Baltimore Aquarium

Mommom, Poppy and mamma braved taking Miles, Annie and I to the Baltimore Aquarium all by themselves- without the help of Aunt Susan & Uncle Paul!! Can you believe how brave they are?? I would say that they are braver than the people who swim with the sharks, huh?? Mamma said she felt comfortable because there was one adult per kid- so the adults were not outnumbered. I think when we got to the aquarium and we saw how crowded it was- Mommom might have second guessed her decision to take us there- but it was all worth it!! Even me having to ride along in a back pack carrier was OK after I got used to it. At first, though- I was NOT liking it at all!!!! Mommy was slightly mortified- because I literally threw a hissy fit and it was the loudest I have ever screamed in public. Give me a little slack, though- I just had no idea what was happening- but apparently, there are no strollers allowed in the aquarium and this was the only other option other than mommy carrying me the whole time. I actually loved it once I got used to it...so mommy and daddy better look into getting one of those back pack thingys for me soon! I can only speak for myself...but my favorite part of the day was seeing the sting rays. When they swam by- right in front of my face- in the big glass case, I exclaimed "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!" Mommy said it was the funniest thing ever to hear me say that after seeing the HUGE ray swim right by us! Even the gift store- where Mommom and Poppy bought us all mementos to remember our day (yes- I got a sting ray- go figure) did not even hold a candle to seeing that cool fishy thing up close! It was even better than the sharks!! Thanks for the fun day, Mommom and Poppy!!!! I know Miles, Annie and I had a fun time and we really appreciated you taking us! As for a fear of sharks?? No way- if you guys could survive a day with us 3 kids- you can handle anything!!

Annie Grace Turns 4!!

We got to celebrate with Annie on her actual birthday!!! Actually- out of her 4 years- she has spent 3 birthdays on the east Coast! How cool is that?? We were still down at the cottage and Mommom threw together a great party with a princess theme and lots of family members to share in the festivities! The day was spent eating yummy pizza and cake (shaped like a cupcake, I might add) opening presents, playing with balloons like they were balls, swimming in the river and paying on the beach and grass. Annie got a lot of good loot- especially the cow girl outfit from Mommom and Poppy!! I had a fun time and I know that Annie did too!! SOOOO glad I got to help you ring in your 4th year, cuz!!! Hope it is a good one for you. I guess starting your birthday year off with a cool party, surrounded by family that loves you is definitely the way to go!! Happy Happy, Annie Grace!!!

Cousins!!!!!

My super cool cousins are here!!!!! YAY!!! Miles & Annie got into town on Saturday! From the minute that their plane landed, i wanted to go see them- but alas...I had to wait until Sunday to go see them. I was a bit mad at mommy for making wait that long...I am only 16 months old and my patience is not that fine tuned!!! I have not spent time with them since I went out to California in March- so the visit was long over due! It is so hard having my cousins live so far away- so I am really appreciating the time that I get to spend with them! Mommy, daddy and I headed down to the cottage to spend time with not only my cousins- but also Aunt Susan, Uncle Paul, Mommom & Poppy! We swam in the pool, watched HUGE ships pass by, ate yummy grub (including corn on the cob which I liked this time) played ball, watched Uncle Paul sleep on the hammock, threw rocks into the river, hugged & kissed, helped Poppy finish putting up the swings on the swing set he built, and just had so much fun hanging out together. I LOVE hanging out with the big kids and look up to them in every way!!! Thanks for putting up with little old me and letting me tag along with you guys! Looking forward to the rest of your visit...

Awesome Auntie

I was so bummed today- because originally Auntie Court was going to come over and babysit while mommy went to a real estate inspection. As it turns out- mommy's appointment was too far away- too early in the morning and she was not about to ask Aunt Courtney to get up at the crack of dawn to come down here. The good news is that I got to go to work with daddy for a few hours instead. As much fun as I had with daddy- I was totally upset because I was really looking forward to some Auntie/Nephew one on one time!! As it turns out- Aunt Court was awesome and came down to visit me anyway!!!!!! We ran & frolicked in the backyard, playing with- what else...balls & golf clubs!! Auntie also pulled me around in my wagon and we played wall ball! Aunt Court bopped me in the head numerous times with the ball- but I will forgive her because she is so fun, full of energy & joy that she just made my day. We ended the day watching some Yo Gabba Gabba! and me crashing at bedtime due to all the fun I had! Thanks for making the trip down here, Aunt Court!!

The Next Up & Comer??

I know that the British Open just ended...but maybe I could be a contender next year?? What do you think the age limit is, anyway? I would wager to say that 2 yrs old is just a tad bit young. I guess that just gives me a few more years to hone my skills! I know that i am no Tiger Woods, but mommy and daddy are pretty impressed with my accuracy in hitting the ball. Mommy got pegged with one of my hits the other day and was sure that she was going to have a serious welt. It seems as though I am lefty at this point, though- and daddy says that it will be harder to find coaches and people to train lefties...so keep an ear to the ground for someone reputable that would like to invest some time and effort into a 16 month old beginner golfer!!

My Cancer Free CiCi

Today I want the focus of my blog to be about my CiCi! For the last 3 months, she has been keeping a secret from me. She did not want me to worry about her- so she did not tell me that through a CAT scan, the docs saw a lump on her lung. I know she did not tell me about this because she just wanted to focus on the good and not worry about her health. Well- she sure did set aside her health concerns and we just had fun this past week. The joy that she feels and shares with all is totally contagious. From playing ball, to being launched into the air- we shared some great times- with many many more to come. I know she was concerned inside- but she never let it show. She is such a strong woman and I cannot express to you how much I love her. The good news of the day is that she had surgery and the quickie biopsy of the lump seems to be benign. Actually- it seems as though there were two lumps, one behind the other- but both were removed successfully!! I have had to learn a lot of new scary words over the past few days, most of which I hope to never have to use again! Thank goodness malignant is not one that our family will have to hear anymore!!!! Love you, CiCi...can't wait to see you when you get home from the hospital!!!!

Beach Bum

Mommy and I spent a whole week at the beach and I HAD FUN!!!!!! I ran & ran & ran, and then ran some more. Oh...and played with my ball non-stop. Daddy came to hang out with us on the weekends- but he had to go work & make money for our family...we missed him when he was not here, which made me appreciate the time I had with him to rumpus and play on the sand & in the surf!!! Last year I was scared of the water & screamed- and even the beginning of this summer, I would run away towards the dunes as the waves lapped at my feet- but this week I was a big boy and would go into the water all the time!!!! I chased my ball in countless times and was not even scared at all. Nana and Auntie Court came to see me one day and I showed them how brave I was. I have a feeling I am going to be grouchy when we go home!! I am going to miss the salt air, the seagulls squawking, the waves crashing on my tootsies and even the sand in my shorts....I am a beach bum & I love it!!

PB & Me!!

After months of me being a picky eater and mommy feeling as though I am not getting a lot of protein, she decided to feed me peanut butter. The pediatrician said not before 2 years, but mommy just did not want to wait any longer. So...with Benadryl in hand- a peanut butter sandwich I got!!! After a few minutes of poking and prodding, I took a little nibble and liked it a lot!!!!!! I finished a big portion of the piece of bread with the sticky stuff on top. Mommy was so happy- and even more relieved that I did not have an allergic reaction to it. In true Jack fashion, however...a few days later she gave it to me again and I was not so thrilled the second time. Maybe the third time is a charm???

Rose & Jeff AKA Chocolate & Golf

CiCi and Bud's very dear friends, the Hills, were at the beach the same time mommy and I decided to visit. Rose and Jeff (as they insist mommy call them since she is now an adult and in her 30's, even though she is having a hard time with it, still call them Mr. & Mrs. by accident) were a lot of fun to hang out with. Rose is a HUGE choco-haulic and every day, would ask mommy if she could give me chocolate. Each day, mommy would kindly explain that i had my whole life for chocolate and she was trying to hold off as long as possible. Well- Rose is very persistent, and finally on the 3rd or 4th day, mommy caved. So- at diner one night, Rose prepped me with her speach about how Riboflavins are good for us- and chocolate is really a vegetable since it is made from beans...yada yada yada. She was so excited to give me my first taste of the creamy dark stuff...and guess what happened next?? I refused to eat it! I did the "push test" did not like how it felt- and staunchly rejected it with no regard to Rose's feelings. Instead, I chose to eat my cheerios covered in applesauce. I had fun with Jeff too. one morning- mommy needed some down time and was trying to read her book. She had left me in the TV room with Jeff and she realized that after a few minutes she had not heard any noise from me. Well- lo and behold- upon entering the room, mamma found me perched upon Jeff's knee- watching the British Open. YAY Golf!! My daddy would be so proud! All in all- a fun filled visit with friends! Thanks for the attention, Jeff & Rose...you made me feel special and I had a fun time!!!! Looking forward to more chocolate & golf next time!

*** How could I have turned down chocolate from this sweet face?? I must be a bit looney!! ***

Make New Friends But Keep The Old...

A long lost friend of mommy's came to visit us in Avalon, today!! Miss Laura knew mommy from when they were little kiddies in Middle School- but after college they lost touch. Well- right before I was born they reconnected again and I finally got to meet "Auntie" Laura and her ADORABLE daughter, Layla. Layla and I were kindred spirits right from the get go!! Mommy and Laura were just talking away for hours on end and Layla and I amused ourselves wonderfully. We played with my balls, toys, watched a little TV, snacked and even managed to share quite well!! Auntie Laura lives out in San Diego near Uncle Paul, Aunt Susan, Miles & Annie- so I am looking forward to being able to see them again on our next visit out West. Thanks for coming over & playing, Layla! You are a sweet little girl and I had a fun fun day hanging out with you! I know the purpose of your trip here was for our mommies to see one another- but I feel like I made a new friend!! Stay in touch & I hope to see you again real soon!!!

Happy Happy, Evie!!

I went to my very first pool party on Friday to celebrate Evie's 4th Birthday!! It was such a blast for me (mommy on the other hand was a bit stressed out because of all the water and fear of me drowning) to run around the kiddie pool and play with some fun kids! I always knew that Ev was a cool big girl...but she can definitely throw a cool shin dig! There was tons of swimming, pizza, presents and CAKE! Mommy did let her hair down and was not too uptight- she let me partake in much of the big kid party. She let me have juice (apple juice, from a juice box, for the first time ever) and I even got to eat a big slice of pizza without having it cut up for me. When it came to dessert- I was not able to have a whole cup cake- but we did share a very yummy one with red icing! What was the most fun was getting to chase around after the big kids when they played on the basket ball court and rolled down the hill. They did not pay me much attention (in reality I am sure I was a hindrance to their play) but I love BIG kids and really had fun tagging along! I think Greta had a fun time splashing around in the pool and shadowing the big kids too. You threw a great party, Auntie KK & Tio Flo...mommy and I had so much fun and would not have missed celebrating such a great occasion (and getting to have tons of sugar) with your family!!