Jack To Go

Jack does not like when Daddy goes out of town on business! He's a pretty smart cookie. He's already planning how to stow away on the next business trip. He's just the right size for a carry-on! "Anything to declare?" Well, as a matter of fact..."

So, obviously Rob made it home safe and sound. We were all thrilled to see him. He even went into work late on Wednesday morning so he could spend a couple hours with us. We got to have some family time in bed and breakfast together too. Then it was back to the salt mines...board meeting yesterday and late night tonight too. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. I think he's only had 2 days off in the last three weeks. Saturday can't come soon enough.

Italian Wedding Soup

Jack's new favorite food? Italian Wedding Soup. Tiny meatballs, pasta and kale in chicken broth. Yummy! I'm not kidding about how much he loves it. Tonight he started out eating it with a spoon, shifted to his hands and then finally sucked it straight out of the bowl. It was the bowl to lip maneuver that made the biggest mess! Thankfully it was bath night, so he went directly to the tub and came out squeaky clean!

On an unrelated note, I can't wait to see the look on Jack's face tomorrow when Daddy gets him up in the morning! Rob has been gone almost a week, but will be getting home late tonight. Jack will probably flip out with joy! I'll try to catch it on video!

Baby Max

Jack and Mommy went down to the South Bay last night to visit family. We started at Grandpa Phil's restaurant where we got to see Zia Andria, Uncle Phil, Grandpa Phil, Auntie Nikki and baby Max. Uncle Phil made yummy mostacciolli with butter and cheese and Grandpa made pizza with pesto sauce. It was all very tasty. Jack got to run around the place like he owns it...oh, he does! He got to watch football in the kitchen and do high fives and knuckles with Uncle Phil and Grandpa...too much testosterone for Mommy! Jack even gave baby Max his first kiss ever! Their relationship seems to be improving. I guess Jack is finally resigned to the idea that Max is going to be around for a long time, so he'd better make the best of it.

After dinner, we went to Grandma Laura and Pa's house. Jack had his bath, a bottle, and had some quick hugs for everyone before he went to sleep. This morning, Nikki brought Max over before she went to work, so we got to play together for several hours before we came home. The cousins laid on the play mat together and Jack even shared is new wind-up frog toy with Max. Max was so full of smiles and laughs for his crazy Auntie. Peek-a-boo never gets old, does it? Sorry the photo with the boys and me is overexposed, but Jack only sat still for one frame, so we had to take what we could get. That was also the last shot of me in that sweatshirt. Soon after, I gave Max his bottle. When I burped him he spit up all over, but being a smart, veteran Mom I had a rag on my shoulder..HA, outwitted him! Then I put him down for his morning nap, but he fussed and cried, so I went to check on him. His blanket wasn't swaddled very well, so I picked him up to adjust it and...KAPOW! Projectile all over my shoulder! HA! Looks like he got the last laugh on me. I swaddled him up again and he dozed peacefully off to dreamland. Oh well, spit happens! It was a quick trip, but I got some good cuddle time in with my nephew, so it was well worth it.

Busy Weekend

Since I had Friday off it already feels like I've had a full weekend and today is only Sunday! Friday, of course, we went to the zoo and then had dinner at my friend Lorena's house...homemade chile relleno!! Yesterday we went to a baby shower for our friend Jenny. She has twin boys (18 months old) and is due with her third boy next month! After 7 years of infertility she and her husband never dreamed this would happen, but what an amazing blessing! They are such wonderful people, great parents. We had a great time, lovely lunch and a perfect fall afternoon for a patio party. Last night, Diane came over and we made shrimp curry. Jack had so much fun playing with Diane and his new dinosaur balloon. He loved being the center of attention. Diane is a 6th grade teacher at my school and it was fun to watch her play with Jack. It must be a teacher thing, but she talks to him just like I do, "Where is Dino's eye? What color is his eye? Is it green?" Everything is a teachable moment!

This morning we are going to go to church and them head to Redondo Beach for a little overnight at Grandma Laura's. It has been far too long since we have seen Grandpa Phil, so we will be going to the restaurant tonight. Sunday night at the restaurant is great because we get to see Zia Andria, Uncle Phil, Auntie Nikki and Cousin Max, too. Looking forward to keeping the weekend rolling!

Roar!!

Jack and I took a drive up the coast this morning to meet Jenny and her adorable twin boys for some fun at the Santa Barbara Zoo. It was a typical glorious day in Santa Barbara. Fortunately, it was not scorching hot yet either. We got very good views of the penguins, elephants, flamingoes, gorillas, meerkats and lions. Jack was especially thrilled with the lions! We saw both the male and female sunning themselves on a huge rock in front of the glass. He roared proudly to everyone who came up for a look and we finally had to coerce him to
say,"Bye-Bye Lions!" and leave them behind. Not to worry though, he found a toy lion in the gift shop that he just couldn't live without. We had a peanut butter sandwich in the shade and then played "get" with the twins up near the new condor exhibit. It was a wonderful day. We are so lucky to live in Paradise :-)

Bed Head

Rob left for Washington DC this morning and we miss him already.

Honey, Jack woke up with "Daddy hair" today. He sends you big kisses. Be safe. We love you!

Boo!

I was so excited that today was finally October 1st. In addition to celebrating Great TuTu's birthday, it was finally appropriate to wear my cool new Halloween t-shirt that Grandpa Nick and TuTu brought for me on their last visit. I looked really handsome this morning, but Mommy and Daddy had no time for a photo shoot. Sorry about the soup splotches, but I hope you still think I look cute after dinner and a full day of playing at Karen's house. I have been practicing my "ghost" act for about 2 months now and I think it's pretty scary. Happy October!