Ann Arbor is one of my favorite places. It definitely holds a special place in my heart having graduated high school and college here, plus my mother still lives in town, but it really is one of the BEST "small' towns in the country. I think after my medevac I'll have to write post of all there is to do and my favorite spots. I've discovered some new ones since our arrival so I need more time to thoroughly research. So far I'm really fortunate that friends from Chicago came to visit/help our first weekend, that our nanny arrived from Riyadh, and that my mother is here to loan me her car as well as spend time with The Gents when she's not working...and J arrives this weekend!
Surprising to me, our time here has been busier than imagined. We moved into our apartment almost two weeks ago and I feel like I've been going non-stop since our arrival - doctor appointments, grocery runs, getting some items to make this new place a little more comfortable and nesting for baby girl. Being productive is a wonderful feeling, but now being almost 38 weeks along, my bed with new linens is like a siren beckoning me...as is the TV with all of the on-demand content I've missed this last year! I kind of just want to lay in bed (so much respect to women who work up until giving birth AND chase kids around), but these boys need activity and stimulation. Most importantly, I want them to feel more settled and secure before baby girl arrives and their world turns upside down.
I'm getting C&R into a new routine, that seems to be working well. There is a park a block away that they spend a lot of time at and a pool steps away so they're staying on top of their swim skills. This morning we got to the downtown branch of the library for a very entertaining morning story time and followed by lunch on Main St. I discovered some restaurants where kids eat free! Now to add in a day to go to the Hands On Museum and we'll have a nice weekly schedule.
What's been a particularly special treat is going to the farmers' market. There are actually a number of them around town throughout the week so it's always possible to get really fresh, in-season fruit and veg. We just finished strawberry season so I think I got the last in-season strawberry rhubarb pie. YUM. And having an abundance of gorgeous peaches, super sweet blueberries, and so many beautiful varieties of tomatoes is wonderful! It's simple things like this that make me appreciate the US, and Michigan so much more. Definitely something I want to make sure our children are exposed to, learn, and appreciate about their food.
It's not even September/fall yet, which means football season, fresh donut eating and apple picking are still to come! Can't wait to share more with you all soon. xo