Day 28: Surprise!

I really struggled with what to post on our last photo-a-day challenge day.  I have several photos I could put up, but wasn't sure which one would fit this all-important final spot.  Then I decided that since several of our friends and family member still haven't received our fun announcement in the mail, I'd post it right here.
Here is Max, sharing our big news:

I'm sorry if you have been directed to this page because your mail hasn't arrived.  I've been told the post office doesn't consider postcards 1st class mail and many of your cards are being treated like advertisements.  Well, in fact, they kind of are, but we would prefer if they actually showed up in your mail box and not with your mailer coupons!

David and I are super excited, as is Max, but it may have been hard for you to tell based on his expression.  Hee hee.

Now tomorrow, I can post something to go with this fun piece of news!

Day 27: Pilates = Vacation

I've been taking a pilates reformer class once per week at a studio near the house.  I get out on Wednesday afternoons for what ends up being about 2 hours.  I leave Max at home with our new sitter.  He's happy to play with Sarah.  I'm happy to let him.  It's been a really great set-up - I get physical exercise and mental time off and he gets to entertain a new playmate for a few hours.  

The class is limited to 3 participants.  Usually, it's me and only one other person, plus the instructor.  Yesterday, we had a third and it's funny how one person can change the dynamic so much.  This woman was 56 and in great shape.  She said she plays golf and tennis several times per week.  She also does pilates when she can get into the class.  Apparently, it had been 2 weeks since she'd been to a class.  So, she complained.  And complained.  And complained.  About everything.  It was too hard.  There was too much resistance in the springs.  How many more seconds do we have to hold this?!  

I couldn't help but laugh to myself.  I noticed that the other "regular" in the class had started to complain too!  The instructor was giving them a hard time and then pointed out that I wasn't complaining, so I must be superwoman.  They both stared at me.  Or glared.  Not sure.  I had to chuckle, then explain that this pilates class was my vacation!  I loved coming to class.  It was my once per week chance to get out of the house and do something for myself.  I get to be around other adults and do something fun.  I feel great when I finish the workouts.  In fact, I stretch every last minute before I go back home, since I'm paying the babysitter to be there anyway.   Somehow, I think that my "reason for being there" became my "excuse for being a non-complainer" to them.  Oh well.  It kept them quiet for a little while anyway!  Here's my complaint:  I've only got 2 more of these classes left before we leave Durham!  I hope I can find something like it when we move.  More on our move tomorrow!

Day 26: Eat your grits!

We were cruising through downtown Durham on our way home and decided to stop for some dinner.  We had heard of several recommendations for area restaurants, but much to my surprise, David decided we ought to try eating here:

I wasn't sure about the combination, but decided I could go for waffles....until I scanned the menu!  True Southern fare.  I decided to give it a shot after hearing the waitress' suggestions.   Here's what I ordered:

The Buttercup.  1 fried chicken cutlet sandwiched between 2 sweet potato waffles with maple cream butter, and a side of cheese grits.  I've never been a fan of grits, but holy mole!  I fell in love with the grits and did a pretty good job of cleaning most of my plate (saving some left-overs for lunch tomorrow).  Wow!  Best food I've had in North Carolina so far!

David ordered the fried chicken cutlet with one large blueberry waffle served with vanilla almond butter and cheese grits.  Mine was better.  Just sayin'.  ;)

Day 25: Rise and shine!

Here is a picture David snapped during his commute to Greenville, North Carolina this morning.  He was up at 3:50am and out of the house less than an hour later to take the 2-hour drive for his 7am meeting.  Yowsers!  It's a pretty picture, but I'm happy I was still watching the inside of my eyelids.  Thank goodness Max didn't start crowing until 6:51am!

Happy Birthday, Kristine!  Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday, dear Kristine.....Happy Birthday to YOU!  A thousand candles on your birthday cake couldn't be brighter than the light you bring into our lives.   You are so kind-hearted and thoughtful.  You've fit seamlessly into our family and I love how you can easily dish back whatever teasing is light-heartedly thrown your way.  We love you and miss you!  Hope Dominic made you feel extra special today!

Day 24: SUN-day

Yay for sun!  Sun, sun, sun!

On Sunday, we had some sun!  Yahoo!  I'm doing a little dance right now, it made me so happy!  So did the Thin Mint cookies we purchased from the Girl Scouts following 11am Mass.   But, back to the sun.
The weather was so beautiful!  Max and I hung out outside as much as we could.  We played on the sidewalk.  We watched the kids fly by on their scooters.  We said hello to all the people with their doggies that walked by.   It sure felt like spring!   Here is Max pushing his toy down the sidewalk.   He would up all the leaves and pine needles he could find and put them into his cart.

Later in the afternoon, we took the 3 mile loop near Washington Duke Inn on the edge of Duke's campus.  It winds past the golf course, through the woods, over a bird and water animal habitat area.  Very pretty.  So nice to be outside today!

Day 23: Max Attack

Another day of rain.

David had a meeting in the morning, so Max and I hung out until he got home.  That afternoon, we managed to get outside for a long walk without getting wet.   We took a really long walk, which felt great after being stuck inside for 2 days.  Later, David and I snuck out on a date while Max played with his babysitter, Sarah.

We chose a Colorado-inspired restaurant near the theatre, but found out when we got there that they had an 85 minute wait!  We ended up sitting at the bar of a sports bar/restaurant in order to make our movie on time.   We saw Silver Linings Playbook.  I thought it was really good - a little romantic, a little serious, and a little crazy with enough comedy to take the edge off.

I can't believe I didn't snap a picture of us out on our date.  We almost can't believe we had one.   But here's a quick video of Max being super silly after our walk.

Day 22: Rain, rain, go away!

The weather forecast for today was rain turning to ice and sleet, then rain the rest of the day and again Saturday.  Yuk.  Max and I are starting to get a little stir crazy.  We went out between the rain drops this afternoon, but had to stay inside to play the rest of the day.  I tried to ration his toys.  After books, books, and more books, we took some time to play with his blocks tonight.  David joined in after he was done working.  Max knows just when David has closed up shop for the day because he can hear the baby gate opening downstairs.  He crawls to the door and greets David with "Dada! Dada! Dada!"  This is usually followed by "apple," but that's okay.  

Day 21: Pop, pop, pop

I received a beautiful gift from David's parents for my birthday - a vintage beaded handbag and belt.   This morning, Max and I had fun popping the bubble wrap that he found in the box.  He squeezed and stomped until every last bubble was gone!

Day 20: Good, clean fun!

After helping us take the laundry out of the dryer, Max watches us try to fold it as fast as he can unfold it.  Once the work is done, the play begins.  David got the green light from the surgeon to do a bit more activity, so he and Max are catching up on some of the games they missed while he was recuperating.  Keep in mind, this was supposed to be a quiet game right before Max went to bed.  Who do you think is more tired at the end?

Day 19: Our little helper

Max has started mimicking so many of our every day behaviors that we've had to become more aware of what we're doing and saying around him.  There are a few things we hope he doesn't figure out, but others that I'm excited to let him run with.  Household chores, for instance, I'm amazed that he finds fun and I hope it continues for a while.

Here is Max helping David take out the garbage:

Day 18: A very happy birthday!

Today I celebrated my 33rd birthday and it was definitely one of my favorites.  Even though we didn't celebrate by snowboarding all day or traveling or visiting with friends and family like we have in recent years, it was very happy.  It was special because of the thoughtfulness of my amazing husband, the pure exuberance of my little man, and the sweet phone calls, emails and text messages of those who were far away.  There was no shortage of smiles or laughter all day.  Thank you all for making me feel so very special today!

Max and I made a wish at the fountain today.  He thought it was a great idea until he had to let go of the coin...then he wasn't so sure.

Here we are enjoying dinner at home.  David showed Max how to eat the pasta rings off his fingers.  Great trick.

Day 17: Twinkle, Sparkle

It was such a relaxing day today!  Max slept in, so we slept in.  Max took a quiet nap, so I took a nap.   Ahhh!  Much needed rest after a what seemed like a really long week.

For my birthday and Valentine's Day, David wanted to buy me a pair of earrings and suggested we go to pick them out together.  What a gem!
Max loved all that glittery, shiny jewelry and showed me his favorites:

Tonight, David was showing Max how to whistle.  Try as he might, he just couldn't get it.  I told him what my Dad told me:  he needed to eat more bread crusts and someday he'd be able to whistle too.  

Day 16: Let it snow?!

What?!  I thought we were in North Carolina.  What is this white stuff falling from the sky?  This is supposedly a rare occurrence, yet I think it's the 3rd time it has snowed since we arrived.   I know I shouldn't complain when the Northeast is blanketed under 2 feet of snow, but we're below the Mason-Dixon line, folks.  It's just not right!  Fortunately, it was warm enough yesterday that it's melting on contact with the ground.  So, we're left with wet, wet, wet.
Max stares in wonder at the snow falling from the sky:

Day 15: Littlest golf spectator

Max LOVES to watch golf with us.  I was surprised that he'd follow the ball on TV, but he gets very excited when the pro hits the ball, then watches until it lands on the fairway or green before clapping.  He has proven to be quite the spectator already.  

Day 14: Happy Heart Day!

It's Valentine's Day!  Whether you view it as a real occasion to celebrate or think of it only as a Hallmark holiday, I hope you can at least appreciate the love in the air all around you...

David brought home balloons today and Max flipped!

We had a date lunch at Randy's pizza today.  Max thought the slice of cheese pizza was yummy!  David surprised me at home with an I O U for earrings and NY style cheesecake for dessert!  Double wham!

Day 13: Oops!

I didn't post a picture on Day 13.  Oops.  Here's one to make up for it.

Max likes to pretend he's on the phone.  Today, he's talking with Nana.

Day 12: Happy Fat Tuesday!

Wow!  What news today!  Did you see that the Pope resigned, the manhunt for Dorner is finally over, and North Korea completed a huge nuclear "test"?  Man!  We've been playing CNN in the background all afternoon.  Oh, and the drama queen was finally escorted off the Bachelor last night.  I am kidding on that last one being news, but it was quite important for David and me - and our chances in our friendly bet with the Sarmientos.  
I decided to make dinner early tonight.  Chicken with au gratin potatoes and green beans.   Yum.  Max is into absolutely everything now.  While I was cooking, he was pulling utensils and bibs and placemats out of the lower drawers and dragging them around the house.  I've got most of the cabinets locked, with the exception of those drawers, and the lazy Susan which I can see becoming enemy number one for Max's fingers.  I can't remember why I didn't just buy the whole child-proofing kit and caboodle.   I guess you learn.
David has challenged the surgeon's instructions to take a week off work.  Yesterday he had one meeting, which he completed, but with low energy, according to him.  Today was a bit of a struggle.  When I sent him back to bed this morning because he was pale and nauseated, he took a 45 minute nap and then finally conceded and called off meeting number one.  He got up for meeting number two, only to drive there to find out he was the only person in attendance.  How is that for frustrating?!  I'm happy he's got an office day tomorrow.  I need to share a bit of wisdom from my nursing days - "you can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself."  I certainly don't want his recovery to be delayed because he's trying to be a superhero.  I've got to keep working on him...

Today was one of those days that I had high aspirations and disappointingly low output.  I think I accomplished two things on my list.  Okay, three, if you count making dinner.  Ugh.  So my plan was to post a picture today of something Mardi Gras themed on our outing today.  I didn't think I could get away with snapping a picture of the Target sales associate wearing strands of beads - that's not fun anyway.  And since shopping at Target always takes longer than planned, we didn't get to spend time doing the fun thing I had planned.  So, instead, here is a picture of us opening Max's gift from his cousins.  Thank you, Uncle Steve, Aunt Julie, Jack and Abby for the cute polo shirt and beautiful picture.  Max had fun popping all the bubble wrap!

Day 11: Just around the corner.

My Valentine's Day gift to David is finally complete and I've been keeping it hidden...

Day 10: Get creative, Mom.

Well, we used the Ergo yesterday to keep Max contained.  Today, it was the Pack n Play.

Here he is watching me make dinner from his perch in the dining room.  Good thing he doesn't tire of Hide n Seek yet.  But I think I better get more creative...

Day 9: Post-op day 1

David is recovering at home today.  He's feeling a lot better than yesterday and moving around pretty well.  Even though I worked on a surgical unit for over a year in my floor nursing days, I seem to be only half a nurse when it comes to family.  It's just hard seeing someone you love in pain.  I got dizzy and nauseated this morning when I thought back to yesterday and how out of it David was.  I could barely stand up when his post-op nurse showed me his surgical site.  And it's nothing!  How embarrassing!  I'm so glad he's starting to look and feel like himself again and I'm praying we don't have any more surgeries in front of us. 
Max knows something is up, so he's been hanging on to me for dear life.  I finally had to strap him into our new Ergo carrier just to get through the morning.  Thank goodness he loves it.  He just giggles non-stop when he's on my back.  Here we are after delivering David's lunch.

Day 8: A new belly button for Daddy

One of my new favorite children's books is called Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons.  To hear the story yourself on You Tube, click the book title.   Well, anyway, if you haven't read it, Pete the Cat realizes that even though buttons come and buttons go, he will always have his belly button.  I think David maybe able to relate to Pete the Cat after today. 

Here he is in Pre-Op, ready and waiting for the anesthesiologist to take him back to the OR.  As he was being wheeled away, he was talking about our trip to Machu Picchu.  That is the last thing he remembers...and then he woke up in Recovery 47 minutes later.   Not sure he would have given me a thumbs up had I taken a picture afterwards, but I bet he'd give 2 thumbs up to the surgeon and staff.  They did an awesome job!

Day 7: Preparation Day

It was a busy day today.  Max and I spent all day getting ready for tomorrow, when David goes in for his surgery.  We took a break to get out of the house and go for a long walk.   Since it was a full sun day, I brought his shades.  I was super surprised to find that he wore them the entire walk!  He must have thought he looked pretty cool or else was happy not to sun sneeze.  Not sure what a sun sneeze is? - Click here.  I find it interesting that it's hereditary.  Genetic reflex or not, he's still a pretty cool dude. 

Max will be spending tomorrow with his new babysitter.  We found Sarah on Care.com and interviewed her last weekend.  We felt immediately comfortable with her and Max had no trouble asking her to play right away.  It's nice that I won't have to worry about him tomorrow.  I know he'll be in great hands.  And if it works out well, maybe she'll babysit again so David and I can go on a real date.  Even though it's our first time out together in 6 weeks, I'm not sure it would fall under the "date" category.  I prefer if my dates aren't completely incapacitated.   Anesthesia isn't so romantic.

Day 6: A trip to Tutti Frutti

It was so beautiful out today - a sunny, 61 degrees.  Max and I ran a few errands and then stopped at Tutti Frutti, our local frozen yogurt shop for a quick treat.  I haven't had frozen yogurt in forever.  And Max, well, never.  So, I served us up a 1/2 & 1/2 - Nutella for me and vanilla for him.  He thought the frozen yogurt was a bit too cold, but totally loved the big green booth and the pink spoon.  We drove home with the windows down....ahhhhh!

Day 5: Lunch Date with Daddy

David's meeting let out early this morning, so he invited us to meet him for lunch at one of my favorite spots - Red Robin, yummmmm!  Max spent the entire time whip-lashing his little head back and forth, too excited with the giant red robin statue, the lights, and the friendly patrons to actually eat anything, well, except for the crayons!

What's this?

Oh, I get it.  Mmmmm!

Day 4: A little excitement for a Monday

Max was overly excited to play with his new block set today.  He always gets excited for play time, but since he got his new block set from his godfather, Dan, it's like Christmas morning, every morning.

Learning about Raleigh-Durham

Okay, so we've been in Raleigh-Durham for almost a month now and I've been way behind.  We're getting along well here.  Our neighborhood is really quiet, our neighbors are super friendly, and I'm more than excited to do some exploring.  I'm kind of a closet history buff, and David doesn't really share my interest, but I do plan to drag him to some civil war sites while we are here, because, well, you just have to see them, right?  Especially now that I've seen Lincoln.  It's been a bit cold of late, with the exception of early last week, which was a perfect 74 degrees.  I'm hoping it continues to warm up so that getting out and about is more appealing.

So, here's what I've learned about our new city:

• Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill is what's known as "The Triangle," or Research Triangle, so named for the number of research universities within.  You've got UNC - Chapel Hill, Duke University, Wake Forest, and NC-State within a few short miles of each other.  It's one of the country's largest and most successful research parks and a major center in the U.S. for high-tech and biotech research.  
• Raleigh-Durham is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state, after Charlotte.  
• Center to a ton of history, including the role it played in the Civil War, North Carolina was the last state to secede.  Durham was the site of fierce fighting and the surrender at Bennett Place, now considered to have effectively ended the Civil War.  
• We're about 3 and 1/2 hours to the Great Smokey Mountains and about 2 and 1/2 hours to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Tobacco Road not only refers to the tobacco-producing area of North Carolina, it actually refers to sports played between rival North Carolina universities.   These are the universities listed above, also called the Big Four.  Huh.  Well, I've never been much of a basketball fan.  I guess I'm in the wrong state this time of year.  

Okay, so I haven't learned a ton yet.  But we're here for another 2 months, so I still have some time.   I'm excited to see more of North Carolina, especially the beach and the mountains and I think David is planning to see a Duke game in the next month.   It's bound to get a little crazy here for March Madness and then we depart on March 19th, the day of the seminar.   Makes it seem like it's going to go fast...

Day 3: Super Duper Do!

Max hit the hay just after kick-off tonight, so David and I are cheering for the Ravens for him.  Despite missing the game, he had a little "super" of his own going on today.
Max woke up today with a super duper do.  Check it out:

Day 2 - Happy Groundhog Day!

We attended the Groundhog Day ceremony in Raleigh, where Sir Walter Raleigh, groundhog extraordinaire, saw his shadow on this cold, but sunny day.  Thus, six more weeks of winter for us. 

Day One: Photo-a-day Challenge Begins!

So, in order to do a better job of keeping up my blog, I've started a photo-a-day challenge.  I've had a few friends who have done this in the past, and I've really enjoyed seeing daily life through their eyes.   February is a relatively short month, so let's see if I can keep it up!

Here is a sign I caught at Nordstrom Rack, advertising the price of, get this - infant clothing!  Yep, it's $209.97 and under, folks!  For babies! What?!  I checked the rack, and sure enough, there was an item for $209.97.  It was a white down bunting.  I forgot to check the brand, but geez, what a bargain!