If you follow me on Instagram, you may have guessed Jon and I were in Chicago last weekend. My parents lived there 30 years, I was born in the suburbs, and all of my family is still up there. We have been dying to get up there for a weekend just to hang out because we haven't seen most of my cousins since our wedding! We actually never went into the city because A. we did all the touristy stuff there about 2.5 years ago and B. it was a frozen tundra!! Getting there was interesting. We had a direct flight on SW to Midway and 3 hours into the 2.5 hour flight, we were told the flaps that slow you down while landing were broken, we couldn't land in Chicago and were being flown to Milwaukee. By the grace of God, we landed safely going 235mph in the cold and snow, surrounded by emergency vehicles on the runway. Talk about scary! Especially since I am still battling sickness/nausea, my mind was mainly set on not having to use the barf bag. Luckily another SW plane was able to get us to Midway 4 hours late but the night kept getting more and more interesting. We used a car service and our driver talked non stop the whole hour long drive about how he is 43, his daughter is 23 and he is about to dump his 21 year old girlfriend. He went on and on about getting arrested at his previous job as a repo man and how he once had a record deal with a metal band until the guitarist overdosed on Heroin on stage. At this point it was the middle of the night and I was thanking God that my husband was a good "fake listener" and conversationalist. Minor setback to the trip but we were excited to finally be there!
No trip to Chicago is complete without a hotdog (I got scolded for eating a burger at Portillo's but I will tell you it was one of the best burgers I've ever had!)
Dinner at Wings and Rings around a keg and I kid you not, when I told the waitress I would like a water instead of a glass for beer, she said "Oh are you not 21? Can I see your ID?". Laughing I told her "no I am pregnant." I will probably get stares over the next few months knowing I look like a 15 year old!
My grandparents have 15 grandchildren in total and have so many wonderful gift giving traditions. The newest is when each of us is expecting a baby, we get to chose an antique rocking chair from their collection (Papa used to antique and they are now collecting chairs). Jon and I picked ours out and it will be at our house this weekend! I foresee many nights rocking baby Hart in this beautiful chair.
My aunt and uncle hosted a joint celebration for Baby Hart and my cousin and his fiance who got engaged on New Years Eve. We are so blessed that so many people love our baby so much! We were overwhelmed with beautiful gifts, hilarious games and great company. Surprisingly the letters from our first and last names makes a few cute baby names :-)
We now have inspiration for our baby nursery!
Baby #2 will be represented with lots of baby #1 gear
Beautiful cake//champagne (virgin for me of course) toast!
Don't be alarmed by the next photo... my uncle made my cousin and his fiance a "shot ski" for their engagement and the guests of honor took a tequila shot...mine was OJ! I think I would have cried if they made me take a tequila shot (not pregnant of course). I am NOT a trooper haha.
Each year, my aunt and uncle throw a Superbowl Party and we were thrilled to be able to join! They have the most awesome basement set up (wish we had those in Texas!) and Jon was glued to the ping pong table most of the time. They don't stop at just choosing squares, there was a coloring contest, mystery prize game (with 22 prizes), bubble gum blowing contest, commercial scoring, and the most hysterical, guess the size of my baby bump! The tie breaker was to guess the circumference of Jon's calves... I die! I was glad I didn't have to guess because I really have no idea how big I am (or Jon haha).
People came pretty close and my cousin was spot on so unfortunately no tie breaker but that didn't stop us from measuring Jon's calves... that are almost 19 inches around. Insane, huh?? Oh and Jon reminded me my belly is now the size of his waist...
(in case you're wondering, I wore sweats to the Superbowl Party... I foresee this happening a lot in the future!)
We made it safely back to high 70 degree weather in Austin on Monday night and Ernie was excited to sniff the dogs on us. If you've read my blog for any time at all, you'd know how close our intermediate family is and it doesn't stop there. We are so lucky to have such a close knit family of true friends. Although we may not see them as often as we'd like, we always have the time of our lives. We are hoping to bring baby Hart up there sometime soon!
17 comments:
I LOVE Chicago! J and I are going for a wedding in August! Cannot wait! Your driver sounds like quite the character and I would have FREAKED if I was on your place -- I'm terrified of flying. And, I must say that you have the cutest lil bump I have ever seen!
Wow your family really is amazing.. what a great time! You look adorable and I'm so so excited for you Ruthie!
I want to be part of your family!! Geeesh! Sounds like you & Jon had so much fun! That little baby Hart is so loved already!
Um...your story of getting to Chicago was very interesting...good thing you made it safe!!! PS...I love that frame with 'you are my sunshine' on it. That is my FAV childhood song and I used it for the song in our gender reveal video!!! Your bump is adorable!!!
Sounds like such a great trip! Minus that CRAZY arrival. That stresses me out just thinking about it!!!!!! And the rocking chair thing... SO SWEET. I absolutely LOVE that idea!!!
Besides the travel there lol, it sounds like you guys had an amazing time! You two are so fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family! You can see how much Baby Hart is loved already.
Your little bump is adorable. I agree with sweats all the way ;)
hahaha ok I had to comment because Jon's calves are the size of my thighs. I only know that because I just measured them for my garters. That's is freakin hilarious!
good lord Jon, get some calves why don't ya?
also, your family sounds like too much fun and that "you are my sunshine" frame is too precious - my grandmother who passed away about 6 weeks before I got married in 2009 used to sing that song to me all the time, and I've yet to get all the way through singing it with my son Sawyer without crying.
Your family is absolutely precious!! And your baby bump makes my heart so happy!!! You two are going to be the best parents!!!
so fun!!!
Wow, your family is amazing! Wish mine was that close, truly a blessing. Sounds like you guys really know how to throw a SuperBowl party :)
That plane ride sounds totally scary, so glad you guys are safe!
Have a great weekend Ruthie!
I was last "home" to Chicago 2 years ago when Rick and I took a trip there so he could say he's been there! Got to visit with an uncle still there! Since my parents moved a few years back, it really isn't "home" anymore but all my childhood memories are there!
It looks like you have a wonderful family! How fun! And what cute pictures of y'all! Glad you made it there okay...and home safely too. I'm loving watched your little bump grow! :)
such great pics - you are so adorable!! dying to visit chicago - have never been!! xoxo
Im not even going to measure my calves now that i know how big Jon's are! Haha
Family and friends are so meaningful. Love that you all play games, my family does the exact same thing when we get together. When I say to co-workers that I'm getting together with family on a weekend, they just don't get it. Family and friends are almost the best part of life!
Great pictures! Have never been to Chicago but have always wanted to! Measuring your bump is so funny! We did that at my sister in law's baby shower and it was so fun! Baby games are great :)
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