Play Date

A week ago today Owen, Lexi and I had a very special visitor come to play with us for the day! My cousin Carlie Beth made the trip to boston during her winter break from RPI. Both of our parents have been very good friends since before any of us were born and because of this we have always referred to them as our Aunt and Uncle (they are also Danny's god parents). I have known Carlie and her older sister Audrey since they were both infants, danced with them and babysat them. We have some great memories together and Carlie can always make me laugh. She has grown up to be such a beautiful, fun loving, outgoing, smart, young women and I am so lucky to still have her in my life and be able to meet Owen.

We had so much fun when she came to visit. We played at the apartment, went over to the park and picked up lunch at one of the local sub shops right at the end of the road. We can't thank her enough for making the trip and hope she is doing well back at college!

Owen showing Carlie all of his toys 

 Swinging at the park

 Thanks for coming to visit us! 

Doggie Love

When we traveled last weekend, we dropped Lexi off at her second favorite place to be besides the park -- my parents house. Since I was working on Friday and we left on Saturday, Owen and I drove Lexi on Thursday. On Friday, it was the first time that I was home with Owen without our sidekick Lexi and boy did we miss her. I really didn't realize how much we depend on her ... she cleans up the mess that Owen always makes at every meal ... she gets us motivated to take at least one walk a day (even on the gross rain/cold days) ... there is usually one time during the day that Owen and Lexi will play with each other which will buy me a few minutes to clean after my little hurricane ... and of course the unconditional love. No matter how tough the day has been ... no matter how much of a grump Owen was that day ... Lexi is always there to share her kisses and snuggle up close and silently let you know just how much she loves us. The funniest part of this little story is when we got back home and I was snuggled in bed with Lexi at my feet reading a Baby Talk magazine ... this was the last page and I couldn't help but smile and realize just how true it really was!

(Click on picture to make it larger)

I also want to mention that I am sending positive thoughts to a good friend who had to send her first fur baby to her Dad's house because her baby may be very allergic to him. You are so strong to do this and we are thinking of you and your family and hope it all works out because we know how important your fur baby is to your family!

A Special Weekend Part 2

On Sunday after a wonderful brunch, the Hunter clan loaded the cars and headed to Geoff's and Giselle's house for the rest of the long weekend. It was only a 4 hour drive from North Carolina to Virginia and surprisingly enough both of the boys slept the entire way there! Thank goodness. On top of that, we arrived right in time for the Giant's big playoff game against Green Bay which made Daddy very happy.

Sleeping in the car

During the game, both of the boys had a blast playing. Noah was very cute and wanted to do whatever Owen was doing or playing with. It is amazing how much they learned from each other while we were there. Noah learned it was important to share and Owen learned that you can't always get your way and it was OK to hang out with anyone other than mommy -- which Noah is a CHAMP at! Anyways, while the boys were playing the big boys were watching football which ended in our favor -- the GIANTS WON! Hip hip hooray!

Playing 

 Sitting in the special glove chair 

 Hi Noah 

 Owen with Uncle Geoff 

 Watching the giants game 

 And the Giants WIN!!!! 

After the game, Giselle's parents, Aunt Susie, Sarah and John came over for dinner which was such a special treat! We don't usually get to see any of them so getting to spend some time with them was wonderful. Now looking back at it, I am kicking myself for not getting any pictures ... I guess there is next time right?

The rest of the weekend was laid back with lots of playing and hanging out. The boys are really like partners in crime and have a great time together. We are definitely going to have to make more trips down to see Geoff, Giselle and Noah now that they are on the east coast because it really is wonderful to see the boys interact and play with each other.

The boys playing and learning to share 

 Noah pushing Owen around the room 

 Sweet baby boys 

Noah so happy --- I love this picture. 

 Noah and Uncle Eric 

 Tubby time 

 Owen playing in the tub 

 Having a blast 

 Noah in the tub 

We had such a wonderful weekend!! Owen already misses his buddy and we can't wait for our next get together!

Looking at the planes before going back to Boston 

 Welcome home! 

A Special Weekend

Over the weekend, Owen experienced a lot of new "firsts." He took his very first airplane ride and he met his Great Nana and Great Papa who live all the way in North Carolina!

He did just ok on the flight down. We knew it would be a little rough because it fell right during nap time. He was pretty cranky before the flight but that subsided once we boarded the plane and he got to check out all of the new things he has never seen before ... the seats, seat buckle, tray, tv, window, ect. Once the plane started moving and he had his bottle, his eyes got VERY heavy and we thought for sure he was off to dreamland ... man we were WRONG! Like he does in his crib, all he wanted to do was flop around to try to get comfortable, but that is very hard when you don't have a crib and all you have are mommy and daddy's laps. Let's just say for the rest of the flight he went from being ok ... to crying ... to eating some snacks... to crying... to playing with his binki's... to throwing his binki's... to flopping around ... rubbing his eyes ... crying a little more ... laughing ... and finally we were back on the ground -- thank goodness!

Haha ... just trying to keep Owen entertained before getting on the plane ... he was yelling into the bucket :) 

 Ready for take-off 

 Wow ... look at the clouds 

Once we were off the plane, Eric's dad picked us up at the airport and Owen had a little catnap on our way to meet Eric's grandparents who we had not seen for 5 years and Owen had never met. On top of that, Geoff, Giselle and Noah also made the very special trip! We all headed over to Great Nana Phyllis and Great Papa Paul's community and both boys were excited. When we walked in the door Great Nana Phyllis was prepared with a couple of balls for the boys to play with (which both boys LOVE) and we all got to catch-up and relax before heading over to dinner.

Auntie Giselle came prepared with lots of yummy snacks -- which Owen loved

 Noah being silly

 Noah!

As a special treat, they had reserved us our own room for dinner which made it awesome for the boys to be able to run around, play and cause mayhem without disturbing other dinner guests. It was really the perfect set-up and so considerate. It made going out for dinner very easy --- which is a hard thing to do with two boys under the age of two. Both Noah and Owen were running on no naps, but were champs! They had so much fun playing with each other and eating the delicious food. Overall it was a wonderful night.

Noah getting some cuddles from Papa 

 Eric with his grandfather 

 The boys scheming up their next adventure

The next morning we went back to the same room we had dinner in the night before and had a WONDERFUL brunch and last little get together before we headed off to Virginia to Geoff and Giselle's house. Both of the boys were refreshed after a great night sleep at the hotel and were ready to party. They entertained us all during brunch and had lots of special time with their Great Nana and Papa and even were champs during picture time. It was such a special weekend and we can't thank Papa Paul and Nana Phyllis for such a great visit!

Playing on the bed in the hotel 

 Partner's in crime 

 hehe Noah LOVED the phone 

 Owen and Grams 

 4 Generations of Hunter men -- I love Noah's expression in this picture 

Again :)

 Now with Nana Phyllis 

 Great Papa and Nana with Noah

 What a VERY special day! 

Stay toned tomorrow for part two of our special weekend in Virginia :)

A New Trick

Just this week, Owen has discovered his diaper pail and figured out how to work it. He first discovered the magic power of making things disappear by placing his binki in the diaper pail as I was putting away his laundry (don't worry the binki was disinfected as soon as I got it out). And now he finds much delight in putting anything that he can find around him in the magic diaper pail. 

Tonight I actually got a little video of him in action keeping himself entertained before bedtime (A little note on his outfit ... we were trying on his bathing suit right before dinner and instead of changing him back into pants I kept them on him. Then at dinner he decided he wanted to soak himself while drinking out of his sippy cup ... hence why it looks like Owen is ready to hit the beach in the middle of January). Got to love babies! 

P.S.The giants won :) See you again next week Eli! 

G-Men

It's the first round of play-offs and the g-men need a win. Owen wanted to show his support for his favorite team. Please don't disappoint us today boys ... otherwise we will have a very sad/mad/and perhaps a little tipsy daddy...

Saturday Morning Love

Watching the squirrels and the birds and telling us all about their adventures 

 Shhh mom you will scare them away 

 Love 

After watching the birdies and squirrels play ... we decided to join them :) 

 Lexi love 

 Owen! 

We also heard there was a big game on today and wanted to show our support! 

 Hi Mom

 Getting ready to watch the game