Christmas 2010

I decided that I better update the blog before Christmas becomes a blur. We pretty much ran back and forth between my parent's house and my in-law's house. My brother's 29th b-day was Christmas Eve. We went down to Kemah for our annual Landry's lunch. Stephen gave me my Christmas gift early so I brought my new camera and got some great candid pictures of Cole. That evening we went to church, then my mom's house, then Stephen's grandma's house. Cole didn't make it to bed until 10:00 pm. He was exhausted. Christmas morning Cole and daddy opened their gifts and then we went to Stephen's parent's for breakfast, my parent's for lunch, and then back to my in-law's for dinner. Having both sets of parents in the same city has both positives and negatives. At least we get to spend every holiday with both families, but, on the other hand, we have to spend a good portion of our day driving all around town. Here are some of the 1,079 pictures I took between Dec. 23, 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1. I'll post some New Year's pictures later.

"I love Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn"

New York here we come. Stephen and I headed out on Thursday for the Big Apple. Cole spent the weekend in shared custody between both sets of grandparents. We arrived in LaGuardia about 5:30 p.m. after a layover in Chicago. SWA doesn't have a direct flight (I will have to talk to The Chad about that...). We met Marisa at her office building and then headed to the bus station. Normally Marisa would walk, but it was a tad chilly and Stephen and I had luggage in tow so we cabbed it. After arriving via bus in Secaucus, NJ we met up with Allan and headed to dinner at a little Irish Pub. After dinner they took us to a park that had an awesome view of the city. Here are the pics from their favorite lookout spot. Dinner in NJ

Looking towards the city

We also drove into Hoboken so I could see Carlos Bakery; the location of one of my favorite shows on TLC.

On Friday we got up early and headed into the city with Marisa. She had to work, so Stephen and I went sightseeing while she was at work. We took the bus into the city, walked to the Empire State Building, cabbed it to Columbus Circle, walked to Central Park, The Plaza and FAO Schwarz...all before meeting Marisa for lunch at The Burger Spot. After lunch we cabbed it to Rockefeller Plaza to see the tree and did a little window shopping.

Bus Stop in Secaucus

Empire State Building

Central Park

Rockefeller Plaza

Later Friday afternoon, we met up with Allan in Times Square. That place is a mad house. We tried to have dinner there once Marisa got off work, but we ended up in an Italian restaurant in NJ instead. It was great...home cookin, friendly, family owned and operated establishment.

Times Square

Grand Central Station

Saturday we headed to see Lady Liberty, Ground Zero, and the Financial District. We were headed to Chinatown for lunch and ended up in Brooklyn..one wrong turn and we were on the Brooklyn Bridge...at least there is no toll for that one. We were going to eat a Grimaldi's but the line was down the block, so we ate at Ignazio's instead. It was delicious. After lunch the boys headed to the Staten Island Ferry and Marisa and I went to see West Side Story. The musical was awesome. I'm glad we had a chance to see it. We did end up in Chinatown for dinner and did a little purse shopping after. Stephen had never been into a secret back room. It was definitely a little shady.

Lady Liberty Ground Zero


Stephen and Allan in the Financial District
Taken during Stephen and Allan's Sunset Cruise

Sunday we went to Rutherford for breakfast and then to see Marisa's grandma. She lives in a beautiful old home in an adorable picturesque town. After our visit we headed to Liberty Island to get an up close shot of Lady Liberty. After the park, we went to Yankee Stadium and then in town to Serendipity. There was a three hour wait so we ended up at Patsy's and had pizza...again. After lunch Marisa and I made a quick run in and out of Bloomie's then we were off to the airport.

Allen, Grandma O'D, Marisa

The Bronx
Serendipity

We had such a fun time. Speacial thanks to our tour guides. Love you guys... Can't wait to come and visit again...maybe in warmer months...I was freezing, even with my long johns, sweater, big coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin

This past weekend Stephen and I went to NYC and New Jersey (blog post to come) to visit Allan and Marisa. When we left on Thursday morning Cole was about 50% walking 50% crawling. When we returned on Monday morning, he was about 99% walking. He is really moving. We definitely need to do some more baby proofing. Here he is taking a stroll at my in-laws (sans his pants for some reason...I guess it makes for an easier diaper change).

Baby Steps

We have been watching Cole take steps in his baby bed for a few weeks. We can see him on the monitor take two or three steps to get from one side to the other and then flop down into his comfy mattress. Yesterday, he took two steps toward me to reach a ball. Today my in-laws said he took two and three steps to reach his favorite toy, a remote, several times today and once he even took ten baby steps to reach a ball. Watch out world.

Who needs this walker, anyway?

Sick and Tired of Viral Infections

Monday of Thanksgiving week was Cole's first trip to the doctor that wasn't for a well-baby check up. He had a runny nose for about a week and had run a fever on and off all weekend. Of course, the infection was viral so we just continued Triaminic and Ibuprofen as needed. The doctor said his fever would break and then it should go down and stay down. Of course this past Sunday, Cole started running fever again. This time it was 104.5. I was freaking out. After a dose of Ibuprofen, his fever broke, but we still took him back to the doctor and guess what....another viral infection. Are you serious? He is now 48 hours fever free. Here is a pic with Cole in his robe with his Be Koool patch. He looks like his just had a boxing match. I don't know if that patch really worked, but thirty minutes after the 104.5 temp (that we took rectally), we had a smile.