Running Bambino

So my amazing sister and her amazing hubby found the BEST running stroller on the market on craigslist and got it for me for my b'day. They gave it to me in SC, then Dan's parents brought it up to NJ. Thus, I didn't get to try it out until today. It was Great! James, of course, slept for most of the ride, but we went 4.5 miles, and it wasn't difficult at all. Thanks, Team Winter!

Traveling Bambino

So yesterday, James and I returned to the Garden State after an eventful 10 days in South Carolina. The trip began with Dan, James & I flying down together to celebrate Pop's 60th birthday. Aunts Mag & Ali and Uncle P came as well. It was all a big surprise and worked out better than we could have hoped. Mag made us "I <3 Dad" shirts (James's said "I <3 Pop"), and we all convened in the Food Lion parking lot to caravan to Ivy Field Road where we stood in the driveway with balloons singing "Happy Birthday." Dad came outside in tears, hugged each of us, then walked back inside carrying James. It was pretty fantastic.

James enjoyed himself all weekend, getting loved by all his Freeman family. Aunt Ali & Uncle P left on Monday, then Daddy and Aunt Mag left on Tuesday. During the trip James got to spend lots of time visiting his great-grandparents, and even went for a spin in Great-Granddaddy's motorized chair. (It was highly entertaining to watch.) We also took a trip to McClellanville to meet Great Uncle Bill, Great Aunt Kathleen, and Daddy's cousins & their children. That was fun! There was also a daytrip to Charleston to hang out with Aunt Mag (and allow her to show James off at work) and a day spent with Mommy's friend Christine and her cute sons. On Saturday James spent the morning at the Gravatt reunion with Mommy, then went home with Nana for the afternoon/evening. We also went to church, to Nana's school, out to eat, shopping, and to the zoo. By the way, the animals seemed to love James; they all came quite close as if to greet him. Of course, this amazingness was lost on him.

James did great on both flights! I put him in the Bjorn and just walked easily through check-in and security. He was quite well-behaved in the air, m0stly eating and sleeping. On the way down to SC, we had a 90 minute delay after boarding, but James was fine. Dan even changed him in the plane's restroom while we waited for a Captain to come drive the plane. On the return trip I erroneously thought that James had a poopy diaper, and changed him in the (tiny) restroom during the bumpy flight. Now, that was an adventure!

It was wonderful to spend such quality time with family and friends, but it is good to be home! ( Now we just have to re-train James how to sleep in his crib through the night!)

RIP

This morning the butter pig died.

He plummeted from his perch inside the fridge door and broke into many pieces on the kitchen floor.

I cried. He was pretty much the best butter dish ever.

Rest in Peace, Butter Pig.

Gene Simmons, Watch Out!

This is James's latest skill. It started over the weekend. He stuck it out here and there-- once at church, a bit at the party, ... He spent all day today sticking out his tongue. When Dan got home from work, it was out of control. At one point, Dan was in hysterics, begging James to "put it back in" so that he could stop laughing. It is so pointy and cute!

Mommy Movie Day

So today James & I went to the movies with our mommy & baby friends. The theater in Ramsey was having Mommy Movie Monday (hopefully the first of many). The film was "Atonement," although none of us really cared-- it was just so fun to go to a theater without worrying about whether/when your baby would cry, etc. As is turns out, James never cried. He ate and slept through the movie, and I quite enjoyed his snuggles. The flick was fine-- I most enjoyed the score.

This was the fourth exciting day in a row for James. On Friday we went to school. On Saturday he spent the morning with Daddy-- going to the grocery store & mall to get birthday goodies for Mommy-- and the afternoon hiking and dining with our friends. Sunday included not only church, but also a party given in his honor at the rectory where he received all kinds of great clothes and books! He continued to be agreeable and delightful for all his social events!

We are so lucky. We realize it. He is wonderful.

Visiting School

After making arrangements with my replacement, I took James to visit my school and my fourth graders today. It was awesome! First, two of my dearies were in the lobby en route to make an office delivery when we arrived. They were so excited and surprised to see me and doted over James. The two of them literally pulled me through the halls to our classroom, running ahead at the end to announce my presence. The kids went nuts. They all oohed and ahhed over James and pretty much mobbed the two of us. We received many pieces of origami and such. My favorite "gift" was the name placard that I'd made for student James's desk back in the fall. He signed the back of it and put it in James's stroller. Amazingly, Baby James was extremely tolerant of all the attention and noise. After promising to return before dismissal. James and I went to visit some of the faculty. Sadly I didn't get to see everyone that I wanted to, but James was probably overstimulated as it was! He really was a love, being held and admired by so many different people. It was a blast for me to be there and see everyone. We made it back to my class in time to walk them out to dismissal (during our procession, they all announced James's presence to all). I had a lovely chat with my principal, and concluded my visit relaxing and walking out with my good (pregnant) pal who teaches second grade. I'm dying to go back again soon!

Happy April!

I love April. It contains my birthday and our wedding anniversary, for starters. It's usually home to Easter. It's when we found out we were expecting our cute lil' James. There's the Masters. Spring Break. Often it is when I head south for a 10K and a jolt o' goodness in the form of family and azaleas. And sometime during this month is when spring usually arrives in NJ. Right now we just have buds on some trees-- not many-- and there are some daffodils poking around.

OK, I have to tell you that right now the cutest baby in the world (aka James) is talking away whilst lying beneath his mobile. I mean, the kid is just going on and on. I really wish I knew what he was saying. Also, he looks really cute right now in a little Winnie the Pooh hoodie.