A list of (exciting) updates!

These things are so simple, but we hope you can sense our joy in each one!

We have a kitchen table. Small joys! We are finally not munching down dinner on our couch or the floor. This is a big deal. It's been almost two months. I'm pretty excited to eat my tacos at the table.

We went to the Zoo! And it's free and beautiful and a haven of children. You know how in Harry Potter you wonder where all the wizards are in this muggle world and then you go to Hogwarts and you feel at home? I felt at home at the zoo. So many babies. Can I not compare babies to wizards? No? OK. Sorry!

Steven is still composing A.LOT! He is doing amazing. I am so impressed with his work. He did some amazing work the other day that honestly gave me goosebumps. I felt like I was watching a movie. It was brilliant! Check out his stuff at stevenspiel.com! He'll upload his new stuff soon. 

Liv is taking naps. By herself. And only with a little help from mom to start out. This is a miracle. I think if any of my other children sleep well by themselves or put themselves to sleep or stay asleep I will just cry for joy. 

 Here are some more pictures of Olivia. Isn't it amazing how the simplest things can amuse them and fascinate them? It's so fun to give her toys and have them distract while I do much needed housework or brush my teeth. I feel very accomplished in a day if I've brushed my teeth before noon. Don't be grossed out. :)

Here is us at a Halloween party for church. My cousin Lauren gave us the idea to be nerds because I am just awful at Halloween. 

Does Liv's face speak to you?

To me, she's saying, 

"Why couldn't you make me something cute for halloween? Like a bunny... or a dog?" 

Not saying that nerds aren't cute.

They so are.

And we proved it! :)

Fall in Chicago

Let's face it.

Fall is gorgeous.

And I knew fall in the city would be splendid! 

Here are some shots from around the city this Autumn.

I call this one "My feet with leaves."

Creative, yeah?

This pictures is so pretty. There are so many cathedrals and old churches in this city and I LOVE IT.

It's so neat to see something so old within huge skyscrapers and busy city life. It's a breath of fresh air from the cookie cutter sky scrapers and glass and metal. Stone, finish, gorgeous craftsmanship. 

So breathtaking.

This picture's for Adam Spiel! There's a Rolls Royce right down the street from us. 

We always think about you when we walk by! :)

On our way home from church.

Speaking of church, I gave a talk this sunday! 

And there were so many people visiting for the Notre Dame game. 

The congregation was packed! 

We met some super nice people from out of town.

The Livs.

She's so precious. 

She gets cuter and happier every day. 

And our quality of life goes up each day she smiles more.

Let's face it. 

Happy baby, happy mama, happy dad.

As for updates?

Liv has rolled over!! Woohoo. 

So exciting! It's so funny to see her in one place one moment and then in another the next.

Steven's doing so great at school. He's working so hard at everything and trying to absorb as much as he can! 

We went to IKEA and I bought things for the house to make it feel a bit more home-y.

Steven was so sweet and understanding about it and knows that it's super important to me to feel comfy.

Having somewhere that's home is like that feeling when you make cookies and milk or granola and the smells waft through the house and you just... feel so comfortable. 

For some reason it's been even more important in the big city to make a HOME. 

And so we are. 

And it feels great.

And anytime I get homesick, I just call friends or family and usually it's all better.

Just a fun picture of Liv pretending she's a Sith Lord.

And steven being all tough with his scruff.

So I suppose that's all. We're happy, getting happier, and making a lovely life for ourselves here! 

Love you all!