z's summer tour - leg 1: Wisconsin
I booked our ticket in May - before the trip to Tucson. I thought it would be Z's first flight and we would be traveling without J, so I used the last of my frequent flyer miles to book first class - it seemed like the extra room and friendly treatment would be worth it. I also thought that booking the redeye was a brilliant idea because Z would sleep through the flight. As our departure day inched closer I started doubting the brilliance of the plan: if Z didn't sleep, Saturday was going to be hellish, especially since we were flying into O'Hare but still had 2 more hours to travel to my mom's house. I considered trying to reschedule the flight, but decided to go with my initial idea.
Friday's plan went off without a hitch: Z took good naps during the day, LMcG drove up from Portland to hang out, hold Z while I pack, and be with us. Z fell asleep at 8, the town car picked us up at 9, he slept all the way to the airport. He was awake and happy as we walked around pre-flight. He fell asleep soon after take-off and slept the whole flight. I dozed but didn't sleep too deeply for fear I might relax and drop him.
We arrived at O'Hare at 5 a.m., walked to the bus terminal, and caught the 6:30 bus to Madison. Again, I had hemmed and hawed about how to meet up with mom: rent a car? find a friend to drive us? take a train? I'm glad I went with her suggestion to take the bus. It was a familiar route (I took it many times during graduate school) and it allowed Z to stand up and play for most of the ride. His car seat fit perfectly in the seats and he spent some time sleeping - I dozed, too.
The ride into town was a trip down memory lane - past the house we used to own, our favorite thai restaurant (which moved down the street), the mexican place, a couple bars, the campus...I told Z about them all as we passed them. We arrived at the Union and mom was there to greet us. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm midwestern day so we headed to the Capitol for the weekly farmer's market. I looked for a friend who used to work at the market, but it's been 5 years, she's probably moved on. We bought some cheesy bread then sat on the grass under a tree to watch the people walk around the square and relax before we hit the road again.
It took a couple starts and stops before Z fell asleep in the van, but he finally did and we had a good trip to Neenah.
The week at mom's was relaxing and full of more memories. Mom had several boxes for me to go through: fourth grade papers, letters from high school friends written during my Freshman year of college, my old jewelry box full of notes from junior high friends, and a collection of postcards. She also had a collection of toys and clothes for Z that she and my grandma had found at various sales. Perfect timing, his 6-12 month sized clothes were beginning to get tight.
My brother spent a couple nights with us. I cooked dinner a couple nights. We saw her friend's 3 week old baby, drove through the countryside, and caught up on episodes of Project Runway. It was just what I needed - to be around my mom, hang out with my brother, and care for Z and myself. Relaxing. Lovely. I wish we lived closer and could do it more often.
On Friday, we drove to Milwaukee to meet up with J and spend time with ME, AE, and SA. Again, Z followed the plan to the letter (making me think that someone is listening to mom's prayers - heh). We left when he was looking sleepy and he slept the whole ride. We met up with J at a Culver's then mom continued south to grandma's house.
Culver's - I had never eaten at one the entire 6 years that I lived in Wisconsin. I had been vegan for 2 years then vegetarian. Now that I'm a full-on carnivore (since soy and egg have been eliminated from my diet), it was time for me to taste what J called his "secret love affair." Yes. Good.
Z was fascinated by AE who is 16 months old. On Saturday, ME and SA hosted a BBQ of familiar faces, most of whom have spawned *new* faces who we hadn't met yet (and two are in the process of spawning their second!). The kids ranged from 4.5 months to 2 years plus one 10 year old. Z was in heaven! Kids everywhere. Bubbles. Lots of talking, movement, and laughter. He was particularly interested in Noah (the 4.5 month old) and Henry (2 years). Henry was trying to teach Z how to "give 5." Very cute. Z perfected sitting and was eyeing the walkers. We met monpon and her posse! Finally - after months of reading her blog, it's great to meet everyone face-to-face.
I regret that I took only a couple photos at mom's and none in Milwaukee. I'm hoping others did and will send me copies. There were so many beautiful moments to capture. I was too busy living them. :)
Friday's plan went off without a hitch: Z took good naps during the day, LMcG drove up from Portland to hang out, hold Z while I pack, and be with us. Z fell asleep at 8, the town car picked us up at 9, he slept all the way to the airport. He was awake and happy as we walked around pre-flight. He fell asleep soon after take-off and slept the whole flight. I dozed but didn't sleep too deeply for fear I might relax and drop him.
We arrived at O'Hare at 5 a.m., walked to the bus terminal, and caught the 6:30 bus to Madison. Again, I had hemmed and hawed about how to meet up with mom: rent a car? find a friend to drive us? take a train? I'm glad I went with her suggestion to take the bus. It was a familiar route (I took it many times during graduate school) and it allowed Z to stand up and play for most of the ride. His car seat fit perfectly in the seats and he spent some time sleeping - I dozed, too.
The ride into town was a trip down memory lane - past the house we used to own, our favorite thai restaurant (which moved down the street), the mexican place, a couple bars, the campus...I told Z about them all as we passed them. We arrived at the Union and mom was there to greet us. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm midwestern day so we headed to the Capitol for the weekly farmer's market. I looked for a friend who used to work at the market, but it's been 5 years, she's probably moved on. We bought some cheesy bread then sat on the grass under a tree to watch the people walk around the square and relax before we hit the road again.
It took a couple starts and stops before Z fell asleep in the van, but he finally did and we had a good trip to Neenah.
The week at mom's was relaxing and full of more memories. Mom had several boxes for me to go through: fourth grade papers, letters from high school friends written during my Freshman year of college, my old jewelry box full of notes from junior high friends, and a collection of postcards. She also had a collection of toys and clothes for Z that she and my grandma had found at various sales. Perfect timing, his 6-12 month sized clothes were beginning to get tight.
My brother spent a couple nights with us. I cooked dinner a couple nights. We saw her friend's 3 week old baby, drove through the countryside, and caught up on episodes of Project Runway. It was just what I needed - to be around my mom, hang out with my brother, and care for Z and myself. Relaxing. Lovely. I wish we lived closer and could do it more often.
On Friday, we drove to Milwaukee to meet up with J and spend time with ME, AE, and SA. Again, Z followed the plan to the letter (making me think that someone is listening to mom's prayers - heh). We left when he was looking sleepy and he slept the whole ride. We met up with J at a Culver's then mom continued south to grandma's house.
Culver's - I had never eaten at one the entire 6 years that I lived in Wisconsin. I had been vegan for 2 years then vegetarian. Now that I'm a full-on carnivore (since soy and egg have been eliminated from my diet), it was time for me to taste what J called his "secret love affair." Yes. Good.
Z was fascinated by AE who is 16 months old. On Saturday, ME and SA hosted a BBQ of familiar faces, most of whom have spawned *new* faces who we hadn't met yet (and two are in the process of spawning their second!). The kids ranged from 4.5 months to 2 years plus one 10 year old. Z was in heaven! Kids everywhere. Bubbles. Lots of talking, movement, and laughter. He was particularly interested in Noah (the 4.5 month old) and Henry (2 years). Henry was trying to teach Z how to "give 5." Very cute. Z perfected sitting and was eyeing the walkers. We met monpon and her posse! Finally - after months of reading her blog, it's great to meet everyone face-to-face.
I regret that I took only a couple photos at mom's and none in Milwaukee. I'm hoping others did and will send me copies. There were so many beautiful moments to capture. I was too busy living them. :)
posted by sp1ral at 3:30 PM
1 Comments:
I'm glad you had such a relaxing time visiting your mom. The pictures are amazing, you all have quite a family resemblance. : )
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