Piece of Cake

The Linkers. Making travel look easy. Don't we look like a happy well-rested family? If you only knew the chaos that immediately preceded this picture.

We just returned to Rhode Island from a California adventure. While Owen is a seasoned bi-coastal traveler, this was Mitchell's first journey to the west coast. Three cities, Halloween and a wedding - our itinerary was ambitious. The three hour time change and daylight savings made things even more interesting. We were up everyday before the sun allowing for plenty of togetherness.

A few things I learned...traveling with a baby is exponentially easier than traveling with a toddler. You don't realize how long a six hour plane ride is until you've had to entertain kids. Along those same lines, playing video games helps pass the time while holding a sleeping baby. A friendly husband and cute kids helps to make friends and sympathizers. It also helps to have a loving aunt and Bubbie (aka Bubs) waiting in sunny California. One more thing, watching the sun set over the Pacific will never ever get old.

Here are some of the best memories from our trip.

Happy Halloween. A cop, his prisoner, a couple of ninjas and a little mermaid!

We celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary at Kim and Artie's wedding. Yay!

Mitchell's first ride in the baby swing rocked his world;

And playing in the ocean rocked his!

Mitchell couldn't get enough of playing with his Bubbie and Aunt Amy. I think it's fair to say that the feeling was mutual. It's impossible not to fall prey to this sweet baby's charm.

Bunny. Bath. Brothers.

Good Times at Schartner Farms

A hayride, pumpkins, a corn maze and a even visit from Mr. October. All of this before nap time!

My Life in Cliches

Insert your preferred cliche about the passage of time but how is it possible that Mitchell is six months old? It seems like just yesterday he was smoosh faced newborn and now he's a smiley chubby baby. The last six months have been a complete whirlwind. Again with the cliches!

Life here is crazy. I keep hoping that things will get easier, become a little more manageable. I am told that I can expect this to happen around the time that we send Mitchell to kindergarten. Kindergarten! In the remaining 5+ years, I need to learn to embrace chaos, irrational little people and utter exhaustion. A tall order for this fun-loving control freak (how's that for a positive spin?). But, as they say, when the going gets tough...the tough get on the potty.

Ah, a picture's worth a thousand words. Sorry. Last one. Promise.

For the record, Owen is reading Good Night Chicago.  And no, he did not successfully use the potty. Figure it's a good start, though.

Three Sleeping Linkers

Today was a big day. In a giant step toward boyhood, Owen threw his pacifier in the garbage right before his nap. Yeah, that pretty much went over like a lead balloon.

I escaped to the grocery store after about 10 minutes of Owen screaming, "MOMMY" at the top of his lungs. I came home to a quiet house and some seriously cute desperation napping. 

When Grandma Comes to Visit

When Grandma comes to Rhode Island, we have the most fun! She gives us ice cream and lots of hugs. She takes us for walks in the woods and by the ocean.

She captures our curiosities;

our cuteness;

and our neighbors...

Nom Nom Good

Much to Mitchell's delight and occasional disgust, we have boldly headed into the exciting world of table food. I was optimistic that filling his tummy with cereal and fruity goodness would help him sleep through the night. Unfortunately, I cannot yet count 12 hours of straight sleep (too ambitious?) as one of his many tricks. However, Mitch rolls over like a champ, munches on his feet like no one's business, talks up a storm and laughs in the face of a screaming toddler, a barking dog and an occasionally (often is probably more accurate) frustrated Mommy.

Owen's new purpose in life is to make Mitchell laugh and mine is to make sure that no one gets seriously injured in the process. While Owen gets a gold star for being loving and very enthusiastic, we still have to work on being quiet and gentle. Regardless, hearing these two boys squeal with delight is pretty amazing.

I can't believe this little munchkin is already five months old...