The love of Gigi & Poppy

The kids were thrilled to hang out with Gigi and Poppy, who they hadn't seen since the beginning of January (save for the 4 hours they spent with Poppy on Valentine's Day).  It was nice for us to see them too....we got a date lunch (date night was overridden by concern for how the kids would sleep/act in our absence with their various ailments...), we both got to get walks/runs in, and it was fun to see Poppy's Easter surprise that he is working on....

Thanks Mom & Dad for having us down for another Florida vacation!  I know it must have been nice to see our taillights.....

VACATION!!!

Melanie was such a waterbug while we were in Florida.  She was at the pool at least twice every day....and got dangerously more brave during every visit.  It cracked me up that on her first trip down, on Sunday afternoon, she was kicking around the pool on a "noodle" without being assisted at all.  By the end of the week, she would be thrown from one of us to the other, and walk off the step without assistance.

We went to the beach on Monday, but Melanie was less-than-impressed by the "hard" sand and "loud" water.  The playground she played on last year was of little interest to her, either.  At this point, she had caught the water bug, and there was no going back.

On Tuesday, we went out on Larry's boat.  "Larry's boat" has had quite the legend in our house, as it is the big highlight of last year's trip to Florida.  On this trip, Melanie was glued to my body, a little frightened of the whole situation.  Jeff & Joey stayed home, due to the ear infection....but we made up for their absence, by seeing at least FIVE dolphins.  Upon our return to Indiana, I asked Mel what her favorite part of Floirida was, and she said "Larry's boat.  Molly drove it."  Well, that happened two weeks before she was there, but whatever.

We were literally at the pool at least two times a day.  We are looking forward to a fun summer in the water!!

Medical Emergencies

We have been very lucky that our kids have been so low-maintenance from a medical perspective.  Melanie had one urgent-care visit on her first birthday party weekend...she had one ear infection ever....neither kid has ever been to the ER....no stitches, less than 5 fevers....

Enter our trip to Florida.  Friday night, before our Sunday departure, Joey started coughing.  One plane trip later, and we decided it was probably an ear infection (he has had a couple at this point).  We waited it out until Tuesday, and then went to urgent care in Florida (his first trip to urgent care).  Bingo, double ear infection.  At the urgent care visit, he logged a slight fever (less than 100 degrees).  That, coupled with Melanie's 101.9-degree temp from the morning, led to a less-than-ideal start to the vacation.

Later that night, as I was bathing Melanie in the master bathroom's ridiculously-deep tub, she slipped and split her chin open.  As I scooped her up, sopping wet and bloody, we contemplated taking her to the ER to see if she needed stitches.  Luckily, since we are all medical professionals, we decided butterfly band-aids and lots of love were sufficient to cure her wound.

The next couple of nights were accompanied by a lot of coughing by both children, and a fluctuating fever by Melanie.  Joey started his antibiotic (FREE at Florida Publix stores!!) - They both got grumpier and more lethargic throughout the week due to the lack of sleep due to coughing.  Overall, though, they were troopers, and we decided there was no better place to be sick than 75-degree & sunny Florida, with Gigi & Poppy to take care of everyone!

As we left for the airport on Friday, I had a thought that I didn't vocalize...."Wow, one thing we didn't do was throw up..... at least we got away with that."  Cue the baby throw-up, as we got off the exit to the airport after being backed up on the interstate dangerously long for our flight.  One quick gas-station change of clothes (old clothes being thrown away).... back on the road, pulling into the rental car spot....another baby throw up......mop up the clothes, let's get the bags checked before the deadline......Okay, Indiana, here we come!!!!

Heading To Florida

Joey's first flight was to see his Gigi and Poppy in Florida.  He was just shy of 10 months old, and guided along by his big sister who has flown three previous times - all within six months, from the age of 1 year to 1.5 years.  So we knew we were in for a treat flying with both kids.  They actually did amazingly well - neither of them slept, despite the fact we had to wake them up at 4am on Sunday to catch the flight.   As long as Joey had someone to flirt with, he was pretty much okay.  The four of us shared three seats, with Melanie generally in the middle seat, and Joey choosing where he wanted to go.

We landed in Sarasota around 10am, worked on the carseats for a while, and then drove our rental car an hour south to Gigi & Poppy's condo.   We were poolside before 12:30pm, which was such a welcome change from the Indiana coldness!!

On our way to the pool, Gigi and Poppy weren't even home yet, but there was no stopping us!!

Family Outings around Indy

Joey has been to several restaurants in his short life....but finally, the straps were freed, and he was able to dine at the table like a real person!!  He enjoyed some delicious breadsticks at Arni's with the whole family....We're starting him out right!

The trip to Arni's was the first of three outings we had to purchase our new minivan.  We have gone against the Worzala grain and bought a Toyota Sienna.  We sold the Rendezvous (Jeff's car), and he now drives the Impala, and I drive the Sienna.  I am in heaven with the automatic sliding doors.  Now if I could just remember which button on my remote opens which door, I'll be in business.  Melanie, after some initial hesitation, has declared her love of the "miniban" too - and I think she enjoys her seat that is so much higher!  She loves the DVD player, even when she's not listening to the headphones.  I have put a ban on watching movies between daycare and home.  It's one mile.

Every Girl's Crazy About A...

...Sharp Dressed Man.  Joey got all dressed up in his shirt/tie for church last Sunday.  He will be 10 months old next week, and he's doing great!  He loves food...is eating everything they serve him at daycare (yesterday's lunch was a taco, for instance).  He still only has the two bottom teeth, but that doesn't stop him!  He is truly my son, he's a sleeper!  I think the reason I have so few pictures of him out here is that he sleeps most of the day away...and is in bed by 7pm every night!   

Big Sister Advice

Melanie had her friend Grace over on Tuesday night.  Grace has a one-week-old baby sister, so we wanted to have her down to play so her parents could get some quiet time.  Mel knows Grace from daycare, but she also lives in our neighborhood.  She called her by her last name all night.  About 5 minutes after G arrived, Melanie decided she needed to change to her pajamas, hence the wardrobe in the photos above.  It was a fun night, where Melanie got to impart her big sister advice to Grace.  Most important advice:  Keep small toys and food away from your baby brother/baby sister.  They got some practice with this as Joey played with them for a while.  Yet, still no pictures of Joey.  Poor second child.