Seth and I have been so busy this past year with work-his going out of town all the time, and my ever growing organization, trying to raise our toddler, my working on school, etc. etc. I was so surprised and excited beyond belief when Seth surprised me with a planned vacation to Chicago! Just the 2 of us, well Dustin and Ali were going too, but no kids. I think I was in a little state of shock because I spend every single waking minute with Elem, he goes to school every day so he is just a glance away any time I want to se him, he still falls asleep on me every night before I carry him off to bed, we are basically just attached at the hip. And to be honest, I love every single minute of it. But I know that I needed this time away from him to just spend some time with Seth. I had never been to Chicago and Seth goes every few weeks for work, so it is kind of like his second home to him, and he knows his way around, so we had all that working for us. I knew we would have fun, but I just was not prepared to leave Elem. He has only spent the night away from us once ever. After many nights of stressing myself out, worrying if he would be okay, and lots of deep breaths trying to tell myself he would be fine, it was finally time for us to head off on our mini vacation and leave the little man with the grandparents.
We headed out around 5 or 6 am, so Elem was not yet awake, which almost broke my heart-we were going to be away from him for 4 days, and weren't even going to get to tell him good bye or get one last hug. Geez that was hard. Once we made it to the airport and we actually in the air, I started to be a little more sure of myself that he would be fine. Seth's parents were awesome enough to keep both Elem and Cecilia so we could all spend some time together. I knew that would make it easier on Elem too, if Cecilia was there to play with him, and just to make the days more normal that not.
We didn't have a real plan when we got there, we just knew it was going to be COLD and snowing, and that we were not going to let it stop us from viewing the city, finding some cool restaurants, and doing some major walking and shopping on Michigan Avenue. Once our plan landed and we walked to get our bags, I knew I was in for it! I am so not a cold weather girl so this was going to be really hard for me, but I came prepared-with layers and layers of clothes to throw on to keep me warm. Our last chance before we headed out the first day-I was slightly naive about what the 12 degree weather was going to feel like when it hit me getting into the cab just a few seconds later.
The cab ride was not bad at all. I think we rode in cabs more on this trip than I have ever ridden in my life. Yes, they were fast, and weaving in and out of the lanes, and stopping super fast, and all of that. But only once was I actually terrified. So I guess I can be thankful for that! We were dropped off right in front of our apartment, so still hadn't quite felt the cold along with the wind for any length of time, so I was still a happy camper. After stretching our legs and taking a second to get unpacked, we immediately started layering up, and prepared for a long day in the snow and wind. We were soooo lucky to get to stay in a 2 bedroom amazing apartment that Seth's boss owns, so it made the trip even better, not having to live out of a hotel room for 4 days while we were there. It was right downtown, had an amazing view, big screen TV, internet, and not to mention it was super trendy and cool. I felt very special. Haha! On our balcony at the apartment:
As most of you know, I am a super fast walker. I don't believe in strolling around, I like to get to where I am going and I figure God gave me long legs to do so with. So I am not one to lolly gag around, especially when the temperature was dropping every few hours! Never in my life have I seen so many people walking around on the busy streets as I did once we started to get into the city with all the shops and stuff! I loved it. I would love love love to be able to get so many places just by walking. Even though it was freezing, I loved the fact I walking several blocks, all bundled up, and no one caring what you were wearing because everyone is so bundled up that nobody cares or takes the time to look. hehe. First stop-Michigan Avenue. Let me give you a brief run down of what I have on under there-because this pic doesn't look like we are very cold. but we totally were. Here we go: Tank top, wind proof long sleeved shirt, short sleeved shirt, fleece jacket, warm coat on top, wind proof pants, jeans, wool socks, insulated boots, gloves, scarf, and fleece hat. Yet still I was cold.
We made our way to some Chicago staples-here is the bean as they say in Chicago.
And then it started to snow! Like pouring down snow. It totally put me in the Christmas Spirit. Although I was freezing, and walking in the wind chilling about 10 degree weather by now. Yikes! But loving every minute of it.
Of course we had to stop in one of the pizza restaurants, to try out some Chicago style deep dish pizza. I am such a picky eater that I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to eat it, just because I know myself and I know I don't try new things in the eating department. But pizza is my favorite, so I tried it, and loved it! It was soooo good, but it was soooo thick, I think I only ate about 6 bites and was done from there. There is just no way you can eat much more than that, I was about to burst. Seth LOVES him some deep dish pizza and was super pumped about it.
Even though we staid bundled up beyond belief most of the time, we did make the effort to go out to a nice restaurant for dinner and actually wear regular clothing. Needless to say, that night we took a cab-and there wasn't much walking. Or there would have been insane amounts of complaining from me. I just can't help it, the cold does not mesh well with my body! And actually if I remember correctly on our way out after dinner, Seth and I headed the totally wrong way, and there was a lot of complaining about how cold I was during those few moments of lost in the freezing Chicago snow! But it was short lived and Seth still claimed me, so it all worked out. :)Here we are at Carmines waiting for our table. When this place says make a reservation because it is going to be packed out, they mean it. We made reservations for about 7pm on Friday or Saturday night, and I don't think we got to sit down until 8:15 or so. So many people, it was crazy, but soooo worth the wait. Me and Ali, waiting patiently for our drinks. Well, at least I was! Did I mention Ali found out she was pregnant, about a week before we left town? She was such a good sport, and bless her heart, still managed to make a good time for herself, with us crazies trying to live it up in the big city of Chicago!
Ali, Me, and Seth still waiting for our table. Apparently those martinis were really good. Seth looks a little too happy to have one!
We continued to bundle up from head to toe each and every day, all day long! We rode the train, rode the Subway, saw Wrigley Field, checked out the lego store-which was CRAZY, went to the Goose Island Brewery and pub, visited Grant Park several times, spent a day at the Field Museum, saw Navy Pier, shopped on Michigan Avenue, checked out the Ice Skating in Grant Park, and more! I could go on and on with all the things we did, because we truly did cram so much into those few days we were there. Here we are at Navy Pier. It was beautiful, and looked like the place to be in the summer-or whenever there was good weather. The day we were there, not so much action going on though.
We really did make the most of our time and were serious speed walkers I must say.
Ali-preggers-did require a few short breaks and intermissions to get warmed up with some coffee. But it was allowed :)Gave us all a chance to get our body temperatures back up to normal.
One of my favorite things we did was visit the Hancock building, which is the 2nd tallest building in Chicago. We chose between the Sears Tower and the Hancock building, and the Hancock was closer, so that was that. It was so amazing to be up 90 something floors and see all of Chicago just by looking out the glass windows. The tour was great, and I learned more about Chicago just by listening to the headset than I think I would have ever learned in any history class. It was truly a great site seeing experience. At the top getting ready to head back down.
By the end of the trip we were all run down and ready to get home to see our babies. I missed Elem more than I could ever have imagined, but I loved the time away too. Which I did not think I was going to be able to say, because I thought I was going to miss him too much! Once we made it back to the airport and picked up our car, we headed straight to Seth's parents house to get the kids, and Sage too of course. Elem was so excited to see us and he and Cecilia were acting as if they had just eaten a ton of sugar they were so happy for us to be home. I could not stop smiling, and all I wanted to do was get home get on some comfy clothes, and hug on Elem for the rest of the night. The trip was so much fun and I am so glad we did it. It was the best Christmas present we could have given ourselves this year, and I feel so lucky to have gone. Being away from Elem for that many days did make me a little crazy at times, but knowing he was in good hands made it a lot easier. Best cold weather vacation for us thus far! Next up-something sunny and warm-I think the beach is calling my name.
2 comments:
Sounds like a great trip! Ironically, the first time I left Rad overnight was for a trip to Chicago. I was really nervous, too, but it turned out well. Did you all get a huge snow/ice storm?
I am glad that you had that time with Seth. I always love a mini vacation away from Wyatt!!!! Love U
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