Milwaukee, Florida, computer and cars

We've had a busy month!

This post will be sans photos as I'm unable to load them until our computer gets fixed :-(

We spent a wonderful weekend in Milwaukee for Rollie's first birthday. We were very glad to be able to make the trip - and thrilled Paddy did so well in the car. Paddy loves visiting Milwaukee and getting to play with his cousins. He was especially excited to be able to share birthday cake with Rollie. He also got to see lots of great grandparents - 4 to be exact. Everytime he's able to see his Great grandparents, we're reminded of how lucky we are to have them.

Mema and Papa visited us a week later - and Paddy had a blast. He took them to the zoo where he showed his love of sharks and fish. We were also able to do a little car shopping while Mema and Papa watched Paddy. Sadly, Pat's car, the Pony, died a quick painless death on the corner of Hwy 100 and Delaware. We've been a "green" house with one car for the last month and a half.

Next we headed Florida! As a special treat - we had a layover in Milwaukee where we were able to spend some more time with Mema and Papa. We spent a fabulous week in Florida with my immediate family. My parents rent a wonderful house on the beach in Fort Myers with a pool and a hot tub.

Paddy spent everyday outside from the time the sun came up (it helps that he wakes up before the sun). He loved pushing his trucks in the sand and filling up buckets with water from the ocean. He also learned tons of new words being around all of his cousins - walk, push, water (wa wa). As the week wore on he became braver and braver in the pool and by the end of the week was jumping off the side into the pool. Hands down, his favorite activity was running back and forth on the "boardwalk" at the public access to the beach. From our many races back and forth on the boardwalk - he picked up the word 'boardwalk' and 'ready set go'.

The Florida trip was a much needed opportunity for me to thaw out. Its been miserably cold in St. Paul this year and I've spent more time outside than I thought possible. I love that Paddy would rather be outside, but man, its cold!

Sadly, we had to return to St. Paul, cold weather, and 6 inches of snow that feel right before we arrived. We've had another snow storm since, giving us 8 more inches. Yeech.

We finally got a new car - yay! We're a two car household again. We'll pick up our new Toyota Camry on Wednesday. Poor Paddy had to endure an entire day at car dealerships, though he handled it like a champ.

Our travels are over for the time being. At 36 weeks, the OB suggested sticking around the Twin Cities until the baby arrives. Similar to last time, I have no indications that the baby will show up anytime soon. I've begun my weekly visits to the OB, which is always fun. We still have no names picked out and haven't settled where the pumpkin is going to sleep. Minor details :-)