Nico added another 3 states to his list — Ohio, Indiana and Illinois — when we took the train out to Chicago for Auntie Ro’s 87th birthday (click for photos).  My parents met us there and we got to see my aunts (Rose and Nita), cousins (Scott, Kathy, and Diana), second cousins (Krista, Kari, and Lauren), and third cousins (Cadel and Quinn)!  It was a great trip and the next time we go we’ll probably take the train again.  This was our second trip by train (really Nico’s first since he was in my belly last time) and we got a room each way, which made a big difference.  We slept well and arrived in Chicago (and back in DC) very rested.

Nico had a great time with both of his great aunts.  And he particularly had fun with Lauren, who had as much fun playing with him as I had playing with her when she was a tiny little girl.  She swung him around, helped him practice walking, read to him, and kept him entertained for hours past bedtime.  He also loved playing with 5-year old Cadel, who has developed tons and tons of patience as a big brother.  He would build towers for Nico, not complain when Nico knocked them down before they were finished, and start over with a new tower (over and over and over).  Quinn is lucky to have such a great big brother!

We thought Nico might start walking before the trip, and when he didn’t, we were sure that he would take his first steps for his Chicago audience.  That didn’t happen, though.  He’s standing alone for longer and longer periods now (sometimes for the whole length of a book as we read to him).  But tonight we think he took his first half-step.  Frank was reading to him and he took one step toward the book, planting his foot before his hand reached the book.  It’s only a matter of days now, we’re pretty sure.   Batten down the hatches, he’s about to move! 

Here’s another link to the Chicago photos, in case you didn’t click that earlier one.

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