Something Stinky

Today started out with a bang-well, more like a squirt. While next door visiting my friend Judy, I was balancing Tommy on my knee while chatting when I heard the familiar rumblings of a bowel movement on the way. Tommy has had some doozies lately, but I wasn't prepared for this. I swear, it never even went in his diaper. It somehow came out his butt, made a hard left, and then catapulted onto my shorts, down my leg, onto my sandal, and onto the floor of my neighbor's screened in porch. That was the end of that playdate.

Then, to add more stinkiness to the day, while trimming the shrub next to our deck this afternoon, I noticed that the branches were full of baby stinkbugs! Uggh. Double Uggh. If you haven't had stinkbugs yet, you cannot understand the animosity that we Western Pennsylvanians have towards them. They are everywhere, all the time. I actually had never seen baby ones last year since the adult version are the only ones that enter the house. Oh, please, please don't let them be as bad as last year. Now that the night temps are beginning to drop, they are going to start looking for a nice winter home=our house. People are scrambling to be the first to develop a stink bug trap so they can cash in, but so far, nothing that seems to do the trick.

So this fall, I am bracing for two stink problems in my house-stink bugs and this cuter source:

"No, Patrick Do It"

This phrase has been heard quite frequently in our household. Our usually timid P has been voicing his independence-A LOT. Wednesday he insisted on putting his velcro tennis shoes on himself and he did! In the past he didn't seem to be able to get it just right, but he surprised me by completing the task from start to finish. I also caught him twice yesterday standing on his chair to reach the toys I had on an out-of-reach shelf.

In the last month, he has also started talking in whole sentences, even if it is a little broken.

Two Month Before and After

Just before beginning Crossfit June 13th, 2011

One month later, July 13, 2011

And this morning, August 13, 2011. I missed a whole week of workouts while we were on vacation, so instead of 12 workouts this month, I only had 8. I was also worried that I was going to have to stop the program because I lose my babysitter on the 22nd, but I just found a new sitter who can step in right where the first left off.

Party in my Crib

Down at 7:30PM last night.
Up at 10:30 PM.
Up AGAIN at 1:30AM
Up AGAIN at 5:00AM
Up AGAIN at 6:15AM

I am downing the second cup of joe this morning. What is going on with this guy? For weeks now Tommy has been waking at least once, but this is crazy. He is growing and found his feet on his own about a week ago after I started placing his toes in his hands. He is grasping toys and shoving them in his mouth. Doesn't that all sound exhausting for a baby? Shouldn't you be worn out at the end of the day?

If you would just sleep through the night again, I will buy you a puppy. Or a pony. Just sleep, please.

Florida Firsts

Patrick's first time playing in sand. In fact, it was all he wanted to do. He wanted nothing to do with the ocean.

Tommy's first time feeling the ocean on his feet. He too wanted nothing to do with the ocean. As soon as his feet hit the water, his reflex was to spread his arms out and start wailing.

Patrick's first fishing experience. He and Tom caught a fish, but had released it before I could scramble outside with the camera. This was right out back of Baba and Grampy's condo.

The first time I left the camera unattended with Tom while I took a walk on the beach. Who knows what he told Patrick to get him to pose.

Patrick's first trip where he was interested in sea shells (which is what he is showing off).

And our first family vacation photo with Tommy!

Godparents

When Tom and I were asked to be the godparents to our friend's little girl, C.C., how could we say anything but yes? I mean, look at her-I think it may be impossible not to spoil her (while guiding her spiritually, of course) as she grows up. Attending meant packing up the kids and heading to North Carolina. What could go wrong?
First original flight=canceled
Re-booked onto flight # 2=turned around mid-air due to pressurization issues.
Re-booked onto flight #3 which was leaving in 10 minutes. We made it to North Carolina, but our luggage, sadly, did not. Tom and C.C.'s dad spent the next morning driving from home, to the airport to the Westin where our luggage had mysteriously appeared. We weren't even staying at any hotel, so we weren't sure how that happened.

At least the baptism and following celebratory lunch went off smoothly.

C.C. and her mom (who rocked a Navy dress at the baptism).

I am not sure what Patrick was contemplating in this photo, but I am sure his brother would be on the receiving end of whatever he was plotting.

And the best part of the trip? Hanging out with friends and introducing Tommy to C.C.. Their birthdays are a measly 2 days apart (we tried really hard for the same delivery date!) Can you even get past the cuteness of the little bows on her P.J.'s?

With one last kiss for our sweet goddaughter, we boarded yet another flight bound for VACATION!

Family Vacation 2011

We have been away for a whole week and it is great to finally be home. This was our second trip to North Palm Beach/Juno Beach and traveling with two kids was interesting. Before Florida, we made a pit stop in North Carolina to attend the baptism of our dear friends' baby girl (photos to come soon) where Tom and I had the honored role of godparents.

Time flew by and we all made the trip unscathed except Tom, who decided he could apply sunscreen on his back himself the first day out. Patrick hated the ocean, but LOVED the sand. Tommy was a trooper in his car seat in the 95 degree beach weather while Patrick built his sandcastles. I snuck in some solo walks on the beach. Tom will tease me perpetually for ordering the early bird special at a restaurant. We didn't do anything crazy-there was digging in the sand, fishing, walks, and legos. Lots of legos (which was a first for Patrick).

Patrick snoozing on the final leg of our return flight today. He is safely tucked into his own bed and that is where I am heading...