Letters to Luc: Minnesota

Dear Luc,

I was one of those women who vowed never to bring an infant on a flight, feeling shy about disturbing others with a child who may never stop wailing in the confines of a stuffy airplane. But your father got sent to a business trip to visit 3 different states in the span of a week, so we brought you along just so that he would not have to work those long hours and miss you so much everyday. We determined to make a mini-vacation out of it, so we packed all your baby gear, from car seat to stroller to milk bottles, extra change of clothing, Mommy's pump, pouches of baby food, and a small pack of diapers, to buy the rest when we landed.

You mainly wanted to nurse on the airplane, and most times you fell asleep. Mommy learned to balance such acrobatics as changing you in the tiny bathroom stall. The flight attendants and your seat neighbors think you did great for your first flight!

We arrived at the JW Marriott that Daddy booked after waiting for close to an hour for our rental SUV, a Toyota Rav4.

You settled in well to the bed and started reading the in-room service menu right away to plot your upcoming meals.

On our first afternoon there, we toured the Mall of America that co-joins with our hotel. We took you to the Crayola Store to see all the pretty colors.

The mall had fun displays, like this layout of NFL football helmets. Here, you donned the Minnesota Vikings helmet to be a good tourist.

There is an amusement park inside the mall on the second floor. You were captivated with all the sights and sounds of moving parts and daring rides.

We took you in the swimming pool for the first time. You seem rather intimidated by the very large (and not so warm) bath.

The Sunday after our arrival, Daddy took us to tour Minehaha Park, where we saw a gushing waterfall.

You loved looking at the water. What an interesting way of life, to be near streams and rivers with banks of rocks and grass instead of overlooking the mighty Pacific Ocean.

We played in the family play area, You liked swinging with Mommy.

We scoped out yummy diners to have breakfast at. Here, you were eyeing Mommy's caramel banana French toast.

We show you the great outdoors by going hiking with you at Hidden Falls Park.

True to its name, the Falls were hidden. Mommy picked what she thought was an unobtrusive enough trail, but it only led us to a riverbank.

So we tried again! Hopefully we would not be psyched out after the first attempt.

But it wasn't a total loss as you loved all the greenery and even got to see a mama doe and her fawn from a distance.

Daddy has better navigation skills and took us on the correct trail.

This stairway looked more promising.

The Falls ran sparsely this time of year, but we found them!

Later, we went to Lake Harriet and enjoyed the cool breezes and a comfortable afternoon stroll.

While Daddy went to work in St. Louis, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska, Mommy often took you to the Mall.

We even ran into your twin, Ang from Avatar! Notice the resemblance in big, bald heads.

You were captivated by the lady playing a piano on the first floor of the mall. She winked at you and played a special tune for you. Mommy didn't have the money or means for piano lessons when she was growing up, but perhaps you will take to the music, Luc.

We also enjoyed the Sea Life Aquarium in the the Mall.

Your favorite exhibit was the shrimp. You danced a jig with your excited legs when you saw them clean their antennae.

But you were less impressed by the big, bad shark!

Here we were in the viewing tunnel.

Mommy bought you some new clothes and a snazzy new hat from Old Navy.

Every night after flying out for work, Daddy came home to us, and we had dinner together. You were very curious about our Korean dinner.

Daddy goofed off with you every spare chance he got in between work. He loved having you along for company.

When we tired of the mall, Mommy took you to IKEA. We ate at the cafeteria, and you got a new wooden toy car.

You would quickly tire of the stroller, so Mommy ended up having to wear you. We goofed off in front of the mirrors.

Mommy let you ride the merry-go-around for the first time...

...as well as the Ferris wheel.

You were not sure about the Ferris wheel! You shrieked on the ride as if it were a rollercoaster and attracted the attention of the older kids, who looked up to see what all the fuss was about.

On one of our last days in Minnesota, Daddy took us to the zoo.

You saw lots of animals for the first time, including these lemurs.

But sometimes Mommy's face was the most interesting exhibit of all.

This partridge is kinda cool. It's just missing a pear tree.

You even went spelunking with Daddy.

You fell asleep halfway through and missed quite a few of the exhibits, including the chance at a camel ride with Mommy.

You slept through the leopard, too.

After a long week, we flew back home. You did well, my brave little boy! Here's to many more trips in our future.