Ella's First Cubs Game!

So, last Friday Jason called and asked if I wanted a Mommy Night Off because someone was selling Cubs tickets for Tuesday night's game (9/15). Confident I could find someone to go with, I told him to get the tickets and I'd figure out the rest later. I couldn't. It seems that everyone either has kids and can't get baby-sitters, has to work early the next day, or is on vacation. I bet if the Cubbies were in playoff contention I would have had an easier time, but I digress.

I was actually a little depressed on Monday when I hadn't been able to figure it out until I completely changed strategies from a Mommy Night Off to a Mommy/Ella bonding night. Then I was excited, but a little nervous. I hate getting to Wrigley on my own, let alone with a 3-year-old. What we ended up doing was perfect, and I'll do it again. My only regret is that this was a night game, and she might have made it longer if it wasn't past bedtime. Oh well, next time.

We left the house around 3 p.m. to beat some traffic, but as it turned out, the only traffic we hit was the "Stimulus" traffic that occurs on every side road all day long because off all the construction. There was little if any on the Edens and Kennedy. I didn't want to be stuck to a train schedule because I didn't know how long Ella would make it through the game, but I also didn't want to drive and have to find a parking spot near the park. I love the remote lot at Addison and Rockwell - $6 per car and they bus you to the marquee. Love it. Also, there's a McDonald's with a play land right across the street from the lot. Not exactly the most nutritious dinner, but hey - it's better than cotton candy, right?

Apparently the lady taking our picture didn't know how to turn the camera to get the marquee in the frame. That's what I get for asking, "Can you take our picture under the sign?" Technically, she did what I asked.

This is Ella's first glimpse of Wrigley Field. I think she liked it better than the concourse. We got there pretty early, so it wasn't too crowded down there - but she liked this view a lot better. We were sitting near the Ferris Bueller seats, but unfortunately no balls came our way while we were there.

I was teaching her about the park and showing her all the flags and she actually liked watching "the boys playing catch!" I learned my lesson about the marquee picture, so this time I made sure to ask this person to get the scoreboard in the shot. ;o)

Ella brought her camera and took more pictures than I did. Most of them were of me telling her to watch the game. She did a great job, and although was tired seemed to enjoy herself. She cheered every time other people did and even copied some of the heckling calls the guy near us was yelling. (He had kids at home, so knew to keep it clean.) Sometimes she'd end up telling me to cheer if I was busy shooting videos or taking pictures...

There are a couple of new things in the park this year, like the new flags on the poles for Fergie and Maddux. But the one thing that made me sad was the added digit to the Eamus Catuli sign. AC0064100. Ouch.

The game started out really good, but Zambrano had a rough 5th inning. So did Ella. She started to try to (and eventually did) curl up in my lap with her blanket and try to nap. I wanted to see Zambrano get out of the inning, and I'm glad we waited because Ella got to celebrate Soto's home run in the bottom of the inning. She yelled and cheered and gave out high 5's to all those around us. Big smiles.

The flash blew out her face a little, but I wanted to show the Cubs tied it up before we left. She made it longer than I thought she would and behaved so well. I hope I can take her to another game sometime during the day so she can sing "Take me out to the Ball game." The Cubs ended up having 5 runs in the 7th and beating the Brewers 13-5 in the end.

And on a side note, she has a pink Cubs t-shirt and a cheerleading outfit. But this is what she wanted to wear. The jersey of a player on another sport who isn't even going to be playing this year. Awesome. People still thought she was adorable though... I agree, but I'm biased.

Go CUBS!