What a busy few days we've had!
Last week a new friend of mine asked if I'd like to make a trip into the city with a few girls and their little ones to enjoy the free admission day at Shedd Aquarium. I have to admit, my first inclination was to say "no, thank you." It actually sounded terrible trying to either (a) fight the traffic into the city, find a place to park, etc. etc. or (b) figure out how to get to the aquarium via public transportation with a baby in tow. However, I decided it would probably be good to step outside of my comfort zone here. Besides, I would get to spend the day with friends and also feel like I accomplished something by taking Tanner somewhere different.
We decided to take the train downtown. What a motley crew we were -- barely arriving at the station in time -- with strollers, diaper bags, backpacks, blankets, sippy cups and sack lunches. We made at least a few people chuckle as we tried to get all of our belongings onto the train before it pulled away. Once we arrived at Union Station, we re-bundled everyone up (did I mention it was like zero degrees outside?) and walked the few blocks to Millenium Park to see their ice exhibit. Afterwards, we caught two different buses and finally made it to the aquarium! What a trip! I was already exhausted by the time we got there, but so proud of myself for making it! The hardest part was getting on and off of the buses -- especially when my stroller decided that it would no longer fold or unfold easily. (By the end of the trip, it wouldn't fold back up at all!) Sadly, the aquarium was pretty disappointing, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits. I think we all really enjoyed each other's company and just getting outside in the fresh (but cold) air for a little while. We all said that we would definitely do it again.
Jon caught up with us on the train on the way back since it was the same train he takes home from work. I was SO glad. For one thing, I couldn't get my stroller to fold up anymore and was dreading having to get all of my stuff off of the train. Secondly, there was an accident at one of the stations ahead of us, so we had to stop and get off a few stops early. Jon got a cab to take the two of us and Tanner back and Evelyn's husband came to pick up everyone else. It was so nice to have him there to take care of everything -- I'm so lucky to have such a great husband! It ended up being a really long (but fun!) day. We were both asleep on the couch by 8:30!
On Saturday, I drove home for Lisa's baby shower. I am just so happy for her and glad that I was able to make it -- I got to see a lot of old friends. The best part of my day, though, was coming back home to my boys. This was Jon's first experience taking care of Tanner ALL day. I was actually gone from about the exact time he leaves for work in the morning to when he gets home at night. The first thing he said when I walked in was ... "It's been a REALLY long day. I don't know how you do it." It made me feel really good to know he spent a day in my shoes and realized that it is truly a difficult (but rewarding!!) job. A few minutes after I got home, Tanner woke up, so I ran upstairs to rock him back to sleep. I had MISSED him! And I think he missed me, too -- he was so happy to see me! I just relished the sweet time I got to spend with him as he fell back asleep. Ahhhhh ... motherhood.
We had to snap some pics of our little man dressed to impress for church this morning. Enjoy!!
Last week a new friend of mine asked if I'd like to make a trip into the city with a few girls and their little ones to enjoy the free admission day at Shedd Aquarium. I have to admit, my first inclination was to say "no, thank you." It actually sounded terrible trying to either (a) fight the traffic into the city, find a place to park, etc. etc. or (b) figure out how to get to the aquarium via public transportation with a baby in tow. However, I decided it would probably be good to step outside of my comfort zone here. Besides, I would get to spend the day with friends and also feel like I accomplished something by taking Tanner somewhere different.
We decided to take the train downtown. What a motley crew we were -- barely arriving at the station in time -- with strollers, diaper bags, backpacks, blankets, sippy cups and sack lunches. We made at least a few people chuckle as we tried to get all of our belongings onto the train before it pulled away. Once we arrived at Union Station, we re-bundled everyone up (did I mention it was like zero degrees outside?) and walked the few blocks to Millenium Park to see their ice exhibit. Afterwards, we caught two different buses and finally made it to the aquarium! What a trip! I was already exhausted by the time we got there, but so proud of myself for making it! The hardest part was getting on and off of the buses -- especially when my stroller decided that it would no longer fold or unfold easily. (By the end of the trip, it wouldn't fold back up at all!) Sadly, the aquarium was pretty disappointing, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits. I think we all really enjoyed each other's company and just getting outside in the fresh (but cold) air for a little while. We all said that we would definitely do it again.
Jon caught up with us on the train on the way back since it was the same train he takes home from work. I was SO glad. For one thing, I couldn't get my stroller to fold up anymore and was dreading having to get all of my stuff off of the train. Secondly, there was an accident at one of the stations ahead of us, so we had to stop and get off a few stops early. Jon got a cab to take the two of us and Tanner back and Evelyn's husband came to pick up everyone else. It was so nice to have him there to take care of everything -- I'm so lucky to have such a great husband! It ended up being a really long (but fun!) day. We were both asleep on the couch by 8:30!
On Saturday, I drove home for Lisa's baby shower. I am just so happy for her and glad that I was able to make it -- I got to see a lot of old friends. The best part of my day, though, was coming back home to my boys. This was Jon's first experience taking care of Tanner ALL day. I was actually gone from about the exact time he leaves for work in the morning to when he gets home at night. The first thing he said when I walked in was ... "It's been a REALLY long day. I don't know how you do it." It made me feel really good to know he spent a day in my shoes and realized that it is truly a difficult (but rewarding!!) job. A few minutes after I got home, Tanner woke up, so I ran upstairs to rock him back to sleep. I had MISSED him! And I think he missed me, too -- he was so happy to see me! I just relished the sweet time I got to spend with him as he fell back asleep. Ahhhhh ... motherhood.
We had to snap some pics of our little man dressed to impress for church this morning. Enjoy!!
3 comments:
Wow, you have been busy! I probably would have been crying on the train when the stroller finally quit. So glad that Jon was there to help in the end. Tanner is so cute. I used to think he looked a lot like your Dad, but now I see a lot of your Mom in his little smiles!!
Rachel! You are a brave woman...!! On and off trains and buses with a little one? Amazing! Way to go. Now that you know what its like, you can totally guage your energy levels and overall desire before you take the plunge again!! I'm so impressed... and so glad Jon was there to help in the end. There is nothing like Daddy at the end of the day. Loved the shots of your cutie in a tie! Adorable!
So great that you are able to take advantage of living in one of the best cities in America! How fun. I know how you feel with the stroller and the train...we used to do that in Germany. It was hard...so brave of you!
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