Chicago Visit- May 2010

Well, it seems we're a little behind on updating the blog. Soooooo, I'm going to try to do my best and catch us up.

At the end of May, you and Mommy took our last trip to Chicago before baby sister got here. We flew in and went straight to Auntie and Uncles. Last year, you had a great time floating around in his ring all by himself and playing in the pool. This year, you were a bit more timid and did not want to be floating in your ring unless someone was holding on to you. You wanted to just sit on the side of the pool or get out of the pool all together. As you can see, you and Pop had a great time splashing around.

Another favorite thing of yours is to play RockBand. In this picture you were playing the drums all by yourself. Sometimes you actually like playing with the rest of us. As soon as we got to Grammie and Pop's you wanted to go to the basement and play RockBand.

It's really hard to get a good picture of you and Grammie. This is the best we could do. I think it's pretty darn cute and Grammie actually has her eyes open. This picture is right outside the hot tub. Again, you didn't like being in there too much unless someone was holding you. That's until Pop realized you could actually touch the bottom. Then you liked walking around in there from one person to the next.

These next few pictures are my favorite from our trip. Auntie got you the pirate dress-up set and you really got into it. You even took Skippy down for the count.

Thanks Everyone! We had a really great time.

Key Largo

Sausage,
I know I have not been good about updating your blog but your Auntie is busy! We’ve been back from Florida for a few weeks and I already miss you tons. You have turned into a little kid and speak way more then you should for your age. I’m pretty sure you talk non-stop ALL the time. Grammy, Papa Legs, Uncle Cashew and I picked you up at the Fort Lauderdale airport on Saturday. I don’t know what number flight this is for you, but it’s a lot for a 2 year old. You got your own seat and you did pretty good for most of the flight. We then took the long cut (of course we did, b/c Papa Legs was driving, and it’s the only way he knows) to Key Largo. 2 years old and already visiting the Keys…wow! On the way, Grammy kept telling Pop to be careful to not hit a car that was in front of us, she must of said it one too many times, because soon enough you were telling Pop, ‘Don’t hit the Mazda POP’. When we got to the condo we rented, we set up your bedroom in the walk in closet, you thought it was really ‘Awesome’. Every morning you woke up way earlier then you should of and made most of our vacation less the restful, but who could resist you yelling…’Hey Auntie, Hey Uncle…wake up, come down staaairs.’ You also asked your mom to let you get up and leave your room because you wanted to see what your ‘friends’ were doing and because you told her ‘they feed me’. The phrase of the week was ‘I need some, OKAY?’ No one could argue with you, and you ended up eating some of everyone’s breakfast most days.

One day we went on a glass bottom boat and saw all sorts of fishy’s. You were way more interested in standing outside and watching the water. You posed for a picture with Uncle.

What a lucky kid you are...look how much fun you were having!

'No Climbing on the Rails'

How cute are you and mommy?

We spent a couple days in the pool, but Auntie forgot her camera. You and I swam even though it was in the 60’s. You love the water, and we couldn’t stand going to Florida without a little dip in the pool. The next day, no one could please you, you needed a nap, and kept stealing another kids’ boat. You weren’t a happy camper when you had to leave the pool…but you were just being a 2 year old. Grandma bought you your own boats, although we only got to play with them in the tub b/c it was too cold to swim.

One day we went to the southern most tip of the continental USA, Key West. It was a long drive but you were a pretty good kid. You kept us amused in the car, calling people on your cell phone, telling them we were going to Key West. I think you also called some ‘guys’ to ‘fix’ something.

When Uncle Cashew went running one day, you said, ‘Uncle, whatta you doing?’ when Uncle told you that he was going running, you said ‘That’s crazy’ and we couldn’t agree with you more.

You spent most of the days wanting to play games with the big kids, playing with your cars on a really cool track grammy got you, playing with play-dough, and painting pictures auntie brought for you.

We also went to see dolphins but you got bored about half way through and did not want to see any more dolphins! We had so much fun with you and we can’t wait to see you again soon!
Love always,
Auntie (Now if I could just give my camera to someone else maybe you and I could get a picture together!)

Self Portrait

Snowmageddon, Snowpocolypse, White Death

Whatever you call it...it's a lot of snow, and it's about to get a lot worse! We got somewhere between 24 and 30 inches of snow this past weekend. Michael left the house 7:30 Friday night and did not return home until nearly 9:00 pm Saturday. Needless to say he was very tired. Today we are supposed to get anywhere from 8 to 20 more inches. Honestly I don't know where they are going to put it.

Max had a fun time playing. Here are a few pictures on just how much fun...

Here's a couple pictures out my front door just to give an idea of how much show we had

Just the weekend before (January 29th) we got about 4 inches. Just enough for a trip on the sled.

Max, You're 2!

Woah! Hold on a minute! Where have those two years gone? You've grown up so fast right before our eyes, it's unbelievable. By the time your actual birthday got here, you had so many birthdays I don't think you know when your birthday is, but you definately know that you are "TWO".

For your birthday, mommy made you pancakes for breakfast. Then she had to go to work, but Grammy took you on some errands and everyone was so excited to see the big birthday boy! Grammy and Pop got you a brand new bicycle, to which you said, "awesome, cool, cool awesome" when you saw it and you just couldn't thank them enough.

Miss Mary got you a new table, which you also love. You feel so big and important sitting at a table all by yourself, just like a little adult.

Mommy and daddy got you some wood blocks that make a loader, a dump truck and a cement truck, and a wood puzzle with construction vehicles, that you love, you actually were shaking you were so excited!

You really made out at your three birthday parties. Here's a great picture of you playing with some of your loot.

The Bouncy Place

Max's favorite place on earth right now is The Bouncy Place! It just so happens that we know one of the owners and they gave us a free party for Max, so Max and 10 of his "closest" friends got to bounce their little hearts out. The Bouncy Place is basically a warehouse with a bunch of giant blow-up slides and bounce houses. The adults are allowed to bounce with their kids, so needless to say, a great time was had by ALL! Sorry for the lack of pictures, but it's really hard to get pictures of bouncing kids!

After the kiddos were done bouncing, they got to eat pizza and cake. For the first time in his short life, Max only ate one very small slice of pizza and then wanted the CAKE! For those of you that don't know, Max loves pizzy, but apparently loves cake just a little more.
Mommy made cakes to look like little mini cars complete with lifesaver wheels, pez and juju bee headlights.

2 Year OLD! Happy Birthday, Love Auntie and Uncle

2 Year Olds and Halloweenie!

Sausage,
Oh what an almost 2 year old you are! After my last week in traveling for work I flew from Boston to Baltimore to come see you. When I walked into the house you came walking over past your mommy right up to give me a big smile and a hug with a look on your face that was screaming 'It's about time you got here Auntie!'. You and I played and played until you were giggling that laugh that you only giggle when its way past your bed time. You wanted to show me all your tricks and made sure you knew where I was at all times.

Grammy and Pop showed up late that night after we both were fast asleep, but as soon as you made one peep they were the first up and in your room. You were so excited to see them, and within the first 2 minutes had pointed to everything in your room and showed off your vocabulary. We played and played all morning!

In the afternoon, it was time for the Birthday party! And although you won't turn 2 for another month, we all wanted to be part of the party! You were really excited about opening the presents this year...

... and even liked wearing the party hat and blowing on the horns!

Grammy brought you a Banana cake all the way from Indiana!

You blew the candle out all by yourself!

You were so proud of yourself!

Grammy bought you lots of treats, including the Billy Bob sucker that you particularly liked!

Uncle Cashew and I bought you this really cool work bench, which you immediately loved. You already knew how to use all the tools and you went to work right away!

Grammy and Pop got you a scooter...you had a little trouble figuring it out but we're sure by next spring you won't have any problems!

The next day was Halloween! You were a Dragon and all though you weren't so sure about your costume at first...

...you quickly forgot you had it on because you were so distracted by all that was going on around you!

Grammy and Pop loved every minute of it and so did I!

By the end of the night, your "Pumpkin Head" was so heavy you could hardly carry it, but you didn't care, no one was going to get that candy bag out of your hands! You catch on quick!

We wiped boogies and bottoms the rest of the weekend. You can't stand to have boogies so you ask us to blow your boogies every 5 minutes. You're also being potty trained so we took lots of trips to the bathroom. You didn't have any accidents the whole weekend! Such a good boy! You played cards with grammy and surprised us all at the words you know. We had so much fun and we already can't wait to see you at Christmas!

Love you!
Auntie aka Sister

P.S. I talked to you on Skype tonight, you now call me 'Sister'.

Boston!

Sausage,
What a fun weekend! Auntie has been working in Boston since July so you flew with your mommy and daddy to come see me. When I picked you up at the airport you came out of the doors and looked at me with a smirk, and when mommy asked you, ‘Who is that?’ you said ‘Auntie!’ and came running to give me a hug….hands down the best part of the trip! I’m so happy that even though I don’t live close to you, you know me. We piled in to my car and drove to have some Taco’s while we waited for Uncle Cashew to arrive from Chicago. You sat on my lap at the restaurant and acted so nice. I think you drank a gallon of water while we sat there. As Grammy likes to say…you’re quite the drinker! While at lunch I asked you…’do you know who we’re going to pick up at the airport?’ you look at me like duhhh auntie, and say ‘Uncle’. We drove back to the airport to pick up Uncle and you were sure happy to see your Uncle Cac-coosew. We drove over to the hotel hoping to check in early and go in the pool but they weren’t ready for us, but we did meet up with a friend Auntie and Mommy went to Milligan with, Jen and her husband Josh and their 2 year old Linnea. You two weren’t sure what you thought about each other at first. Auntie bought you a book about Cookie Monster, or as you refer to him ‘Monster Cookie’ in a very monstery voice. You were all about that book all weekend I’m sure we each read it to you at least 4 or 5 times.

We then went to Fort Independence where you and Linnea ran around and played. You gave Linnea a flower…she dropped it on the ground, but it was still a nice gesture.

We went back to the hotel in time for swimming in the Pool and one of our favorite things right now PIZZEEE! You love PIZZEE almost as much as your Pop does. After Pizzee and swimming, every one was tired so we all went to sleep shortly after that. You were such a good boy, you went right to sleep in a strange place and a strange bed. The next morning, you woke everyone up by calling ‘Uncle!’ ‘Uncle!’ and then through things out of your bed as if you were telling us ‘Come on people, get me out of here! We’re burning daylight.’

We all got up and dressed and were out the door by 9 on our way to Dunkin Donuts to get some ‘Donts’ and then off to ride the train to explore downtown. You and Linnea were so good all day.

We walked and walked and shopped a little, and checked everything out. You never whined or complained and every time we asked you to go to the potty you did. Such a good boy!
We played a little bit at the park.

Then we put you on this seat, and you thought it was a potty...opps! We jumped to get you off of it as fast as we could!

You posed with frogs...

We went back to the hotel so you could take a nap while the big kids played games, then went back into the pool, and all ate dinner. We called Grammy and Pop in Chicago and you were so tired you talked gibberish most of the time and sang the ‘Rock You’ song over and over and over and over….Again you went to sleep right away, after a couple rounds of ‘Monster Cookie’.

You woke up early on Sunday morning, but every time the air conditioner kicked on it lulled you back to sleep, until Auntie’s alarm on her phone went off at 6:30 am…when I jumped up to get it you were sitting up in your bed and said ‘Hi Auntie’. So much for sleeping in a little later. You snuggled a lot with Uncle and read books, played Miss Mary Mack with Auntie. Then we all got dressed, packed up the car and headed to the aquarium for the day. You were wearing a Halloween shirt that had a mummy on it and when anyone asked what was on your shirt you would reply ‘Mommy!’. You really liked the fishes but I think you were even more excited about the PIZZEE you had for lunch.

We piled in the car to head to the airport and you were sleeping within about 3 minutes. Your daddy was even able to get your car seat out of the car while you were in it, hook it up to the stroller wheels and wheel you into the airport with out as much as a peep from you. You slept about another hour until it was time to go through security. Mommy said you were such a good boy on the plane you just sat on her lap the whole time while her and daddy took a little nap!

Here are some of the words you said about 100 times this weekend-

Hi Auntie!
Hi Uncle!
Sorry mommy!
Thanks mommy!
Pizzee!
Uncle Cacoosew
Monster Cookie
Where’d it go?
All done! All done!
Stuck!
Peepanes!
Milk and Cookies?
Pizzee!
Pool!
Donts
All aboard (some times sounds more like Albert)
Auntie phone, auntie phone (usually while trying to feel in my pockets for my phone)

Thanks for flying all the way out to Boston to see me! We had such a fun weekend. I miss you already but will see you in a few weeks!

Love and kisses,
Auntie