Madeline takes on Chicago

We headed up to Chicago over the weekend to catch up with old friends. There's nothing like a group of friends you have a history with and can share stories that get larger than life every time they're mentioned.

Of course, I opened myself up to mockery when I announced that I can now identify a rose. I meant a double knockout rose shrub but I'm sure by next year, the story will be, "Remember when Katie said she could tell flowers from trees?"

This was our first trip to Chicago with Madeline and I realized, yet again, that everything does change when you have a child. It's not a bad thing. It's just I saw the road trip, the city and our time up there differently (especially the time around 2 a.m. when we were all still up talking and I knew Madeline was going to wake up in four hours).

Joe and I went to Millennium Park several years ago but now we saw it completely differently. It's a great park but it's awesome for kids. Madeline loved playing in the fountain, walking through the wildflowers and watching people across the big lawn.

And outside the city, they have an elk preserve. Never would it appeal to me to go see elks but if you're up there, do it. It's amazing.

Once we returned home, I also realized I am more like my mom every day. She always made us clean the house before a trip and I thought that was ridiculous. But now, what do I do? Clean the house before we leave. But Mom really does know best; it's so nice coming home late to a clean kitchen and bedroom.

Since this blog is shamelessly Madeline's baby book, here are the pictures!

We passed more than one person who thought we were negligent parents, ("Look at that soaked diaper on their baby!") She just played in the fountain, I promise!

Remember Madeline's vanity? The bean offered it on a whole new level.