Cookies, Road Trip and Sickness

So I'm sick. I have an upper respiratory infection. Ick. I've got a cough that won't quit and a sore throat. Leo has to put up with my hacking all night but during the day all I can do is whisper so it's not a complete loss for him. Haha. It's thrown me off, feeling so crappy and having to cancel plans this week so I can stay in and get better. But as always I try to make the best of things. So to the kitchen we go. Monday Nathan and I made cookies. Ok, we really just opened the package and put the pre-cut dough pieces on the cookie sheet but this is all he has the attention span for. Also, it was his idea when he saw the cute Mickey Mouse/ I <3 Mom picture on the box. Yesterday we made chocolate dipped pretzels. Sorta. They had them at our little BBQ/ pool opening event the other day and he thought it was a great idea. So I melted a bar of chocolate, dipped some pretzels and covered them in sprinkles and m&ms. He thought this was lots of fun too. I finally figured the kid out - make it short and sweet (literally) and he will pay attention. Anyway, it's helped to pass the time and remind me what it's like to have my buddy back. My growing boy has favored his daddy so much I wondered if he forgot about me.

We had lots of time last week though, to get to know each other again when my mom and I ventured up to NY for a long visit. I packed up the many bags required to hold all the crap for two little boys and a mommy, including lots of DVD's, toys, and snacks, and off we went. We left Thursday morning and made a stop in MD for a long overdue Garrison visit. Jim & Jane were kind enough to open their home to me and my crazy boys. Aunt Mary and Elaine came for dinner as well. Nathan made himself at home with all the toys Aunt Jane put out for little boys like him. All the 'little people' and other such toys I used to play with as a kid. So fun that she saved it and now my kids can play with them! He loved walking around visiting with the statues in her garden - a turtle here, a frog there, live birds eating and bathing - the listening to the sound of the tree frogs in the distance. He spied a playground from their sun room window so of course we went off to investigate. He saw the parts of Uncle Jimmy's fire truck he is putting together and asked about the fireman helmet on the wall. "Is it real?!" He even got to try it on. He was very comfortable, busy and very good. Nathan loves to explore new places and people.

The next morning the kids were better than I could have hoped for. They slept almost the entire way. We made it to North Jersey, close to Greg & Danielle's exit, before stopping for lunch and a break. When we got to Rockland we had a quick visit with Ed's mom, Janet. She was so happy to see the little ones. And I think Nathan enjoyed her little dogs.

Friday evening, after a quick visit with my Dad and and short rest after the ride, we went down to visit Grandpa Truck in Orangeburg. It was a surreal moment: pumping the Beastie Boys at top volume in my Dads van with my kids in the back. Never imagined that scene when I used to drive those streets. We had some delicious NY pizza and Nathan got to play in the yard, on the same little playground Leo and Kerri used to use next door. He was worn out good!

Saturday I enjoyed a walk with Joanne around Rockland Lake (a usual event on the weekends I like to participate in if I can). Dad was left with the boys. When I was walking out the door he was bent over a dirty diaper exclaiming "Oohhhhhh." See ya later Dad! They survived.

A quick shower and we were off again, to Pearl River. We met up with Christine and Liza and their kids. Again, who would have imagined it, all of us sitting around with our kids. Nathan was only slightly amused with the girl toys laying about. He was more interested in abusing the dog. Our visit didn't last long after that. Benny of course is so easy still - he's either sleeping or looking around smiling at the world. I would have liked to visit with other cousins in the area but nap time was looming. We were only 10 minutes in the car and Nathan was passed out. Aahhh....a little break.

Later in the afternoon we went up the Haverstraw to a park Pop wanted to take the boys (well, Nathan). It's up near where Bay View used to be, right on the river. It's a huge playground area next to picnic areas and a 9/11 memorial. We were there for hours watching Nathan run between all things he could climb and explore. Seriously, this kid is so lucky he gets to play so much. And I'm so lucky he can get his energy out and climb. He's so very good at it. We were getting ready to leave when Dad told me to hurry with the camera. There was a red-tailed hawk just sitting there by the cars with a squirrel in his claws. We watched for a good 15 minutes or so as he tried to escape the crowd with his heavy dinner. It was so cool.

Sunday started out early and I was eager to get up and go and not just because I was leaving both boys with Pop and Jo. (Well, Pop. Joanne went out walking again. Thanks Pop!) I met friend and photographer Sarah at the hook to take pictures of Greg, Danielle and Lily. I was excited to witness one of her shoots and of course to see the beautiful Lily without my wild one running all over the place. I enjoyed watching her work, being out in Nyack and being without the boys for a little while. They were literally on me the entire time otherwise, or so it felt, but that's another story. I saw the pictures from the shoot later that week and they are amazing. I would have liked to get a session with Sarah the Great but you know what they say - you get what you pay for. We are going to have to save our pennies for a session with her someday!

Sunday afternoon was all about family. I invited whoever I could think of and Dad and Jo opened the doors. Tim & Jen, Greg, Danielle & Lily, the Martins and the Subbas were all there. Dad put on music, Jen ran around with the kids, Jo was busy in the kitchen. From the spread you would have thought it had been planned for more than 24 hours. It was the perfect impromptu coming together of families!

Sunday night we were of course zonked. Every night felt like that actually. Which would have been good. If Nathan didn't fight me every single night. The one night at Jim and Janes he did sleep with me but the rest of the time he had his own little bed. That he did not want to sleep in. But I fought it. I so wanted to big bed just for me. Just a for a few hours before I had to get up to feed Ben again! After much fighting, for many hours, Nathan did sleep. But the last few nights I was exhausted. And caved. And was surrounded by little bodies. Oh how I love those little bodies but I'd rather not get smacked in the face at 2am! Nathan doesn't stay still even in his sleep! (This is why I'm sick now people. No solid sleep will really wear you down.)

Monday we decided to go the Central Park Zoo where Aunt Jen works. An early start did not happen and traffic was no in our favor so we got there around noon. But it was ok. We had a movie going in the car and a nice cool overcast day was perfect when we got there. My favorite part: when Nathan looked out the window as we crossed the GW and said "Look, there's NYC!" My 2nd favorite part: Dad yelled at the morons driving and talking on their phones and yelled "Get off your damn phone!" Later Nathan repeated to the cars, "Get off your phone." We walked around the zoo for a while, a nice treat since we missed a zoo visit with our friends in NC the week before. We ventured through Central Park as well. I could spend days there. I love that place. Benny missed it all. Such a good sleeper.

Tuesday was a rainy, lazy day. We had some last minute visits and errands, laundry and collecting of stuff throughout the entire house. I spent time in the basement getting together Nathan's first stash of big boy legos. This was a great investment of time. We have been playing legos every day since we got home. For more than 5 minutes at a time. This is a big deal for him as he appears to have ADD at times between all the toys and activities. But legos are a winner!

Wednesday we headed home. Dad dropped us off at Greg's where we hoped into Mom's (newly repaired) car and off we went (yet another story!). It was nice to have one more little visit (and some NY bagels) before we left (thanks Greg!). The ride home was rough. It's a long way for little boys. But we made it. And we were very happy to see Daddy. Next time he's coming with us. Being both mommy and daddy was exhausting!

I don't know when we will be back but I'm glad we got all those visits in. As much as we missed Daddy, I was happy to reconnect with my Nathan, my little buddy. And there won't always be a reason to get up to Rockland. Our parents are retiring and getting ready for a new phase of life. Moves are in the future for many of them. So visits "back home" won't always be there so I'm glad for the chance to enjoy it all a few more times.