Day 2

We made good progress on our projects today, but they aren't picture ready yet. Hopefully tomorrow. Lest you think we're all work and no play, I also went to my first Bikram class this morning (it was hot), Thomas watched the Braves game and took a nap and we went to dinner and a movie. We tried to see Iron Man, but after ten minutes without sound, we got our money back and free tickets to see Wanted instead (we couldn't have stayed up for the next feature of Iron Man). But maybe we'll try it again tomorrow. After all, we're on vacation!

Day 1

Day one was pretty good! The garage is organized (enough for now), with plenty of room for stroller parking and Tom Jones hung on the wall.

Dinner break found Thomas enjoying a beer he hasn't had since college....

While I ordered a Red Stripe (to go with our fried pickles!).

In case the scale wasn't clear in the first picture...

After dinner took us to Ikea where we picked up some supplies to be used in Days 2 and 3...

As for Carter, my mom reports that they made it to Arkansas safely. She also insists that Thomas and I get down on our knees and thank the lord for giving us the best child ever. Apparently, he was a most pleasant road-trip companion.

They're Off!

Mom, Mimi and Carter just started their long drive to Arkansas. Carter will be staying with Mama Helen and Daddy Phil for a whole week! Thomas and I will drive to join them in Arkansas on Thursday, and then the three of us will drive back home next Saturday.

For the next five days, Thomas and I will be home alone. Alone with only our impossibly long list of home improvement activities to keep us company... We'll keep you posted as we (if we) make progress on the list!

Mimi's Here!

Mimi and mom arrived last night - Mom for a work conference and Mimi for her first visit to our home.
Oddly enough, Carter and Mimi's friendship was rekindled the minute she offered him a doughnut!

2 Year Check-up

Thomas took Carter to the pediatrician for his two-year check-up last week. You won't be surprised to hear that, at 38.75", he's still super tall. However, his weight, which always used to be about 50th percentile, is now closer to 90th percentile (a little over 31 pounds). What all this means is that he's somewhat better proportioned - but still a beanpole!

The child-height-predictor at ParentCenter.com predicts his height at age 18 to be 6'8" - same as his Uncle Patrick! Time will tell...

Here's some of the fine print on the calculator:
This prediction is a "best guess" but it's still just that -- a guess. Based on the formula we used there is a 50 percent chance that your boy's full-grown height will be within 0.8 inches (above or below) of this prediction, and a 90 percent chance that it will be within 2.1 inches.
Oh, and it also mentions that it may not work well for children that are exceptionally tall. But it's still fun!

Beach Party

Our town had a beach party last night, where they bring in a bunch of sand, have bands, kids activities and general merriment. We learned a couple of things at the party.

1. 60 tons of sand is not as impressive as it sounds
2. Carter does not care for the texture of sand
3. It is hard to play in sand if you are preoccupied with making sure that none of it touches you (note in the picture below that Carter is attempting to keep his feet off the sand while scooping sand into his bucket - with a shovel, of course)
4. Parents get to play on the inflatable toys for free if you bring a clingy kid
   
   

   

Picture

Park, Ashley, and "Pumpkinanner" came over to celebrate Father's Day, where the moms cooked a perfect man-meal of steak and potatoes (both with cheese!) and we watched some baseball. Much love and thanks to both moms from us dads on our special day. In the process, after MANY attempts, we managed to get a picture of the cousins with Dad/Uncle Dude.

Oops.

I spoke too soon. I'm headed back to NYC well before the crack of dawn tomorrow. I'll be there for most of this week. Thomas should have some good blogging fodder, so look for posts from him.

He loves me!

I tuck Carter into bed most nights. After he gets in bed, I cover him with two blankets, put a pillow under his head, give him his water and say "Night, night. I love you, Carter". This week, Carter has started to respond by saying "Love you, Mama."

Sometimes small things make the greatest reward.

Weekend Compromise

We had a hard time deciding what to do this weekend. Should we go to a festival where we could drink outdoors and see some art, but where it would be very hot? Should we go to the neighborhood pool where we could cool off, but where it would be very crowded?

In the end, we opted for the private pool at our house. A wee bit smaller than the neighborhood pool, but where we could cool off, drink outdoors and see (sidewalk chalk) art without the crowds. And, okay, the pool itself was crowded - but only after Carter insisted that I join him in the water...

And after a dip in the pool, it was, of course, time for a little hot tub action...

Spring Training!

In light of the Braves recent losing streak, I though it best to think on happier times in baseball...like Spring Training, when even the Cubs have a chance to go all the way. Dad and Park have managed to wrangle great seats to Braves Spring Training in Orlando for the last many (5?) years and spend one glorious weekend going to Braves games at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Astros games at their spring park down the road, eating steak and Japanese hibachi and generally having much fun without me. This year, thanks to certain logistical fates stepping in (us moving to Atlanta, which is much closer to Orlando than either NYC or Chicago), I finally got to partake of the grand trip. Unfortunately, Park's new offspring kept him from going, but Nanner is better than even spring training. I feel, however, that the tradition was continued with no particular losses..and maybe even a few gains.

Foul/Home Run/Batting Practice Balls caught/recovered: 11

Previous record by Park: 4 (maybe 5)

"Hi, Park." (or Elizabeth or Donna or Ashley)

A jealous work colleague texted me "I hope a foul balls hits you in the ear." This is the return pix-text. (No baseballs or heads were injuring during the staging of this photo)

And we went to a brand new park, Space Coast Stadium, home of the Washington Nationals. While there is a "giant rocket" outside the gate as advertised, the statue of Casey at the Bat next to it was MUCH, MUCH taller.

Our Secret

This is how we grow Carter so big. It's amazing what a little Miracle Grow will do.

Pool!

The pools in our town opened on Memorial Day weekend, so we went for a dip!

European Carryall

Carter is constantly going through my purse and wallet, so my mom and I put a purse together for him last weekend. Did I say purse? I meant to say Murse. Or Man Bag. Or European Carryall. In any case, we got him a small bag and filled it with all kinds of things: keys, change, sunglasses, baseball cards, a comb, a compact, etc. It is an excellent distraction in the car or at a restaurant, and he also likes toting it around.

Carryall on the go.

Discovering the wonders within.

Ready to hit the town.