home again

Clara and I flew to VA last week. No reason other than we needed a little escape. And that's where grandma and grandpa and Brooke are. The trip out was uneventful. We had an empty seat next to us (awesome). Baby napped most of the hour and a half flight (miracle). I didn't even have to utilize most of the Target dollar bin toys I'd stuffed my bag with. (Besides slinky jr. who kept her entertained for an impressive while.) The return trip was a sort of nightmare though (we'll get there...).

The in-between consisted of chasing Clara around a much larger house, keeping her away from the stairs (which she is far from mastering- she's ready to plunge down head first given the opportunity), and maintaing a safe distance from the cats who aren't as friendly as she thinks (she didn't seem to understand why they were hissing at her). Oh and we managed a little swimming and shopping and eating (including Clara's first Cafe Rio). And loving our time with our family. (Funny how now that I have a baby I need my own mama that much more.)

Chicago friends, isn't this huge, empty pool amazing?! Last time Clara and I went for a swim in the city we had to wait for a half hour just to get in (we showed up a few minutes after the hour of free swim started and the place was filled to capacity), then trudge our way through grimy locker rooms to slip our feet in the deep end (no shallow baby pool) for a few minutes, bumping up against a swarm of rowdy kids. Oh, the things you take for granted in the suburbs.

The last day of our trip Clara started to get sick. But she wasn't too miserable until we were crammed onto that airplane. She was exhausted but couldn't/wouldn't sleep. She wanted to nurse nonstop, which was awkward for me and the twenty-something guy at our elbow, especially when she tried to pull off the blanket and expose us every few seconds. She cried a lot. Her temperature spiked (or at least I could tell she was burning up, my thermometer was dead so I had no idea actually how serious it was) but I came prepared with Tylenol. But then she got mad and chucked the syringe into the unknown before I could get the medicine in her. And she had started coughing. Loud harsh seal-like barks. The girl didn't look good.

Finally we made it. And Dustin showed up with the wrong car, which meant no car seat. So parents of the year that we are, Dustin drove us home (thanks to Chicago traffic, we weren't going more than 20 mph the whole way) while I sat in back and held a feverish spasming sort-of-sleeping baby in my arms.

[We did speak with the doctor. And get her fever under control. But she's still sick (going on day 4). Poor baby girl.]

his 32nd, etc.

On Saturday we celebrated Dustin's 32nd birthday! (32 sounds super old wise to me. Thankfully I'll always be 4 1/2 years younger than you, baby!)

He was on call the entire week except for Saturday night because one of his co-residents graciously covered for him. We started the day off with belgian waffles with fruit and syrup and whipped cream + scrambled eggs for breakfast. And a few hours later we hit up the park and Burger Fest in Roscoe Villiage. (Don't worry we ate all day long...!)

After naps we threw a pool party on our back deck. Even with just the three of us it got a bit crowded.

Lincoln (with the help of Dan and Nicole) next door watched Clara while Dustin and I tried a new taco joint. (Conveniently called Taco Joint.) They had some amazing tacos. Favorite Mexican find in Chicago so far!

When we returned home Dustin was surprised to find friends hiding out in our place to share cake (chocolate with chocolate buttercream... oh so yum!) and ice cream and the rest of the evening with us.

32 looks good on you, guapo!

oh, and here are a few other photos that don't belong...

for the Fourth

We started our Independence Day celebration with a trip to the beach (we headed north to Rogers Park where it's slightly less crowded). It wasn't particularly warm or sunny and the water is always ice cold. (We've yet to have a pleasant beach day at Lake Michigan. Usually the wind is whipping sand into your eyes and you wonder why you even bothered. This is Chicago, after all.)

Dustin took these photos of Clara...

She hasn't let go of that bucket since we left the beach a week ago. (Except to drop it into the toilet.) And lately she is super-cuddly and nuzzles her nose into our legs when she wants our attention. (Both adorable and annoying!)

We co-hosted a BBQ with our friends next door. We spread out on our shared deck and two apartments. It's the perfect situation.

Good friends. (Sadly, I didn't get pictures of everyone.) And good food.

And after the babes went to bed we sat out watching the hundreds of completely illegal firework shows.

spring-summer days

the last few weeks in photos

with Megan and Blake at the Lincoln Square farmers market

(the fruit and veggies are great, but let's be honest we go for the grilled cheese and crepes!)

a little shopping (with two tired babes)

and lots more eating

we babysat Lincoln (our permanent next door neighbor) and he only wanted Dustin

which meant Clara only wanted Dustin

 the last time she'll ever get a squeezy pouch to eat in her car seat

Clara's favorite chore: unfolding laundry
(it makes her so happy I can't bring myself to stop her)

Dustin and his male co-residents at the annual Graduation dinner

(80th floor of the Aon Center)

we left a sleeping Clara for a night above Chicago

hooray for babysitters next door! 

(that's the Sears/Willis tower behind us)