New York State of Mind

We had a great time in New York visiting Aunt Sara, Uncle Keith and Cousin Erin. AJ had lots of fun getting aquainted with Bailey and Akai, too.

We set off early and we didn't know how AJ would do in the car, but he was quite content playing with toys, talking and singing.

The first rest stop allowed us to grab a snack and have a "crawl around" as the weather was beautiful.

We dined "al fresco" (did I spell that right, Jayne?) at a rest stop picnic table. We stopped in Erie, PA for the night and to visit some old friends from IL. AJ enjoyed dinner and the chance to crawl around their HUGE home after being cooped up in the car all day. AJ realized that staying in a hotel is not his favorite thing in the world. Therefore, staying in a hotel WITH AJ is not my favorite thing, either. However, we made it work and after a cup of coffee we all looked a little more chipper.

We finally got to Wilton, New York and saw the Mannings! Erin is 2 and a half, so their house is pretty safe for crawling around and AJ was heavy into investigations for a while after our arrival. We slept in the trailer as Mom and Dad were in the guest room and we were very comfortable. With AJ's sleep troubles these days, I didn't want to wake up the whole house if he cried often. Better we not spread that joy around to too many people.

AJ was thrilled to spend time with Aunt Sara. She is my sister who thinks I am a crazy hippy.

As I have said, my sister thinks I am crazy a little bit. But I convinced her to wear Erin in my sling. It was mostly for a photo op, alas; I was not successful in converting her to a bearwearer.
AJ had a ball feeding himself Cheerios and Bailey had a ball catching the fallout.
My sister's influence was hard to ignore. I was forced to feed AJ refined sugar in the form of a delicious twisted soft serve ice cream cone. He is addicted.
Being a hippy dippy, I have not cut AJ's hair. Sara thought it looked good clipped up in one of Erin's barrettes. I think he agrees!
Grandma took her grandkids out for a ride in the wagon. It was AJ's first time in such a contraption. We will have to get one.

Now hold onto your hats for the cutest video clip of all time. Erin is helping her little cousin work his sippy cup. It was his first taste of juice and he wanted more but couldn't get it to work.

Let's Hit the Road, Mama!

I think he is ready to go.

Am I Nuts?

On the spur of the moment, AJ and I decided to accompany my parents on a road trip to visit my sister Sara (the one that thinks I am crazy) in Albany, New York. We leave before God gets up on Wednesday. It will take us 2 days to drive. In the car. With AJ. Hence the title of this post...

Daddy!

Mike comes home tonight for the weekend! Yay! AJ and I are very excited.

Two Teeth!

Can you see them?

Grandmothers

Grandmothers are amazing people. Grandfathers are too, of course. But a Grandmother will go to special lengths to make a grandshild comfortable and take care of their own child, too.

Lola came over on Saturday and witnessed the non-napper that AJ is. After 3 unsuccessful attempts at laying him in his bed for sleep (something that he will have to do in a few short weeks at daycare), I gave up and handed him over to Lola. She got him to finally doze off and held him in the rocker for his nap. Not the best end result for me, but AJ got some sleep which is what I really wanted.

So today after church, AJ would not let sleep overtake him like it wanted to. Grandma Betty was the available holder today and she rode the train to sleepytown with AJ on the porch in the rocker. The breeze and the sounds of Grandpa's many fountains must have lulled them to slumber...

My Grandparents Love Me

Dear Lola and Lolo,

Thank you for coming over to play today. I had a fun time singing and laughing. Mama said she had fun relaxing at the library, too. She really likes the seafood linguini Lola made. She says she can't stop eating it. I was really tired after all of our playing together and I took a long nap. (I don't usually like to do that, you know.) I must have really tired everybody out because Mama says you guys took a nap too. Mama say I am really cute but I sure am a handful. I love you guys and I can't wait until you come again to play with me!

Love,
AJ

Finally Naptime

After 7 months, AJ finally put himself to sleep without crying. He was just playing hard like always in his crib and he conked out. I took this pic, but I was afraid the flash would wake him, so it is blurry.

What am I doing while he is napping, you ask? RELAXING! I have enjoyed a cup or 2 of coffee, watched mindless TV, talked to Mike, eaten a granola bar, made a short shopping list, and started a crossword puzzle. I, however; have NOT done the laundry, showered, or cleaned up the house. And I don't care.

Tupperware really is very versatile...

AJ and I played in the kitchen this evening. There was a thunderstorm, so we decided to make more noise than the thunder made. I think his hat is quite charming. It made his head sweat, but he still seemed to enjoy it.

Watch and be perplexed, too.