East Coast Adventures - Final

For the final look at our East Coast adventures, I take you to upstate New York where Daddy and Drew spent a whirlwind 36 hours.

Since I had to work Monday - Wednesday, the two of them went to stay with Dave's parents and to see Dave's Brother - Uncle Chris.

I hear Drew's favorite part of the visit up there - this swing. Grandpa Tim borrowed the swing from some neighbors, and rigged it to the underside of the deck. The way Daddy tells it, Drew threw a massive fit when it was time to get out of the swing and take a bath. That mean ol' Daddy...

Drew happily explored the backyard as well - for those of us from California land and an open backyard isn't something we're used to. So he was busy picking flowers with Aunt Brianna.

As I mentioned before, the weather was quite humid and warm. Something Drew hasn't dealt much with in his 22-months. So the neighbors were kind enough to let everyone cool off in their pool. Here Drew and Grandpa are having a good time drying off.

Then on Wednesday it was time to drive back to Boston to join me - since our flight was leaving on Thursday morning. One final kiss goodbye for Aunt Brianna.


It was quite sweet how much Drew took to his Aunt. On Wednesday night he was calling out for her in his sleep (Drew has talked in his sleep for months). He really loved hanging out with her.

Thursday morning we joined my friend and her daughter at the airport where we grabbed breakfast and let the kids hang out in this little playground inside the terminal. It was really sweet the two of them, they wouldn't really play together, but if they lost sight of the other, you'd hear them calling for the other. (If you ask me they're destined to go to Harvard together and get married...).

So while it was a work trip for me, I think Dave and Drew managed to have a good time vacationing and hanging out with family. Hopefully it won't be so long between visits (Drew was 9 months old the first and only time he saw Grandma and Grandpa).

Boston Buddies - Part 3

It's a trip of first for Drew. First time to Boston. First Fenway game. First time meeting his Aunt Brianna.

Drew wasn't warming up to her at first. As he likes to say "I being shy". But he's up for anyone that wants to play with him. So after the game at Fenway, we came back to our room, and Aunt Brianna was playing "get you" with Drew. The two of them were having a blast!

It was a great thing for two reasons.
1.) Drew was finally interacting with his Aunt Brianna.
2.) She was wearing Drew out for bed!

Both are equally exciting for us. The two of them got some serious bonding time.

We head home tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have some updates from Dave about the trip to Upstate NY by Friday or so.

The Green Monster - Part 2

What's a trip to Boston, without a stop to see the Green Monster at Fenway? That's right we managed to get tickets to see the Red Sox play the Baltimore Orioles. We had AWESOME seats that Dave scored, by calling Fenway directly for the tickets.

We were barely beyond the 1st base line, staring right at the Green Monster. The day was brutally warm and humid, so poor Drew had rosy cheeks the whole time, and we spent more time in front of the misting fan, in the breeze-way rather than in our seats watching the game.

But it was a great experience, and I think Daddy managed to enjoy himself - which is what it was all about.

We were joined by Grandma & Grandpa, and Aunt Brianna and her boyfriend were in the bleachers. In the end, Baltimore beat the Red Sox, but since we had a few Orioles fans, our gang was happy.

Here are a few more snapshots from the big game at Fenway.

Daddy, Grandma, Drew & Grandpa before the game

Family shot
Poor kid was so hot!

After the game, shot at the field

Aunt Brianna joins Grandma, Daddy & Drew

Boston Bound - Part 1

Greetings from Boston! I had to come here for work, and we decided to make it a mini family vacation while we were at it, extending my trip a few days on the front end. Reason number one, so Drew could see Dave's family - Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Brianna.

The flight out here was a bit rough, since it was sold out, and it took off at 6am from San Francisco. That means we had to leave our house around 3am! Drew was awake from 3am until about 6:45am. He then napped for only about 45 minutes after we were in the air. Silly mama had to go and dig out some cereal for Daddy, and the movement woke him up.

The last 30 minutes of the flight he decided to snooze for a bit again. Talk about timing - oh, well at least he wasn't screaming or anything at the end.

We then waited outside for Grandma & Grandpa to pick us up and take us to the hotel. What captured Drew's attention while we waited... shuttle buses!


After we hitched a ride with Grandma & Grandpa, and checked into the hotel, we went out for our dinnertime walk. Destination? Why the place where everybody knows your name!

The original Cheers location on Beacon Hill. How cool was this place? Drew loved it until he hit his wall and only wanted to leave. Oh, and shortly before we left, and Grandpa, Drew and I were checking out the gift shop, and he spotted a ball souvenir, only he wanted nothing to do with the baseball. Rather he picked a golf ball! Yes, Drew has a Cheers golf ball souvenir. Daddy was disappointed until I told him how much cheaper it was.

As I mentioned, Drew hit his wall and wanted nothing, but a few zzz's.


Grandpa happily pushed him home again, while our little guy dozed.

Tune in tomorrow for a look at our trip to Fenway to see the Red Sox lose (we had a few Orioles fans in our group....).

Mr. Troublemaker

My little monster was just that this morning... he's definitely entered the terrible two's a few months early.

Today while trying to get him dressed, he slapped me across the face - for no reason - which resulted into his finger in my eye. I slapped him back (on the hand) so he knew what it was like to be slapped. Then he got in trouble.

Less than five minutes later, we were in the bathroom to brush his hair. Little monster head butted me right in my left temple - and if you've ever seen Drew's head it's big and HARD! So he got in trouble again, and started screaming and crying so hard you'd think he was the one that got hurt.

He could get out of trouble by telling Mama he was sorry. That's when Mr. Troublemaker turned into Mr. Stubborn, and he kept telling me no. Daddy came into the bathroom to see what all the commotion was about, and to make Drew apologize to me. He listened to Daddy of course (why is it that when I say something -no results, Daddy says something and there's instant results), so the apology came, and the tears stopped. Ironically Dave had no idea why Drew was even in trouble, when he came to run interference.

Needless to say we warned Ms. Stephanie that Drew was in a mood today....

A Wiggly Good Time

It was the much anticipated Wiggles Concert - Drew's early birthday present from Mommy and Daddy! We drove to San Jose's HP Pavilion to join hundreds of toddlers and preschoolers for "The Wiggles Go Bananas" concert. Or as Drew likes to call the Wiggles "Johnny" (as in Johnny & the Sprites which used to come on the Disney Channel before the Wiggles).

We arrived about 6pm and picked up our few mandatory expensive souvenirs before finding our seats (which were not what I'd call "Best Available" which is what we paid for, but let's keep a positive spin on this blog). The show started about 10 minutes late - which means around 6:40pm, and Drew was starting to get antsy.

As soon as the arena darkened, and the songs started coming on - out popped Jeff (Purple Wiggle). Drew was so excited, his eyes got big and all! He was on sensory overload we think for the first part of the concert, but he really got into parts of it! He loved seeing the Big Red Car come on stage, seeing Murry and Sam (Red & Yellow Wiggle) come through the audience. Mommy loved watching Anthony (Blue Wiggle or the cute one ) shake his thing and do some stunts.

Drew had an absolute blast! How do we know you ask? When we were leaving this morning for Ms. Stephanie's, he was asking to go see the Wiggles again. Poor kid had to settle for the CD that was in my car.

Here are a few snapshots - sorry some of them aren't the greatest of quality... my camera doesn't do well with dark or distance shots....

"Choo Choo Chugga Chugga Big Red Car"

Drew getting caught up in the action

All the Wiggles!

Again, too caught up in the show to say cheese.

The best shot we have of the Wiggles coming near us in the audience

Saying Good-bye at the end of the concert

One final shot before we left - notice the final meltdown...

All Wound Up

While many kids are afraid of the vacuum, Drew is not. In fact he's more likely to run up to it, to get a close inspection of the revolving brush thingy on the underside.

Over the weekend, I was trying to tidy up a bit while we were waiting for Daddy to wake up, and we went through our vacuuming routine - I vacuum, and Drew runs as fast as he can right in front of it.

After we finished, I went on to tidy up the kitchen. Drew went on his merry way to what I thought was playing with his toys. But when it was extra quiet in the other room, I thought I'd take a peek. Turns out Drew was busy playing with the vacuum cord.

He was happily winding it up and around his body, like he was wearing a necklace. He was quite startled when I snuck up on him, and saw what he was up to. I think I embarrassed him too since the game wasn't any fun anymore and he ditched the cord for one of his real toys.

Pool Party!

Since Mr. Brian was turning the big 4-0 we were invited over to his house to celebrate with a pool party (his wife Stephanie watches Drew).

Despite appearances, Drew was dressed in a swimsuit, at one point but was stripped down to his water diaper when he was annoyed with the floaties inside the suit.

Once we finally got there - 3 hours late thanks to the one day Drew decided to take a long nap - we hit the water. Temps were hovering around the 100-degree mark, so the pool while cool felt fabulous.

Afterward we grubbed on some great Mexican food that Stephanie slaved over - ok not really, but it was yummy all the same. Drew was perfectly happy playing in their backyard where he loves to spend his weekdays. On and around their play structure. (please ignore the big stain on his rear where he apparently sat in some of the previously mentioned Mexican food)....

Playing ball with Daddy


As I've mentioned previously, Drew's partial to Pepsi. So when he spotted an unopened can just lying there in the grass... he was instantly pleased with himself.

That's when we told him to show Brian his Pepsi find... see how great that blue can looks next to the Corona bottle?


Parties at the Nejib house are always a lot of fun, and now that Drew's becoming more independent we're able to enjoy ourselves more now too. Happy Birthday again Brian!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Yesterday we were running errands around town and made a stop into Michael's. As I was checking out, Drew and Daddy were looking at the plastic flower display at the front.

Drew spotted some grapes inside the floral arrangement and said "Whoa, look. That's Awesome!"

Um, yeah he's not even two. Where does he come up with this stuff?

Scrapbook Saturday

One evening shortly after the 4th of July, I decided my creative juices were flowing and I wanted to do a scrapbook page. Rarely will Drew cooperate enough for me finish a blog, let alone put an entire scrapbook page together.

However on this given day he surprised me. Here's what I finished. It was from a trip to the Alamo during a business trip back in 2006.

I wanted this to be a simple page with the Alamo as the highlight. The Alamo boarder was from an image I found online and traced onto the paper I wanted to use.

It's a very simple basic page, but I thought it turned out well.

On a side note, I was shocked to see how much weight I've lost since this photo... probably at least 40 lbs! Go me!

Feeling a bit "Corny"

Why would we be feeling a little corny you ask? Why, because we hit up the Brentwood Cornfest last Sunday. It's an annual occurrence to celebrate everything Corn (the other Brentwood crop - the first of course my favorite... grapes). OK so Brentwood probably grows more corn, but just go with it.

This was our first time to the street faire, and now I remember why - it's scortching hot out there! With temperatures pushing 100-degrees, we mostly found shade and water to stay cool. Drew though found the stage, well one of them - and proceeded to dance for everyone's pleasure. Shakin' his boo-tay.

Grammy & GrampC joined us at Cornfest, since they practically live right there... and of course they were Cornfest "virgins" too.

While we toured all the vendors in a matter of a few minutes, we gave Drew his one and only ride on the train - blasted height restrictions. So Daddy and Drew went round and round, both having a great time hamming it up for my camera and GrampC's.


And then the two of them were being silly in front of the main stage... which was conveniently located in front of the "wine bar".



Finally this one is for Grammy's Brother - our Uncle Mike:

It's a Zoo Around Here

As if you didn't already know, but it's a zoo around our household from time to time. This time it was literally a zoo - Oakland Zoo to be exact.

I have mentioned it before, the groups I have from the Weight Watcher website. The one I speak of most often (and have met the most people) is my Mommy group. However I have one that focuses on weight loss as well. Drew & I met one of the girls from that group and her daughter at the zoo for a great day of fun. And I mean great day!

Drew was really interested in watching my friend's daughter, but she was a little shy and just liked the attention I think. At one point she warmed up and let Drew play catch with her doggy (lovey).

We had a great time and Drew was much more into climbing all over things than the first time we were there when he was 13 months old.



Where are the animals you ask? Hmmm, it seems I didn't get very many pictures of that with Drew. We were busy looking and signing the animals we spotted. Oops. However I did catch a shot of him practicing his grooming skills on a goat in the petting zoo.

I think ending with the rides was fantastic. Drew really enjoyed the "choo-choo train"!


It was a fabulous day, and I hope we get together with our new friends again!

22 Down - 2 to Go

Oh my time seems to go by faster when you have children. You watch them grow so quickly out of the infant stage and into the toddler stage. More and more now Drew's a little boy.

Today he's 22 Months and that means in two months he'll be 2! Here's a few of the cute things he's doing or saying now:

• "Mommy/Daddy do it" - I need help (although he knows how to ask/sign for help)
• "I'm being Shy" - what he'll tell the checkers at the grocery store or anyone he doesn't want to talk to.
• "I'm adorable" - he says this after we brush/comb his hair in the AM. No wonder he's so vain right?
• "Sit Down, be careful" - he yells at himself before we can, or perhaps he's looking for attention to have us say that to him. Usually he's standing or climbing on the back of a chair.
• "Mommy/Daddy Carry" - Pretty obvious, but he doesn't ask for uppie or anything like that.
• "Wait" - this is what he says after we get out of my car, so he knows not to run into the driveway (we live in a townhouse community with a parking lot). I guess I told him that enough when he was younger, he just says it for me now.
• "I go dat way" - what Drew tells us when he first gets up in the morning as he points to the living room.
  

Scrapper's Saturday

It's another Saturday, which means time for a look inside my scrapbook. These pages were designed over the 4th of July weekend at my friend Lisa's house. We try to get together at least once a month to get some scrapping done. This time I was joined by Drew since Daddy was home sick.

While Drew did play well with Trevor and Emily, there were a few melt downs. Daddy ended up having to come and take him home so I could get a few things done.

Here's the finished product.

The Latest "funny"

I got home from work last night and frankly didn't feel like cooking dinner. So we took a poll as to what we were going to have... we all tossed a few ideas out.

Daddy's vote: Chinese
Mommy's Vote: Mexican
Drew's Vote: Pizza

Well Drew won. So we ordered some Pizza Hut and we all went over there to pick it up. Drew of course threw a fit wanting a piece of pizza - he will only eat the pepperonis anymore. So I broke one off the pizza and gave it to him.

A few moments later when he finished he started throwing a fit asking for more "pecker-ronis". I died laughing, and Daddy tried to get Drew to say it correctly. The closest he came, "pepperpeckeronis". So we gave up the battle for now and let him eat his "pecker-ronis".

All I Wanna Do

Drew is now making musical requests in the car! Yes that's right, I have a picky backseat "driver". I always (or almost always) have country radio on in the car, and the other day Drew heard the Sugarland song "All I Wanna Do" come through the speakers.

He was hooked! And after the "Doo-oo-oo-oh" part ended, he started crying hysterically asking for it "again, again".

Lucky for me, I have it on CD and it happened to be in my car. Tantrum averted.

Now on the way to day care in the morning and home again in the afternoon we listen to the song, often rewinding the "Do-ooh-ooo" part. I love the song, but after listening to it 3 times each trip..

That Darn Cat!

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm soooo not a cat person. So when this stray cat (likely abandoned) came up to us on Thursday Evening as we were playing outside, I was kind of annoyed.

But then the cat took a liking to Drew, snuggling up to his leg and nearly knocking him off balance. My kid didn't seem to mind, as he continued to throw his "things" into the ivy. A few times he'd go right up to the cat's face, and sign cat. It was quite hilarious actually, and I almost started warming up to the cat.

After a while though the "snuggling" from the feline was getting mighty annoying so we called it a night, and moved the festivities indoors. The cat followed us right to the front door. Looking outside the screen door, Drew proceeded to sign both "outside" and "cat".

I guess the upside is at least he's not afraid of animals. I wouldn't want that either. Oh, and no, I never did warm up to that darn cat.

July 4th Festivities - Pt 2 of 2

Fourth of July was so busy (and photo heavy) that I've split up our festivities into two parts for this blog. For a look at the first part of our day, check out here.

After the parade, Grammy & GrampC dropped Drew and I off at home, where I changed out of my white shirt that was pretty much black from Drew's dirty shoes. We then visited with Daddy a few minutes (who was missing out on the fun due to illness) and then made the impromptu trip to Grammy & GrampC's. (We were supposed to go to two BBQ's for Dave's Softball friends, but plans changed when Dave developed a 103-degree fever).

It worked out nice, Drew was able to go swimming in Grammy's kiddie pool - it was so nice in fact that Drew didn't wait for the water diaper to get put on. The results were hilarious - if you missed them, you have to check it out! We left out the video of Drew running through the backyard in his birthday suit - I wouldn't want to get in trouble for child porn or anything.


When Cousin Kady arrived moments later, we made sure Drew was presentable and no longer strutting his stuff. The two of them kept cool in the pool. Both were perfectly happy splashing the other.

Kady was heard squealing with delight and making cheesey smiles at everyone who clammored for the the photo-op.

Then of course we asked cousin Drew to give Kady a kiss. Kady's kisses look more like an attempt to chomp off Drew's nose... you decide.

In all fairness, there were a few kisses given most of them were quite ladylike such as the one I caught on video. Once the swimmers started turning into prunes, we packed them up and headed to Uncle Matt's for an impromptu BBQ.

This worked out great - since Uncle Matt's girlfriend Rana and her daughter Adrina were there. Adrina is 5 and loves the attention that Drew gives her. He followed her around like a little puppy dog, doing what she did, saying what she said.

I had to stop Drew's following just once when they were asking Uncle Matt's Police K-9 Arco to speak and smell their hands. I thought Drew's little fingers would be a snack for Arco, so I had to put a stop to that. Otherwise having Drew follow Adrina was great! Since Daddy wasn't there, I didn't have to hover over Drew as much as I normally would - making sure he doesn't tear up the house.

Kady sat on the sidelines squealing whenever she liked what they were doing. A few more months and there will be a threesome I believe.


After dark, Uncle Matt started a fire in the firepit, so we could all stay warm and watch fireworks that were going off from the High School behind him. Starting the fire brought out the strange in Matt. (Oh wait he's always been a bit off).


Without a nap, Drew didn't stand a chance to stay awake for the fireworks. He missed them by 30 minutes.

It was a fabulous day with family and friends all around. We're so sorry Daddy missed out - it is after all his second favorite holiday of the year (first being Halloween).