Christmas 2007 Day 9

December 29, 2007

Yesterday, Daddy complained about a strong smell in the air when he went out to get me milk. Mommy just said that it was probably a typical "Chemical Valley" smell. This morning the odor and the chemical leak that caused it was on the front page of the paper. Mommy admitted to Daddy that it had probably been a very strong smell. I guess that is what it is like to live near Charleston WV.

Anyways, today Mommy and Daddy packed the car. We went to GrandMom and Pops house again and packed up more things there and then we said good bye. I'll miss my grandparents!

We then drove to Carlisle, PA. Once again I fell asleep so I missed all of of I-79 in WV. Mommy had fun playing with the GPS system that Daddy got her for Christmas. When I was awake we did listen to some of my favorite music including the Car song by Justin Roberts and the Shirt Song by David Grover.

When we got to Carlisle Mommy had been named "Guest of the Day" again at the Hotel Carlisle! That is very lucky. Since there was still a little daylight left Mommy took me out to the yard to walk around and run in. I had fun since I had been in the car seat most of the day. We also used the webcam to call GrandMom and Pops to tell them we had arrived safely.

For dinner we went to Bob Evans restaurant. I was better behaved tonight than I had been last night. Then it was back to the hotel where I got to play some with Mommy, Daddy and my push toy.

Tomorrow we will be home!

Christmas Day 8

December 28, 2007

Today was a really yucky, rainy day! I spent most of the day in somebody's lap at GrandMom and Pops's house because I was afraid of Sydney (Aunt Martha's dog). We also opened up the last of my Christmas presents. I got a neat rain slicker from GrandMom and Pops. Daddy also got a photo frame that had been made by my Uncle Christopher. You can read more about that in his blog. I also took a long nap. Mommy thinks my teeth might finally be coming in, but I've been working on them for a long time (several months) so she is not going to get excited yet.

We did go to downtown Charleston tonight to eat at the Whitewater Grill at the Marriot. I was very restless with dinner so Mommy and Daddy took turns walking outside with me.

After dinner Mommy, Daddy, Pops and I went across the street to the mall, Charleston Town Center. I got to walk around. My favorite part was the toy school bus that I got to drive. You will have to look at my Pops's blog for a picture.

We then went back to the hotel and went to bed.

Christmas 2007 Day 7

December 27, 2007

I'm really liking this Christmas thing! I opened more gifts today and there are still more for me to open tomorrow.

Last night I didn't sleep well so I actually slept late this morning. After we got to GrandMom and Pops's house I played awhile with my new toys. I started getting restless so Mommy and Daddy went to our car and got my FAVORITE toy--my push toy. I enjoyed racing it around the house.

After my nap I helped Daddy for a little bit while he was making GrandMom's laptop work better. Then I went on a little walk with Mommy and GrandMom. The plan had been for me to meet some of the neighbors, but nobody was home. So instead I helped GrandMom sweep the front walk. Then my Aunt Martha and her dog Sydney drove in from Pittsburgh. I like Aunt Martha a lot, but I can't decide how I feel about Sydney. All five of us went on a walk around the neighborhood while I was able to warm up to Sydney. (at least tolerate being within 5 feet of him).

We went back to have Shepherd's Pie for dinner. I didn't like having Sydney so close to me so I sat on Daddy's lap. After dinner I did become more comfortable with Sydney and I actually touched him a few times.

Then we got to open more gifts. Aunt Martha made me a stuffed turtle. Uncle Chris got me a Thomas the Train Lego set. I also got a book from Aunt Martha and Uncle Chris about the animals in the Southwest that they got on their trip to New Mexico. When I opened it I said, "It's a book." Everyone was really excited about my first sentence.

I then opened presents from my Godmother, Chris's mommy and his daddy. They got me a savings bond. Aunt Melissa (Chris's sister) got me a BIG front loader truck. I was so excited to get another truck!

There were more presents for me but Mommy and Daddy said that I have to wait until tomorrow.

Christmas 2007 - Day 6

December 26, 2007

I had another fun day today.

We went to GrandMom and Pops House and I got to play with my yellow truck again. Daddy then helped Pops move a big piece of furniture into the truck and they went to Goodwill. I stayed home and helped Mommy and GrandMom in the kitchen. Mommy put an apron on me and I helped GrandMom make sugar cookies. I enjoyed rolling the dough, cutting out shapes and of course shaking colored sprinkles on top.

During my nap my Pops set up his own blog since he was impressed with mine. After my nap and snack I went outside with Pops to feed the birds. Then GrandMom, Mommy and I went to the back yard where we played with bubbles. Because it was so cold the bubbles actually didn't pop right away when they landed. We then went on another walk around the neighborhood. I met one of GrandMom's neighbors who had never seen a stroller bubble before, so of course I demonstrated how the bubble works.

After dinner we opened some more of the packages under the tree. I got a construction puzzle and two books from GrandMom and Pops. My cousin Tiffany and her son Aiden got me a special bag!

Tomorrow we are going to see Aunt Martha.

Christmas 2007 - Day 5

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

I had an exciting day! We went to GrandMom and Pop's house where we had some pancakes, then we got to look at the tree which had a lot of presents. Santa brought me a yellow truck to play with! I am having a lot of fun with it. He also brought me an Elmo to play and hug. I also got some nesting boxes for stacking. There are a bunch of other boxes under the tree that Mommy and Daddy say are for me but I was too excited today to open them up! Maybe tomorrow and the next day!

I took an early nap today because of all of the excitement of my new toys and then I went for a walk this afternoon with Mommy, Daddy, and GrandMom. A lot of the neighbors have big snowman, Santa Claus, and reindeer in their yards. Last night we drove around and looked at lights.

We then had a nice turkey dinner. I enjoyed the stuffing the most.

I like Christmas!

Christmas 2007 - Day 4

Today is Christmas Eve. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but everyone seems pretty excited by it.

We took a trip today to Hawk's Nest in Fayette County, West Virginia. It was a really windy road to get there. Daddy thinks that they should test cars on that road.

When we got to the top of the mountain we were in the "Grand Canyon of the East", the New River Gorge. We had a really great view of a dam and of a bridge. We saw several vultures flying. There is a picture below explaining more about Hawk's Nest and of my family. (Mommy will fix the orientation of the other photo later!)

We then had a picnic lunch. After walking around the Hawk's Nest lodge we went and played on the playground. I had a lot of fun on the swings and on the slide.

We then drove home, but we stopped at two waterfalls on the way. I enjoyed looking at all of the water!

Tonight we are going to go to church for the Christmas Eve Service. I can't wait until tomorrow to play with all of the pretty paper and the boxes that are here!

Christmas 2007-Day 3

December 23, 2007

I am 20 months old today! Today was a pretty quiet day. I had a big breakfast in the hotel (they have a waffle iron!). We then went to church with my GrandMom and Pops. I sat with my Pops for about 15 minutes, then with Mommy for another 10. I then wanted to walk around so Mommy took me to the nursery where I got to play with a lot of toys. Daddy stayed and listened to the adult and children's choirs who were performing a cantata.

We then went to GrandMom and Pops's house for lunch. There are a lot of pictures of me around! After my nap I went for a walk with GrandMom and Pops and Mommy around the neighborhood.

I then played for a while with the special broom they have for me. I had a yummy dinner of lasagna! We then went back to the hotel where I went to sleep. A pretty relaxing day!

Christmas 2007 - Day 2

December 22, 2007

This morning I woke up in Carlisle, PA. After a small breakfast we got back in the car. We drove through the farmland in Pennsylvania. I told Mommy and Daddy that cows go "Mooo". We then went into Maryland. There was a lot of traffic on the road. We were able to see a lot of license plates. Some of the states/provinces we saw were:

• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia
• Maryland
• Washington DC
• Ohio
• North Carolina
• Florida
• Quebec, Canada

As we were driving through Maryland we saw less cows and more mountains. I enjoyed listening to music, reading books, and playing with my etch-a-sketch. We stopped for lunch in Cumberland, MD. After lunch Mommy drove. We went through some really bad fog. It was so hard to see outside the car. I decided to go to sleep.

I slept through it but my mommy insisted on singing "Country Roads" as we drove into West Virginia. She also made fun of the new slogan "Open for business". Mommy was able to drive 70 MPH on the roads and hills in West Virginia.

Even though it was foggy when I fell asleep I woke up as we were getting off the Interstate in Cross Lanes, WV. The sun was so bright. We checked into the hotel. I had a pack and play to sleep in here-it didn't roll as well as my crib in Carlisle. The room was a lot smaller than the room in Carlisle. After unpacking, we got back into the car.

Mommy got excited as we drove through Cross Lanes, through the second traffic light to get to GrandMom and Pops's house. I don't get the excitement over the traffic light but Mommy said that it was a big thing. I guess you have to be from here!

I was very excited to see GrandMom and Pops. They have several chairs that are just my size for me to sit in. They also have a pretty Christmas tree with lights. The best was a yellow broom they let me play with. After I ate dinner I swept the entire kitchen and dining area several times while they finished eating.

I was getting a little cranky last night, it's strange being in a new place. So we went back to the hotel and we all went to sleep early. I'll check out more of this West Virginia place tomorrow.

Christmas 2007 - December 21

All day Mommy and I have been getting ready and packing bags. Mommy says I am going on another road trip to visit my GrandMom and Pops in West Virginia. I'm not sure what that means--but I do point to Pops's picture when she says his name. I'm having a lot of fun carrying bags around the house. We also have taken several trips to the trash chute, the recycle room and the laundry room.

After Daddy came home from work we ate a little bit of dinner and then we went to the car. I sat in the car with Mommy while Daddy brought all of the bags that Mommy had been packing all week to the car. He thought we were taking too much with us but Mommy assured him that everything was important. I enjoyed sitting in the car and looking at the Christmas lights.

We then started driving. When we went through New Jersey I looked at all of the lights and the smoke from the chemical plants. Mommy told me I would see a lot more of those in West Virginia. I finally fell asleep.

When I woke up we were in Carlisle, Pennslyvania. Mommy and Daddy said we had been there before. When we went to our hotel room. Instead of getting ready for bed I wanted to play with the giant push toy the hotel staff brought in. Mommy kept calling it my crib but I had so much fun wheeling it around the room.

Finally I went to bed. It had been a long day. I wonder when we will see GrandMom and Pops.

Road Trip Day 10

Sunday, September 9, 2007

We are home! Daddy promises that next time we will come home on a Saturday so that we have a day to recover before going back to school or work.

We packed everything this morning and went to have bagels with Aunt Martha and Uncle Christopher. In honor of the season opener for the Steelers I wore my new jersey. (The Steelers won by the way!) Finally we left Pittsburgh.

We had a long drive across Pennsylvania. We hit some bad traffic on I-78 so Mommy and Daddy took a detour. My exciting news from the car trip was that I mastered drinking from a straw. Mommy wasn't exactly pleased to share her Oreo sundae with me but I enjoyed it!

There was also some bad traffic at the George Washington Bridge, but we listened to the radio and took the shorter way. When we got back to the city we stopped by my friend Max's house. His mommy and daddy had bought a fresh half-gallon of milk for me.

I was really excited to come home. I saw all the toys I hadn't seen for a week and I saw my own crib. It was good to sleep in that tonight.

All in all I enjoyed my road trip. I hope you've enjoyed reading about it!

Road Trip Day 9

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Today was so much FUN!

After breakfast, nap and lunch Aunt Martha and Uncle Christopher came to our hotel. I was going to take them to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. It was so much fun.

The first floor of the museum has a bunch of stuff from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood including some of the original puppets from the Neighborhood of Make Believe. Uncle Christopher and Aunt Martha spent some time with a lot of other exhibits on this floor. They made boxes, a horse and helped make a table and chairs. I'm not really certain because I wasn't there.

Instead I was on the second floor in the nursery. This is a exhibit designed for children under 2. There was so much in this room. I only tried a few things. I spent a lot of time with the pegboard table and the lighted pegs that go into the wall (think a giant light-bright). I also enjoyed the see-saw. As I went on the see-saw bubbles formed in the glass wall. I also played some with the sand table. I finally got a turn with a push toy and I enjoyed walking and pushing it on a variety of surfaces (carpet, bumps, tiles, a hill, etc.) I had so much fun!

Then we went upstairs to the Waterplay room. This was a giant room with a huge vat of water. I found a toy sail and splashed it in the water. Uncle Christopher showed me how he could put a bunch of pipes together to make a fountain. Despite his effort I was more impressed with the sail. Mommy had learned a couple of days ago to always have a spare dry outfit for me in the diaper bag.

I had so much fun at the museum. I will go every time I go to Pittsburgh.

After the museum we headed to Aunt Martha and Uncle Christopher's house where I had a dinner of peaches and spinach balls. Then I sat with my Daddy in the hammock in the backyard. It was a lot of fun, a lot like a giant swing. Mommy then blew some bubbles for me. Aunt Martha played with me as well.

At this point I was exhausted with such an overstimulating day. So Mommy and Daddy took me back to the hotel when I went straight to bed.

Tomorrow we drive back to New York.

Road Trip Day 8

Friday, September 7, 2007



Today was my first full day in Pittsburgh. After a breakfast in the hotel restaurant I took a nap. Aunt Martha then came over to our hotel. Aunt Martha was wearing a skirt Uncle Chris made. You can read more about that in his blog.


We got my stroller and took a walk into downtown Pittsburgh. I had a veggie dog at Franktuary. (It's a hot dog store in the basement of a church). One of Aunt Martha's college friends, Brad Yoder, was performing. I enjoyed watching him play the guitar.



We then walked to Uncle Christopher's office at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. His office is in the process of moving. The building we went to is one of the oldest office buildings in Pittsburgh. You can see a picture down below.


My favorite part of the day was when we went to the fountains in front of the PPG building. I had a lot of fun putting my hand in the fountain and splashing. This time it was Mommy's shoes that got wet. Uncle Christopher joined me in splashing.


Mommy then had a little adventure at the bank with her debit card---but I had fun watching the pigeons with Daddy. We then went to Macy's where Daddy bought some clothing. Aunt Martha and Uncle Christopher went to a store and got me a Troy Polamalu jersey. (He's a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers.)



After all this I was pooped so Daddy and I went back to the hotel. Mommy went with Uncle Christopher and Aunt Martha to an event for the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. Aunt Martha serves on the board.



Tomorrow I am taking Aunt Martha and Uncle Christopher to a children's museum. I can't wait!

Road Trip-Day 7

Thursday, September 6

Today was another long day in the car. We left Ypsilanti, MI in the morning and drove to Ohio. See a picture of me saying goodbye to Uncle Max. We went through Bowling Green where Uncle Christopher and Aunt Martha lived a few years ago. Then we went to Kenyon College in Gambier where Mommy went to college. It was her first trip back since she graduated 12 years ago. We walked around campus and took several pictures. (see below). We also went to the bookstore where Daddy bought Mommy and me some Kenyon gear. We had lunch at the Gambier Deli.

We then drove through West Virginia to Pennsylvania. Mommy insisted on singing "Country Roads" as we crossed over the bridge to Wheeling, WV.

That afternoon we arrived in Pittsburgh. Uncle Christopher met us at the hotel and we drove to his house in Highland Park. Aunt Martha had cooked a nice pasta dish and corn on the cob for us. I fell asleep on the trip back to the hotel. I can't wait until tomorrow to see more of Pittsburgh.

Road Trip - Day 6

Wednesday, September 5

Today was another quiet day. Mommy and Daddy did some laundry. We took a walk outside and I got to see my shadow. I also did my favorite activity, climbing the stairs.

In the afternoon we were going to go on a drive with Uncle Max so he could show us the sites. First I took a nap, then Daddy took a nap. By the time Daddy and I woke up Uncle Max was taking a nap. Eventually we left. Uncle Max took us to Detroit. We got to see Grosse Point. We also saw Wayne State University where Cousin Arvin and Cousin Leslie are going to school.

Then we went to Ann Arbor. Daddy and Mommy couldn't believe how big University of Michigan was. The hospital complex was huge. Aunt Jem works at the hospital in the pharmacy. We also saw Concordia College where Uncle Max is a student.

We got home late and I was very tired.

Tomorrow we leave for Pittsburgh but Mommy has a special detour planned.

Road Trip-Day 5

September 4, 2007

Today was a pretty quiet day. My Daddy and I went on a long walk around the neighborhood and we met some neighbors. I also spent some time with Mommy watching the construction next door. The men were doing a lot of banging and digging. Then they mixed concrete and poured it.

I took a long nap this morning while Daddy worked on fixing Aunt Jem and Uncle Max's computers. Then in the afternoon we went out. Mommy and Daddy had talked about some more sight-seeing but then they decided to take advantage of some labor day sales so we went shopping. I'm not complaining because most of the clothing they bought is for me. My favorite store was the Carter's store at the Outlet Mall because there was a Lego table and Lego for me to play with.

All in all a quiet day, but different from normal.

Have a good night!

Road Trip - Day 4

September 3, 2007

Today we went sight-seeing. In the morning we just went to the local grocery store (a Kroger's). It took Mommy and Daddy and Cousin Arvin a long time to find everything they needed (including my favorite yogurt) but several nice people helped them out.


After my afternoon nap we went to Detroit. On our way there we went through an interesting shaped bridge. Mommy tried to take a picture later in the day. We also passed a huge Uniroyal tire. Then we got to Detroit. Even though it was closed we got to see many of the cars on display at GM World in the Renaissance Center. Uncle Max works nearby so I got to see him and play high-five with him.


We wanted to see the Detroit Jazz Festival and the riverfront. We actually spent more time walking by the water than at the jazz festival. We walked along the riverfront where we could see Canada. You could get to Canada by taking a tunnel or a really long bridge. There were some cool sprinklers/fountains. A lot of boys and girls were in swimsuits and were really enjoying them. I was able to get my hands wet (and Daddy's shoes). We walked down the riverwalk to the carousel where I went on my first ride. I was a little nervous but I will want to go again. Then we went to get some ice cream. Both Mommy and Daddy shared their ice cream with me.

My favorite part of the walk was watching all of the boats and the jet skis on the river. They made cool noises. Some of the jet ski drivers were coming around and doing tricks for everybody on the pier. They were moving too fast and were too far away for us to get a picture.

We walked back to the jazz festival and heard some of the music. We also saw some other cool fountains. We then went back to visit Uncle Max at his job. Mommy and Daddy were convinced I would fall asleep in the car on the way back to Ypsilanti but I fooled them.


Tomorrow we will do some more sight-seeing.

Road Trip, Day 3

September 2, 2007

I woke up at my normal time, 7:00 am this morning. I don't think Mommy and Daddy were ready to get up yet. After breakfast I played with my toys in Uncle Max and Aunt Jem's living room. Then Daddy and I went outside and practiced walking.

The rest of the day we just took it easy and relaxed. Mommy and I took a long nap. In the afternoon the three of us went on a long walk around the neighborhood. A lot of houses are being built right now. On our walk we went right next to a corn field.

I showed Aunt Jem a lot of my tricks today. Now she knows where my head is and where my nose is. Maybe tomorrow I will show her my knees. My favorite part of Aunt Jem and Uncle Max's house is the staircase. I like to climb the stairs. For some reason Mommy and Daddy insist on being behind me while I climb the stairs.

Tomorrow we are going sight-seeing.

Road Trip - Day 2

September 1, 2007

Wow! We drove a long distance today! Everyone (including me) slept until 9:00 am. We ate a little breakfast and then got in the car. Check out the picture of me helping Mommy pack the cooler.



Last week my Daddy turned my car seat around. I can now look out the front window and see what he and Mommy see in the car. As we drove through Pennsylvania I looked at the farm land. I read some books and sang silly songs with Mommy. We also listened to some music. We stopped near Somerset, PA for lunch.

After lunch I took a 3 hour nap in the car seat. Mommy also took a nap. We then entered Ohio. Mommy had told Daddy it would be flat, he seemed to be surprised at how flat it was. We stopped in Ohio at a nice rest stop. You can see a picture of me walking with Daddy.

While we were driving Mommy and Daddy made a list of all of the license plates that we saw.

• Pennsylvania



• Missouri



• New Jersey



• Virginia



• Maryland



• New York



• Ohio



• Michigan



• Wisconsin



• West Virginia



• Georgia



• Colorado



• South Dakota



• Washington, DC



• Arizona



• Delaware



• North Carolina



• Connecticut



• Maine



• Iowa



• Tennessee



• Massachusetts



• Florida



• Illinois



• Indiana



• Alaska



• Texas



• Washington



• Oklahoma



• California



• Oregon



• and Ontario
  

We then went near Toledo Ohio and then into Michigan. Daddy couldn't believe that the speed limit was 70 miles an hour. It wasn't even an Interstate.

We then drove to Ypsilanti and to Aunt Jem and Uncle Max's house. They have a nice house with 4 bedrooms. Even though I was in a new place I was excited to see my booster seat/high chair and my pack and play to sleep in. I had a nice dinner of spinach balls (one of my favorite foods) and then I went to sleep.

I think I like this road trip.

My First Road Trip - Day 1

August 31, 2007

Today my mommy, daddy and I started on my first big road trip. We are going to Ypsilanti, MI to visit my Uncle Max and Aunt Jem. I haven't seen them since December. On our way back we are going to Pittsburgh, PA to visit my Aunt Martha and Uncle Christopher.

Daddy worked today so we didn't leave until late. Actually Mommy took me to the car and I fell asleep while Daddy packed the car. We then drove to Carlisle, PA. When we got to Carlisle we checked into the Hotel Carlisle. We had a nice surprise because Mommy had been picked as "Guest of the Day". She got a special certificate. The men at the front desk then made a special certificate for me making me "Guest of the Day" too.

We went to our hotel room. I was a little confused as to where I was but since it was so late I was able to fall asleep quickly. So far I don't know what to make of this road trip.

More tomorrow.