Florida trip: April 2011

I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted ANYTHING on the blog! We had an amazing time in Florida and since we have been back it has been non-stop BUSY around here!

Let's re-cap Florida:

The weather was in the high 80s and low 90s every day with on and off clouds. We had perfect beach weather! Mikey LOVED being outside. The first day we were there we went for a walk and played at the playground. Mikey had more fun playing in the wood chips and getting messy than he did playing on the equipment! (He had 2 baths a day!!) On Tuesday and Wednesday we were at the beach for three hours both days. You would never even know that Mikey was there! He totally occupied himself with his beach truck and digging tools that Aunt Diane bought for him. He also enjoyed splashing in the ocean and finding shells.

Every night after a delicious dinner (courtesy of my grandparents), Mikey loved running around on the patio playing ball, talking to the birds and watching for airplanes. He was so happy and content---no tantrums or other two-year-old behaviors were exhibited on the entire trip!

It was so nice to peel off some layers of clothing when we got to Florida--it was in the 30s in Philly when we left on Sunday morning. So when we got to Aunt Diane's house I changed Mikey from sweatpants into shorts. You could tell he felt funny as he kept feeling his legs looking for the rest of his pants. He also walked around the house barefoot and was exploring all of the different textures of the house with his feet very cautiously---the carpet, ceramic tile, welcome mat, etc.

Mikey was excellent on both airplane trips. On the way down it was light out (we took off at 8:45am) and Mikey did not want to miss a thing. I had more than enough to keep him occupied for the 2 1/2 hour flight but the thing he loved to do the most was unhook the tray and re-hook it with his feet! What a talent! On the way back to Boston Mikey was awake long enough to place his order with the flight attendant for "juice" and then fell asleep. Both times when we landed and pulled into the gate, Mikey looked at Mom and I and said (and signed) "more" repeatedly.

Here are some pictures from our stay:

Day 1: Enjoying his cannoli

Spending quality time with Uncle Armand

When Mikey needed a break he went into "The Cave" (Uncle Tom's "man cave") to watch Elmo. Guaranteed this was the first time Sesame Street was ever watched in the Man Cave!

Great-Grandpa, Mikey & Grandma

Mikey & Great-Grandma Anne

Busy digging

Such a happy boy!

Playing in the water

1, 2, 3....Weeeee!

Relaxing at the pool before we headed back to Boston

We owe a very big thank you to Aunt Diane, Grandma and Grandpa Tulumello, and Uncle Armand for a wonderful visit! Another big thanks to Grandma Anita for all of her help with Mommy and Mikey over the week----I never could have done this by myself!

We love you all! xoxo

Tantrum Part 2

So the public tantruming wasn't just a one day thing.


It carried over to My Gym yesterday, too.


For 30 minutes straight.


Not cool.


I'm really hoping Mikey gets this out of his system before our flight on Sunday morning.


Maybe I should stock up on ear plugs for the nearby passengers?!?!?

New Friends

This week we have been VERY busy getting ready for our trip to Florida. We will be there for 5 days and 4 nights. I starting packing last weekend....almost finished! We have spent more time preparing for the trip than we will actually be there! Ha!

This week Mikey has been a bit emotional/weepy. Not sure if this is a two-year-old phase or if he is coming down with something. My guess is he is feeling just fine because he was an angel for Eva on Tuesday. Lucky Mommy gets the blunt of it. Yipee.

Mikey had his first tantrum out in public yesterday---at Toys R Us of all places! He had his rain boots on in the car, but kicked them off and wouldn't let me put them back on before we got out of the car, so he needed to ride in the cart. Mikey didn't think so. He wanted me to carry him, my bag and the item that we were exchanging. I think he was partially hungry and thirsty, but offering food at that point in time didn't work. The looks we got from the other customers were just plain MEAN, like no one elses kid ever tantrums. To quote my friend Leah "Oh come on. In Toys R Us? Puh-lease". I remember reading articles online about how your kid will inevitably have a tantrum in a public place (and how to handle it) yet thinking the whole time "not MY kid!". Ha!

This week Mikey has some new favorite toys. He received a Toy Story themed Lego set from his friend, Zoe for his birthday party. It has a garbage truck and blocks for stacking, as well as characters from the movie: Woody, Buzz Lightyear and an alien. Mikey has seen the Toy Story movie twice and now gets the concept that the figures are from the movie. He requests the movie constantly (more so than the beloved "trucks" if you can believe it!) and takes his new "friends" everywhere---in the car, to the gym, to his room for diaper changes, to the table for meals, EVERYWHERE. I know what he will be watching as we drive to New Jersey tomorrow night! I'm not sure if I want to bring these "friends" with us to Florida and risk them getting lost somewhere amongst all of the commotion on the plane, etc. We'll have to come up with a better (or bigger) option.

Happy Thursday!

Visit with the Gates Family

On Friday Mikey and I drove down to Scituate for the day to spend time with the Gates family. I used to work with Zach when he was in Early Intervention and now he is 5!! Zach is now a big brother to Lyla (1 1/2 years old)---a real social butterfly and comedian! Mikey had a great time playing with the kids and all of their fun toys (he didn't want to part with the truck when it was time for lunch....as you can see by the above picture!). Thanks for a great day everyone! We had so much fun! Can't wait to see you again this summer!

Mikey & Ruby

I think Mikey has his first girlfriend.....

Sirens on Saturday

Mikey experienced one of the biggest thrills of his life on Saturday while we were out shopping at Legacy Place. We were in Stride Rite getting Mikey some crocs for Florida and all of a sudden the fire alarm went off. We immediately had to evacuate the building and as we walked out we heard the sirens in the distance. At this point we knew we couldn't leave with the fire trucks approaching. We saw 4 fire engines pull into the shopping area and one truck pulled up right in front of us. Mikey was in my arms, frozen with the "deer-caught-in-headlights" look. He watched the firemen, fully dressed in uniform, climb out of the truck and go into Gymboree (next door to where we were----a two year old pulled the fire alarm). The driver of the truck came over to Mikey and gave him a high-five. Mikey was in heaven. At the last minute I had Mike take a picture of the trucks with his phone for the blog. I'm going to have to start carrying my camera EVERYWHERE.....you never know what is going to happen!

Top 5 Reasons We Love April:

1) Baseball is BACK! In this house some of us root for the Red Sox, others the Yankees but we are ALL Washington Nationals fans! Baseball season in our house is quite interesting. It's calm and friendly now.......check back with us in October! I'm not prediciting it will stay that way!

2) April is Occupational Therapy month! How are we going to celebrate? Hmmm.....

3) The Masters is on next week (April 7-10). I am definitely more excited about this than Michael or Mikey. How can you not get excited by the beautiful Augusta National Golf Club and more specifically the 12th hole?!?!? The gorgeous stone bridge (the Hogan Bridge) leading to the green and the colorful flowers surrounding the course are stunning. It just makes me long for the warm days of summer.....which hopefully aren't too far away;

4) Mikey turns 25 months today (April 1)! This means we have 11 more months experiencing these "terrible two" behaviors. Fun. I'm not wishing the time away.....but I AM wishing that these tantrums will disappear soon!

5) WE ARE GOING TO FLORIDA!!! Grandma Anita, Mommy and Mikey will be flying to Florida from Sunday, April 17 until Thursday, April 21. We are VERY much looking forward to spending quality time with Aunt Diane, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle A and THE SUN. As for specific plans nothing is set in stone yet but we are hoping to sink our feet into the sand and enjoy some warm weather. This has been one long winter. 16 days and counting! Yay! (And a big thank you to Michael for letting Mommy and Mikey take a mini-vacation while he stays behind to work!)

What are YOU looking forward to in April?