A "Swell" Weekend

So Elias and I set off for Austin, Texas on Thursday and I have to say he is a great baby. On the first leg, a two hour flight we sat next to a gentleman who had twin one-year-old boys and said, "If he cries, don't worry, I'm used to it". But Elias didn't cry, not once. He played, played and played. Grabbed people, newspapers and the in flight magazines, but never cried. He finally fell asleep about a half-an-hour before landing. On the second leg he continually grabbed an older woman sitting next to us but thankfully she didn't mind. The flight home was just as easy with him despite an additional two hour delay in Houston because of beautiful Chicago weather. Oh and I have to give him even more props considering he got his first tooth on the flight back. Yes finally a tooth! Only 6 weeks later than we thought. He also had a cold. He's a trooper.




So we arrived in Austin to see Leanne, Chris and Asher. The boys got along great and Asher is too cute! It is absolutely amazing to spend time with your friends' kids. When we were back in high school, or in Leanne's case college, you couldn't imagine having kids. Than as you got older it was a dream to still have such close friendships and then watch our kids get to grow up together. You can't ask for anything more!

So Thursday we arrived, had a little play time, ate some great burgers and Elias slept through the night. He actually slept through the night two of the four nights, only waking up when we entered the room the second night and because of his cold the last night. That made Mom too happy.


The boys got to do a lot of playing. They rolled on the floor, grabbed each other and tried to take each other's toys. Well, Elias tried to take all of Asher's toys.

Brad came into town on Friday and Leanne and Chris had a great BBQ where we got to meet all their friends (who I have to say are very fun and cool people).




(I do have a picture of the Johnson/English family that I will post here later, it got accidentally deleted at work so check back.)

We also have to thank Aunt Leanne for babysitting on Sat. night. Shout out to her for that. It allowed me and Brad to enjoy some Austin music at The Paramount Theater. Brad and I had wanted to see The Swell Season when they came through Chicago but it was too close to the R.E.M. show. So when Leanne's friends Erin and Craig said they were going the next night we jumped at the chance. We are very glad we did. They were wonderful. I would highly recommend seeing them. The songs were energetic and even there "new stuff" was really good. Glen Hansgard is great. He's funny, energetic and can see why they cast him in Once.

Sunday we made dinner for Leanne and Chris and just relaxed. It was a wonderful end to a great weekend. We really hope the family can make it up to Chicago so the boys can go to the zoo, we can listen to some Chicago blues music and again enjoy each other's company.

Oh I almost forgot, not only is Elias saying Dada but he's also saying Dad. On Sunday when Elias was sick I was snuggling with him in bed to try and soothe him to put him back to sleep in the Pack N'Play when Brad came in. Brad went to snuggle with Elias on the other side when Elias rolled over, grabbed Brad's shirt collar and said, "Dad" in the sweetest voice I ever heard. Again, I never realized you could love somebody that much. I love ya kid!