Return

We made it home safe and sound, for which I am incredibly grateful. I am sick to the point of losing my voice now, but overall it was a very successful travel day. Ari was amazing on both airplane rides, and the house was exactly as we had left it - more or less. (We lost power one day while we were away, so that changed things a bit!)

Simon was excited and gleeful to see us, and Andy and I are just going to try and relax and veg out on the couch tonight as we attempt to kick these nasty colds and get back into the groove of our daily grinds.

We were all sad to leave NC; but I am very happy to be home as well.

Poems for Chicago (a kind of cheating entry for a lackluster day)

Friday
Why is it, even in the most
exciting/happy/anticipated
of trips, it still takes a
Herculean effort to
get out the door?
We hit the road,
two hours late
and 48 hours overwhelmed...
but the horizon dances
in pretty colors reminiscent
of Ireland and Cat Stevens
sings us on our way.
We are Chicago bound!

Saturday
This traffic is horrid,
thank goodness we left.
We miss these friends so much;
why did we leave?
These festivals are putrescent;
thank goodness we left.
Oh my lord I miss hanging out,
eating picnics, playing games,
laughing and talking
late into the night...
feeling safe, feeling known,
feeling loved, and realizing
our daughter never falls asleep
to the laugher of her parents
when we are at home.

Sunday
Amazing breakfast
with whiny and overtired baby.
Hard to say good-bye.

Then on to quiet;
White carpeting is not good for children.
The sunroom is GREAT.

Monday
It's always hard to
say goodbye to family.
The drive feels like
pulling paper across
delicate skin or stabbing
gums with toothpicks.
But we see the new mommy,
hold the new niece, and
wish we lived closer to
family, to friends, to
so many loved ones.