So much has happened since my last post that I feel the only way to catch up is to briefly summarize the last two months and then just post pictures. I know that pictures alone tell most of the story.
Patrick was fortunate enough to take paternity leave for five weeks at the end of September and beginning of October. For three weeks we traveled to Michigan to visit family and friends.
The Drive
On September 16, we began packing the car and quickly realized we had a space dilemma. Off to the trailer store to get a car topper. On September 17, we set off for Michigan in our Tahoe, with car topper, with the boys, both dogs and a sliver of sanity. With a newly learned short cut we were over the George Washington Bridge within 35 minutes. (That is great time considering it can take up to 2 hours or more.) We were excited. Leaving at nap-time was great. We were cruising with two napping kids. But, within the hour Alex needed to eat. No problem. Stop, feed, bathroom, back on the road. Around dinner time we stopped at Old McDonald's in rural Pennsylvania. While Patrick walked and fed the dogs I took the kids in to eat. Here is where the fun begins. Two chicken nuggets in Ethan stands up in the booth and vomits all over the table and bench. Alex in one hand, Ethan at the table, puke everywhere, and all I can do is see Patrick through the window walking the dogs peacefully. Luckily a very nice (despite their Penn State allegiance) elderly couple behind us asked if they could help. The man went to get Patrick. Poor Ethan just wanted to eat his french fries. After washing the booth, changing Ethan, and feeding Alex we were back on the road. At around midnight we stopped at Wendy's to feed Alex. Just as we were pulling in the parking lot Ethan vomits again in the car. No worries, Mom caught it. As we were leaving Wendy's we stopped at the drive through for coffee and a few plastic bags just in case. Call that one Mother's intuition. From 12:30 until we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa Hurford's house at 2:30AM I think he vomited 4-6 times. I sat scrunched with my knees at my chin between the captain's chairs facing the kids from Pennsylvania to Grosse Pointe. Patrick drove all but 3 hours of the drive. Needless to say we were all exhausted upon arrival and poor Ethan had a stomach flu.
Twelve hours in Grosse Pointe and back in the car to Harbor Springs. What were we thinking? The first stop came within 45 minutes to check a stinky diaper which turned out to be gas. The next stop came an hour later for Alex to eat. After that I thought it was clear sailing with two sleeping kids. Wrong again. Ethan started screaming to get out of the car and go home- can you blame him?- and woke Alex up. I managed to get Alex back to sleep and convince Ethan to watch a movie. I put the movie on and Ethan started screaming that it was too bright. In one of my more genius moments I had a solution. Sun glasses. So there we were at midnight with one sleeping baby and a two year old watching Mickey Mouse with sun glasses on. Where was my camera? Thankfully we made it to Harbor Springs just in time for Alex to eat. That was also the time I decided there will be no more car trips in this Hurford family future until all of the children are over 4 years old.
Up North
We had a wonderful first day up North. Ethan loved racing the cars down the track on the stairs with Grandpa, seeing his golf clubs and watching for deer. That night however woke up with a barking cough. Croup. Great. So Ethan and I were up. I took him into the bathroom to breathe in some steam from the shower. I then bundled him up in the early morning hours in a big blanket and took him outside to breathe in the crisp and cool fall air. As I sat in the dark in the big Adirondack rocker with my sick little boy I had a moment of clarity. As I rocked Ethan back to sleep and then continued to rock watching the water of Lake Michigan, listening to the trees, and waiting for the sun to rise on that crisp fall morning, I realized how truly blessed I am in my life. To have such an amazing family and friends and all of the gifts God has given us is truly humbling. To rock my baby in the purest of nature made me realize how grateful I am to be a mother, regardless of the circumstances and challenges that every day can bring. Around sunrise, Ethan woke up and soon we joined the rest of the gang.
Despite having croup Ethan was his typical, hysterical self. We had fun golfing with Grandma and Grandpa and visiting Pond Hill Farm for a hay ride and feeding the animals. The piglets were a favorite as well as the squash launcher. Daddy would launch the squash and the sheep would run into the field to eat the pieces. Ethan was not feeling well that day but continues to talk about it now months later. Ethan also loved throwing rocks into the pond with Daddy and Grandpa. Where did they get all those rocks from? :) Naughty Grandpa and Daddy.
Perhaps the most memorable experience up north was our deer "hunting" escapades. Ethan was enamored with the idea of seeing deer. So, we loaded up the Tahoe and went to find them. We first drove down the road (private road approx 1 mile) to the front of the property and saw around 5 deer. When we got to the end, with a big smile, Ethan says, "That was amazing!" Amazing? Seriously, where does this kid pull this stuff from? The next day we were off again at dusk. I think we saw around 12 deer that evening but the classic moment was at the end of the "hunt". As we would see a deer I would fling Ethan's car door open so he could see them. With the tinted windows he could not see the deer well at dusk and if we rolled the window down it would stop just in line with his visual field. Well, on this last stop the deer were on Alex's side. I unbuckled Ethan and picked him up so he could look out Alex's door. When we were finished I sat him back in his seat and left him unbuckled. We were literally less than 100 yards from the house door, on a private road, so I figured he would be fine for the 10 second drive. As the wheels began to turn Ethan started screaming, "SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY FIRST!" I almost died laughing. He was right. So I buckled him back up for the crawl home.
Grand Rapids
We headed to Grandma Lucy's house on September 23 to stay for the week. We visited with Grandma, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Tim, Granddad, Miss Gina, Aunts and Uncles, Mom and Dad's friends, and Ethan's favorite- Kaylee. Ethan was so excited to see Kaylee. He was napping when she arrived but as he was waking up she entered the room. The second he saw her he jumped out of bed and yelled "KAYLEE!" with the biggest smile and gave her a great big hug. Off they went and were inseparable for the next week.
Alex had his 3 month birthday. Just a big happy baby. Not much else to say. I will throw in that by now he has also had his 4 month bday and is amazing. At four months he is transferring objects between hands, can do a modified army crawl to move off his blanket to get toys, has mastered his exersaucer, loves his jumper, and is already sitting up in a three point stance. He has now started eating cereal, fruits, and veggies but isn't the biggest fan. He would much rather lay back and drink his bottle. Just a laid back kind of guy. He is sleeping through the night with the exception of a 5 am feeding. Big, happy and healthy- perfect.
While in Grand Rapids we were able to have a family picnic with Grandma Lucy's family at Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda's lake. Uncle Bob took us for a few boat rides with the kids. They loved going fast and pretending like the boat was out of gas. We also went to Uncle Ben and Aunt Cindi's house to see the chickens and feed the fish. Ethan was in heaven. Spoiled by going in the cleanest and cutest chicken coop on the planet and hand feeding a million big fish just off the dock. We were able to share in Kaylee's 3rd birthday celebration and we were also able to see Granddad's zoo. Ethan loves going to Granddad's house to see the snakes, lizards, cats, and dogs. Patrick liked playing Wii.
Alex's Baptism
I had brought Ethan's Baptism outfit to pass down to Alex for his big day on October 3. Luckily I tried it on on the 1st. It didn't fit. So on the afternoon of the 1st off I went to get a Baptismal outfit for the big boy. My options were limited. After debating basically my only option with myself I purchased the white baby tuxedo. Yes, a white tuxedo.
On October 3 we headed off to U of D Jesuit for the Baptism of our baby boy. The University of Detroit Jesuit School is where Patrick and Grandpa Hurford went to high school. We were very excited to have the opportunity to have Alex Baptized there. In full white tuxedo tails Alex was baptized and welcomed into the church family. Thank you Uncle Matt and Aunt Shelly for being his God parents.
After having a flat tire in the ghetto on the way home from the Baptism, we had a wonderful gathering visiting with family and friends at Grandma and Grandpa Hurford's house.
That following Tuesday we came home. Home sweet home. Thank you to everyone for the wonderful trip and all of the wonderful memories. A special Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Hurford and Grandma Lucy for living with us for so long and to Grandma and Grandpa Hurford for watching Emma and Bella for us. We love you all.
Kaylee's Visit (Aunt Jenny too)
It was all about Kaylee and Ethan when Aunt Jenny decided to make the trip to the big city. We had such a wonderful time. Kaylee and Ethan, despite their toddler moments, had an amazing time together. It was so much fun watching the cousins play together. It was also the best to have a drink and some girl chat with my big sis. Can't wait until we can do it again soon.
Halloween
For Halloween this year Ethan decided back in September he wanted to be a puppy. So Ethan was a puppy and Alex was a chunky monkey. On Friday Ethan had a party at school which he was so excited for. Mrs. Haley was over that day sitting for the kids but I returned home to take him to his party. I got his costume on and painted his face. Mrs. Haley said, "Ethan you are so cute." His response, "Actually, I am adorable." Come on now, how funny is that?!
We were fortunate to have the Fino Family join us for Halloween and share in the fun of the evening. It was great to have all the little kids dressed together on such a beautiful night for Trick or Drinking- I mean Treating. Ethan loved trick or treating with the kids but was done when we reached our house half way through the route. Exhausted, we took off his costume and he immediately dumped all of his candy on the kitchen floor to check out his loot. What a fun night.
Pumpkin Carving
Ethan's Pumpkin
Our Chunky Monkey
Halloween 2009
Boys will be Boys
Trick or Treat
Let's see what we got!
Misc.
Just a few stories I don't want to forget:
- We have a dance party before bath and bedtime nearly every night. Daddy decided to bust out the 2Pac for Ethan. Ethan loves it! Great beat, inappropriate lyrics. So one night in the bathtub Ethan belt's out, "Nowhere I go, I see the hoes." And that was that. The "Daddy song" is banned.
- Talking to the dogs one day Ethan turns to me, "Emma's old like Jack (Grandma Lucy's dog) and Bella's two."
- Mom: "Ethan, do you want pork chops for dinner?"
Ethan: "Ugggh, Mom, I'm just sick of pork chops."
- We bought new shoes. Mom: "Ethan do you think they fit?"
Ethan: "They fit perfectly!"
- Mom: "Ethan do you want some dip with your pretzels?"
Ethan: "Actually, that's Hummus."
Oh how the list goes on and on. Now that I am as caught up as I can be I will try to keep up on weekly posts. No guarantees.
Alex is Sitting!
The Boys on Game Day
Alex 3 Month Pictures
