Back in town

Drew layers his coats and checks out the snow!

Day Day, Drew and CC waddle out of the buffet.

Drew tries on his new snow boots.
Drew and Day Day in the middle of some serious rough-housing!


I've been tardy on my blogging because Drewby and I went to visit my folks in Minnesota for a few days. We had the best time despite the frigid temps! Our trip started out with a memorable plane ride. I'm too cheap to buy Drew his own seat so we do the infant in a lap thing although Drew is waaaaayyyy past infant size. I'm usually lucky and end up with an empty middle seat next to us so we can spread out (which Drew does anyway whether we have the extra room or not). I got online the night before our trip to see how full the plane was going to be and was irritated to discover it was maxed out. I asked myself a million times, "who goes from RDU to MSP on a Saturday morning at 8am????" I felt so bad when I got to the aiport and realized the flight was filled with troops returning from Afghanistan. I have never felt so selfish in all my life. Here I was whining about not getting a seat that I hadn't even paid for and these honorable men and women had been away from their families for over 12 months. It ended up being the best flight and a very memorable 3 hours. Drew and I sat next to Ed, a gentleman returning from his 5th time defending our country. What an amazing man! He was so sweet to Drew the entire flight. They played, laughed and shared tons of goldfish while I watched in awe and wiped away tears. Ed had more tricks in his pocket than I had in a huge diaper bag and purse. I kept telling Ed that he didn't have to entertain Drew but he said it was a pleasure to do so. He said it was a wonderful distraction from the butterflies he had in his stomach. He was nervous to see his family after such a long time. Ed started crying on the descent into Minneapolis and all of the troops clapped when the plane landed - they were finally home. When we exited the plane, the terminal was filled with family and friends of these brave soldiers. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. As we waited for our bags, Ed walked up to us because he wanted his wife to meet Drew. He kept thanking me for the wonderful time he had on the flight and for Drew's company. I couldn't believe he was thanking me! We are the ones that should be thankful. Ed made such a positive impression on Drew and I and we are thankful for his service. God Bless the USA!


On to less serious things... Drew had a large time with his grandparents! They let him do whatever he wants and he knows it. Instead of telling Drew to stop when he's up to no good, my Dad tells me to stop telling Drew what to do! This is coming from the man who used to walk into restaurants and tell the hostess he didn't want to sit near any kids. Boy how things change when you become a Grandpa! Daddy even took Drew to his office to show him off :) Mom and I took Drew to the Mall of America and did all kinds of fun activites. We went to the Underground Aquarium, Leggo Land, we saw the Bernstein Bears (Drew didn't like them, probably since they haven't updated their costumes since I was a kid) and rode a carousel. Drew was a hit at the Super Bowl party we went to. He saw a cat for the first time and spent lots of time trying to get it to come out from behind the couch. I also learned that Drew is a big fan of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers! He danced and twirled in front of the TV like I have never seen! Guess I'll have to run out and buy the CD if they even still sell it. Seriously, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers? I like Free Fallin' as much as the next gal but they must have had a last-minute cancelation from the real act. Other trip highlights include Drew and CC playing ring around the rosy over and over in the living room. It never got old! We also did lots and lots of eating! Drew had his first buffet at Dad's casino where we realized Drew digs chicken pot pie and corn pudding and beer-cheese soup and brownies and anything else he could reach off our plates.


We went to The Little Gym class today since we couldn't make it Wednesday. The teacher said it was very quiet without Drew yesterday. What does that mean?