Horses and Teeth and Food. Oh My!

I have been really dilinquent about the blog lately. It hasn't been for a lack of fun. There's been tons of fun. And it hasn't been because Sam and Elliott haven't done anything noteworthy lately. There's actually tons to report, but time is precious and firing up my computer outside of office hours has been at the bottom of my list!

We are loving life in MN. Lots of people to see; lots of things to do. It's been a pretty smooth transition overall and I think I speak for us all when I say we've hardly looked back.

Here are a couple of pics from recent weeks. Sam rode a horse; Elliott got a tooth and tried out food for the first time. Life is good (now if I could just catch up on some sleep!)

Elliott at 5 Months

Elliott is 5-months-old! He's still a baldy for the most part, and I still have my money on him being a blondie when his hair finally starts to grow. He drools like mad -- just last night I bought three more bibs because he soaks at least three a day. And in what may be the cutest thing ever, he loves falling asleep hanging on to my finger. Speaking of sleep, he's still not on a regular nap schedule and he wakes up at least once or twice a night. I take the blame for both, and I intend to get him into a routine now that we're finally settled in our rental house.

In honor of Mother's Day...

End of an Era

We’re going to Minneapolis today. Forever. It’s hard to believe the day is already here, and to say I’m unprepared is a vast understatement. It’s also an understatement to say we’re going to miss Chicago.

Earlier this week I took the el to work and it reminded me of how much I love this place. I zig-zagged through our neighborhood, which was looking all shiny and bright in the spring sunshine. After I got off the train, I made my way up Lake Street toward the Aon Center. It was 8 a.m. so the streets were packed and the crush of people put a little spring in my step. All day long I looked out from my desk at the Hancock Building and a stretch of bright blue Lake Michigan and thought about how much fun we’ve had here. It’s just such a great city! I’m going to miss the endless rows of restaurants and shops, the corner bars, the el train rumbling around, and the hustle and bustle of all the people. Thinking of Wrigley on a sunny summer day, walks along Lake Michigan and visits to the Lincoln Park Zoo will always make me nostalgic.

I’m already looking forward to our first trip back, but I’m also looking forward to having the move behind us and finally settling into our new life in Minneapolis. It’s going to be a whole new chapter, and I know it’s going to be a great one.

Bucky Rules

Today was the annual spring football game in Madison and before the game, UW hosts a great family event that gives kids a chance to meet players, coaches, cheerleaders and even...BUCKY BADGER! We sold it into Sam by telling him we were going to Bucky's party, so it wasn't a huge surprise when he wanted to do nothing other than watch...BUCKY BADGER! I think these photos are classic, and if you ask me, we can stop referring to the 529s and start referring to the Badger funds.

House Guests!

Cousin Meghan and Auntie Kristine paid us a visit last weekend. The weather was perfect and we had tons of fun! We hit the Field Museum and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Took Meghan to Bubbles and grabbed lunch at RJ Grunts. Throw in a couple of trips to the park and three late nights in a row and we were all left thoroughly exhausted!

Elliott at Four Months

Elliott was four-months-old on April 3. At his well-baby check the doc confirmed what we already knew -- Elliott is thriving; gaining lots of weight (he's nearly 17 pounds) and growing inch by inch. She said he's the size of the average 7-month-old, which makes sense considering most of his pants are too short.

Elliott is still a really happy little guy. He smiles a lot and has become more social in the past few weeks. He likes waking up at night for a quick cuddle, and try as I may, I can't bring myself to cut it off. He drools non-stop and loves using those little hands. All pretty typical, but it's still magical to watch him change right before our eyes.

Hippity Hoppity

Happy Easter! We hope your day is EGGciting as ours!