We're in CHI-TOWN!!

Yesterday we arrived in Chicago at about 2:00pm local time... a little later than anticipated, but we just took our time getting here. Carson did really well on the trip. He slept the majority of it. We left mid-morning from home, right about the time of Carson's first nap, so that worked out perfectly. He slept till we were just through Lansing and then played nicely till we were just past Kalamazoo... and it was POURING! So we stopped for an early, long lunch at Bennigan's in Portage. The place was pretty dead when we got there, so we let Carson run around in the empty part of the restaurant while we waited for our food. Then we just had fun playing at the table for awhile while we ate and then relaxed for a bit after we were done. Once we hit the road again, Carson took his second nap, a little earlier than normal, but that's ok. He slept till we got on the Indiana Toll Road. Carson got a little restless when we were coming into Chicago and moving VERY slowly on the highway, but we made it. Once we got off the highway and into the downtown city traffic, Carson was just fascinated with all the huge buildings, people walking around, and horns honking (gotta love the cabbies!).

We took a drive around the city since the weather was looking a little if-fy... it wasn't raining, but kept sprinkling on us here and there. We decided to just head back to the hotel and get checked in. This is our first time staying at a Ritz Carlton hotel. They have great service and the rooms are nice... though we thought they'd be a little less normal-looking if that makes sense. The Ritz is a great place to bring kids - they're very focused on being kid-friendly. Carson received a free toy (a very soft teddy bear) when we checked in and our room has a full-size crib, refrigerator for his bottles and food, and all the items needed for diaper changing and baths. Carson loves the hotel room - though I wish I'd have thought to bring our little foam door stopper things so he can't slam the bathroom and closet doors. We have some great views from our hotel room - we can see lots of the downtown skyscrapers and we have a clear view of Navy Pier and the lake. We're up on the 27th (of 31) floor.

After we checked in, we just played in the room for awhile since it was starting to rain a little more. We had plans to meet up with Sara's friend from MSU and Phike sister, Ranae, for dinner. We went to Giordano's, which was only about a five-minute walk (in the pouring rain!) and had some awesome Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Yum! It was very good! And it was so great to see Ranae - we hadn't seen each other since the wedding in Key West! Carson was quite restless at dinner. He was already getting tired since it was getting close to his normal Michigan-time bedtime... and we were sitting right next to a short staircase... and it was just way too tempting for Carson. So he wasn't the happiest little guy for dinner. Once we got back to the hotel room and got ready for bed, Carson crashed hard and fast. He slept great in the crib, too! Didn't wake up all night, just like at home... I'm so thankful!! :)

Today we're heading out to the Lincoln Park Zoo. We're just waiting for Carson to wake from his morning nap, then we'll be on our way. The weather looks great today, so let's hope it stays that way! We're hoping to check out some parks in the area after the zoo if we have time anyway. We'll see how it goes. Looks like tomorrow will be storming the majority of the day, so we'll go to Navy Pier and check out the Chicago Children's Museum and maybe Shedd Aquarium, too. Then Sara is in meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Kevin and Carson will probably spend some time playing in the park that is across the street from our hotel and swimming in the pool.