Road-Trippin'
You went on your first road trip a couple of weeks ago! We drove out to Michigan, which took 9 hours on the way there and 11 hours on the way back, to see Papa, Gaga, Auntie Ney, Ma-wee, Ellot and doggie and to go to a wedding. We tried putting you in the car seat at 5am still asleep, but that didn't happen...
...and you slept about a total of 30 minutes on the way to Niles.
Some of this has to do with us finally turning the car seat around so you could see every "tuck" that passed, the new toys and books that we got you, a Raffi-loaded iPod and the jimmied iPad (complete with new videos) strung up with clothesline on the back of Mama's seat.
When you got antsy and started howling, "Up! Up!" we sang "Down By The Bay" at the tops of our lungs, stuffed you with grapes and pointed out nonexistent airplanes. You sang us your ABCs and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and made me read you the potty book approximately 37 times. You delighted in wandering around gas stations and rest stops and drove us (albeit adorably) batty with your "Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy.." "What, Ollie?" "Hi, daddy!" and the never-ending roll call. "Bapa?" "At home." "Nana?" "At work." "Mama?" "Right here."
We returned with some new "tucks," a doggie toy, lots of stories and some new words. You antogonized Mallory by putting your hands on her stuff and watching for her reaction and passing around bites like they were dollar bills at a strip joint. In return, Mallory dragged you from the back of the baby humvee into the lamp post and Gaga gave you a clean doggie toy to chew on. You got to see chickens, turkeys and dogs, watch hockey with Papa and ride on the 4 wheeler chasing down your athletic Aunt Courtney.
You were the recipient of some fecal M&Ms (definition: treats sitting without a top in the bathroom for days to entice young bottoms to go) and full family conga-lining when you poo-pooed and pee-peed on the potty - "Pee-pee on the pot-TY! Pee-pee on the pot-TY!" - which you did once each.
Now we hear Gaga and Papa everywhere. Whether it be in a public restroom on the way back home ("'As ocky" - That's icky- but Grandma rendition of icky), confirmation ("yeth" instead of "yeah"), hospitality ("num num num" when something's yummy), manners (you say "peas" on your own accord - sometimes), fakeouts (acting like you're going to take a bite of your food - "ahm!" - and then sitting back and smiling) or bathtime (we finally had you trained not to splash...thanks, Grandma, and your hippie "come what may" attitude). Because of too much cinnamon-raisin gluten-free toast and bagels (Gaga's favorite), you have me perform meticulous raisin extraction now. When you entered the house in Minnesota, you took one look at Nana Turk, looked up at me with wide eyes and asked, "Gaga?!?" Thankfully, Nana laughed. You also ask where Papa and Gaga are all the time - to the point that I had to call Papa the other morning at 7am so that you could talk with him. When you dialed him from your play phone later that afternoon, you made sure you told Papa you "wuv"ed him before you hung up.
They threw you a surprise party complete with presents and a gluten-free cupcake. They did a great job on the presents; a life jacket and 4 Caterpillar trucks (that light up and make noise!). You wouldn't let anyone touch them.
You also went a little nutso on the "uppy-ache" (cupcake), which you were scared to handle on your own and just craned your neck like a bird to eat.
Those were your highlights, Ollie, but I want to point out a few highlights of my own, too. We went to a wedding and left you with everyone in Niles. It was the first time in months that your dad and I a) slept in the same bed because the situation in Minnesota doesn't allow for it, b) were away from you for this long, and c) saw our college friends. We had a blast, but we checked in with you about every 3 hours. Gaga and Papa were very forgiving.
We also put an offer down on a house in Minnesota. We had to sign the offer letter from our Android phones (a chore), and check in with the realtor a thousand times each hour, but it was worth it - the seller accepted our offer. Everything is subject to change, so we're not accepting congratulations or advice yet and we're not making it official on social media. But who knows, Ollie, you may be reading this blog when you're older from this very house! :)
One of my favorite pictures from the weekend, though, is this one:
The ride back to Minnesota was never-ending and we were all very short-tempered and tired. You slept for only 20 minutes...
...and even in your sleep it felt like you were mocking me.
But we made it and all in all, I think it was a very successful first road trip. You are a heckuva traveler, buddy. Thank you for loving "Mik-ik-ah" (Michigan)!
...and you slept about a total of 30 minutes on the way to Niles.
Some of this has to do with us finally turning the car seat around so you could see every "tuck" that passed, the new toys and books that we got you, a Raffi-loaded iPod and the jimmied iPad (complete with new videos) strung up with clothesline on the back of Mama's seat.
We returned with some new "tucks," a doggie toy, lots of stories and some new words. You antogonized Mallory by putting your hands on her stuff and watching for her reaction and passing around bites like they were dollar bills at a strip joint. In return, Mallory dragged you from the back of the baby humvee into the lamp post and Gaga gave you a clean doggie toy to chew on. You got to see chickens, turkeys and dogs, watch hockey with Papa and ride on the 4 wheeler chasing down your athletic Aunt Courtney.
You were the recipient of some fecal M&Ms (definition: treats sitting without a top in the bathroom for days to entice young bottoms to go) and full family conga-lining when you poo-pooed and pee-peed on the potty - "Pee-pee on the pot-TY! Pee-pee on the pot-TY!" - which you did once each.
Now we hear Gaga and Papa everywhere. Whether it be in a public restroom on the way back home ("'As ocky" - That's icky- but Grandma rendition of icky), confirmation ("yeth" instead of "yeah"), hospitality ("num num num" when something's yummy), manners (you say "peas" on your own accord - sometimes), fakeouts (acting like you're going to take a bite of your food - "ahm!" - and then sitting back and smiling) or bathtime (we finally had you trained not to splash...thanks, Grandma, and your hippie "come what may" attitude). Because of too much cinnamon-raisin gluten-free toast and bagels (Gaga's favorite), you have me perform meticulous raisin extraction now. When you entered the house in Minnesota, you took one look at Nana Turk, looked up at me with wide eyes and asked, "Gaga?!?" Thankfully, Nana laughed. You also ask where Papa and Gaga are all the time - to the point that I had to call Papa the other morning at 7am so that you could talk with him. When you dialed him from your play phone later that afternoon, you made sure you told Papa you "wuv"ed him before you hung up.
They threw you a surprise party complete with presents and a gluten-free cupcake. They did a great job on the presents; a life jacket and 4 Caterpillar trucks (that light up and make noise!). You wouldn't let anyone touch them.
You also went a little nutso on the "uppy-ache" (cupcake), which you were scared to handle on your own and just craned your neck like a bird to eat.
Mallory wanted the cupcake more than she wanted key lime pie. She kept saying things like, "Oh my, that looks good." Or "I wish I could have some more!"
Introducing Mike and Cristin Trosien (Tro ZEEN)
Cristin's artistic flair (that's our picture of lovebirds in the left picture - lower right quadrant!)
Cristin and Mike had a photo booth!
We took full advantage.
We danced a lot...
We kind of brought the house down...
We do weddings well.
One of my favorite pictures from the weekend, though, is this one:
I think we're going to be best friends.
The ride back to Minnesota was never-ending and we were all very short-tempered and tired. You slept for only 20 minutes...
...and even in your sleep it felt like you were mocking me.
But we made it and all in all, I think it was a very successful first road trip. You are a heckuva traveler, buddy. Thank you for loving "Mik-ik-ah" (Michigan)!
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