Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sweet Home Chicago

We're baaaccckkk....

Touched down in the Chi at 12:35 this afternoon. Speedy trips through customs and on the el with a quick stop for some coffee got us home just after 2. I haven't been so happy to see my house in a long time. Don't get me wrong, we had some awesome adventures (most of which I'll do my best to share in the next few days). But traveling with a toddler is exhausting. Add to that a toddler who didn't exactly take her amazing state-side nighttime sleep patterns with her across the pond... and you get the picture. I'm off to sleep in my own bed (praying for no unwanted wake-up calls from Miss E) and back to our "real world" tomorrow.

Can't wait to share more when I'm a little less sleepy. For now, here are a few of my initial fave shots. I promise, lots more to come (on Picasa).

Rainy-day London exploring (thankfully, the rainy days were few). No, not our best fam photo, but it turns out I'm in very few of our pics (and even fewer where my eyes aren't closed AND E is looking), so happy we at least got this one!

Taking in London from the Tate Modern lookout.

Praising God for a Sunny Sunday in London's Kensington Gardens.

A future Guinness Master Brewer? She now knows the secrets.

Our curious little girl explores Dublin Castle.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

So Long, Farewell...

Whoohoo! We're heading to the UK bright & early tomorrow morning. When I close this computer I won't open it again for an entire week (while I love communicating with you, I won't shed any tears over this apparent freedom:).

Can't wait to update you on our adventures when we return.

In the meantime, for those following, E's follow-up dentist apt. was much less traumatic today. They said one of her "at risk" teeth appears to be in good shape - no longer wobbling. The other is still wobbly and definitely still at risk... but all we can do is keep watching it and continue to keep it clean (to prevent infection). The most exciting news was the clearance to eat more "regular" foods again (read, Cheerios & Goldfish, my lifelines...)! So happy we won't have to pass a 6-hour flight with pureed messiness.

Adieu!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Sunshine

Christ the Lord is risen today... Alleluia!



Evidence

Some bloody clothes...

A puffy lip...



A salt water swishing performance (to clean the teeth) for Mr. Nick & Miss Kendra

Saturday, April 11, 2009

First Dentist Visit, First Lost Tooth

Unfortunately... both were unexpected and a wee bit traumatic (for mother & daughter).

While running at her lightning pace on Wednesday, E took a spill into (thankfully, not down) the wooden front stairs (we think....). Heather (our amazing nanny) found her covered in blood and hysterical. After some TLC and further examination, it was clear her top, second tooth from center was barely hanging on.

This just happened to be my day in my downtown office. Upon receiving word I hopped in a cab and was home in no time to assess the damage... My examination, along with a call to the pediatrician, confirmed an emergency dental visit was in order.

We were referred to a great pediatric practice, Pine Dental, whom I called ASAP and booked an apt. for noon. Let's just say trying to keep the now-calmed-down Elynor from not jumping off furniture or eating non-liquid foods until noon was not fun. But even less fun was what transpired at the dentist. Despite the amazing children's facility and awesome staff, Elynor seemed to know something was up from the minute we walked into the exam room. She screamed and squirmed (while her mama tried to hold her and hold back her own tears) during the initial exam and x-rays. The dentist confirmed there was no salvaging the right, 2nd tooth from top center and that the front 2 teeth had also been moved. Following their consult, we decided to have them remove the 2nd tooth and "reposition" the front two, giving them the greatest chance of survival. PRAISE GOD Rye could get there in time for this... as he and Heather had to hold the screaming/wiggling Elynor during this traumatic (the dentist's word) procedure. Though they gave her local anesthesia, I hear it was not a pretty site. This time I waited in the lobby w/ some of my own tears, knowing my own instability would not help E.

As awful as these events sound, it's amazing how resilient kids are. Really, after her nap that afternoon E showed signs of her same playful spirit. And really, now just has a sorta puffy top lip to show.

While this is a praise, it makes it a little more tricky for Rye & I to enforce the doc's orders to try to "save" the front 2 teeth - think soft foods and gentle play (yea, right?!) for at least the next week... oh, and several more dentists visits in the coming months to see if they're adjusting and that there's no infection, etc. Our hope is that we'll be in the 20% and those middle 2 teeth start growing healthily in their new positions. If they don't, they'll also have to be removed and E will have a more obvious gap until her permanent teeth come in (around age 7). We're a smoothie, yogurt, tofu, ice cream, baby food loving home for now... and giving thanks our emergency was not something with much more serious long-term consequences!

Will try to post pics in the coming days.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Bedtime



Opening Week

I'm always a little sad when the college basketball season comes to a close (especially when the national championship was as pathetic as last night's game... bringing back bad memories from a recent national championship beating UNC gave to IL).

But today:
Sox win home opener with Thome 3-run homer in bottom of the 8th...
Cubs are tied going into the 9th...

Surely spring & summer are just around the corner!?

The Love Swings On

One year ago Elynor met and immediately fell in love with her first swing...


And a year later, the love swings on...


Sunday, April 5, 2009

Firetruck


... on a less blustery day.

Really?


This photo was taken on a blustery night in:
A) January
B) February
C) April

Remind me, when was the first day of spring?!

Note: We do not always keep plastic firetrucks in the center of our front porch. Only when the wind blows them there.