Yesterday was the annual RIC-nic for all the attendings, residents, and fellows who work at Shirley Ryan. It was at Lake Shore Park this year, which made for a nice easy walk from home.

Ankur made brownies, we ate tacos, and Ishu brought his scooter along to ride circles around the track. (Someone ended up bringing Spike Ball. So he quickly tossed the scooter to the side in favor of the yellow bouncing balls).

Ankur’s program director said it best after meeting Riyaan. “You went from zone defense to man-to-man.” (She’s a sports medicine doctor so that felt like a very appropriate metaphor).

And it certainly felt a little more demanding than our usual jaunts out with Ishu. I mean, Riyaan is a pretty calm baby right now (fortunately!). But it does change things up when you’re trying to keep an eye out for your 3-year old (who was, at one point, competing with a bird to drink the water from the fountain) and also trying to linger near the stroller to make sure you can pull baby out when he wakes up from his nap. While also inhaling tacos because who knows when you’re going to be pulled away from your lunch.

It was still really nice to be out in the sunshine and see some of Ankur’s friends. The weather is freakin’ beautiful right now. Half my brain is so excited about this weather. And the other half of my brain is thinking, “SHIT. WINTER IS COMING.”

But, yes, so happy we are taking advantage of these beautiful days outside!

Right when we were about to leave the apartment for the picnic, Ankur realized he forgot to cut the brownies. So he did that in the kitchen while Ishu rode his scooter up and down the hallway. At one point, we couldn’t hear him anymore and Ankur called out, “Ishu, are you still there?”

We heard his little voice from down the hallway. “Yes! I’m right here! I’m wearing the red sweater!”

It made me chuckle. The way he’s learned how to communicate some things. And using it appropriately and in the right context, but maybe also in a way that isn’t quite needed. As if we would have some difficulty spotting him in our teeny hallway. As if we weren’t the ones that dressed him in that red sweater. Ha.

And then, last night, when it was time for bed, I asked him for 5 kisses. He’s been really into bargaining and making deals with me lately. As most 3-year olds are known to do. So, he countered my “5 kisses” offer by saying, “Hm. Maybe 10…”

To which I was like, HECK YEAH. DEAL.

He thought he won.

I was definitely the winner.

Especially because he didn’t stop at 10. He gave me 18 kisses.

Anyway, yes. Great weekend. Good weather. Good company. 18 kisses. This mama is pretty darn happy.