Train Ride

We finally got around to taking Cal on a train ride yesterday. For months, the kid has been pointing out "choo choos" and insisting we stand under the El tracks waiting for a train to come by every time we are out for a walk. And while we have had him on the El several times in the past, this was our first trip since the train obsession began and he was more than ready for it.

Jakob showed him all the ins and outs of Chicago's finest transportation system. 

Swiping your CTA card.

Riding the elevator up to the platform. (And of course, the obligatory push of the emergency button that he manages to find in each and every elevator we have ever been in.)

Waiting patiently for the train to come.

Pretending to pose for photos when my actual purpose was to hold him back from leaping onto the tracks in an effort to reach the choo choo passing in the opposite direction.

And finally, learning to hop on board as quickly as humanly possible before the doors close in on you and your stroller.

As for the ride itself, although he was a little tentative at first, he eventually fell in love. He quickly learned the importance of  holding on tight and making nice with strangers. After a few minutes, he was right at home. Sweet guy and his love for trains continues to grow.

In case you were wondering where our train adventures took us yesterday, look a little more closely at the photo below. The left is from our initial ride and the right from the ride home. 

That's right, the summer Bieber hair had to go. Cal was well overdue for a haircut and a ride on the train followed by a haircut and lunch out on the town seemed like the perfect day. Right? Wrong. While the train ride and lunch were all well and good the haircut was a total disaster. Sure, he has had a trim and cut in the past but this particular one was a doozy. You would think sitting in your own personal Thomas train while watching movies and eating a lollipop would do the trick, but no. Poor Maria ended up having to cut the wild child's hair as I held the sticky, screaming kid on my hip. Dramatic much? After the longest three minutes of my life, it was over, and Cal looked like a total stud. (I later rewarded myself with ice cream.)

Since our boy now looked six months older, he decided to act accordingly and explore Chicago on foot. And well behaved feet at that.

I guess the haircut from hell may have paid off!

Walk Around the Block

Three wonderful things are happening in this photo...

1. It is finally warm enough to be outside without 126 layers on.

2. Marshall is staying in control of himself- mostly.

3. This particular walk marked Calvin's first official stroller-less walk around the block!

(A major milestone for a family who goes out 5+ times a day with their dog and is beyond sick of the whole wrangling-a-small-child-and-getting-them-into-a-stroller-for-a-2-minute-Marshall-potty-break thing.) Cal did so well walking and was beaming with pride the whole time. Next up- teaching him to stop, stay, and avoid running into the street like a crazy puppy boy. 

Downtown Date

Last Thursday, Calvin took me on a date downtown. It was perfect- he went all out and really thought of everything. We started off by taking the train downtown. 

It was Calvin's first trip on the "L" and he LOVED it (btw- I always thought it was the "El" but apparently I have been wrong and stand corrected- isn't is short for "ELevated train?!" whatevs..).

Although he was more than ready for a morning nap, he couldn't bare the thought of sleeping when there was so much people watching staring that had to be done. 

After a stop to try on a dress for an upcoming wedding we will be going to in a few months (in MEXICO!!), we headed over to the famous Sprinkles Cupcakes to pick up a little treat. 

Does this guy know the way to his Mama's heart or what??

We enjoyed a little lunch together, shared a soup, and survived an epic Dyson hand dryer induced meltdown. You know the ones.. 

OMG! So loud!
My date fell asleep as I strolled through the city and enjoyed a little quiet shopping time.

He woke up just in time to pick out this little addition to his fall wardrobe. I've never seen him happier about clothes before. Adorable.

We rode the train home. Cal slept though the whole trip. Thankfully, I did not. (Quick show of hands for those who have slept on the train and missed their stop- thanks- glad I'm not alone.) All in all, a perfect day with the most handsome date. Thanks Cal, you really know how to treat a lady!!

Later that evening, I enjoyed my fancy dancy cupcake with my all-time favorite date who is old enough to enjoy the sugary amazingness that is a Sprinkles cupcake.

Dog Beach

It is currently 93 degrees out- summer has officially arrived. Therefore, our weekend mornings at the dog beach have arrived as well. What a perfect way to start a Saturday. Toes in the sand, iced coffee in one hand, a sweaty lotiony baby (for me) or drooly tennis ball (for him) in the other. Happy mama, happy dad, happy baby, happy pup. Everybody wins!

Nap on the beach? Don't mind if I do. 

Ahh the life of a baby.

See that blurry dot of a pup out in the deep end? That would be our Marsh. And to think that he just learned to swim a few months ago.

Happy summer! Hope yours is off to a great start!

Touring Chicago

A few weeks ago, my Aunt Barb and Cousin Melissa came to Chicago to visit with the newest member of the family and tour the city. We had a great weekend and packed in more Chicago than I would typically see in a year! We took this hostessing opportunity to officially introduce Calvin to our great city for the very first time.

We jumped out of the car at Montrose Harbor for a quick chilly photo of downtown just before the sun set. 

As you can see, Calvin thoroughly enjoyed the view.

Wrigleyville was payed a visit.

We even headed downtown to Millennium Park to view "The Bean".

Our attempt at a family photo was a colossal fail as we completely blocked Calvin with his giant diaper bag- oops! 

Much better.

And here's my favorite photo of the weekend- and Jakob's favorite photo of Calvin EVER.

I LOVE that goofy grin even more than I love Garrett's popcorn! 

These photos only represent a fraction of what the girls saw that weekend. Sometimes I forget all that Chicago has to offer. A wild weekend running around to see it all reminds me just how much I love this great city and how proud I am to be raising a true Chicagoan! 

Maternity Photos

A few weeks ago we had some maternity/holiday photos taken. We ran all over chilly Chicago with the lovely Lisa Anderson in hopes of capturing a glimpse of this unique time in our lives. I think she did an amazing job. Here's a peek at a few of our favorites.

Check out Lisa's website or blog when you get a chance. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great Chicago photographer. Happy Holidays!!