Field of Dreams

9/06/2009

Chicago

We decided we should take a mini-vacation before Jess begins classes, so we made the four hour drive north to Chicago for the weekend. Jess found a great deal on a downtown hotel, the Palmer House.

Our hotel room. The rooms were small, but very unique. It was a couple of blocks walking distance to Lake Michigan.

Replica of the Sears Tower--the tallest building in the US.

Bryce at the top of the Sears Tower, right after he had a blowout. I changed him in the smallest space ever, besides an airplane changing table. Some German ladies were commenting on how cute he was and were surprised when I responded to them.

Views from the Observation Deck of the Sears Tower.

Bryce and my feet looking out the hanging plexi-glass cubicles, outside the main building structure, hovering 103 stories above street level.

The plexi-glass cubicles, recently added to the building.

After visiting the Sears Tower, we experienced delicious Chicago-style pizza at Giordano's.

At the Queen's Fountain

Soldier Field (where the Bear's play)

A sweet Limo we spotted at Soldier Field

After playing in the hotel's pool and hot tub, we were walking toward the Magnificent Mile and saw people boarding a boat for a sunset cruise. We spontaneously decided to go on the cruise too. Bryce slept warm and cozy the entire two hour trip. We had beautiful views of the city from Lake Michigan. It was a lot of fun.

Meanwhile on the trip, Bryce discovered his feet.

The next day, we drove to the Chicago temple. Here, Bryce is enjoying views from the sun roof of our car.

At the Chicago Temple.

Becoming Mobile

About the middle of August, our little guy rolled over for the first time! Jess didn't believe me when I told him, "Bryce just rolled over!" But then Bryce did it again and Jess saw the 2nd roll over. :) He only rolls over the right side so far.

We were having him take naps in the middle of the guest bed, on a blanket, but then one day I went into check on him after he had become quiet. This is how I found him, but even more off the bed. I got to him just in time.

Jess had him asleep on the bed a few days later, but checked on him and found Bryce like this, only, not smiling... (he's between the wall and the bed).

And finally, we have the walker out and ready for our mobile little guy. His legs need to grow a bit longer, but he can sit in it for a few minutes at a time.

Bryce is Cute

Bath Time

Trying out the jogging stroller

I woke up to this one morning. It was so cute how he had his hands, I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Holding up his head like a pro

National Underground Railroad Museum

So Jess and I had a deal, if we went to a Reds game, we would go to the National Underground Railroad Museum too. It was a neat, eye-opening museum. It actually reminded me a little of Checkpoint Charlie, in Berlin--people seeking freedom.

Old bridge right by the museum, and the stadiums, crossing the Ohio River to Kentucky. This one has a walking path along it that I want to check out soon.

Reds Game

Our first week in Cincinnati, we enjoyed Reds baseball game. The weather was interesting. It was sunny and nice when we arrived at the game, poured for 20 minutes in the 6th inning, then cleared up and was okay to get home.

Bryce and Jess walking into the game.

The stadium is right on the river and has a neat view of Cincinnati and Kentucky.

I love Bryce's cute little ball cap one of my neighbors gave us.

Our Apartment

Bryce, helping to unpack, the first night in our apartment.

This is not our house, but it is the same style. Ours has dark brown trim, two doors in the front, and is not as cute, but we like the inside and the extra space. We have a garage and a small front yard. It is on a very quiet street, has lots of trees around it, and is within walking distance of EVERYTHING!!! (Two grocery stores, the library, tennis courts, swimming pool, park, Michael's, Joann Fabric, CosmoProf (salon supply store), lots of restaurants, and tons of cute shops!) The house was built in the late 1800's. It is a two family house, with the 1st level as a one bedroom apartment where a nice girl lives. Our apartment is the 2nd and 3rd floors. We have storage and laundry in the basement. These are pictures of the main floor (2nd floor of the house), but I need to get some of the top floor (our bedrooms) and the basement (it's scary!).

Kitchen

Living Room

Sitting Room (doesn't get used much yet)

Sitting Room

Bathroom

New Place?

Our first place in Cincinnati! We stayed at this extended stay hotel the first week in Cincinnati, since we couldn't quite move into our apartment yet. It was comfortable and included breakfast, internet, and a pool! :) Bryce and I had a few days here, while Jess and Nigel made the cross-country, 31 hour drive, from Provo to Cincy. Nigel, thank you soooooo much!