I. AM. HOT.

I . AM. HOT.
I. AM. TIRED.
I. AM. SITTING.
I. LIKE. GRAPES.
I. AM. PLAYING.
I. AM. TWO.

Over a month ago I started this post. Noah was going through a "statement" phase. It was hilarious, and I've tried to remember a few of the things he would often declare. I've really been slacking on keeping up with blogging, but I figured better to post a little than nothing.  Noah is speaking really well now, so this phase has passed. I can actually have a conversation with him now, which is really fun.

Weekend with Friends, Part 2

Saylah and Noah looking anxiously for the tractor that will take us to the Eckert's Pumpkin Patch!

We went with friends, Alejandro, Sandra and Saylah to pick pumpkins.

These two ran around the pumpkin patch like it was the most fun thing on earth! They were hilarious. Noah tried to pick up pumkins, and he would say, "it's heavy," and he would always draw out the word "h-e-a-v-y." So funny! Miss Saylah followed him everywhere and mimiced everything he did. He's not always the best example, so I began to get a little nervous when he darted out into an empty and immense corn field. Matt had to chase him down, and luckily Saylah was wise enough to know that she probably shouldn't follow him this time!

Fast boy, faster daddy, and smart chica!

After the pumpkin picking (we actually didn't get one, as I had already purchased two of them!), we headed to the fun farm. Our kiddies were still a little small for many of the activities, but they still had a good time.

After the fun farm, we had lunch and walked through the farm grocery store. Saylah pushed around her own cart in the store.

Great Sunday morning with our friends! Nothing more "fallish" than going to the pumpkin patch!

A Weekend with Friends, Part 1

Friday night we caught up with the Gourley's and Rappaports. Now that Shanna is a working woman again, we only have the weekends to hang out. It's great for her, but sad for me (and Jenn)! We had a kid friendly dinner at Fuddruckers and then spent a little time at the Magic House. Fuddrucker's has a game room that we let the kids play around in before dinner. This is one of the only times you will see a gun in my son's hand (that is until I'm completely overrun by Matt, Steve, Brian and Janet)! Cute picture though, right?

 The Magic House had a "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" themed display. Noah enjoyed driving the Smart Car and the Recycler Truck. Really, because they had steering wheels, certainly not because they were environmentally friendly!

Mmmmm...apples!

Next, we worked on composting.

Then he used the compost to fertilize the garden!

He worked on recycling experiments.

 I love this little cutie!

Next, we hit up the Legislative and Judicial Branches, along with President Obama's office. All the boys were anxious to speak into the microphone in the courtroom, and as cute as Noah was, Aidan won the entertainer award by boldly singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game!" He's such a ham! Abe, Jude and Jenn can be seen behind Aidan as he makes his presence known!

Saturday morning, we bundled up and took a walk to the park. We walked around the Farmer's Market, let Noah play on the playground, and then we attempted to join the Malones in a little soccer practice. Noah, however, was more interested in picking up the soccer ball with his hands, and then losing his mind when he got knocked down. We didn't force it.  Matt ended up just letting him roam the grounds, which made our little wanderer extremely happy! We ran into several friends in the park too. I love living in a place where we run into people we know. St. Louis continues to feel more and more like home. I'm really digging that feeling!

Tomorrow, Pumpkin Patch!

Jamaican Me Crazy

I imagine that a "resort" vacation isn't for everyone, but if all you want is to relax, it's the thing to do.  I have never had a vacation like this! It was incredible!

On to the pictures...

We saw this sign on our way out of Montego Bay. Hilarious!

 This was the view from our balcony. See that pool down there? It was actually a hot tub that we spent a couple of rainy afternoons in. Lovely!

 This was the view from our side balcony.

 This was the view from our front door. I took this picture our first night in Jamaica. We were stunned by the beauty. We actually walked out on the beach, and one of the resort photographers caught us and roped us into an impromptu photo session. He made us do some of the cheesiest poses, including creating a "heart" with our arms, and holding our fingers so that it looked like we were pinching the sun.  We were laughing the whole time! We didn't order any of the photos! (mainly because they wanted an arm and a leg for them.)

 One of the special dinners out on the beach side patio. I had a lobster salad...it was delicious! Unfortunately my throat was hurting pretty badly on this particular night. This was the night of the whiskey!

 And here goes the shot of whiskey! It was absolutely awful! My throat felt better for a few minutes afterward though...mainly because it was burning so much, I couldn't feel anything!

 Later that night, we walked to the resort theater. The talent was...interesting. Now, when Simon from American Idol makes one of his, "you sound like resort karaoke" comments, I will know exactly what he means.

 It gets worse though. Matt was literally dragged on stage and made to dance with this tribal group. Poor poor Matt. I could do nothing but laugh and take pictures!

 These beautiful peacocks roamed the grounds. They were so lovely and tame.

 This is the place where we spent a large majority of our time! This pool was incredible! A swim up bar, umbrellas, huge beach towels, the ocean literally steps away, employees walking around serving water and specialty drinks, my book, my iPod, Matt beside me, a little sun tan oil mixed with the sun block (of course) - it was majestic! I miss it just reminiscing.

 Just about every afternoon around 2 or 3 o'clock, it would rain. We generally stayed at the pool until then, and once the rain started, we'd head over to "Bayside" for their immense lunch buffet. This was not your typical Shoney's buffet. It was fresh and massive and delicious. My favorite part of these lunches was the dessert - banana fosters! Made fresh right in front of us! One of the best desserts of my life, I kid you not! We always sat outside. I didn't want to miss a second of the landscape. It was lovely to watch the rain during these lunches. After we finished eating, we would either read, chat with new friends, or grab a daiquiri and make a run for the hot tub!

 A few of the mornings we went diving, which was included in the price of our "all inclusive." Diving is so expensive, so we wanted to take full advantage of this inclusion. The water was clear and beautiful. Before our first dive, we took a refresher course since it had been a few years since we'd been diving. This was when we realized that Jamaicans have a whole different philosophy on time management! Our instructor spent over an hour trying to configure our equipment while we sat and waited. I tried really hard not to be annoyed! It did get better.  

I only dove twice because of my sinus issues. I hated being sick while I was there, but I tried to not let it slow me down too much. After feeling pain in my forehead after my second dive though, I decided I better stop. Matt dove once more without me, while I read and soaked up the sun poolside.

We also were able to sail, kayak and water ski. Matt and I loved sailing! We wish we had more opportunities to do it. We'd both really like to learn how to actually sail. I'm not sure steering a Hobie Cat around a bay qualifies!

 On the dive boat out to the reef.

 The resort offered several restaurant choices each night. We tried each of them while we were there, and developed a couple favorites. Eleanor's was one of them, so we went twice. The food was superb, as was the wine!

This was just another one of the magnificent views.  

 On our last night, the resort threw a beach party. They set up dinner on the beach, and after dinner a DJ set up and got us dancing. We ate and danced with new friends. We were literally one of the last couples to leave. Afterward, we went back to our room, changed into our bathing suits and took a swim in an attempt to savor our last night in Jamaica. It was serene and I have to say, straight out of a movie! We were the only two in this huge, underwater lit, pool. Such a lovely memory!

 Goodbye Jamiaca! You were everything I'd hoped you'd be and more.

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged…” Proverbs 17:6

Guest Blogger: Sandy "Grams" McNutt

On September 14, 2010 at the Miami International Airport Buz and I said goodbye to Noah as he left with his mommy and daddy to head home to St. Louis. After spending a week with us in south Florida my heart felt a little empty as I watched him go through the security line continually waving goodbye to us. We were happy Evie and Matt made it back safely and reunited with Noah, but sad to see him go!  Parting is such sweet sorrow…

…our adventure began on Tuesday, September 7 with Noah and me (grams) flying from St. Louis to Ft. Lauderdale. A great idea was shared with me from a fellow grandparent and good friend – her advice, take him into the airport store and allow him to pick out a toy and a treat. Advice, I may add that was wise. Noah chose a Nemo and Dora coloring and sticker book and peanut butter M & M’s.

Airport security allowed Evie to go to the gate to see us off; needless to say Evie was having a hard time saying goodbye, but Noah was all smiles and was happy to fly on an airplane, so no tears were shed (that is unless Evie shed some as she left us). Noah was an angel during the flight, other passengers took notice and even commented on how great he was. I was a proud grams!

noah would fit in an overhead compartment!

watching the big planes!

noah and grams boarding the plane

I had many plans for the week, Coconut Cove water park, Green Cay Wetlands, Sugar Sand Park, and of course, the beach, but unfortunately I was sick, so therefore we spent more time at home than I had originally planned, but still Pops and I managed to get in a few fun activities. Our week went as follows:

Wednesday, September 8 – Noah and Pops went to the Morikami Park and played on the playground

            Thursday, September 9 – Pops hooked the hose up to the waterslide and the fun commenced!

            Friday, September 10 – Noah, Pops, and Grams went to the ocean – waaaater!

'cool dude'

helping pops with a sand tunnel

Saturday, September 11 –Noah and Pops went grocery shopping and later Pops walked him to the   Fire Station where Noah got to sit in the fire truck (sadly we lost the photos of this event)

            Sunday, September 12- Church and Church dinner

            Monday, September 13 – back to the ocean

noah loved the waves

sand sculpture of polar bear - delray beach

We shared many sweet and funny moments with Noah. Here are some of the highlights! Every morning he greeted either his Pops or me with a cheerful “good mornin’!” One morning right after breakfast he looked at me and said, “What are we gonna do today, Grams?” He was sitting in my lap eating an apple one afternoon and we were chatting, I was telling him, “Grams loves Noah, Pops loves Noah, Mommy loves Noah, Daddy loves Noah”, I go on to name the rest of the family. Noah turns his head and looks at me with those big blue eyes and states, “Noah loves apples” cracked me up!  Another day Noah walks up to me and out of the blue says, “Grams, I need a hug!” Oh my goodness, that was a sweet, sweet hug – you don’t think he has me wrapped around his little finger do you? He is such a joy to watch while he is playing – what a great imagination God has given him.  “Choo Choo, all abroad”, says he when playing with his train. His pops is very impressed that at 2 he knows his colors. Of course, once pops found out he could name his colors he constantly asked him the color of the item he was playing with and Noah would always respond, “that sa red” or that sa blue or that sa green,” and on and on it would go. He would get it right most of the time, and when he didn’t we would say try again, and he would. Noah and I were coming out of Target one afternoon when he states, “I wuv unca ben and ant sa sa”. Of course, I could hardly wait to call and share this with them – ant sa sa said that made her day! His mommy does such a great job of keeping him informed about his family even when he doesn’t get to see us often.

ottoman turned into a boat "all aboard"

Noah loved playing with his farm!

Noah is getting great at stalling techniques as well. Whenever pops would need to leave, Noah would go into this routine, it goes something like this, “jipper, jipper, jipper, jipper, …and so, ummmm”, jipper, jipper, jipper, jipper, jipper, … and so, ummmm” and on and on it went!

Noah’s mommy has been teaching him to count in Spanish, so I continued working on that. We would count his toes and I would ask, “Noah, do you want to count in English or Spanish?” Spanish was always his choice. After counting, he would state  matter of fact, “I have ten toes.” We tried to teach him a couple of other Spanish words, and one day as I was taking him to meet pops for lunch at “chick-o-le”, he blurted out as we parked, “adios amigos!” He is full-up with personality!

During his stay the US Open was on, which I love, so needless to say, especially since I was sick we were watching quite a bit of tennis. Noah began to say, “I wanna watch tennis”, so on the first morning back with his mommy and daddy as he was lying in bed with them he states, “how about watch some tennis?” (maybe we had tennis on a little too much). 

There were so many funny little things he did while with us. He is fascinated with tunnels so every day we would get out his blocks and build him a tunnel to go over his train tracks. With same blocks he wanted pops to build him a high tower, which he would then knock over with glee.  He liked to play on our bed after his bath, get behind the pillows and pretend it was a car, and we had to put two car doors on either side (pillows), this was a must. We would then continue to play on the bed with many giggles and laughs, we would pretend we were sleeping and snoring – listening to a 2 year old pretend to snore is hysterical! But this was a ritual we did every night. One night while playing on the bed Noah had a pretend guitar, which he was playing. He asked his pops to sing, so his pops commenced to sing a John Denver song, ’Life on the Farm’ . Noah loved this and asked him to sing it over and over – so picture in your head a 2 year old playing a pretend guitar with a grown man singing to his tune! Such sweet memories!

Noah in his 'car'

dribin` the 'car'

…and then Tuesday, September 14 came and we packed up Noah’s things, put in him the car and headed to Miami International Airport. We arrive and as we are walking around waiting for Matt and Evie, Noah asks his pops over and over, “what we gonna do today pops?” pops answers over and over, “we’re gonna get on an airplane with mommy and daddy and fly home!”

We love you and miss you Noah!

Thanks to Pops and Grams for taking care of our Noah for the whole week we were gone...I was at peace knowing he was with you both.  And thanks to Grams for recording all of these moments! I love this post!