When at the park

It's necessary to make going down the slide a family affair. There must be hugs, high fives, and pound its. Unless, in Abby's case, you're too young to give a proper high five. As AJ said, "Abby didn't open her hand for a five." Give her time lil buddy. Give her time.

Little chef man

AJ announces dinnertime in proper fashion.

There and back again

Home from my week-long stay with my sister. I was so sad to leave. Leave the smiles, the hugs, the giggling, the newborn snuggle loving, the Thomas-watching (Okay, maybe not so sad about that). I'm was also glad to be home and see Jonathan. I missed him so much. He bought me flowers and candy. Guess I was missed too. The week was a success. Baby Abby is a little charmer. She loves to be held close and rocked—not to mention she loves to eat. Not sure Mom got much rest with Abby being so hungry. AJ has gotten so big, and so independent. I can't decide who I'll miss most, but I guess I don't have decide. I love em all so much. I'm so lucky to be able to have spent time with the little family. Not sure when I'll be able to see them again. Good thing there's Skype! Now I need to make plans to see my new nephew. I'm a busy aunt!

What vacation?

I'm being pseudo mommy for the week while Capricious recovers from having her cutest of a thang daugher (aka Girlfriend). AJ has been heaps of fun. We've pretended to talk on our cell phones very adult-like: how's the weather? cold. whatcha doing? me talk. how you doing? i'm fines all around. We've watched hours of Thomas (unfortunately, I have a head full of songs that I would rather not have). We've created cars out of suitcases and block carts. We've perfected our choo choo and vroom vroom noises. We've played trains and painted pictures. We've had picnics on the floor. We've taken pictures. We've danced. We've changed clothes and taken naps. And I'm exhausted. And yet, I know after this week is over, I'll miss him more than ever and want to go back in time. And possibly want to take a real vacation after my vacation. Being pseudo mommy is hard work. But very very satisfying and rewarding. Do you hear that: That could be the makings of a baby itch. Better grab the calamine.

Email surprises

Iphones are the best. My sister sends me pictures she snaps when my nephew AJ is at his cutest. Like little eye presents. Despite the miles, we stay connected. We also videoconference via Skype, so AJ remembers who I am. Every now and then, he'll ask "Jes-ca?" And we'll Skype or talk on the phone. And I get to use my animal noises. I love that you can appreciate them. It's like our own silly language.

The most recent picture present was classic AJ. He wanted to wear a hat. Of course you did. Hats are cool, and even better on you. You're the best little buddy. The best.

When in Colorado

Every time I go to Colorado, I enjoy myself so much. I don't know if it's the company or the scenery, but there's something special there. Although work brought me out there, I decided to take the extra three-day weekend and make a mini vacation of it. But I only had one request for my sister: I have to see more than suburbia while I'm out there. Although I've been out there many times, it's never long enough to do anything but see the houses that are stacked up like dominos in my sister's neighborhood. Chance made good on her promise. On Labor Day, we ventured up to the mountains to Echo Lake. Although I had been there at the same time last year, we were only there long enough to take a stroll around the lake and through the woods. This time we cooked out! It was so much fun that it was probably a bit too much fun. Coming down the mountains, I got a migraine and AJ proceeded to vomit. I guess the altitude, mountain air, and Andy's crazy driving were just a bit too much for us.

I also ate some amazing homemade food, tossed back a few Starbucks, enjoyed sweater weather (Fall is here!), and chilled with my nephew. AJ is talking up a storm now. At the beginning I had a hard time understanding his gibberish from actual words, and then slowly I came to understand his "accent." While I was out there, we taught him to say "peace out" and throw and peace sign. When we went to Target, the check out dude was very impressed with AJ threw his peace sign (looks more like a claw right now) and said peace out. AJ is the coolest 2-year-old I know of.

Chance and I even managed to get a card made during one of AJ's naps. I would say I'm very proud of the Halloween card I made, but I'm not. All my hard work went down the drain, when I was packing on my last night there and AJ came in my room stark naked from his bath. In my head I was thinking that this couldn't be good. Sure enough, I look over to see AJ christening my card that I had laid on the floor beside my bag to pack. It's an extra spooky card now, with urine germs. The things I get to look forward when I have a kiddo of my own. All I can say is: sanitizer. I'll buy it by the bulk.

Perhaps my favorite activity of the week was going through a corn maze. I've always wanted to go through one of these, so when I saw the sign on the train going to the conference, I mentioned it to Chance. Leave it to her to make sure I get those most from my visit. I thought I would be one of those people who would wind aimlessly through the maze, not caring if I got lost. Not so much. Once I figured out the map, it was serious business. All AJ could say was "corn! corn! corn!"

And you thought going to the bathroom couldn't be fun

There are few greater things than a child's curiosity. Then there's trying to go to the bathroom in peace. Or trying to wipe. My nephew is at an age where "potty time" is a monumentus occassion for learning. Even if it's while you are on the potty. It was like having my own personal bathroom attendant, but it was closer to probably having a doctor in the bathroom with you—he was curious to see the nether regions and to know: You poop?! Ah, curiosity.

Time flies when you're having fun

The apartment is empty of our great guests. The only evidence that remains that Andy, Chance, and AJ were ever here is the water bottle they forgot. I miss AJ's little voice and giggle, and my listening to my sister's oh-so-exciting conversations in person.

The trip was fun, crazy, and at sometimes a little challenging. It rained everyday we were in Missouri. We drove, and drove, and drove, and drove. Poor AJ probably can't stand the site of his car seat anymore—or Black Beauty for that matter. We ate lots of food (including some evil fast food!), but I did manage to get in homemade chicken pot pie, asian lettuce wraps, and roast, Crock Pot mac 'n' cheese, and mashed potatoes. I've been declared a fabulous cook! I'd say the trip was a success just from that compliment alone.

Got to see M.O.M., who got to see AJ for the first time. It was such a sight to behold watching her take him in and snuggling him up. We also fed the rainbow trout at Bennett Springs State Park hatchery. It was too cute watching AJ throw in fish food pebble at a time. We would have been there all day if Chance and I hadn't throw in a few handfuls ourselves. The upside to the rain was everything was lush and green. My most favorite parts of the trip was holding AJ's hand (it's so tiny, it's almost hard to hold) and watching him give me a sleepy grin.

Apparently the trip is on for next year as well, only this time camping out at Bennett Springs. Bugs, mud, spiders#&151;I think I might have to be busy next year. But for that cute grin of AJ's, I'd get bit by spider. It's worth it.