That about sums it up! We were in Chicago for four days over the weekend and hardly had a moment to sit down (except when we were eating amazing and delicious meals). We ate, we drank, we talked, we laughed, we walked all over the city, we saw so many friends, and I even spent all day Saturday co-hosting a baby shower for my dear friend, Liz.  Phew!

We left early Thursday morning, which seemed like a good idea when we booked the tickets, but of course Adeline chose that morning to sleep in.  Which she never does.  So we had to wake her up.  It was not fun.  Although, I did take that opportunity to tell her that this is how mommy and daddy feel every morning when she wakes us up and isn’t it unpleasant and wouldn’t it be nice if she let us sleep in sometimes? I don’t think she listened.

She actually did great on the flight. (We bought her a seat and brought her carseat on the plane and she just sat in it most of the time. Fantastic!) And since we got there so early we had time to have lunch with a friend and then take the train downtown and walk around.

(I’m pretty sure if I still lived in Chicago you would be subjected to an endless stream of city pictures. Lucky for you, I don’t.  But I am inspired to try to find some city scenes here in Denver.  There’s nothing like this, though.)

We walked around the Loop and down Lake Street, under the El tracks. I love that street, it’s one of my favorites in Chicago. I love the rumble of the train passing overhead and the gritty, dirty, aged tracks creating an endless tunnel that feels magical somehow, like it leads to a secret city full of glamour and people and art and adventure. And I love it especially because, in many ways, it does.

We had a great night on Thursday night, just staying in and catching up with old friends. On Friday morning we had breakfast with my old college roommate, who I hadn’t seen in years.  And after that Adeline and I had a playdate with Christie, of Outlaw Mama, and her adorable son Simon.

Christie and I used to work together at a Biglaw firm in Chicago.  We both were fortunate enough to escape, and we’ve bonded over our mutual distaste for the practice of law, at least when it looks like that. Not to mention our similarly awesome parenting styles.  We pretty much rock.  It was so awesome to spend some time with her.  I can’t wait for BlogHer’12!

Friday night was pretty much the best. night. ever.  OK, maybe not really, but it ranks up there.  We had dinner with two other couples at Bonsoiree and it was one of the most fantastic meals I’ve ever eaten (and I’ve eaten some fantastic meals, Tru in Chicago, Taillevent in Paris, Paul Bocuse in Lyon, and more).

We had a nine-course meal with many bottles of superb wine and great conversation all night.  The menu is fixed, and I honestly couldn’t tell you everything we ate because I hadn’t heard of some of it. But it was all delicious. Sashimi, caviar, duck, desserts and so much more.

Saturday was the baby shower. My friend is a beautiful pregnant lady and I was so excited to see her.  I’ve known her for almost seven years, I co-hosted her bridal shower and bachelorette party, was a bridesmaid in her wedding and have shared my deepest hurts and happiest moments with her.  She was one of the first people to meet and hold Adeline.  I’m so sad that I won’t be able to meet and hold her baby when she’s first born.  I hope to get back to Chicago and see her again soon.

Saturday night was more of a scenester night, with dinner at a hip restaurant downtown and drinks at a penthouse club.  That’s just how we roll.

Sunday morning we had brunch with yet more friends, rounding out the trip.  I wish we could have seen even more people, but we didn’t have a spare minute.  By the time we left for the airport we were about ready to collapse from exhaustion.  I needed yesterday just to recover!