Hello, Chi Town!

In early June 2011, Brian and I flew to Chicago for a couples-only weekend away, our first since Westley's birth. It also was the first time for us both to be away from Westley at the same time, and the trip was both incredibly relaxing and slightly nerve-wracking. We'd both been there before, but not together for fun. (We were sponsors for our church's youth group mission trip there several years before.) We had some romantic and adventurous time exploring the city's sights together. We called my mother-in-law, who was watching Westley for us, often, but enjoyed our freedom and the chance to reconnect a little.



We, of course, had to dine on regional beer and Chicago's best deep-dish pizza. We tried Lou Malnati's, which quickly became a favorite. (Cool thing: They ship their pizzas on dry ice, so you can enjoy without the plane ticket if you feel so inclined. We since have!)

We waited in the very long line to get into Shedd Aquarium. I had been during a senior high school trip, but it was Brian's first visit. As predicted, he loved it. A little travel tip: We found out later that if you buy your tickets online in advance, you can walk right in and pick them up. Good to know!


We saw a dolphin show, pet starfish, watched a storm move over the city and were in awe of the jellyfish exhibit. We spent some money in the gift shop buying a stuffed penguin for Westley and talked about how excited we'd be to return with him one day when he's a little older.


With a recommendation from some Wichita friends, we dined at The Purple Pig on the Magnificent Mile. We tasted and chatted for hours. It was fantastic, especially for the still-new parents who usually opt for carry-out and quick meals.

We toured Wrigley Field, one of our favorite parts of the trip:




We took a chilly walk along North Avenue Beach, where people were sunbathing despite the cool breeze. Then we rental some bicycles and worked off some of the pizza on a 13-mile ride.



We mapped out our route so we'd see many of the downtown landmarks, including some of the famous fountains, and, in typical tourist style, Cloud Gate ("The Bean") in Millennium Park:



Next stop, Navy Pier, where we turned in our bikes, watched the sun set from atop the Ferris wheel and had another delicious meal.




The next day, we had one more deep-dish pizza lunch* before I left one love of my life in Chicago (Brian stayed for a couple days for a work conference) so I could get home to my other. The Chicago skyline was stunning, but home is where the heart (and my little boy) is.


* I was so full from that lunch -- and the trip overall -- that I didn't eat for more than 24 hours afterward. Ha! :D

Side trip

A work conference took me to Missouri in May 2011. It was my first time away from Westley James, and it was simultaneously grueling and freeing. I called home often and enjoyed some time away. Funny how life changes, though. I declined the invitations for drinks and mingling with associates in the evenings to head back to my wonderfully quiet hotel room for bubble baths, magazines and, of course, sleep! I shared a pot of coffee and a morning of conversation with one of my favorite uncles before leaving town. And I also brought my camera and had some fun on a little side trip:

I also stopped by a quilt store on my way home and picked up a few things for me and a few things for some of my favorite quilters.

I made it back to Wichita in time for a dinner date with my two boys. It was good to be away, but better to be home.

Auntie M!

We wrapped up April 2011 with a trip south to visit Aunt Amanda in Stillwater. Mom, Jen (then pregnant with baby No. 2) and Kaden were there, too. It was nice to hang out and spend some time together.

Celebrate!

I celebrated two events with friends last weekend.

Brian and I found a fabulous babysitter for Westley and attended a couples' wedding shower for our friends Rob and Courtney, who are getting married next month.



And then we picked up Westley and headed north to Salina, where we attended our friend Jill's surprise 40th birthday party at Martinelli's Italian restaurant.


Westley was too busy making eyes at his new friend to pay attention to the photo shoot.


They played together, and Westley shared a couple of his favorite reads: "That's Not My Lion" (an Usborne book) and "One Duck Stuck" by Phyllis Root.

We were exhausted from all of the celebrating, especially because Daylight Savings Time stole an hour from our weekend. But we wouldn't have missed the chance to celebrate with these friends. Congrats, Rob, Court & Jill!

Feeling crabby

I'm so proud of Brian, who was selected to attend a special management training this week in Kansas City, even though it took him out of town Monday through Thursday nights. (Yup. That means I had Westley for three nights AND he missed my birthday.)

The good news is we did great! Westley slept well and was a little angel. Hallelujah! That said, it was tiring and something that gives me tremendous respect for single parents.

When Brian arrived home, he asked me to fish something out of his suitcase for him. I found these:


When he was little and his dad would travel for business, he would come home with T-shirts, Brian explained. Now it's his turn.

These shirts are from Eat at Joe's Crab Shack. I'm very happy that he didn't get me this one.

Lion or lamb?

I'm still trying to decide if my March has introduced itself as a lion or a lamb.

Baa:


My commute home is getting more beautiful by the week, one of the things I love about spring. The sun stays out longer, the weather starts to warm, the bulbs poke their heads from the earth, my spirit soars.

Spring has a new meaning to me this year as I recall this time last year, when I was preparing to meet my little Westley James.

Mom and I snuck away to Oklahoma one night this week. We drove about an hour south to meet Amanda at a Taco Bell just off the highway in Blackwell so we could return Toby, her dog, who Mom has been watching for her for a couple of weeks. It was great to laugh and chat for a little bit. When I returned home, Brian and I realized that the three-hour trip had been the first time I'd been in a different state than Westley.

A crew came to put our basement back together this week, and it's so nice for things to be a little more orderly.

Roar:

Westley developed a fever earlier this week, so we made an appointment with the pediatrician. Turns out he had a double ear infection and a sinus infection, so now he's on antibiotics. The scary and worrisome thing for me is that this is the third time he's had an ear infection in about the past six months. We're taking him to see an ear, nose and throat specialist soon (hopefully next week) so we can investigate the situation more closely. (Note to self: Deep breaths, Mama. Your baby will be OK.)

So sweet

Yum. Can't you almost taste the sugary goodness?

With a romantic dinner date night planned, Brian and I snagged some Valentine's cupcakes for his parents as a thank-you for watching Westley. But we were the ones in for the real treat.

We headed south to nearby Mulvane to dine at the much-acclaimed Italian restaurant Luciano's. I've wanted to go for ages, and I wasn't disappointed. The place has attracted my friends and stars alike (including food queen Paula Deen).


The quaint restaurant is unassuming and simple but packs a delicious punch. Here's what I ate for my five-course meal:

Course 1, antipasti (appetizers): Calamari al Vino Bianco (sliced calamari sauteed with garlic and white wine)

Course 2, insalate (salads): Insalata Mediterranea (three different lettuces mixed with black olive, spring onion, Parmesan cheese, cherry tomato, cucumber and pine nuts served in a Parmesan cheese bowl)

Course 3, pasta: Fettuccine con Gamberetti (shrimp sauteed with fresh tomato, herbs and spices)

Course 4, secondi (entrees): Pesce di Luciano (tilapia braised in white wine with fresh vegetables, herbs and spices)

Course 5, dessert: Tiramisu

If you go, and you should, heed a few pieces of advice:

• Make a reservation. Good luck getting in if you don't. We made ours for 8 p.m. It was the perfect time. We arrived when the restaurant was packed, a fun experience. But by the time our meal really was under way, we shared our waiter with only one other table, allowing for exceptional service. Two hours later, we were among the last to leave.
  

• Spring for the five-course experience, and indulge in a bottle of chianti. (We chose Castello di Bossi, which I rated four out of five stars and would recommend.)

• Do yourself a favor: Share the appetizer, and order a half order of pasta. Both courses are so delicious that you'll want to eat everything they put in front of you. But then you'll never have room for the decadent dessert.

• Order a dessert. If you're a fool and do not, please do not tell me. I'll consider you utterly stupid and will disown you as a friend. Be sure to order your own dessert. Trade bites but do not share. I repeat, do not share. Yes, you'll be consuming a sinful amount of calories. C'mon, though. Live a little, will ya?!
  

• Plan all of your courses before you get started. Brian had wished that he'd only ordered one course with rich, filling cream sauce. The good news? Now we'll know for next time. And there will be a next time.
  

Carriage Crossing cuisine

Brian, Westley and I joined my parents for a dinner tonight at Carriage Crossing restaurant in Yoder, a charming nearby Amish community. The restaurant is legendary, specifically for its pies. We dined on catfish, pork chops, chicken fried steak and country fried chicken. My side dishes, corn and fried sweet potato wedges, were excellent. (Westley had pureed pumpkin and milk.)

Westley and Papa

Leaving Carriage Crossing without dessert should be against state law, so we all ordered pie and shared bites. Among us, we had apple, peach, cherry cream cheese and chocolate peanut butter. Brian and I also ordered two giant cinnamon rolls, which I'm looking forward to for breakfast tomorrow.

Mom trying to decide which pie to order. We ordered dessert early to beat a neighboring party of 22, hoping to save our dessert of choice. Unfortunately, they were out of pecan pie (her first choice) and peach pecan (her second choice). She settled on peach, which they served with a side of chopped pecans. Bonus points for our waiter!

As we were leaving the restaurant, two horse-drawn carriages passed us in the dark. I could hear the horses' hooves clip-clopping down the street and barely see the carriages' reflectors gleaming off the street lights. Seemed a perfect end to a must-have Kansas experience.

On Shutterbug Rebels: My cuties at Carriage Crossing, and how Westley got the attention of an older baby girl across the aisle.

Best photos of 2010

The year 2010 has been my most blessed yet. It's the year I became a mother, met my sweet Westley James and fell in love even more with my darling husband.

Here, for the fourth consecutive year on Life is Golden, I give you my 12 best photos of the year. May God bless us all in 2011.

Lilly the chilly dog during a January snowstorm.

A stunning Wichita sky about two weeks before Westley James was born.

Westley's great-grandmother admiring his tiny pink foot days after his birth.

Brian and Westley on an Assaria, Kan., farm in July, our first day trip as a threesome.

Lilly soaking up a summer day during an August neighborhood block party.

Brian, Westley and Eric during an August Royals baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. It was West's first trip out of state.

Westley's first picnic in the park on a beautiful September day.

Westley, fast asleep in his nursery on a September afternoon.

Admiring a fabulous October rainbow from our backyard.

A Wichita church steeple, which I photographed in late November with a very thankful heart.

The Christmas tree at Bradley Fair, which I photographed when Brian joined me for a work-related charitable event that we attended together as an early holiday date.

Squeaky clean and happy during a December bath.

Here are my best-photos-of-the-year posts from previous years:

• Photos of 2009

• Photos of 2008

• Photos of 2007