Our Chicago Trip (for BBZ's Birthday)

On Friday 9/21, I took the day off to get ready to celebrate BBZ's 4th birthday.  As requested, we went to the donut shop for breakfast.  Not a bad way to start a birthday weekend!

The drive was pretty great.  Having my awesome new car certainly helped.  We ran into a little traffic when we got there, but nothing too bad.  It was pretty late when we got to the hotel, so despite the incredible excitement we all had for the events scheduled for Saturday morning, we all slept pretty well.  Both boys ended up in our bed, but in a king-sized bed it's not too bad!

 

Breakfast was first on our list as we waited for Lego land to open.  I love this one of BBZ and N.

I can't believe he is four.  He is growing up so fast.  I didn't get a birthday cake photo on his birthday, but whip cream from a pancake should do.

Lu had fun at breakfast, too.

Here it is...Legoland!!!

This place was amazing.  There were so many awesome displays of everything made out of Legos.  BBZ loved it, although we kept having to tell him that there is more fun stuff to see and do because he really just wanted to get to the store at the end to chose his birthday Lego.  Luckily, there really was enough to keep him occupied.

The place reminded me of Chuck e Cheese, but with Lego's.  I guess the Legolands in Florida and California have rides and are much larger, but this one was just right for our boys.  There was a small jungle gym the fit LBZ perfectly.

LBZ is very much into sorting.  He loves to take things in and out and move things from one space to another.  It is so much fun to watch his mind work and to see his little plans unfold.  He stayed in this spot moving Lego pieces from one shelf to another for a nice long while.

I love this photo for a few reasons, but mostly because BBZ is busted throwing a rubber Lego block really, really hard.

They had 2 really cute 12 minute long 3D videos for us to watch too.  They really know their audience because 12 minutes was just about how long BBZ could sit still.

LBZ didn't even make it through one movie.  He and I walked around so we could watch the second one.  He did dig the glasses though.

BBZ was so excited to pick out his Lego at Legoland.  Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for BBZ), they didn't have any of the ones that he really wanted.  N had found that there was a Lego store at a nearby mall, so we walked over to the mall to check it out.

 

The walls were filled with every Lego imaginable.  They even had the VW bus, which I have had my eye on for some time.  The $120 price tag will likely keep it out of my life for quite a while.

 

I love how BBZ has his hands in his pockets.  He did find the one he wanted in the rows and rows of Legos in this store.  He left a very happy little boy.

LBZ got some Duplo blocks, too!  We hung out at the hotel, did some swimming, and called it a night.

But not before we put together BBZ's birthday Lego!  He was super excited.

Sunday morning was BBZ's real birthday.  We checked out of the hotel and grabbed some breakfast.  A birthday donut, of course.  As a side note, he really does eat much healthier than this, typically.  Birthdays only come once each year, ya know?

After breakfast we headed to the Museum of Science and Technology.  This place was awesome.

I couldn't believe how brave Lu was standing over this balcony.  It is all glass and a huge drop, but he didn't seem to mind!  He just loved exploring all that was around the museum.  He loved to be carried to, as the above photos show, but this boy loves to get down and run!

There were things for kids of all ages to do.  LBZ found 2 of his favorite things in the kids area, water and balls.

I believe this might be my very favorite photo of the entire trip.  N told BBZ that he could move this ball with his mind, so that is exactly what he is trying to do.  Love him!

It was a wonderful and successful birthday weekend trip.  And he managed to get not one, but TWO birthday Legos out of us.  He sure has us wrapped around his adorable, loving, kind-hearted, four-year-old little finger :)

THIS is why I love September.

Ahhh, September.  It's my very, very favorite.

The beautiful weather, three Z birthdays, a broken computer and lots and lots of outdoor activities contributed to my lack of blogging in my very favorite month.  And what do I have to show for it?  Over 200 pictures!

Don't worry, I didn't include all of them.  And it seems like the best way to catch everyone up on what we have been up to is to divide our month into three posts.  Here is post #1!

I'm sure I have mentioned before that N's parents are civil war reenactors.  It is so fun to go to the events where they are and participate in the activities.  This was an event at one of our local parks that had all kinds of military stuff...

I think we had gone to the mall this morning because it was pretty rainy and we needed to get out of the house.  There was a Halloween store there and BBZ chose his 2012 costume.  A ninja!  He was so pumped about the ninja swords that we let him play with them that day.  Big mistake on our part because they are both broken already!

 

Even the Clydesdale's were there!  These horses are so big and beautiful.

 

That's what BBZ and his daddy are looking at.

 

Have you heard of the website dear photograph?  Check it out.  I thought of that concept when I took this picture.  I'd love to have BBZ come back to his back yard one day, reminisce about our sweet Delilah, and take a photo holding this one :)

Later this day we did one of our favorite outdoor activities...bubbles!

My happy boy.

 

We also celebrated my birthday on Labor Day weekend since N was off work and we were all together.  When I woke up, BBZ gave me this and said that he drew me a treasure map to find my presents.  He then led me downstairs and under the steps to get my present.  He was so excited! 

 

I have since returned to eating dairy, but at the time of my birthday, LBZ and I were still dairy free.  I wasn't even going to have a cake, but BBZ said I really needed one.  So I found a mix that was dairy, peanut and gluten free, which turned out pretty awesome!  I only had one "3" candle from BBZ's birthday last year, so we all pretended to have double vision since I am now 33.

For my real birthday we went to our old neighborhood, which is one of the "best streets in America" and had dinner at one of our favorite places.  BBZ won a prize...

...I had a delicious beer...

...and LBZ toddled around our old block with N as BBZ chased behind him.  It was a lovely evening and an absolutely perfect way to spend my birthday.

 



I told N that I really wanted a new car for my birthday.  My Xterra, while I loved it dearly, left me stranded 3 times in the last 3 months.  So I was ready to start looking at something new.  So, N bought me this...

...not exactly what I had in mind, but I'll take it!

 

The next week I decided to start looking into a new car.  I will save the story for another day, but this is what I bought myself!  I love it so much.  I will be pinching pennies for a little while, but driving it is so awesome.  I have never had a brand new car!  It only had 21 miles on it when I drove it off of the lot.  I love it!  And now we have a reliable car to travel with.  And miss Delilah can fit too!

For LBZ's real birthday, we decided to have a small little mini party for him.  We planned to have a joint party for both boys since all of the guests would be the same, but I really wanted to have a special little celebration just for him since the first birthday is such a big deal.  My mom came in town and N's family came over to celebrate.

I love this one.  They both love watermelon!

The Friday after LBZ's birthday, I officially gave up the fight against tubes for his ears and opted for the surgery.  It was such a hard decision, but it was one that I finally came to peace with.  He sailed through it and was barely crying as he woke up from the anesthesia, unlike his brother who cried for at least 20 minutes straight.  The doctor said that they sucked out a huge amount of fluid, so much that he wants to see him again in a week or so to make sure the tubes don't get clogged.  This still hasn't gotten us to the root of the problem, but at least he can finally have some much needed relief.

 

The day after his surgery, we had a one-day camping trip planned at our friend's vineyard.  Each year , a group of friend's help them harvest the grapes they grow to both sell and to make their own wine.  It's a lot of work, but we have fun and have a camping party afterwards on their land.

 

You know it's not a Z family road trip if one of the boys doesn't pee on the side of the road.

 

LBZ had a fever that morning which we figured was either from his 1-year vaccines or was a mild reaction to the surgery. It topped at 102.9 and barely came down with Tylenol.  So rather than camp like we planned, we packed the boys back in the car and headed home.  It was definitely the right decision as LBZ had a hard time sleeping in his own bed that night.

 

The boys were pretty worn out!

We headed to the park multiple times in September, so here are some random park photos :)

September is a big month for Jewish holidays.  As I've mentioned, we are not Jewish, but the boys go to a Jewish Community Center for preschool, so they observe and celebrate all of the Jewish holidays.

 

N and I try to share the days off, and one of them landed on Monday and Tuesday.  I'm already off on Mondays, so N got to spend a lovely Tuesday with the boys.

 

They had some lazy time in the morning, but it wasn't long before they were off to the zoo!

This is one of BBZ's favorite spots.

N sent me a text that said "That peacock stole my French fry!!!  Poor Lu."  I didn't quite understand that text until I saw this photo on instagram.  So cute!

I love him.

I love this photo.  LBZ LOVES to swing, but BBZ does get a little over excited about it and may have pushed him just a little too hard this time.

 

I love how extra fuzzy LBZ's hair is here.  And I love that he is growing into BBZ clothes.  When he wears something that BBZ wore, I am reminded of things BBZ and I did while he was wearing certain outfits.  I love it.

 

Notice all of the apples pieces on his shirt below?  For some reason he likes to chew on apples, but he almost never swallows it.  Just one of his funny things, I guess.  He is also waving and saying "hi, da-da" even though N is no where around.  He does love his daddy though and runs to him when he gets home form work.

 

At the end of the month we visited our closest neighborhood park that was having a festival.  We played games, toddled around, and watched some performers.

There is a class at BBZ's school called Little Ninjas that N and I have considered signing BBZ up for.  We did soccer last year, which was a major fail.  I've been hesitant to pay for anything else since he didn't enjoy soccer, but he has insisted that he wants to do little ninjas, so we will see.

 

I took him to this performance so he could see what it's like to be in a class like this, and he really loved it and wants to take a class.  Hopefully they will have a winter class since we missed the fall one.

 

Whew, so that's the beginning of September!  I already have 2 more posts loaded with pictures that I need to post.  Hopefully I will get to those soon!

Four Years Old.

Dear Big Brother Z,

Today, my eldest son, you are four years old.

It's hard to believe that four years have passed since you came into our lives. I don't really remember what life was like before you came along. I feel as though you have always been with me.

You are really coming into your own. I see your personality further developing and I could not be more proud of the kind-hearted boy you are. Your teachers say that all the girls at school like you and they think it's because of your kindness. That makes my heart smile.

You sure can be a challenge though. I know those times are just you exercising your independence from your daddy and me, and I try hard to stay patient and try to teach you about the world. You already have so much figured out.

I can't wait to see how your interests develop. I know you already have a story and I can't wait to see how it's written. Will you continue to love to swim? Will you excel at karate since you "want to be a ninja and save the world"? Will you like sports? Or music? Will you be a scientist since you have shown interest in experiments? Only time will tell, and while I wouldn't wish your youth away for anything, I am so excited about what the future holds for you.

You still ask me to stay with you in bed until you fall asleep. While I sometimes wish I could say goodnight and leave, that time at night is so precious to me. You like to talk for a while, then have me sing Three Little Birds, then lay with you until you fall asleep. You are honest and vulnerable at this precious time, and I learn so much about you right before you fall asleep. I wouldn't change it for the world.

You teach me to keep life simple. That nothing can cure hurt feelings like a kiss and a piece of chocolate. That I am getting older. That we all need to ask for what we want (like when you get in trouble and tell me "I'm so sad mommy, I need a hug").

You made us a family four years ago, and you continue to teach me about what is really important in life. I love you so much, BBZ.

Love,
Mommy

Little Brother Z is One Year Old!

Dear LBZ,

One year ago today, my sweet littlest boy, you came into our lives.  I remember the day of your birth like it was yesterday.  I remember the way you looked with the bag of water still covering the right side of your face and head, the way your sweet cry sounded, the unbelievable feeling of accomplishment I had when the birth was over, and the way it felt to finally hold you in my arms.

 

You were the picture of perfection in this mama's eyes.  You were so soft, and snuggly, and my perfect little second born.  And have been a different mama to you.  I am more relaxed.  I am more comfortable.  I have done this once, and I was so much better prepared this time.

You were such a happy baby.  I complained about your sleep, but overall you have always done fairly well.

It was crazy when you found those fingers!  I still can't believe you would just fall asleep on the floor.  You were never reliant on me for falling asleep.  At times you were, but it was rare.  You have spent your first of many years being our Mr. Independent.

That fuzzy hair was just to die for!  There is a small part on the back that still stands up, but not like it used to.

Oh, those eyes!

You are walking all over our home.  I can't believe how fast you mastered it.  Two weeks after you took your first steps you decided that walking would be your main mode of transport, and you do it well!

 

 

You have a great vocabulary already.  You say milk, mama, dada, brother, bottle, ball, more and bye-bye.  You have a temper too!  You throw things when you are mad and throw yourself on the floor when you are frustrated.  We might be in for it with you and that temper.  We shall see :)

 

You hold your blanket so softly to your cheek when you are tired or feeling snuggly.  You still suck your 2 fingers on your left hand a lot.  It's starting to drive me crazy, but I know it will likely work itself out.

 

You eat an unbelievable amount of food.  You love fruits and veggies and just about everything else I offer you.  Tuna, turkey, hummus, peaches, pears, apple slices, fish sticks and crackers are just some of your favorites.  Watermelon is probably your absolute favorite food.  That's one reason why I made you the cake I did.

 

 

 

You also absolutely love your bath.  The other night, we were in the great room and I asked if you were ready for your bath.  You waddled all the way back into the bathroom and looked at me pointing and saying "bat, bat, bat!"  It was so cute.  We also sing a "bye-bye water" song when it's time to get out, so when I push the button down to drain the water you start swaying back and forth and singing "ba-ba, ba-ba".  I so look forward to your bath time!

 

You also LOVE your daddy.  You run to him when he comes home from work and pat his back when he picks you up.  You walk around the house saying "da-da, da-da" wondering where he is.

 

You have brought so much joy to our lives, sweet baby Lu.  You have made me question so much about myself as a mother and have helped me grow, just in one year.  I am so looking forward to what the future brings and can't wait to watch you and your brother grow.

 

I love you so much.

 

Love,

Mommy