Making friends

It's almost been one year since we've moved to Minneapolis, and I've learned A LOT. One of the most important lessons is how to reach out and make friends. Moving across country where you don't know ANYONE while you're 9 months pregnant is really scary! (duh)

 (Me about to pop in the Lake Harriet Rose Garden, stay away from the thorns!)

I knew I needed a support system, and I needed it fast. I researched different clubs and groups, even going to a baby group while I was still pregnant. Three moms groups later and wondered why I didn't click with anyone. Then I met Erin and Luann.

The first people I really made a connection with. I went to a Newcomer's Club welcome coffee and Erin made a bee-line for me. The spirited, red-headed southerner caught me off guard when she immediately scheduled to get together later on in the week... as in date, time, place oh and I need your phone number too. Uhhhhh woa there, I'm from the land of "I'll call you"- on the spot scheduling is almost foreign! But it worked- we got together for coffee, then lunch, and continued on every week after. Both Erin and Luann had also recently moved to the area from out of state so we shared our new-found Minnesotan experiences. I welcomed the company with open arms.

I started to think- out of all the clubs I went to, why Erin and Luann? Then it occurred to me. Erin took the initiative in order to get together again. People kind of wait for something to happen, so sometimes you have to make the first move.

Then Jack was born.

 (this picture of him makes me want another one!)

Nothing like a baby to throw you in the deep end. I had no idea what to do with this little larva. Even though I had my mom and Ryan's mom there to help me, those first few months are hard. With Ryan's encouragement, I signed up for a new-mama's class at Amma Maternity. I was able to connect with other new first time moms. Copying Erin's technique, I organized lunches with my new-mama's and began to make real connections with people. When the class ended, we still got together for a few months after for "Mom's Night Out" on occasion.

awwww I love babies btw Jack's in the Mickey sweater

Although the entire group doesn't get together anymore, I still hang out with one of the moms on a regular basis, my friend Kerry. Both stay-at-home moms and with babies close in age, naturally we have a lot in common but we also share the love of cooking and eating. We go on baby-friendly adventures about once a week including a horribly failed attempt to make homemade donuts, a failed attempt to go to the gay pride parade, and semi-failed picnic club (K, we need to schedule another one soon!)

 Kerry and her little snugglepuss Jude

Now that Jack is on the move and much less portable, I took yet another mom-class sponsored by the state of Minnesota called Early Child and Family Education, or ECFE. I was able to meet even more friends in this class and they are my new summer crew. We share info on kid-friendly events around town and meet up at the pool, go to free summer concerts or my favorite- BYO Baby Happy Hours. Its been a lot of fun but I also think its good for Jack to have exposure to other little people.

J

Jack and Jude, baby buddies

(

Loungin' at the pool 

Meeting new people can be scary, if you let it be. With a little research and a little courage it wasn't that difficult to make a circle of friends within a year.

So, to all my new found friends, thank you for the much needed companonship and support during my first year in the Twin Cities, I don't know what I would have done without you! And to EB, you probably didn't know you made this impression on me but you did and thank you.