Trip to see the Ross'

Last Friday (2/19) Andy and I hopped in the car around 9:00am and drove to Murray Hill, New Jersey to visit Crystal, Robert, Rebekah, Lillie Ross, it is about an hour drive. Then we all went to a Nature Conservatory near Crystal's. It was indoor and had turtle, fish and snake tanks. It also had a bird watching widow were we could watch the birds at the feeder and a kids hands on discovery room. The kiddos had a great time, walking, crawling and running around. It was so good to get out of the apartment!!

When we got back to Crystal's Andy spotted a red toy car across the court yard and headed right to it, even though it was in the opposite direction the rest of us were going. Of course I followed and then pushed him in the car to Crystal's door step. The car belonged to crystal's kids, just so you know that I didn't steal it from a neighborhood kid. The weather was so nice that, even though it was nap time, we let the kids play outside for a while and snack on some really yummy and juicy pears. Then we put them down for naps.

Since Both Joel and Patrick were on call there was no need to rush home, so Andy and I stayed for dinner and then left. Andy and I got home about 8pm, a few hours passed his bedtime but definitely worth it. I hope that Crystal and I can accomplish our goal and get together more often. We all had a really good time.

Butterscotch Pudding Fun!

Patrick has been living in Manhattan since the beginning of February for his surgery rotation at Beth Israel Hospital. We only get to see him on the weekends, when he is not on call that is. Both Andy and I really miss him. I have gained a lot of respect for single parents. It is not easy doing it on your own. Last Thursday (2/18) I was trying to get dishes done so that I could make dinner and Andy was not cooperating. So in a desperate effort to keep him occupied, I found a cup of Butterscotch pudding, sat him in his chair and gave it to him. He doesn't usually get dessert before dinner, but I needed him to be focused on something besides me. It worked!! A little too well. After just a few minutes of doing dishes I looked over to find Andy covered in Pudding. It made me smile and he was ecstatic.

By the end of the night the apartment looked like a tornado hit it .

Patrick just happened to have a meeting at Einstein that night so I got to see him for about an hour before he headed back. Andy was already in bed by the time the meeting got over. It was good to see him, even if it was brief.

Waiting for Baby Owen

On Monday February 8th, Andrew and I drove to Alexandria to visit Phil, Erin, Sam and Olivia with hopes of meeting Andy's new cousin and to help out where needed. I was a little nervous, since this was the first long trip with Andy by myself. Andy was a little loud at the beginning of the trip but fell asleep quickly. Then he was fine until about half way. We stopped for about an hour to eat and stretch our legs. Then we didn't have any problems until we were near Baltimore. There had been a snow storm over the weekend and they were still plowing the highways the rest of the way to Alexandria. The last stretch was hard due to the traffic, Andy was ready to be out of the car and I was in serious need of a restroom, many of the exits were blocked by snow so I didn't dare get off, but we made it safe and sound and running to the restroom.

Sam and Andy have similar appetites, they both would eat not stop if they could. Here they are having an after dinner snack and watching Sam's train movie.

Andy had finished his and was trying to sneak some more from Sam. Sam was very patient.

I did get Andy some more so he didn't have to steal from Sam.

Tuesday night it snowed again, luckily Erin didn't go into labor. Wednesday we were able to get outside. Andy watched as Phil, Olivia and Sam shoveled the side walks and drive way.

Andy loves to climb!

Olivia Sam and Andy enjoyed playing together. For the most part. They set up an indoor tent and everyone had fun in it.

On Thursday Andy had his first experience with watercolors. It was a lot of fun! Note to self: Buy watercolors and paper and let Andy paint more often.

Olivia and Sam have a dog and cat, whom Andrew was deathly afraid of when we first arrived, but by Thursday he would roar every time he saw the cat and chase him down to pet him. Elvis, the cat, was very patient with Andy. Andy ended up loving the dog, Charlie, too.

Yummy, smoothy!!

Friday was the big day, Erin and Phil picked up Erin's mom from the airport and drove to the hospital. I stayed with the kids. It was fun.

We played in the snow until the little boys got cold, which happened quickly since they both pulled off their gloves. Olivia started a snowman but we weren't able to finish it.

Saturday Patrick was able to visit, thanks to Phil. They took the kids to the mall, while Margo and I went to the hospital to visit with Erin and baby Owen.

Sunday was Valentines Day. Andy woke up bright and early, as usual, when Patrick woke up Andy and I gave him his Valentine treats.

After church we played rocket balloons

Andy loved the stairs, when we first arrived he practiced going up and down. He then started taking up and bring down small toys, then the popper (see snow pictures from Friday). By Sunday he was trying to carry both the waste basket and the dust pan simultaneously up the stairs. The waste basket was eventually ditched.

Margo, had made yummy valentine cookies to decorate and eat!!

Baby Owen arrived home to two very excited siblings. Who didn't want to put him down.

Owen is a very cute little baby boy. Patrick, Andy and I were glad to get to meet him and we can't wait to visit again.

Hopefully I can train Andy to be a little less loud by that time, no promises though.

Walking to the Playground

Andy will walk to the playground at any given chance.

Even when it is freezing!

02/04/2010

Patrick's 33rd Birthday Part 2!

Patrick had Friday the 29th off, so we went to the Bronx Zoo. It was bone chilling cold that day, we only visited two indoor exhibits before heading home. We saw the Bird House and the Monkey House. It was fun to get out as a family.

When we got home we had lunch and leftover banana cream pie. Andrew had gone to bed before the banana cream pie was ready on Patrick's birthday, but he sure enjoyed the leftovers!

Patrick wanted our friends to come over for his birthday, I think it was so he would have someone to play his new Call of Duty game with him. (Which they played after the kids left.)

Look at all those candles!!!