Introducing Chrissie!

:: Down With Detroit ::

Hi! A little bit about me! I grew up in Brighton with three sisters: Katie, Allie, and Andie.  We were all born in a 6-year period so we are close in age. Yes, my parents survived having four daughters, a fact that haunts my partner Rob (more on him later) today. Except for a 6-month stint on the west side of the state, I have always lived in Metro Detroit. I love living in Michigan and specifically in the Detroit area. Our area has everything we could need it to offer – sports, culture, diversity, food, family-friendly, water, good schools . . . I could go on and on about how much I love it here!  I am so excited to be able to raise my girls in this atmosphere and share with them my love of the City.

:: My Life ::

Growing up with built in friends was pretty much the best.  I can’t imagine a life without siblings, and my sisters are my best friends to this day.  We no longer live as close as we used to, but technology enables us to stay in each other’s business.  Oh, did I mention that my sisters have also given me three nieces so far?  In the words of Beyoncé, “Who runs the world?  Girls.” 

I worked all through my undergrad and Master’s degrees from U of M in Flint and Wayne State, respectively, except a period of what I fondly refer to as funemployment during the Great Recession. Now, I am a full-time working mom. It’s tough, so to all of you other working mommas out there, I get it. I work at a traditional 9-5 job in the automotive industry (Someone who works in automotive in this area? Shocking!) with a long commute so when I am home, I cherish my time with my gals. 

You know what’s weird? Calling a grown man with whom you have two children your “boyfriend,” but since the alternatives include “baby daddy,” I guess I shall use “partner.”  Anyway, I digress . . . I met my significant other, Rob, when we worked at the same company. After a few years of great friendship, we both arrived at the realization that we should probably date. He may tell this story slightly differently than I do, but you know what they say . . . to-may-to, to-mah-to. Rob also grew up in Metro Detroit, and among other things, we share passion for the Tigers, heartbreak for the Lions, and love of food. Rob has two daughters, Brynn and Maya, from his first marriage. Since we aren’t ones to go it slow, we jammed quite a bit into our first year of being a couple: a job change, buying a house, and oh you know, a baby.

:: Babies and Beyond ::

It’s been a whirlwind couple of years. I went from being a single cat owner (true story – Big Lou now lives with my parents) to a mom of two little girls and a co-parent to Rob’s older daughters too. Yes, that’s right – Rob also has four daughters. Our families welcomed Caroline in 2015 and Eve in 2016. Being a Mom is something I always dreamed of and during long periods of unsuccessful online dating, occasionally cried to my cat about. Outside of work and my gals, I volunteer with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy so I can spend time in my favorite place in the City. I also run slowly for long distances. I have completed a handful of marathons although pregnancy and babies caused a two-year hiatus for long races. I am excited to get back on my running game because apparently, we mothers are supposed to make time for ourselves too. 

I am looking forward to sharing my experience with you and hope that you bear with me through my foibles and successes of motherhood.