Summer so far

 We've had lots of fun this summer. It really is the best time in Chicago plus we haven't had to deal with much and humid weather so far. Lots of very pleasant days. Lucia is almost 17 months now and continues to grow up (crazy how that happens, right?)

She still loves to eat, try new foods, carry around purses, put things in those purses, brush her teeth, color, ride in the wagon, listen to fun songs, say 'yeah', copy words and songs and get rowdy with her cousins. It is amazing seeing her learn new words, use them in the right way and really understand what we are saying. She can follow simple directions, is starting to pretend play and says things like 'thank you', 'bye' and 'night-night' on her own. She says about 10-15 words at this point and can copy many more. She is down to one nap and continues to be a great sleeper. She's definitely getting into some toddler tantrums and continues to express her emotion by biting or trying to bite others (working on it). She is learning how to use eating utensils but in the meantime, she usually refuses to let us help her which means oatmeal/apple sauce/cottage cheese everywhere. So many fun new things but of course each stage brings their new challenges. She's a cutie and we love her!

 

 Helping out at home by raking the leaves and throwing them in the trash can.

 Looking at baby Renee

 Gwen and Renee

 We walked to our wedding reception site to get some last pics before it gets demolished and becomes some multi million dollar home. It is close to my parents house in Winnetka and across the street from one of my childhood favorite parks.

 Lucia liked the park too

 Father's day at the beach

 GG and Renee

 Forth of July on our friends' rooftop

 A perfect spot for 360 degree fireworks viewing

 Cousin time

 Hanging with Janine and the Zekester

 Such a cutie!

 Beach time

 Her tummy is her greatest feature

Scott's Resort (The New Afterglow)

 We enjoyed a wonderful week with my family at Scott's Resort this year. It was good weather, horrible bugs but a great time. It's always fun to get out of the city and be outside for a while. Plus, my phone had no service which was a great break and reminder that I can live without them. 

Almost everyone was from the Wallgren clan was there at least a few days (sorry Eric). The cabins were new to us since we outgrew our last resort (there are about 35 of us total). We were really happy with the place and look forward to going back next year.

 'Breakfast club' on the first morning.

 Lucia in her Camp Wallgren shirt

 Fun on the tire swing

 Lucia had lots of fun in the water. It was great, shallow, sandy water for the kids to play in.

 Gathering around baby Renee. I have almost the exact same picture of the older girls doing that to Lucia when she was that age.

 Ice cream!

 This ramp outside the ice cream store is always a hit.

 Lucia and her cousins

 Some of our cabins

 I guess Lucia was over this whole picture thing by this point

 We even had a baby shower for Anne and Pete! Baby Anderson will make great-grandchild number 10 for G G and Great Grandpa Ray.

 We had some lovely tea and lots of good food to celebrate. My mission was to recreate our favorite tea sandwiches from high tea at the Drake. Definitely worth the effort.

 Mom-to-be Anne, Julie and Beth

 We tie-dyed onesies which was a perfect and really cute outdoor activity.

A fun time had by all. Until next year...

We moved...again

 If you're wondering why it has been so long since a blog update, it's partly because we have moved and it has taken a while to get back into the swing of things (and get wireless internet so I could access my pics to update). We now live in Wilmette with my sister, Linnea and her family. We only lived in Evanston for one year but it was by far my most favorite place I have lived and it was sad to say goodbye. 

The picture above is from the last time Lucia was there. We were heading to Linnea's to watch Naomi like we usually do on Friday mornings. There was nothing different about the day to Lucia and it wasn't like she knew what was to come but when we left our apartment that morning, she stopped after the one little step in the courtyard, turned towards the building and waved, saying "Bah" (which means 'bye'). Either it was a crazy coincidence or we have a genius on our hands, regardless, this basically made me tear up.

 I didn't realize how much white furniture we had until I saw it all like this in the alley. So we packed up our stuff and recreated our bedroom, Lucia's room and living room in Linnea and Cam's basement. It's a cozy space and works for now, especially when we have all the advantages of living in a house rather than apartment. We're not planning on being here for too long, but we're still working on that part of the plan.

 When I left, I stood in this spot one more time. It was the spot where I aggressively inquired about the details for securing this place with the building manager after first looking at it. This was rather awkward since I had been shown this apartment along with another women interested in it...and her young daughter. When I saw that they were coming too, I said to myself that if I liked the place, I would make sure I got it which I did by sitting in the manager's car filling out paperwork and writing a deposit check immediately after seeing it. I got it and it was worth it even if we did move one year later.

That place will always be special for many reasons: Lucia slept in her own room for the first time there, she learned to walk there, she loved to look out at the windows 'woofing' at dogs and pointing out birds, I loved walking to the many nearby parks, the lake and fun restaurants and Matt and I have a lot of great memories created there. To me, it was the perfect blend of city and suburban life. PLUS there will be a Trader Joe's up and running this fall that was only a 10 minute walk away...dream scenario!

But there are many positives about living here as well and we are definitely enjoying those things already. It makes my life much simpler to be living where Lucia is watched while I'm at work (a lot less driving), we get to enjoy this wonderful house and backyard, Lucia gets to spend tons of time with her cousins who seem to bring out her goofy side, Linnea and I get to meal plan and grocery shop together, lessening the overall time spent on those things for each of us, resident rate for Wilmette pool and beach passes! plus spending more time with Linnea, Cam and the girls is fun.. And there are benefits to communal living when you can all get along and make it work. Not to mention, it's easier to leave and have date nights when you live with others and can take off after the kids are in bed. I could go on and on. I'm already seeing that it will be hard to leave once we do.

Welcome Renee Joanne!

 We have lots of life to catch up on! 

We'll start with the newest addition to our family, sweet little Renee. 

Renee Joanne Bailey was born on June 3rd. She is the youngest daughter of my sister Greta and her husband Scott, joining sisters Addison and Caroline. Renee has been a wonderfully mellow baby since the day she arrived. It will be so fun to watch her grow up.

 Meeting my newest little niece. I still can't believe it's a girl! 

That's makes 7 little girls in our family.

 Matt and Renee

 

Greta and her girls (didn't miss a week of church!)

 Lucia meeting her little cousin. Move over Lucia, Renee is the new baby around here.

So cute! We love you, Renee.

Creamy Mac and Cheese with Butternut Squash

 This is a newer go-to homemade mac and cheese recipe. I used to make a much more decadent version with whole milk, cream and lots of cheese (see recipe index) but lately my mom life consists of making food that's healthier and toddler friendly but still yummy. I discovered that I can make this particular recipe healthier by taking out some of the cheese and milk and adding butternut squash puree. And when I'm really feeling crazy, I make it with whole wheat or veggie pasta. But let's not get carried away here.

The Recipe

• 3/4 lb pasta (any small-sized variety)
• 3 T Butter
• 3 T Flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup butternut squash puree (roast 1/2 butternut squash at 425 degrees, with a little olive oil on top, for about 25 minutes or until fork tender, scoop out flesh and mash or puree)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese or other sharp cheese
• salt to taste

The Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook pasta according to directions, set aside.
3. Melt butter on low, add flour and keep moving with whisk for about 5 minutes. (This makes a pasty 'roux' that helps thicken the sauce.)
4. Slowly add milk and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes until it thickens a bit.
5. Add butternut squash and cheddar (reserving some cheddar for the top). Heat on low, stirring until all the cheese melts.
6. Stir in pasta.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste (I ended up using quite a bit of salt so make sure to taste).
8. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and top with the extra cheddar.
9. If you want to add a crunchy topping, mix a few tablespoons melted butter with breadcrumbs, spoon over the top of the mac and cheese and spread evenly.
10. Bake for about 30 minutes until bubbling and golden brown. Allow to cool a few minutes before serving.

(Toddler approved)