Weekend in Georgia

With Mom sporting a 35 week bump, Tiger Cub decided to take a last minute trip to his grandparents house.  Next time, as with any good big brother, he'll have responsibilities.

Pop-Doc and Gigi were thrilled to see him and Tiger Cub made the most of his last trip south as an only child.  Hey Tiger, you have to go to bed first, and there is no need to stowaway.  We bought you a ticket.

 After a good night sleep, two spry fellows Uber-ed their way to the airport to ride on an airplane.

While Daddy folded the stroller at the end of the jet bridge, Tiger-Cub ran onto the airplane eager with anticipation.  The flight attendant offered reassurance that he was fine as there is only one way in and out.   He seems to have found his seat okay.

We are getting the hang of this flying thing.

  

It can wear a young fellow out though.

Dad, can I carry your bag?  I can do it all by myself.  No really, don't touch the bag Dad. 

I've got this.

Aunt Megan picked up the traveling duo and took us to lunch with Uncle Ryan at one of Tiger Cub's favorite restaurants, Chipotle.  They were even kind enough to pick up a car seat for Tiger.  Thanks you two!

Hay bales, that's a good sign.

3 hours later.....let the good times roll.

Benjamin learned how to harvest pecans and enjoyed the fruit of his labor. Just don't try to give him a broken pecan.  He likes his pecans whole thank you very much.

Tiger eats dinner with Uncle Bob, Papa and Pop Doc.  Nice job with that straw TC.

Hygiene is important, even after a long day.

Breakfast with Dad's vintage '80's toys.  Thanks Gigi.

Now it's time to map this house out

TC putting out fires with his new firetruck (thanks Gigi and Pop Doc).

Gigi, I think it's pretty good, but there is a comma splice here and I would consider an exclamation point after paragraph 3.

When asked where he was, Tiger-Cub responded without hesitation.
"At work"

Who's up for a lunch break?

I could use a nap!

Whoa, Thanks Gigi and Pop Doc

Look Dad, Cousins!!!

  

 The trip wouldn't be complete without a golf cart ride.

Three on One

Gigi calms the waters with a game called Blokus.  They loved it. 

Fun Times.

Raiding the pound cake batter bowl.

A lot of grass for a city slicker

Two Little Monkeys 

Bath Time

You go that way, I'll take the kitchen passage.  They can't catch us both.

After a fun trip, Pop Doc drove us back to Jacksonville to catch our flight.  Tiger Cup woke up at our breakfast pit stop and asked "Are we in New Work?"

Checking out our plane

Double checking the flight plan

Ok guys, I think we're ready

If you need any help, I'll be in the back eating Elf Grahams, playing shape sorter and watching cartoons with my feet up.   

My Mommy misses me.  I'm coming home Ma!

The guy to the left flossed his toes with his socks.  Yes you read that right.
 I smelled it before I saw it.

We had a great trip and really enjoyed seeing everyone.  We can't wait until next time.

~Randy

A Pennsylvania Weekend

We're still in the fall edition of do-as-much-as-possible-before-Baby #2-arrives. We had been wanting to see some sights in PA for a while, but kept putting it off through the summer and early fall. When we finally did make the trip, we found that late October was a beautiful time to visit Lancaster County.

The main attraction we were after was the Strasburg Rail Road. Our little train lover got to ride on a train with a real steam engine. Just like Thomas the Tank Engine but less blue and without a face.

Two excited passengers...

Nice views of the farmland...

And plenty of admiration for the steam engine.

We found the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania to be pretty entertaining too.

The Amish countryside made for a well-rounded trip and a little bit of a culture. We had never been to Lancaster County before and were always curious about it. The fresh air, open land, horses and buggies, and mule drawn plows were good for us I think.

The Bird in Hand Bakeshop has shoofly pie, whoopie pies, and other baked goods. But we spent more time outside at their petting zoo and playground. Highly recommend!

An Amish boy joined Tiger Cub at the playground and the two boys had a big time on the tandem swing together.

And finally, an Amish-style bump at 33 weeks.

Day at the Queens County Farm

We learned this month that Queens has a farm. The word "farm" is used very generously here because it's pretty darn small (although just right for a few hours with a toddler). But we're sort of amazed there is a farm anywhere in NYC and not exactly in a position to be picky about such things.

The highlights for us were the pumpkin patch and the hayride. It was a beautiful day in the high 70s!

I understand now why families brave crowds and overpriced pumpkins every fall. The contrasting colors are amazing and great for snapping pictures.

This was the tractor that pulled the hayride-mobile:

A hayride is basically a "ten" for a 2-year-old and it was pretty fun for us too. Definitely the highlight of the farm experience.

Just to be sure we're still in the city, a high-rise apartment building looms in the background.

Tiger Cub thought about trying grilled corn for a few seconds before pulling out.

Back home by naptime via the city bus!

I never thought I'd have a cornfield bump shot, but there you have it: 31 weeks (almost 2 weeks ago).