I have to admit, while the initial idea was to take them, I really looked forward to it as well. I think the last time I was at a Fire House was in 3rd grade when the whole class took a trip. You know, guys and big machinery, trucks or anything that makes a loud noises. It’s hard to not get excited.

The boys really loved it and we ended the trip with a ride on one of the Fire Trucks. All and all a great way to start the day! The rest of the photos can be found on SmugMug.

October 13, 2009
Sweet Home Chicago, for 18 Years

The Chicago Pin Heads Bowling Team. We sucked, but it was a blast every Tuesday night.

It’s hard to believe it, but this month makes 18 years that I’ve lived in Chicago. I’m always reminded of the anniversary because every year they hold the Chicago Marathon, which took place of of the first weekends after I moved here. This years race was today.

While I can’t remember what I did yesterday, I can remember very clearly moving to Chicago and what it was like at the time. I was only 24 years old and moved to a city where the only person I knew was a guy that had also moved to Chicago from the same company I was working at in Detroit.

I remember being excited with no reservations about moving. I quickly gave notice at work, put my car up for sale and started packing. But once I got to the airport and my parents dropped me off, the reality really hit me. Suddenly I was overwhelmed with emotion and it got the best of me. But even then I knew I was doing the right thing.

I moved into a nice neighborhood (known as the Gold Cost) that was 2 blocks from the lake and walking distance to my new job. It was a very exciting time of my life and the first two years were especially fun since pretty much everything I did and everywhere I went was new. Within a few months of being here I had a great apartment, great job, new girlfriend, new responsibilities at my job and was surrounded both at work and my apartment by people my age. It was awesome!

I would spend my summers riding my bike or rollerblading along the lake and was introduced to all kinds of new activities (new to me) like going out to see local bands at the bar, heading up to Wisconsin to go mountain bike riding, relaxing in small coffee shops (pre-Starbucks) just to hang with friends, seeing independent plays in the park and watching movies that were not considered main stream at the Music Box Theater. It was ALL NEW and I loved it.

So 18 years later what do I think? While I’ve had good and bad years here, it’s been overwhelming good – and I can’t deny that I’m happy with the way things have turned out. I have an awesome wife that’s given me two beautiful boys and has another in the oven, we own our own small post house, we’re close to Brenda’s family and a easy 5 hour drive from most of mine, and I have a really great network of family, friends and clients all rooted right here in Chicago.

What a great journey it’s been so far, and I feel like in some ways it’s only just begun.

October 11, 2009
Better Health Starts Today

It’s not about losing weight (well, not totally) and it’s not really a diet, it’s about living longer and being healthy in my later years. It’s about changing the way I eat as part of my lifestyle. What you eat and the amount of your daily physical activity play a huge role in how well you will fair in the later years of your life. A few books that I have read recently really brought that into focus in a way that made me reevaluate how I’ve been “feeding my body”. I’m no longer 20 years old with “my whole life ahead of me” and it’s time to start acting like it.

Having the boys (and soon a new baby) has really made it much more important to me as well. When I spend time with the boys I realize how much I love them, but also how much I still have to give to them in the many years to come. I want to be sure that I’m here to do that. The most important thing I will ever do with my life is to be a father, I really feel that in my soul.

Last but certainly not least, having diabetes raises the importance of diet and exercise. Because of my condition I am more at risk for some serious health complications, but keeping things in check severely reduce that risk almost to the point of being a non-diabetic.

Earlier this year I made an attempt and eating better and did great for a few months until I had what can only be described as a mental melt down (I’m fine now though). At that point I didn’t care about my diet anymore and just said “screw it”. I felt like a smoker that kicked the habit, but then had to have just one more because of a rough day. Since then it’s been very difficult to get back on track.

But, I’ve decided to try again. I only fail if I stop trying, and that I will not do.

(more…)

September 17, 2009
Weekend Photos from Millennium Park

We had an awesome day downtown with the boys. The weather was great, and love him or hate him Mayor Daily sure knows how to create a beautiful public park. There’s always something to do down there, even with our little guys.

Here are a few photos, and the rest are on SmugMug.

September 14, 2009