Adventures in Babysitting

Owen sleeps in Central Park

Owen loves his water bottle!

Owen chilling in Central Park with Uncle Mike.

Getting a bite to eat - we had burgers, Owen had a bottle.

Chillin' in the hotel room.

Owen's 'just about to cry face' - getting ready for it - Waaaa, waaaa, waaaa... wait a minute, do I hear a camera?

Cheese!

No more pictures, please! I'm tired of you people. I need a nap! my diaper needs to be changed! Where are my parents?

My Favorite Owen

Last weekend, my bff and her family came to visit Mike, me, and my big belly.

I got a picture of Owen posing with Gary the Gnome.



It's hard to believe he's almost two!

Birthdays

It's amazing how quickly a year passes. Last year, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of Owen.

Today, he turns one.

Here's my tribute to Little Owen through past posts.

Happy first birthday, kid!

Happy Birthday, Owen!

Today is Little Owen's birthday - he's not so little anymore; he's turning three.  It feels like just yesterday he was born.

Happy birthday, little guy.  May you have all the sausages and bananas you can eat.  We love you!

Leaving... on a jet plane

My long-awaited trip to Miami is finally here! And while I really don't like Miami, I am looking forward to getting out of the freezing temperatures and gusty winds.

As far as I'm concerned, the stress of traveling began last night. It was nearly midnight when we finished packing, something I blame on myself due to a long week at work. But anyhow, as I was saying, the stress began last night.

Me: Have you taken out all the things you need for the weekend?

Mike: Like what? I have jeans and t-shirts out already.

Me: How about your suit, a shirt, and a tie that doesn't make you look like the biggest Republican in the place? And your square-toed shoes and dress socks?

Mike: Oh yeah, a suit.

Me: I can't wait to see Little Owen. I'm so excited.

Mike: We're going to see Owen and family? I didn't know that.

Me: Duh? Didn't I mention that we were going to a wedding? The wedding of a former college roommate? A roommate that I had when I was a student at the University of Florida and was a bleeding orange and blue gator? A roommate that was also roommates with my bff?

Mike: Oh, I must have not been listening.

Ugh.

The stress continued when I mentioned that we would be bringing my parents presents. Two carry on suitcases! That I got for free! Because if I actually went to Miami and bought my parents two suitcases, they wouldn't like them. But, since I told them I got them for nothing (FREE! GRATIS!), they are excited to receive them. Actually, I told them I had one, but with my excellent packing and organizational skills I was able to pack one into our regular suitcase and use the other one as a carry on for us.

Let me explain this: the thrill of getting a good quality anything is a success to Cubans, namely my parents. It helps even more if the good quality anything was free (FREE! GRATIS! NO TAX!). The other thing is that both my mother and I feel that the gifts we bring eachother are the greatest, most ingenius gifts ever known to man. We never stop to think that the pajamas my mom brought me could easily have been bought in my neighborhood mall or that the shampoo gift basket that I brought her could have been bought in Miami. We've been doing this for years, including the time I regifted my father a Waterford crystal eagle that I received at some charity dinner (I carried that baby on the plane with me, folks!).

But I digress... what was I talking about? Yes, stress. I am sure it will continue through the weekend. I have already heard word of my father cooking for us and packing his home cooking up in containers for us to bring back to Jersey (we can't get food up here, apparently). And there's no arguing with him, so we'll be eating his specialty dish for a few days after we get back.

I suppose I should just enjoy the attention from the family. Afterall, I'm their baby. And Mike, well, he's the greatest gringo they've ever met. I can't wait for my aunt to hug him and kiss him all over.

More on our adventures next week. And photos of us sweating in the hot south Florida sun and doing the white man's overbite to the Electric Slide!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

A Weekend in Pictures...

I'm too lazy to write a long post about our weekend in Atlanta. Here are some pictures:

Owen meets Harley

Mike and I at the Georgia Aquarium

Pretty water. Pretty fish.

Cool penguin.

More aquarium coolness.

The World of Coke

Juli poses with her Coke bottle.

All of us

Mike's angry face when I told him he couldn't buy any Coke products - no socks, boxer shorts, t-shirts. Nothing. Just a mousepad.

Owen posing on our last night. Yes, he is wearing a bathrobe enbroided with a duck. His hood also has ears. In a few years, he'll be giving Hugh Hefner a run for his money.

Owen's Baptism

Owen was baptized last week on Januay 22nd, in Fla-rida. I'm told he slept through the whole ceremony.

Happenings Around Town (and home)

We got Patrick a new pup tent to match Cousin Owen's.  This was his first time inside it.  He crawled out of it immediately I snapped this picture. 

Playing with his music table - a Christmas gift from Masi.

Living room has become romper room.

Representing the Gators!

29 Months

Patrick turns 29 months today and coincidentally, Mike and I have known each other for 9 years at this point.  Who knew back then that wed be where we are – I had no idea the day I met him!

Anyhow… the latest obsession at home is this item:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night, Patrick insisted on bringing this to bed with him and has spent this morning lugging it around the house and hugging it.  I don’t know what goes on in that head of his!

It’s not like we don’t have any toys in the house, evidenced here:

And here:

This month we’ve started experiencing more new things; Patrick amazes me daily.  He is very smart and funny.  Last weekend, Cousins Owen and Ellis came to visit and Patrick learned how to taunt a baby.  He would take the pacifier out of his cousin’s mouth then laugh hysterically.  He also likes to grab our feet and “tickle” us.  He is also speaking volumes – up, down, outside, thank you, panda, Buzz, Woody, river, Dora, Manny, Auntie, Uncle, etc, and putting words together - “More please”,  “Nite nite Mama!”.  He loves going out and says hello and goodbye to everyone he passes.  He enjoys playing with his garage and cars, as well as listening to nursery rhymes.  We are often woken in the mornings to hear him singing the ABC song, Apples and Bananas, Baa Baa Black Sheet.  He is helping at home by putting his clothes in the hamper at night and throwing away his dirty diapers.  He has also learned the art of manipulation, turning on the tears in an instant.  It’s becoming increasingly difficult to deny him things when there are tears falling out of his face.  Luckily, Mike and I are tough as nails.  :)

Weekend Getaway

This past weekend, we met up with some good friends for some fun in the sun.  Meeting halfway in Hilton Head Island, SC, we spent precious time with Patrick and friends.  Nearly 200 pictures... these help tell the story...

 I95 is a long long highway.

Patrick entertained himself by reading and playing with his Magnadoodle.

Our exit!

Pretty views on the backroads to the coast.

Pooltime!

Little Ellis grew up so fast!

Owen shows off his svelte body and tattoos!

Heading to "a beach!"

It's private, folks.  That means no outsiders are allowed.  :)

Our first view of HIlton Head Island.

Heading to the shore.

Ellis and I took a nap while the others played in the ocean.

We got everyone ice pops, but Patrick "traded" with me and took my ice cream.  He ate the whole thing!

That night, father and son partook in a great bubble bath.

Old friends are definitely the best friends.

Father and son discussing politics.  Or Mickey Mouse.

On the way home, we made a pit stop.

Can you guess where?

Celebrating with family at Disney World

 

Heading down on the Autotrain, Patrick pretends he is going to behave.

 

No trip would be complete without a trip to Downtown Disney to play at the Lego store.

 

Waiting for the bus to see Mickey Mouse.

 

The family takes over the Mouse House.

Meeting "the Pooh."

Not holding still for a photo.

Enjoying the pool at Saratoga Springs.

The Christmas tree at Hollywood Studios.

Hanging with Manny.

  

The lights at Hollywood Studios.

Thanksgiving dinner at the brother-in-law's house.

 

Back to Disney, Patrick meets a burrito at EPCOT in Mexico.

Making friends at Animal Kingdom.

Patrick meets Goliath from Jojo's Circus.

And practices his "blastoff!" with Leo from Little Einsteins.

Getting along with the Green Army Man.

Patrick meets the red Power Ranger.

Patrick and Owen had tons of fun on the speedway at the Magic Kingdom.

Old friends are the best friends.

 

Patrick and I got caught in the mosh pit dancing with Goofy.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Exhausted after a fun-filled vacation.