Free Fall'in It

Now that summer is over, I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to do on the days that Leah and I are home alone together. We were in a really good routine the last days of summer. We would get up, have breakfast, watch Sesame Street, Go to the park, come home and have a snack, she would nap and then we would have lunch. After lunch, she would play with toys for a bit, we would go out and play in her little pool, she would come in and have another snack and then go down for another nap...by the time she woke up Daddy would be home!!!

Now that the weather is getting cooler, our schedule is all over the place. The mornings almost seem to chilly to go to the park, so we have been venturing out in the afternoon, but what else can I do to fill the days. We read lots of books, play with puzzles and toys, but I feel like she is getting bored here at home with me...SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!! The last 2 weeks were especially tough, with Mitch being gone on his Colorado hunting trip. It was so nice to pick him up on Saturday and have him home with us yesterday. On Friday we had a WONDERFUL visit to the aquarium with our friends Kathleen and little Ryan. I wish we could have stayed longer, but Leah crashed!!! If only we lived closer and could do playdates more frequently. I am going to start looking into Kindermusic and Gymboree...anything to get us out of the house, or else this fall will lead to a really long winter. Here are some pictures of Leah's first try with play-doh and coloring.

Little Matty got married!

So I have been on hiatus for the last 2 weeks. I went home to Illinois the end of August to spend some time with family and friends, and to help my family...well, mostly my mom, get ready for my brother's wedding. My parents graciously planned and paid for my brother's wedding and I am so glad that they did. It was truly a wonderful celebration for Matt and Cynthia and a day that I hope they will never forget. Matt and Cynthia make a wonderful couple, with a beautiful family. I have really enjoyed getting to know Cynthia, and am so excited to have her as a member of our ever-expanding family. Congrats to the Newlyweds!!!

It was great being home, because I had babysitters on hand...something I am lacking in New Jersey. My friend Rachel babysat for Leah on Tuesday while I got my hair done, and she was brave enough to watch Leah and Colby while we were at the wedding reception. Thanks so much, Rachel. My new sis-in-law Cynthia and brother Matt watched Leah on Wed. night while I went out to dinner with Rachel and Andrea...we chatted for hours, it was just like old times minus the alcohol. We are much older and wiser :) On Thursday I went out to the river with my cousin Paul and Spencer to see my Uncle Dave and Aunt Althea...There are no words to describe how much Leah despised the sand. To say that she HATED it would be an understatement. Her tears were quickly dried when Uncle Dave gave her some fruit chews and Althea rocked with her on the "porch" swing. On Friday Leah and I got to have a playdate with my cousin Tiff and her two kids, and I was watching Colby, so we definitely had our hands full. Melissa came to hang out so that was nice, and she saved Leah from being run over by that crazy "Dennis-the-menace" Preston, lol!!! It seems that no matter how long I am home for there is never enough to time to visit and catch up with all my loved ones, but I am grateful for the time that I had with the ones that I did see.

So it may seem that I had a lot of people babysitting for me, but I got to do a bit of babysitting myself. My mom had Colby Saturday night (8/30) while Cynthia was having her bachelorette party and Matt was at work. I certainly got a little taste of what it will be like to get 2 kids ready for bed. Then on Monday, mom has Macy and Colby all day...it got a little chaotic with all 3 of the grandkids at Grandma's all day. On Friday I watched Colby most of the day, while Cynthia was having her trial hair run before the wedding. Needless to say I really got to experience what it was like to have 2 little ones, at least for short periods of time, and I think I did okay. Bath/Bed time was definitely the roughest part of the day...THANK GOD I have such a great partner in Mitch. Leah did really good with Colby. She would try to give him hugs and kisses. She would pet him like a dog, she got really good at pointing to him and saying "baby". She only tried to sit on him in his bouncy seat a few times, so I have high hopes that she will be a great big sister. It was a great trip home. I'm always sad to leave, and it makes me look forward to the next time.