Boo at the Zoo

When we were in Philly last week we went to Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo. We had a blast even though it rained off and on while we were there. Sam got to wear her costume for the first time. Mom-mom and Grandma made her a Love bug costume. KC has called her his love bug since we found out we were having a girl. Since it was pretty chilly out we were a love bug in a furry coat with dog ears. Hey, whatever works. It's actually the only coat we own. Something I have to rectify at some point in the next few weeks.

All dressed up right after we got out of the car. The head piece didn't last long though.

The girls

Sam got sick of the stroller so we transitioned to the carrier after a while. I love this carrier so much! And so does Sam! What you can't see in this picture are the triplets behind us - dressed up as a lion, a tiger, and a bear. So cute! And creative. We all walked by and said "Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Oh My!" You just couldn't help it!

This was our first trip to the zoo. She loved seeing all of the animals. I just had to make sure that we were looking at animals that moved. She didn't care too much for anything stationary.

Look at the bug eyes! We were at the lion "cage" and the lion came right up to the window and roared. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen at the zoo. He was touching the window. So close his breath was fogging up the window. She was mesmerized. (And no I didn't let her eat the snickers in her hand. I'm not that bad of a mother. She just really liked carrying it around since it was shiny.)

This was the lion roaring at the glass. You can see why she had the bug eyes. Some of the kids loved it and some of them ran screaming to their parents.

My little monkey

Silly, Silly Aunties

I have discovered one of her favorite things - riding a merry go round. She loves it. When we were in Arizona and she got on one for the first time. She was pretty hesitant at first and not really sure about it. This time we had no initial hesitation at all! She wrapped her hands around the pole and off we went. About half way through she started shrieking with delight. We had a blast. Our local mall has a merry go round inside so I am sure I will have to avoid that area unless I am willing to ride.

Happy Halloween!

Sam and Auntie Ande goofing off

For whatever reason Sam was fascinated by the umbrella. Possibly because she has never seen one before???

This is huge

You can really only understand how huge this is if you are a sports fan and your team has NEVER in your lifetime won a championship. I think it still hasn't hit me that there aren't any more games to lose and that this isn't another team's 'year'. Holy cannoli - the Phillie's won the world series. The freakin' world series. Wow.

Our Little Phillie's Phan

I really, really, really never ever thought I would say this

I want to move back to Pennsylvania. More specifically, Yardley. Actually, If I could move right back into the house I grew up in I would. (Don't be offended Mom but I'd probably make some changes.) Anyone who knows me is probably picking their jaw up off the floor right about now. We have spent 7 years in Texas. Almost all of which I have spent insisting that we will never move back home. We will never move anywhere the has actual winter. But we just spent 5 fabulous days back at home. And now I'm all over the place.

I'm not sure if it was the fall weather, my favorite season at home (no summer humidity, no spring rain, and no frigid winter temperatures). Fall in PA is brisk and bright colors and the best smells (burning leaves is at the top of my list). It might be the wonderful friends and family we have there. I can't help but envision play dates and dinners out, days at the local farms. All of it made me nostalgic. I passed by my elementary school and saw where our 5th grade picnic was, the community pool where we spent so many summer days, the favorite local restaurants that might encourage me to never cook again. I think becoming a mother did me in. Growing up where we did was so much fun. I don't know what Sam's experiences here in Texas will be. But at home I know what pumpkin patch we would hit every year (Shady Brook Farms) and where we would go to cut our Christmas tree down every year (Indian Walk) where we would play miniature golf on warm summer nights (Snipes). It's hard not to think about what our life would be like if we lived back in PA.

Now, before you get all "WHAT?!? You're moving?!?" we're not. In less than 2 years we will officially have no family left in the area. As much as I love, love, love all our friends but we want our kids to grow up with family. And not family that 1,000 miles away. Family around the corner and over for dinner on Sunday afternoon.

The fact that it has snowed in Philadelphia in the last few days has tempered my wistfulness for living in PA. That is just what I needed. Thanks Mother Nature!

To the jerk in 8B

Karma is a bitch - especially yours after the pouty, 'woe is me' display you put on last night. When I boarded the plane with Sam BY MYSELF I was hoping she would be an angel. Maybe even sleep.

Sam is the child that you looked at with complete disgust numerous times last night. I know the seat next to the baby wasn't your first choice. I apologize for the fact that she was overtired, and wired from 5 days of fun and just couldn't wind down to sleep even thought she was completely exhausted. I didn't want to sit with a crying, fidgety baby on my lap for over three hours anymore than you wanted to sit next to one.

I'm sorry she sneezed in your direction. I try to at least put my hand over her mouth when she appears to be in the verge of sneezing or coughing but I'm not a mind reader and at times get caught off guard. The rolling of your eyes and glare were unnecessary. I felt bad enough.

The constant sighing and sifting of your weight was something else that I felt bad about at first but after an hour I wanted to tell you to GET OVER YOURSELF. I know you want to read your The Undercover Economist in peace and type your emails without a soundtrack of "yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah" Face it you're stuck on a plane with a baby and her mother. We'll get there when we get there. You making an issue out of it isn't making the plane fly any faster.

By no means did I expect you or anyone else to entertain my child. But somehow the sweet gentleman behind us found the strength to at least smile at her when she looked at him. She attempted on numerous occasions to smile and babble to you which, like everything else, you found offensive. Don't worry you are the last person I would want to engage with my child. She might come away with a permanent frown.

Feel free to upgrade next time. The chances of sitting next to a baby in first class are significantly lower. And I really hope that whatever poor girl you marry knows what an arse you are when it comes to kids.

PS - if anyone still reads this blog I apologize for the fact that my first post in 2 weeks is a rant. I'll be back to my normal cheery self by tomorrow. I promise.

I Heart NY

I love NYC because that's where Auntie Ande is but I certainly wished she lived a whole lot closer... (like Dallas, maybe? Don't you love guilt by Internet?)

Thanks for the onesie Auntie Ande!

Eagles Weekend 2008

What the heck is Eagles weekend? When KC and I first moved to Dallas 7 years ago we promised among other things to stay in touch with our friends but more importantly to NEVER, EVER become Cowboy fans. Since the Eagles will play a game in Dallas every year (being in the same division) we decided that would be a perfect weekend to schedule a yearly get together. Last year was the first year that we did nothing. Why? Because the Eagles game was scheduled for December 16th and my due date was the 17th.

Here is the email that KC sent out to our friends announcing that for the first time we would not be celebrating Eagles weekend in Dallas (we celebrated the year before it was just a very small celebration since the game was on Christmas Day):

Good afternoon sports fans,

It’s that time again! The schedule for the upcoming NFL season has been released and the planning needs to begin for the migration south to attend this years festivities. As most of you veterans already know, there are only a few things that could cause us to cancel the big weekend. For you rookies that don’t, last year was one of them. The game fell on Christmas and only a few of us could attend. This year’s game will be held on December 16th. What else could cause the 6 time hosts of the biggest pilgrimage south in the history of pilgrimages to cancel the festivities you ask? Well, as luck would have it, Laura and I will be expecting our first child, who has already adopted the nickname “Peanut”, on December 17th, the day after the Eagles/Cowboys game. If all goes as planned the 6 time hosts will be watching the game from the hospital and for the first time since 1984 neither of us will care about the result.

With this news, the landscape of the migration south for the Eagles game has changed forever. With the recent additions to the Marseglia and Gonzales families and the soon to be addition to the Palsky and Chewning families the next generation of Philadelphia Fans will need to be groomed by the “old timers” who came before them. We may be trading in this year’s Eagles weekend and the festivities that go along with it for the little munchkins but next year we will come armed with babysitters and big wheels to keep them under control.

See you guys this summer.

Until next year,

Sincerely,
The Official Chairman of the Annual Migration,

GO BIRDS!!!

I still tear up a little when I read this. I can't help it. We didn't exactly have babysitters and big wheels this year. Maybe in a year or two when the kids are old enough to occupy themselves for at least 15 minutes (wishful thinking?). We did have a few friends come from the north including my sister and her boyfriend. My other sister lives in Houston so she avoided Hurricane Ike and headed to Dallas a day early. And then stayed a few days after for which I was SO very thankful for (right in the middle of KC's business trip and Sam's sickness). But Sam enjoyed her first Eagles weekend. I think our days of sleeping 23 people in our little house might be over. After a night at Pete's Piano Bar you aren't too particular about where you sleep. But with the addition of the kiddos comes a new generation to drill on the importance being a good fan and new traditions. From the pictures below we are off to a good start.

We're thinking about walking at this point (but do so much better with MeMe holding our hands). Ignore the evidence a Target/Old Navy shopping spree in the backgorund. The day after this picture is when she took 3 steps! And last night we had 4! Maybe we'll decide we want to walk after all.

Sam cavorting with the enemy camp made up of Jill, Brooke, and Allison. Darn Cowboys Fans!

Future Cheerleader? The closet thing in our family is Auntie Shannon's drill team experience

Auntie Dev, Auntie Kara, Auntie Ande, and Me (One of my favorite things about Eagles weekend is having a lot of my favorite people in the whole world all together in one place. Such a nice thing to look forward to every year.)

My Dad and some of his girls (where are you Auntie Shannon and MeMe???) With 4 daughters he is used to being surrounded by women.

This was during the game when we still thought we were going to win.

We got to meet Steve Young. It was really cool.

Auntie Ande and Auntie Kara

Sam's new House (we bought it that weekend). It was the best money I have ever spent. She plays with it every single day. Our new fascination is the mailbox. We keep putting things in there for her to find and she loves it. When they made this toy they thought of everything!

At the airport begging Auntie Ande and Uncle Jay to stay (ok, that might have been me not Sam)

The end of Sam's first Eagles weekend - Another awesome year in the books!

To everyone who missed this year - we hope you can join us next year! It wasn't the same without you.

How 'bout those fightin' Phils?

I know I have mentioned what big Eagles Fans we are in a few random posts. We faithfully watch every Sunday, even when our quarterback just can't figure out how to close the deal we keep coming back for more. But KC is actually an even bigger Phillies fan. Something most people don't know about him since due to contracts with cable provider we can not get any Phillies games on TV in Dallas, even with the MLB package from Direct TV.

This is a somewhat small example of memories and something special he got from having family that lived nearby and was an integral part of his life. His Great Grandmother (Mable Whittaker - also where KC got his first name - Whittaker not Mabel) lived until she was in her 90's, right down the road from where we grew up. And until she died she was the biggest Phillies fan ever. She kept the box scores in marble notebooks and watched every game with a package of cookies in front of her. KC has all of these amazing memories of watching games with her and having cookies for dinner. I don't have a lot of memories of my grandparents. Partially because we didn't grow up close to them but also because by the time I was 10 there was only one still living. Great Gram memories aren't the only legacy from KC's grandparents. His Pop and Gram taught him to golf. Something he would rank a close third on a list of things he loves (right after Sam and I of course. No wait, Andrew might be third. Maybe golf is fourth? Care to offer a guess Christina?).

That's what I want for Sam. All of those small special things that when shared with a grandparent make them more special. I anticipate hearing Sam stamp her feet in frustration with something I am doing and threaten to live at Grandma's around the corner. I even plan to let her think she's gotten away with it for a few hours (maybe squeeze a movie in?). Maybe it will be hitting the garage sales first thing on Saturday morning with Grandma, or sailing with Mom-Mom and Skipper, and golfing with PaPa and Pop. Or maybe if it's cooking with MeMe and riding carousels with Grammie Di. I want her to have those things. Those are the kind of things I think you carry with you forever. They shape the person you become. Sam is so very lucky already. She has 7 grandparents who adore her and want to be part of her life. As big a part as they can be. I think maybe if we just went away and set up a rotation we might not be needed for about 2 months.

This all came about because of the Phillies recent post season success. If you aren't a baseball fan (and really it takes a special person to be a fan of a game when nothing happens 90% of the time) then let me tell you the Phillies are on fire. Winning playoff games for the first time in 15 years.

In honor of Great Gram - GO PHILS!!

I had Sam's picture taken as a surprise for KC's first Fathers Day. I intended for her to look much more like a girl but the bow I had attached to her head with syrup kept falling out. After a while I just gave up. We know she's a girl.

How the west was won

By two crazy parents and a very patient 10 month old.

*warning - this is a pretty long post. We did a lot and had quite a few 'firsts' on our trip. Pictures are at the bottom if you don't want a blow by blow account of our trip.

At some point this summer we decided that it would be a good idea to drive from Dallas to Phoenix for vacation. At first it was on the table because plane tickets were ridiculously expensive. But as the cost of tickets went down we decided that we really, really did want to drive. KC and I have always been a big fan of road trips. We took almost three weeks to drive from Philly to Dallas when we moved here (yes, mom I know it has been 7 long years!). I have to admit in the weeks leading up to our drive I started to have second thoughts. She is so mobile at this point what if she loses her mind? What is she is still sick (a distinct possibility after weeks of illness)? There was no turning back though. We were so excited to spend a week in Arizona with Pop and Grammie Di that we decided to forge ahead with our ambitious plan. Even though 4 days before departure I came down with a stomach bug.

It is a 16 hour and 1066 mile drive according to the Internet. We left on a Friday evening about 6pm and hoped to arrive Saturday night (best case scenario) but were ok with arriving by Sunday night (worse case scenario, especially since the Eagles played on Sunday night) we had a deadline! Off we go at 6pm on Friday the 26th. Our goal for the first day was to reach Amarillo, a 6 hour drive. If anyone has ever driven in Texas you know how fun driving through small towns can be. There is no straight highway to Amarillo. You get on 287 which winds it's way through numerous towns with population signs spouting - population 396 - or 1855 - or even 5933 and of course the speed limit going from 75 to 35 in every 25 miles. Cruise control is not possible and if you haven't made the drive before (as KC had not) the complete lack of lights of any kind can make it hard. The fact that we were both sick with no appetites and clearly dehydrated did keep our stops to a minimum. At about 3am we called it quits and checked into a Hampton Inn in Tucumcari, NM. Since Kc and I had not been to New Mexico before we got to add one state to our total and Sam picked up state number 3! After a later start on day 2 (about 9:30) we headed west again. Sam really did well since she took a 3 hour nap (!!!) that morning and only woke up when she was starving. Between me in the backseat playing and feeding her, the car didn't really seem to phase her too much. After a quick break at a rest stop between Flagstaff and Phoenix we rolled into Phoenix at 7pm local time. 27 hours door to door.

We did so much that week and had so much fun I could write a novel but since this is just a blog I will touch on the high points (all 54 of them)!

First of all our resort was wonderful. 2 great playgrounds, a splash area in the pool, and some nice walking trails right across the street. Sam loved the playgrounds and the fact that we hit them with our footed jammies still on really helped the ability to slide.

If you have never been to Phoenix I would absolutely recommend it. There was tons of kid stuff. The railroad park that we went to that had a little train you can ride for $2 (kids are free) so we went one Sam's first train ride. The funniest part was when we went through the tunnel and it got dark. There was also a carousel there so we knocked that off of Sam's list of things to do. She didn't really get into the carousel until almost the end. I think the movement going up and down and around was a bit much for her in the beginning. But once she got used to it - watch out! At one point she didn't even want to hold on!

We shopped until we dropped. Everywhere from Nordstrom Rack, to Gap, to the best store ever, babystyle. Grammie Di spoiled her rotten with all kinds of cute clothes and shoes. We also found a book "Quiet Loud" that she loves. And it gives me the opportunity to makes lots of funny noises! I think that is one of the (many) benefits of being a parent - getting to do all of the dorky things you couldn't pull off before kids. KC thinks my troll voice from "The Three Billygoats Gruff" should be dialed down a bit or it will end up giving her nightmares.

We went walking with Pop and Grammie Di. Scottsdale (where we were) has this great thing called a greenway that runs for 25 miles right down the middle of the town. It has walking trails the entire length of it so it is perfect for the stroller. It runs by lakes and playgrounds. Both of which we took advantage of. Sam got her first experience with feeding the ducks. And her first time riding a dragon.

We also ate at this wonderful restaurant in Cave Creek (a town about 20 minutes north of Scottsdale), El Encanto. It is Mexican restaurant but it had a lake right in the middle of it with turtles, fish, ducks, birds, and butterfly's. I swear it was created with babies in mind. We sat along the glass wall and watched the turtles sun themselves right next to us. Sam loved the fact that there were so many things to look at.

We created a monster. She goes by Horsey Girl. Pop and Grammie Di bought her a rocking horse with a seat on it and she loves it. Grammie Di even bought her a cowboy hat to go with it. Sometimes when she is on your lap she will start rocking back and forth. We have to keep a close eye on her though. Our little daredevil likes to stand up in the 'saddle' and ride that way.

I could do without the heart attack when I look over and she is balancing like a circus act.

We left on Friday morning amidst lots of hugs and kisses and took off on our journey home. The first day we were only trying to make it to Albuquerque since we were stopping off to take in the balloon festival and she did great. But one of my worst fears did come true. We had a diaper explosion about an hour before we hit Albuquerque. I should have known we wouldn't get through the trip unscathed. And we cut tooth number 7! I was so surprised to arrive at dinner in Albuquerque and see another tooth. We are currently working hard on #8, 9, and 10.

I am pretty sure I covered almost everything (and really sure you are ready to see some pictures and stop reading). I am going to do a separate post on the balloon festival because we have so many amazing pictures from it. I took over 600 pictures on our trip!

We had an amazing time and I am sure we will be doing it again since Pop and Grammie Di will most likely be living there in the next few years. (Thank you Pop and Grammie Di for everything!)

Oh, before we get to the pictures I wanted to mention that Sam made some progress in her 25 things in 52 weeks list. Sidenote, I am pretty sure the pigtails just aren't going to happen.

Our new favorite toys: the hotel room card and a water bottle. These occupied us for almost 30 minutes. And the best part? The room card continued to occupy Sam for the rest of the week. I carried this Hampton Inn card around with me - well, it's actually still in my bag.

Stretching our legs at a rest stop about an hour north of Phoenix

Taking in the beautiful mountains (KC and I decided this is what Dallas is missing. Go ahead and say it - DUH!)

Dad and Sam at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale

Sam on her first train ride. Sitting with Pop and Grammie Di



Not so sure what to think about the tunnel (especially with the other kids yelling.) You can't tell in this picture but without the flash it was pitch black in there.

Pop and Sam at the Railroad Park

One of my all-time favorite pictures of Sam

"Look ma, no hands!" (Our first carousel ride, hanging with Grammie Di)

Seriously, this kid had no fear once she got the hang of it.

Can you feel the stickiness? We tried our first frozen fruit pop. It was all over - hands, face, legs, everywhere. We were in the tub within minutes.

She couldn't make it through dinner so she snoozed on Pop.

"I'm not really bald. It just looks that way. There's hair up here. I promise."

Our little horsey girl

She got such a kick out of it. It was so much fun to watch.

Again with the no hands thing. Shortly after this she figured out how to use the mane to pull herself to a standing position.

We even played horsey on Mom's back. Wearing our very cool, new cowboy hat.

Showing Pop why the swings are her FAVORITE thing. Just look at those little legs hanging out the bottom.

And who doesn't want to follow up breakfast with a little rubber swing?

Again, she loves to be 'in' something. As soon as Pop set her down she was off - which of course entailed him following. Yep, right through the tube.

Loving the slide. She doesn't really have the full hang of this yet. Her feet and legs get stuck pretty easily.

Riding the dragon. I swear, if we're not careful this child will end up asking for a dragon for her birthday - or, even a real horse! Yikes!

The excitement of the dragon put her right over the top. I had to wake her up so we could feed the ducks.

Sam, Pop, and Grammie Di on the morning that we all left. So sad I cried!

Family Portrait. My glasses lasted only about 15 seconds ion my head before Sam decided se has "had to have them". Darn Kids!

This was on our way home, somewhere in New Mexico, west of Albuquerque. She ended up in her jammies since we had a little, um, explosion.