Boston: A Port Jeff Ferry Trip

Mama has always wanted to see the world.  She is also very interested in history.  So, in an effort to make mama extremely happy, that Dad decided we were taking a weekend trip to Boston!  YAY!  

First thing mama did was text her friend Miss RuthAnn.  Miss RuthAnn sent LOTS of information!  Mama read and planned and planned and read.  A family weekend vacation!  Yay us!  

That Dad rented a van so I would have more access to Mama.  I noticed the van was not only "a freckin' foreign car" as dad refers to all non-american-made vehicles (mama says not driving American is a hard thing for a man with such strong Indiana roots) but it came with New Jersey plates.  Quite an ominous beginning to such a wonderful trip.

(yes, that's mama's reflection in the back window)

So after that dad got home from work we packed the van (I wanted more toys but the parents said there wasn't room) and got on the road.  First stop, Port Jeff Ferry.  It was late - much past my bedtime.  However, I was excited and in good spirits.  Once the boat got on the way we went out to see the view.

But it was much too cold so we went back inside 

and I had some snuggle time with that dad.

I love the water just like mama.  There's nothing like a good boat ride.  We were sad it wasn't light out, but mama said it would be light on the ferry ride home. 

After the ferry ride we got back in the van and we were off on our long drive to Boston.  Being extremely tired, I slept all the way there (unlike mama who can never sleep in a car).  Once we got into our hotel room the parents were extremely exhausted but I was awake and ready to go.  They didn't seem excited that we made it to Boston.  Not like me.  A few hours later, after much complaining on my part, I finally went to sleep.  But don't worry - I woke up the parents bright and early.   Cause we were in BOSTON!  Let's go, let's go, LET'S GO!

The Return of Aunt Courtney

Aunt Courtney is coming! Aunt Courtney is coming!  YAY!  

I have met aunt Courtney before.  I was in mama's belly though.  There I am, see?  

Wow.  Mama wasn't looking very well.  

Apparently I didn't make life very easy for her 

(or dad for that matter).  

But don't worry, she's feeling MUCH better now.

Anyway, I tried to punch my way through mama's stomach to meet aunt Courtney then, but it wasn't time to come out yet.  Mama assured me aunt Courtney would come again later.  

And she did!  There she is!  

Making an early morning batch of fudge. 

Stir, aunt Courtney, STIR! 

Mmmm.... FUDGE.

I think I love her.

And soon after she made a mid-morning batch of brownies.  

I'm sure I love her.

Then we went to a pizzeria for lunch.  It was fun.  

Then we came home.  Aunt Courtney wanted to play. 

I was shy.

But Mr. Lion, Musical Cube, and the crochet hook assured me it was okay...

Then mama went into the kitchen.  I followed.  All the sudden I was taller!

Then I realized someone had picked me up...

(I don't let anyone but mama hold me.  Not even that dad sometimes.  I'm difficult that way.  It's all part of my charm.)

Then we went to church.  This is my sad face.  Mama decided to join in too.

This is my happy face!  Mama decided to join in too.

(By the way, Mama made the jacket and hat for me so I wouldn't get cold.  

The jacket is a little big, but I'm growing fast!  I don't like the hat very much, but mama says we have to keep my ears warm.  She even put little ties on the hat to keep me from pulling it off.  Sigh....)

Then it was time to take aunt Courtney back to the train station so she could go home.  

It was sad. 

But mama says we will see her again soon.  

Could there be a DC trip in my future?   

Yay for aunt Courtney!

Yet Another Cellphone Download

Except this one.  This is after morning nap.  

Going Hollywood with mama's sunglasses

Mama thinks I'm her own personal Gumby

I love that dad

Mama's okay too

Let me out! Let me out!

AhahahahAHAHAH

(Side note: mama sent this one to Uncle Jojo 

and he said mama must be driving again. 

Dad thought that was FUNNY.)

And here is how to use a binky.  Step one: open wide....

Can't wait for my own drum set!

This is my "lost in thoughtful pondering" pose

Family Update

I have officially driven on the LIE (Long Island Expressway). Of course, it had to come because of a medical order not to drive for Don (don't worry, he's all good now), but I did it!  Ironically, this picture was taken by Don right before a big truck decided it wanted to be right where I was and started coming over into my lane.  As nerve wracking as it was for me, you can imagine how it was for Don in the passenger seat. 

Speaking of my dearest Don, we got Rebekah a new toy.
It holds Don's attention very well....  

In fact, where is Rebekah?

Well, where ever she is, she's probably teething on something.

Her crib for example:

She sure is growing.  She use to fit under this piano bench.  

(Don't worry, I put the camera down before she got really frustrated.)

She is good at exploring too.  In and out of the coffee table - all in a hard day's play.

She loves to read.  She's reaching for my British History section.  That's my girl....

And she is working on her block stacking. 

(Yeah, I know, I'm definitely a new mom when I take a picture of her organizing her blocks, 

but it was the first time she placed them all in a nice row!)  

She loves a good post lunch / pre-evening bottle play time outside. 

And to close, Rebekah will leave you with a song:

"And I - ee - I - ee - I will Always Love You...!"

Trip to the Beach

Mama's visiting teachers decided it was important for mama and me to get out of the house.  So, one Wednesday morning we went to West Meadow Beach!  Miss Terri came and picked us up.  They had a hard time getting my fancy car seat in the van.  It was fun to watch them.  Miss Terri's kids were great helpers.  Finally we were on our way.  It was past my nap time when we left and in spite of our desire to stay awake, Horsey and I fell asleep before we got there.  The rest of the group left the car VERY QUIETLY so I would not wake up.  Mama waited with me.   

Then I finally woke up!  I was hungry! Mama took me to join the rest of the group and we ate some pears and oatmeal.  Mmmm... pears and oatmeal.  But I was so excited I couldn't eat much.  It was a good thing too 'cause Miss Terri tried to get me to eat dirt.  Mama said no, but Miss Terri said it was bound to happen sooner or later and it might as well be sooner.

Miss Robyn took this picture right after the dirt incident.  Do I look like I want to eat dirt?  Really Miss Terri.  SIGH.... 

(This is also when mama realized how "un-intelligent" her phone is.  Miss Robyn's phone camera is SO much better than mama's!  Dad has been talking about getting "smart phones" and mama has been against it - not wanting to spend the extra money each month - but now, seeing how much better and more clear my adorable pictures COULD be, she is finding herself thinking about it.  But remember, it's not about her, it's all about me and my utter cuteness!)

See - compare the quality - I know it's a different picture but SERIOUSLY!

Here's some good ones of me and mama.  

Mama walked me down to the water.  I LOVE the water!  Splash splash splash!

Ah... got to love a good beach off season.  So much room!

Then it was time to go home.  Miss Terri's kids kept me entertained. 

They gave me this football to hold on the way!  It was so fun!

But soon I wanted out of my seat so mama tried to distract me by the old, "what does a cow say.... what does a pig say..." etc.  It wasn't really working until Miss Terri's kids all joined in with multitudes of "MOOOO's" and "OINK's."  It was AMAZING!  

All in all a great trip to the beach.  Thanks for asking mama to go!  You are awesome Miss Terri and Miss Robyn!

Dad's Work

One Saturday in September dad had to go to work.  I was very upset.  Saturday is MY day with THAT DAD!  So, dad took mama and me with him!  It was a long car ride, so I slept most of the way.  After we got there we went into a really big building with a security guard and everything!   Then we went up to dad's office.

Dad left for a while to check some things.  I wanted to look for him but this darn glass was in the way. (Mama says she hopes the glass was clean....)

Then that dad finally returned and we got to spend some one on one time together!  

YAY for THAT DAD!

11th month

10 Months Old

44 

45

(I know it's the same outfit. I use to be so much better at coordinating this.)

46

47

(Couldn't decide between the two 47 week pictures, so I put them both.)

Here's the highlights:

Two new teeth!  That makes 8 total.  

She is becoming more picky about what she eats.  She is not liking cereal any more.  If I had a dollar for every bowl she tried to kick, pull, push, flip out of my hand... I'm trying to find more new things to feed her.  Wish me luck.  She wants to eat what we are eating - for the most part (she didn't like the sweet and sour sauce on the rice).

She is beginning to play with purpose - she put a block on the window ledge, then picked up another and put it next to it and so forth and so on until she had a nice straight row.  Then she began to stack on top of the row.  She has started to organize the shape blocks by color.   She has even started to try and put things away - put toys back in my diaper bag or back in the container it came out of.  That's my girl! Mama's so proud!  

Her sleeping skills have made great headway.  But we as parents have learned a thing or two:
One binky in the crib at night is not as good as FOUR;
Rebekah's door should remain closed at night;
Front door opening will wake up baby; etc.
Oh, and we have also learned the difference in crying:

'cause she wants her binky: 

"wah, wah, moan, wah, WAH, wah, moan... sniff... 

(clink of the binky as she fumbles to put it in her mouth...) 

Zzzzz...." 

'cause something is wrong:

"WAAAAHHHHH!"(repeated several times and increases dramatically in volume 

until parent comes in and comforts, then it gradually decreases...).  

She is starting to take bigger more confident steps, but has not walked without having something to hold on to (coffee table, mama's pants, etc).  

And finally, she definitely knows what she wants.  If only I could understand her.  My amazing sister-in-law teaches signs to her babies.  I have been trying to do the same, however, despite my ability to confidently teach 90 middle school choir students at once, I find that one 10 month old is more than I can handle.  But I'm certainly having fun while I try.

I love to see her personality coming through.  And believe me, it is.

Oh, and a shout out to my amazing husband.  He always saves the day when I feel I'm gonna loose it.  What a sweet man I married!  And he's nice to look at too!