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.