The Bean

Autumn in the kitchen of a U-505 German Sub.

We are here in Chicago visiting my Auntie Janet and Uncle Bob. There is so much to see here, nothing at all like Grover Beach :) The girls have such fun people watching and asking all sorts of questions about everything they see.

Today we spent the greater part of the day at the Museum of Science and Industry followed by a trip to Millennium Park. We've been here enough times now that all the girls can decide where they want to go, things they remember from past trips.

Autumn was unable to go with us last year, so it's even more fun having her here with us! The girls have matured so much in the past year and it's been reflected in the manner in which they conduct themselves just about everywhere. Sage and Lindsey have found a love of reading, they push each other, it's something new and rewarding to witness! Janie Pie took them on a trip to the library today where they each checked out 10+ books. They have been reading ever since!

"Ewwww, who has smelly feet??" cries Autumn in the living room this evening. "Um, it's me" responds Lindsey, "my feet always smell after I wear those black shoes". A bit of me is relieved to hear this banter. Life is somewhat normal, it has been for some time now and the thought of returning to anything else scares the shit out of me. In about a week, we'll have another scan, just an ultrasound this time, to make sure that everything looks just as great as it has felt. I know it is impossible to feel anything different right now, this is how life will be but it beats the alternative, so I'm game.

What a glorious few months we have had. In the past three months, we have been to Cottage just ONCE for her scan...what a relief!

Almost two years ago, we had planned a family vacation to Costa Rica. For obvious reasons we had to cancel our original date and when I rescheduled, it wasn't far enough ahead to make it work even though I had added 2 extra months to the time frame. :( FINALLY, after the second reschedule, we made our way!! It was amazing, beautiful, not-quite as cheap as we had hoped, but nonetheless amazing. The girls used as much Spanish as they could and we had a blast zip-lining, climbing volcanoes and playing on the beach!

The hardest part for Autumn were people's comments. Almost EVERYWHERE we went, people assumed she was a "varón"...a boy. It made sense, since her hair is beginning to regrow, she has the same haircut as her dad, so why wouldn't anyone think differently? She grew tired of that assumption and was visibly embarrassed about it at times. It was a small part of her overall joy throughout the trip, and surely it will make her stronger, but I'm not sure she needs more of that! :)