Catching Up: Part 2

Aiden (L) & Chris (R) exploring the inlet.




This is what Chris thinks of the ocean. He liked the view much better from his carseat(below)!




Christopher says "Raise your hand if you love being naked and laying safely in your carseat!"




The gang on vacation!




Aiden with Daddy and Chris with Grandpa at the Woods Hole Aquarium.




Aiden, the little man of the ocean!



Did you guess right? Aiden squealed with delight and Chris was squealing because he was afraid of the water and the waves. It's funny to me that Chris was afraid because the "white noise" that we use every night to get the boys to sleep is ocean sounds so they should have felt right at home! At any rate, they were quite entertaining to watch. They both loved the sand and seem to sneeze every time they are in the sun. I am curious to see what their experience is like at the beach next year when they are old enough to run around. It could be pretty scary... well for Mike and I at least!

Outside of going to the beach, we also brought the boys to the Woods Hole Aquarium. It was pretty neat and Aiden and Chris seemed to take notice of any fish that moved. They could have cared less about the scavengers and bottom feeders. Chris was actually more entertained by the bubbles in the tank than anything else but they enjoyed their first under water experience.

On our last full day on Saturday, we made one last attempt at going to the beach. The boys reactions to the water were the same as our initial visit but we also decided to try out an inlet that led into the ocean and it was a hit! Aiden and Chris both loved the warmer pool of water and Aiden was quite intent on trying to swim. It was almost as if they were both trying to "catch" the water with their hands as well which was very entertaining!

We were thrilled to find the Shinning Sea's Bike Path in the Cape and even more thrilled to find that we could hop on the trail less than 5 minutes from the house that we were staying in. The walk was shaded with minimal bugs. For a good portion of the walk, we walked along the edge of the ocean... I couldn't think of a more perfect walk! We even got Grammie & Grandpa Hopkins to join us on Saturday.

On Saturday, Auntie Steph came up to visit. The boys loved spending time with her and enjoyed all of their cuddle time. Saturday night, Aunt Lynda and Uncle Dave also came over and blessed the boys with even more hugs and kisses. Aiden and Chris couldn't have been happier!

While we had a great time in the Cape and enjoyed visiting with everyone, we were disappointed to end the vacation on a sick note. It seems that everyone who stopped by to visit got sick but all with different symptoms. We were all stuffy & sneezy with sore throats and hoarse voices. It seems too early in the year to be sick already!

Speaking of illness, Chris and Aiden went for their first flu shots yesterday. They were troopers and barely even flinched. I am hoping that maybe it could be a sign of high pain tolerance??? The true test will be over the next few weeks as they get the next 3 shots in this series.... one more for the flu and two for the Swine Flu. I would much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to their health.

Back tracking a bit, last Sunday we had a Ptaszynski family Labor Day Picnic at my parents which was the first chance for many of my relatives and cousins to meet the boys. They were like super stars as they are the first babies in the family in over 10 years! They have never been so loved and well attended to! It was a busy but fun day as we stopped at my parents for the party on our way home from the Cape. We had cousins in from all over and plenty of open arms to help with Aiden & Chris.

While at my parents on Sunday, we found it quite funny when Aiden started cracking up as my parents dog, Maddie barked. Aiden thought the barking was hysterical and brought on a contagious belly laugh. I think all baby laughs are contagious but it was pretty cute. Instead of being scared, he thought Maddie was funny! Maybe he will be a zoo keeper some day! Chris on the other hand has taken a fancy to older women! He adores all grandmothers and anyone with a grandmotherish voice if you know what I mean. We think he may be on his way to becoming what some refer to as a "cougar!"

Monday was a day of rest, relaxing and catching up. I had no voice and Mike wasn't feeling super. We unloaded the car, did about 100 loads of laundry and unpacked after our weekend away. It always seems like so much more work to unpack than it does to pack. I guess that's what happens when the excitement related to the event has already passed.

Tuesday was my last official day in the office at Umass. Grammie Hopkins was in the Cape still so Grammie Pt. came and watched the boys for the first entire day on her own and did great! The boys had a ton of fun and also visited with our family friend Karen. Aiden and Chris were so worn out from the day that Aiden was in bed before I got home and Chris needed tooth picks to keep his eyes awake! Good job Grammie!

My last day of work was bittersweet. I am thrilled to be fortunate enough to stay home with Aiden and Chris but sad to leave behind so many wonderful friends. I think that it still doesn't feel "real" to me. I have been spending the boys nap times and my evenings cleaning up some projects so that I can feel good about where I am leaving my workload. The boys and I promise to visit Umass often so for any coworkers reading this blog, don't think you're done with us yet!

Our visitors this week include:
Grammie/Grampa Hopkins, Grammie/Dziadz Pt., Great Grammie Tag, Auntie Steph, Lynda/Dave, GG Mimi, Babci, Marty/Betsy/MaryBeth/Charlie/Eileen, Jeff/Mike/Christine, Katie Marie, Dave/Bestie/Emilie/Maggie/Eli/Nathan, Karen, Fr. Tom, Marianne/Dan, Kathy/Joe, Mr.D, Maureen D. and of course Auntie Laura.