Fun at the Zoo

James and I both had a first this week. We met our first monkey. Not just saw, but held, cuddled, befriended, etc. an actual uncaged primate. I'm not sure what James thought, but I'm pretty sure he didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary.

My friend Jana was visiting from her new home in Texas and invited us out to her house, conveniently located at the Richmond Zoo, which her family owns. I know having a baby monkey living at your house is totally normal to them (the poor thing's mother died), but needless to say, it was a new experience for me. It took me awhile to warm up to it (I'm sorry, but I've never so much as touched an actual monkey let alone had one latch onto me with a death grip before!), but once I did, little Zoe had totally won me over (Jana, do you think your mom would mind if I come over to play sometimes?)!

Knowing we'd be at the zoo that day, I strategically dressed JB in his giraffe outfit. Too bad it was cold outside and he had it covered when we got to the actual giraffes.

James had a rough time at the zoo. I'm sure everyone there wanted us to leave, including the animals. When that kid gets going (which is rare), it is enough to make me want to start crying, too. Talk about ear piercing! We tried to stage a photo op with his new friend Lexi (they're only 10 days apart), but they were having none of it . . .
Earlier that week we met up with the Nielsons, Harts, and Shermans for lunch at our favorite cheap Mexican restaurant. What a way to spend a birthday (both Lindsay's and Rebecca's. Ironically, I ate there on my birthday last year, too.)! Lets hope Knoxville has one of these, because I cannot live without good chips and salsa!

Health Care Overhaul

Dear President Obama,

You may think that doctors make enough money to be put in a higher tax bracket, but I beg to differ. Will you please give us some time before you decide to change healthcare and take all our money? This guy needs some new pants.

Thanks,

A Concerned Citizen

Future Senator?

The only other place JB has been besides Richmond is Washington, D.C. This week was his third trip there and I know he loves it as much as I do (okay, probably not, but maybe someday he will). Before we left Virginia, I wanted Brian to experience a Capitol Dome tour. Unfortunately, President Obama was at the Capitol the same time we were so they wouldn't let us outside the dome (which is the coolest part), but we got to get up close and personal with the Apotheosis of Washington and then afterward we stopped by Sen. Bennett's office and Andrea let JB take a seat at the Senator's desk. Check out that smile. I think we may have a future politician in the making. All it takes is charm (at least that's all it took for the current President) and this kid has got loads of it!
JB with his beautiful Aunt Andrea. He sure loves her! Now that I'm not "working" I will be living vicariously through Andrea and her awesome job on Capitol Hill.

Here Brian and I are at the top of the dome. I have a major fear of heights and looking down from the balcony made me sick. All the tourists below looked like little ants.

Adventures in Babysitting, part 2, 3, and 4

February was a crazy busy month for me since I went back to work for a few weeks. Any mother who works full-time has my respect and awe. It can obviously be done, since so many women do it, but it is hard work and by the end of the first week I was exhausted!

Luckily, I have an amazing family who stepped in to help me. My dear dad took the first week, my mom the second, and my sisters (with a little help from my good friend Lindsay) weeks three and four. How can you even begin to thank people who help you out like that? You can't. Because any way you try to do it is completely inadequate. I owe so much to them. Even if I had all the money in the world, I would have no idea how to repay them. I'm one lucky girl to have a family like that and at the end of the month one thing was obvious: this boy is so loved!

Here's my mom at the end of her week--still smiling!

Amy is a lot like my dad. She has some kind of magic with little kids--they adore her.

I love watching Andrea with JB. It's weird to think that since our DNA is identical, he's kind of part her, too. I sure love my sisters!

On another note, as we speak, JB is currently upstairs in his crib crying/screaming. I am trying to get him to fall asleep on his own (currently, his preferred method to fall alseep is to be held--which makes it nearly impossible to get anything done). If anyone has any advice on the best way to sleep train a baby, please let me know! I need all the help I can get. I don't think I have the heart to let him keep crying it out (which so far hasn't worked). Y0u can't blame me--look at this face and tell me you could do it:

Two more days . . .

The countdown is about over. Two more days left of work. That's it. Just two days before my retirement. You'd think with this being my last week that I'd be so punctual and pristine about everything, but no. I have been late to work almost every day so far. I get back from lunch later than I should and I find myself drifting off into la la land way more often than I ever used to.

Oh-well! I won't beat myself up over it.

Sweden is too far away . . .

Eight months! It has been over eight months since Rob moved to Sweden. It has been over eight months since I last saw him. That is far too long to go without seeing your only brother. And Sweden is too far away (and too expensive) to visit on a regular basis. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see him. I may or may not have cried tears of joy when he walked through my door. I knew when he left that I would miss him, but I guess I failed to realize just how much I would miss him. I loved loved loved watching him meet his new little nephew for the first time and we were all sad when it was time for him to leave. Three hours with a sibling you will probably only see once a year (maybe twice if we're lucky) for the next several years is just not enough time. I guess all I can do is hope he has more business trips in D.C. or that we win the lottery so we can afford to go to Sweden.


Rob treated us to Kona Grill for a belated birthday celebration for Andrea and I. I love nothing more than spending time with my siblings. Hopefully it won't be eight more months until we can all be together again. (Lorena and Michael, we missed you!)

Who Is the Tallest in Africa?

A couple of months ago, my little sister brought James this outfit back from one of her latest excursions to Africa. At the time, the outfit was so long, I thought we'd have to wait months before it would fit him. Two months later, it fits him perfectly. My little boy is growing up way too fast!

(It says "Who Is the Tallest in Africa?" The giraffe is the geekiest looking version of a giraffe I have ever seen, but I can't help but love it!) Thanks, Amy!