We took a week-long trip to the Midwest and spent just under two days in Chicago with the kiddo!. Despite the weariness of traveling with a (perpetually) sleep-challenged and somewhat labile toddler (which has included the arduous drive to the Bay Area, albeit with a partially-cleared road [hallelujah!], nap avoidance, a red-eye flight from California, and some jet-lag), we've had some fun in the windy city, especially visiting with some old friends from medical school. I've been to Chicago a couple of times (while living in Southern MN) and Kelvin had been here briefly on an overnight but had not seen any of the sights and it had been more than a decade for us both!
On Thursday, we visited the Shedd Aquarium, where Iver enjoyed viewing the fish, crustaceans, and an anaconda....
The Anaconda
Petting a sturgeon
The high point of the aquarium, however, was rather a mammal, a tiny mouse we saw outside the exit doors!
Tia, one of my Mayo roommates and one of the sweetest and smartest people I have ever met, moved back to Chicago a few years ago after training and work in Boston and is a geriatrician affiliated with the University of Chicago. While we haven't stayed the best in touch over the (ten!) years since our graduation from med school (I think it had been eight years since I saw her last!), she and her husband Rob joined us for dinner at Giordano's downtown, where Iver loved digging into the deep dish, cheese-stuffed meat-topped pizza.
We strolled back to our downtown hotel along Michigan Avenue, "The Magnificent Mile."
The Bean
Crown Fountain was fun for the kids to splash in with their rain boots!
Nearby Maggie Daley Park was one of the most impressive parks I've ever seen!
The Nest Swings were a hit
Boats in the Harbor!
The slides were a hit...
... until one caused a bleeding lip (Good thing there were three doctors there, including a peds ER MD!)
After a yummy brunch at Yolk, we bade farewell to Erin and Ellie and headed to Navy Pier on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Iver really wanted to say hi to this doggie... until we got up close, and then he was terrified!
We passed some time indoors (warm) at the Children's Museum, which was really great!
Water Exhibit
The puff-ball catapault was also a hit
Digging for dinosaur bones
Driving a bus
Putting gas in the car
Grocery Shopping
We had some good times out and about in the city, but also enjoyed the comforts of our suite hotel, including Iver having his own bed/room in which to sleep, the happy hour, and the hotel pool.
Traveling with a toddler is challenging, but when everyone is well rested, it is doable (and even fun). Until next time, Chi-town!
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