Chicago

This past weekend we flew to Chicago so Ben could visit his Aunt Anne. We figured we better get a trip in before his sister arrives in June. We got lots of "Oh woahs" in the airport because of the airplanes, escalators and other random things that toddlers find fascinating. He was a wonderful traveler and on the flight home slept from runway to runway, which was very relaxing for daddy and me.

We had a great trip and nice weather for most of the trip. When we arrived we went to brunch and then to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Ben loved the zoo, especially the monkey house. I guess we've never been to a zoo that has a big monkey exhibit and he was crazy about them.

The low point of the weekend was our trip to the Rainforest Cafe. We thought he would enjoy the ambience there, but instead he was terrified. He kept crying and saying "out, out." So, I took him outside and everyone else had to shovel in their food and get out as fast as possible. He much preferred sitting outside on a bench watching buses and cabs go by. He and I finished our lunch outside. We laughed all weekend about the fact we went there specifically for him and he hated it, as well as the fact there was a table full of adults eating there with no child! We said he owed us a decent lunch somewhere!

On Sunday we went to the Children's Museum and he enjoyed that quite a bit as well. There was a train display that he gravitated toward, but he also enjoyed a maze and a grocery store exhibit. He put about 100 milk jugs in his cart, which wasn't too surprising since he lives on milk.

Here are a few pics from the zoo. I didn't take my camera so these are from Anne's camera. I wasn't able to download any more while we were up there so these will have to do!

I forgot to mention the carousel at the zoo was a big hit as well!

Springtime

Despite the many rainy days and allergies, spring has been quite enjoyable. We've had lots of visits from family, several birthday parties and some easter egg hunts. Ben is starting to say more and more words (or "mo" words as he would say), which is fun for us. He mixes using words with signs and is usually able to get his point across. For example, when he wakes up at 5 a.m. (an unfortunate habit lately) and immediately signs "train" and says "please" I know he wants to go downstairs and play with trains - a request that is denied.

His favorite activities these days are 1) playing with his Thomas train set; 2) asking for new trains (something that he is usually granted when grandparents are in town); 3) playing with Elise; 4) watching Thomas on t.v. and 5) rough-housing with Daddy.

Here are some recent pictures. I begrudgingly added a picture of my very pregnant self. I know someday I'll be happy to look back on this and see what I looked like. At the moment happiness is not the primary feeling I have while looking at pictures of myself! :) The others are misc. pics of things that have been going on around here.

Enjoying some swinging before the Easter egg hunt begins.

Ben and Elise getting to stay up late and play. They are quite proud of themselves for climbing on top of the bookshelf of toys. Surely Ben learned this from Elise since she is such an accomplished climber.

Kissing (biting?) Elise on her tummy.

Ben & Mommy - I think I'm 27 weeks pregnant in this photo.

Easter Egg Hunt #2

Clapping after a successful hunt!