Chicago!
Navy Pier Ferris Wheel.
Dada and Grady on Navy Pier carousel.
Grady in park next to Navy Pier.
Cole at park, with me chasing Grady in the background.
View from architectural river cruise boat.
While on vacation, we eat dinner in the tub.
Navy Pier Ferris Wheel.
Dada and Grady on Navy Pier carousel.
Grady in park next to Navy Pier.
Cole at park, with me chasing Grady in the background.
View from architectural river cruise boat.
While on vacation, we eat dinner in the tub.
A local brew.
Great way to end a day!
We got up early-I was nervous about the flight and was up since 5am. I am surely turning into my mother because the first thing I thought when I woke up was "I really should make more snacks to take along". So I did, and I am glad I did, because the two waffles I toasted and took along were devoured later. [Along with a boatload of other snacks]. We did our normal morning routine and were out the door by 7:09, which was six minutes ahead of schedule. So far, so good.
Uneventful ride to the airport, a little bit of a wait to check one bag, and then we proceeded to checkout. We were given access to the special stroller line, designed for families with small children. Great idea, except that the genious who designed the stroller line paired it with the handicapped/wheelchair line. I don't mean to seem insensitive, but the only thing that moves slower than a family with little kids and a boatload of luggage is an overweight person in a wheelchair. What this meant for us is that the strollerline-already slow because many parents who seemingly have never flown before, much less with kids-was constantly stopped to let aforementioned wheelchair people into the line. Always ahead of us. Amazing to me how quickly the disabled person could leap out of their wheelchair and move unassisted through the line when they're told they can jump ahead. I have said this many times before, but I mean it. Being fat is not a disability.
[deep breath, sip of wine]
Ok, what were we talking about? Oh, right. Security. It took forever because of the above issue. Thankfully this Momma made those two extra waffles, 'cause Cole and Grady gnawed on theirs the entire time. They seemed much less irritated by FatDisableds and their families cutting the line than I was. Because security took so long we made it to the gate right as they boarded. The only downside to that -and this is important later- is that I did not get to heat up the milk we bought the boys. We boarded and got settled. Cole and I were in seat 14D, Grady and Dada in 17C. Full flight, and so damn hot before we took off, Momma was sweating like a wh*re in church. I love you, air conditioning!
The boys really did very well on the flight. Cole has lots of practice sitting and relaxing with Dada on the couch, and that really paid off on the flight. Grady had one or two [what I like to refer to as] strong-willed moments, the worst of which occurred when he wanted the milk and the milk was cold, and the flight attendant took the milk from him [at mom's request] to get it heated. Grady likes to tell us when he is not happy, and let it be known that he was not happy for about 10 minutes. Before the flight I was worried other people would be irritated with us if the boys had meltdowns, but I think they mostly pitied me since I was wrestling in a very small seat [Dada and I switched babies somewhere over Tennessee) with a boy who is 18 months and already more than half my height and freakishly strong. Anyways, we landed, and I am so impressed with how well the boys did on the flight.
We rode the El into town, got checked into the hotel, I raised some hell about the pack and plays not being available when we were told they would be [I got my way, we now have 2, and the boys are sleeping nicely in them, thank you], and all 4 of us squeezed in a short nap.
After the nap and a brief [but intense] period of crankiness from Cole we loaded up and headed to the Navy Pier. Ever been there? Very neat, and I really must say that I am liking Chicago a lot. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something about the city that reminds me of Boston [altime favorite city to visit, and not just for the whales]. There's a lot going on in this city this weekend: the Cubs are in town, an airshow, and a Turkish Festival. So, it's crowded. CROWDED. We spent a little time at the Navy Pier and rode the Carousel with the boys, and then played in a little park for a bit. Mostly we tried to stay out of the crowds and tried to give the boys a chance to walk and run. While we were at the Navy Pier the Thunderbirds flew overhead several times [part of the airshow]. For me it was a reminder of why I do not like to go to airshows, but the boys loved it! The fly-bys triggered a serious bout of pointing at the sky. The boys were so excited about that they continued to point to the sky and said "aye-paine" when sea gulls [lake gulls?] flew overhead.
Our day ended with a architecture river cruise on the Chicago River. The cruise was fantastic!
I would tell you more, but Keith just showed up with the pizza, and it smells pretty damn good. Pictures and more updates tomorrow night. Or naptime, if the boys cooperate.
Highlights for Day 1:
- Grady LOVED the elevated subway.
- Cole loved being held 90+% of the day
- Dada's favorite was the architecture tour-at least the part's that Grady let him hear.
- Momma liked when a random family stopped and helped us get the boys, the strollers and the luggage up a flight of stairs at the subway when no escalator or elevator was in sight. Those are some good people.
- A few Strong-Willed Moments.
- Losing a [just purchased] 3 day subway ticket....no names being mentioned, but it wasn't me...
- Personal satisfaction I felt when ramming the stroller into the fat ankles of the bi-atch who cut me off on the sidewalk. Don't cut in front of me when my bloodsugar is low and think I'm gonna care if you get hit! It's not nice, I know, and that's why it's included in the low points.
- Chicago also has a lot of hot Russian chicks. Very Vancouveresque. Is it the similar climate?
- Everyone is really tan.
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