Charlie and I drove out to Schaumburg, Illinois (home of Ikea) to roam around the gigantor Woodfield Mall. It was a very productive trip considering I found a dress for Erik’s wedding (yay, Pea in the Pod 50% off sale!) and picked up this delicious sweater from my favorite store, Anthropologie. Pregnant gals are lucky during these times of empire waists and bohemian flair, and you know these things are right up my alley. So, when I found said sweater for (wait for it) 50% off (I know, must be in the water out there) I knew I had to have it.

Not only that, but I made the discovery that H & M (a former favorite store, only less so because of our far proximity from the downtown store) has a maternity line!! Crazy, right?? The things you learn when you have a Friday morning and nothing to do.

The best part of the day (or should I say most interesting), was when my hunger pains became too much to handle and we simply had to find a place to eat. No Corner Bakery (my favorite shopping sustenance), BUT we did happen upon a Rainforest Cafe. Let me just say, I have never set foot in the place. It is like a theme park in a restaurant. I braved the seemingly alive crocodile at the front entry and kindly asked the hostess to seat us next to “whatever might keep my daughter busy”. Poor Charlie, what with the five huge tropical fish tanks, the animatronic cheetah swishing it’s giant tail, and the periodic “rain” and thunder claps, my little girl was a little overwhelmed.

She pointed, she screamed, she chattered, and she refused to sit anywhere but Mommy’s lap. So I ate my turkey wrap with one hand as furiously as I could before she had a volcanic meltdown. Really fun place, but maybe more manageable when Daddy/Grandparents/Auntie Em are in attendance.

Here is a shot of a clearly overwhelmed Charlie saying goodbye to one of her many new animal friends…