We are not pigs but...

With a little over a month left before the baby arrives Manny and I went to Chicago where Manny djed while we both enjoyed exploring the city as well as tasting the goodness that comes from Chicago, like Pizza and Hotdogs :) Each day was full of something new and a least every other day included a hotdog, a pizza, or a hamburger, on some days two of those were consumed.

Day One ( Monday)
We arrived in Chicago Monday night and I was ready to freeze my bottom off but as we stepped outside it wasn't that cold. Did I want it to be cold, YES i sure did. Most people go away to sunny vacation spots. Manny and I go to cold cities.
We were greeted by Manny's friend Jay and his daughter Lola. I was excited to hang out with a little girl. Later that night we met his wife Misa and enjoyed our first real Chicago pizza. It was so good. We then went to bed and i had the best night of sleep in a month.


Day Two (Tuesday)
Tuesday morning we headed to an early lunch at Milk and Honey, which is were Misa is the pastry chef. It was well branded and the pastries were delicious. I enjoyed the drive to our hotel and watched little Lola fall asleep.
Manny and I arrived at our hotel and enjoyed our wonderful 12th story view before we headed out. It wasn't too chilly in Chicago and Manny and I put on our sweaters, wait aren't we in Chicago and isn't it supposed to be cold, I mean I brought clothes as if we were going to encounter a blizzard.

We headed to The Contemporary Arts Museum, which for anyone headed to chicago is Free on Tuesday. We did a lot of walking and stopped at ROCKnROLL MCDONALDS!!!!! Manny sang the song about 20 times and we ate noting there :) Just enjoyed the place.


Then it was time to eat, which wasn't really hard to decide, when in Chicago do like Chicagoans, we ate PIZZA. We headed to Gino's East Pizza, which you sign your name on the wall. They are famous for their deep dish and after two little pieces we were stuffed, we couldn't even finish the other two. As we were headed home it started to rain and the wind kicked in. We got lost and finally took a cab, which only drove us three blocks.


Day Three (Wednesday)
This day consisted of four animals, a billy goat, and my first Chicago dog. Manny and I started our day headed to the Zoo. We took a bus, and Manny saw the Michigan Lake, i guess i missed it. We started to walk through the park realizing the animals were in the warmth and not out in the cold, plus it was almost closing time for the Zoo. So we decided to play a game, "How many animals can we count" Our final count was 2 bunnies, 1 lion, 3 squirrels, 2 deer, and 2 leopards. We then headed to Lincoln Park, a quite neighborhood with some shops and schools.


We then ended up at Wrigley Field and took the tourist picture and then turned back around. For dinner we decided to enjoy a Chicago hotdog. I had my first one at Cubby Bear. It had the Chicago works on it, and that does not include KETCHUP!!! IT WAS SO GOOOOOD.



Then it was time to head back to the hotel, but we had a few more stops to make. Being pregnant I was wanting a little treat since all the walking made me hungry again. We went to Berry Chill and I enjoyed yogurt, Mochi Balls and Mango, since being in Chicago I have been craving Boba Tea, and since we are not in California mochi balls was the closest . We then were head to the hotel when Manny started to sing the best song of the trip, The Cheezeborger Song. We went to the famous Billy Goat Tavern which first opened in 1934. When we opened the doors we were taken back in time. When we walked in we were asked if we were eating there and if we were to order the double. So we did. We walked away singing The Cheezeborger song together.


Day four ( Thursday)
A jelly Bean, Frank Geary, art, another hot dog, and color. I guess Manny and I are good about starting our day late so we headed out at 4pm. We walked to the Millieum Park where the famous reflective jelly bean is. It was so interesting, it is reflective and it is a huge silver JELLY BEAN!!!Across the lawn from the jelly bean is another piece designed by the same designer, Frank Geary. It is an amphitheater and it would be amazing to sit on the lawn during the summer and enjoy a concert.

Then across the bridge was this installation, where they set up two monitors with faces on them that change. Next was the Art Institute of Chicago Museum which was were all the pieces Manny and I learned about in our art books were. We saw amazing peices.

We then headed to get some dinner and what else could we eat in Chicago, ANOTHER HOT DOG!!! IT WAS SO GOOD ONCE AGAIN!!! Manny enjoyed a Italian meat sandwich which he said was wasn't messy enough. ON THE WAY BACK TO THE HOTEL I SPOTTED BOBA TEA, but it was closed.


Day Five (Friday)
Meeting Edie and Zebo and havin finger licking Chicago style buffalo wings, then watching Manny dj was one of the most relaxing days. After checking out of our hotel we headed Starbucks where people actually get coffee to stay warm, in Santa Barbara I make sure mine is always over ice. We headed to Zebo and Edie's house. I was excited to meet them, Manny has been friends for them for the past three years and always talks to highly of them. I first met Zebo coming out of the elevator, and then Edie. They are both very kind people and as soon as we got settled we were ordering Chicago food in, I was in heaven. I ordered corn bread and buffalo wings and a salad, which I didn't know if they had salad in Chicago I thought everyone just ate hot-dogs and Burgers, cause if i lived there that is all I would eat!


We then all were taken by a food coma and napped for a couple of hours. We woke up and started to get ready for the club. Yes even though I am 8 months pregnant I still love to watch the man I love, engage in his passion, music, ok I know no one wants to hear this but he is so cute when he djs, Ok thanks for allowing to get that out.
Anyhow the night was so much fun. Manny djed at a place called EvilOlive and It was such a great atmosphere but even better the people were real and extremely nice.


Day Six (Saturday)
We all woke up around 2pm. Manny and I decided to go walking and explore Wicker Park. We then headed back to Edie's and Zebos house and I decided I was staying in and letting the boys enjoy their night. So Edie and I watched a treat, the entire 1st Season of Rupauls Drag Race, it was amazing!! We were still watching it when the boys came home at 3am.

Day Seven ( Sunday)
IT SNOWED!!! I saw it snow and had to wake up Manny at 7am. I had the biggest smile on my face and it was so exciting. After Manny and I woke up we both were eager to head out and be in the snow. I put on all my warm cloths and gloves and we headed out. The first thing I did was step in the snow. I have now seen snow 10 times in my life!! YAY!!

We had so much fun and i enjoyed the day so much. OH and did i mention I wanted Boba tea, well I got it. Manny found me some and I was the happiest pregnant women on the planet with as people in Chicago call it, "Bubble Tea". I love that Man. We then ended up at a 90s piano bar and enjoyed music, i think Hall N Oats was playin :) Later that night we were spoiled. Edie had cooked us a homemade meal, she cooked pork and potatoes it was such a treat! She even made homemade frozen chocolate bananas.

But I do have to say, when we were in Chicago I did something for the first time. I had Manny go and get me Milk at 1am in 20 degree weather in Chicago. I was craving it so bad and he went and came back with a smile! I was Milk happy and so thankful i have him!!!!

Day Eight ( Monday)
POLISH POLSIH MANNY LOVES POLISH! Manny woke up so happy on Monday. He knew he was about to indulge in something delicious. We went to a polish deli that Martha Stewart went too. They had Butter Lambs, I mean butter shaped into lambs for easter. I wanted to buy everyone one!! We got four different kinds of perogies and it was so nice to see Manny smile so big! We enjoyed the meal with Mega Mike, a friend of Manny's whom I met that day and he was great company.


We then packed up and said goodbye to Edie and Zebo. They were such great hosts and great people!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN YOU GUYS!!!!

Manny and I had such a great time and I think baby did too!!!