Elliot and Avery go to the Aquarium.

We partook in one of the free days at the Aquarium.  The kids had a great time, while the moms were a little disappointed that free day= only the first floor... no dolphins, penguins, otters, belugas, the fun stuff.  Overall, though, it was a lovely visit and it had been a long time since either of us were there.  And with our short time frame with the kids, we did see plenty.  We were all impressed with our meter parking for $2.50, seeing that the lot is usually $19!  We'll go back to see the big stuff later. 

Avery enjoyed a nap most of the time.  Elliot really seemed to be mesmerized by the movement of the fish.  Check out the big bullfrog hanging out behind the kids in the one photo.  I had to look up my old friend, the lungfish.  If you've never checked him out, he's a must.  Darwin theory in the flesh and blood.

Glass Balconies, etc.

Brian and Jen visit. Elliot does the Sears Tower.

Our good friends from college, Brian and Jen Miner, visited this weekend.  They live in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (near Akron/Cleveland).  Normally, we get to have tons of fun with their Nicholas (6) and Will (3), but this time, they came sans kids.  We hit Chinatown on Friday night (first time we've been there without our Chinese sister-in-law-- Ha ha!).  On Saturday, we created our own walking architectural tour of downtown: nice and chilly!  The guys got up to catch the Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning and then we headed back downtown to do some shopping.  The evening ended with a trip up to the top of the Sears (now Willis) Tower.  

We underestimated a Sunday evening crowd, not thinking so many more people were in town for the marathon, and had to wait in lines at the Sears.  They really wind you around a maze before you even get to the elevators to go up!  The new glass balconies opened recently and they are quite the hit.  Long lines to get your moment on them, and as you can see in the photos, we were getting a little worn.  However, we all agreed they were well worth the wait.  Crazy feeling, standing on glass, looking down 103 floors to the street below.  Kinda freaky in a one-minute amusement ride way.  

Starving and having split our last granola bars the mothers had packed, we then sat down to a lovely dinner made by our guests.  Very sad to see them leave this morning.

Thanks, Aunt Karen, for the bundle-sleeping bag thingy for the carseat-- we pulled it out this weekend and it was awesome!  We were lucky when it was mid-40's! 

Oh, and good luck next weekend, Brian, at the Columbus Marathon!!

(PS- Elliot ate like crazy on Friday and slept 10 hours that night!!  Woohoo, keep it up, little one!)

Avery and Elliot go to the Art Institute.

Should we start our own children's book about our adventures around Chicago?  Today it was the Art Institute.  Jen picked up the free pass from her local library, and I got in for free as a teacher, so knowing that we didn't break the bank to change diapers and feed babies inside an art museum helped us enjoy the day even more!  

We did catch some art while we were there, and the new wing has some very cool moments; but galleries are galleries-- large, plain spaces with no windows... nothing too novel there.  The outdoor terrace has a great view of Millennium Park as well.  Oh, and that photo of Jen changing Avery?  Just to show the cool, modern changing trough in the bathroom (and there was one in the men's bathroom as well-- I like it!).

Next time, the aquarium!

Talking

Elliot was talking up a storm, so I grabbed the camera to capture it.  Of course, you can never quite get the good stuff at the right time, but this clip shows a little talking, a little kicking, and of course, a little spit up at the end!  Kind of Elliot in a nutshell!

Few more from the weekend...

Napping with Grandma and Grandpa-- looks like Grandpa needed one too!

Mom has this basket bassinet that he sleeps in there, but it looks like he'll have outgrown it by the next time we visit!

Last minute trip to Ohio-- Cousin Jenna and Cousin RJ

On Tuesday, I found out that my cousin, Ann, who I grew up with and we were always best friends, was going to be in Ohio near my parents for the weekend (she lives in Georgia).  Her daughter, Jenna, will be 2 years old in December.  I couldn't stay away.  We took off Saturday morning and got back late on Sunday-- quickie trip.  Of course, Grandma and Grandpa Ulrich were over the moon that we were heading in.

It was a very good thing that we found out last minute, as this was one of our few free weekends without visitors.  If I had known ahead, I probably would have passed, thinking we needed to be home and rest.  But, when I found out, I said, "Hey, this weekend is open, let's go!"  I shopped for flights until Pat decided he wanted to go too, so we drove.

Ann's family was (and still is) basically an extension of our immediate family-- we do lots of holidays together, travel together, whatever it might be.  (Ann and I were born 3 weeks apart.)  Ann's younger sister, Jill, whom we're close to as well, had a baby just 3 months before us-- little RJ.  It is so cool to see the parallels between RJ and Elliot-- very similar builds (he was a premie, so he's on the small side too), coloring, personalities.  It's like RJ is a future Elliot for us to see!  

Jenna was quite entertaining-- she's very tall for her age and you can just see her wheels turning.  She went non-stop and has her grandma's (my aunt's) spunk!  Pat and her had a nice wrestling session.

Saturday evening was spent at Jill's and we all simply watched the kids play (and she provided us with some awesome chili for dinner!).  Sunday was spent letting Elliot nap with Grandma and Grandpa, until we had to head home.  On our way home, we stopped by Hazel's-- who is Ann and Jill's grandma on the other side, but who we have adopted as a grandparent as well.  She was very happy to meet Elliot and he smiled and smiled for her.

Elliot traveled well again.  He didn't sleep the whole way like before, but he was fine and didn't cause us any extra stops.  Not yet.

It's Monday morning and we're a little beat-- we always think we're doing ok, feeling pretty well when we get home, and then by the time things get wrapped up and you settle in for a moment, it's past midnight and the alarm rings way too early.  I can muddle through my day, but Pat's the one who has to be alert for work.   It was well worth the wear, as the weekend was very fun.