Back in Bmore

Well…a few weeks have passed and we were in Baltimore for most of it. Ryan was busy planning our trip before we left.

Before we left we had a fun month. We got to go to the carousel in Central Park and Andrew loved it. Ryan wasn't soo sure. 

After some pony rides and sweaty park time we had to come home to some mummy bath wraps.

Cousins Matt and Julie came to visit for a few days and their timing was perfect. I had entered and won a trip to Liberty Island for dinner and a walk around the Statue of Liberty.

Andrew took this-

Ryan had to show Matt how to dance, and we had to take them to our favorite ice cream place-16 Handles

We made our way back to Baltimore after cousin Sam's show that weekend and plopped down for our two week stay. Chris had some traveling to do, so the boys and I bounced around to everyones house to play. Andrew and Kendall got to do their first sleepover, and even managed to sleep in the same bunk all night. We got to visit with so many good friends and had a great time. We got to visit The Herr's Potato Chip Factory and Longwood Gardens in PA.

 Ryan finally got turned around and can enjoy a "normal" view!

 Chris and I also celebrated our anniversary, two birthday parties for his dad's 60th (Andrew helped make a cake), and my 30th birthday. We went to some wonderful restaurants, The Antrim 1844, and Cirque de Soleil.
We also got to experience an earthquake. Ryan was asleep, but Andrew and I were downstairs when it started and after a few seconds I said, "I think this is an earthquake!" Andrew looked outside and said, "I don't think its the wind!" Priceless.

Andrew wanted to eat Papa's head soo bad off the cakes, so the next night I let him-

Andrew holding Baby Tyler

Ryans FAVORITE past time

Playing with Noah

 Ryan got his first head injury when he got up close and personal with Grammy and Papa's glass table. Luckily it looked this good the next morning.

We had a delicious birthday dinner at M&J's, and got to return to NYC after dinner and Hurricane Irene had passed. 

The boys are back to their "normal" routine and we have now encountered another fun pleasure of living in an apartment. They are working (turning 2 apartments into 1) RIGHT above us. The boys were better today, but scared poopless yesterday of the drilling and hammering. Ryan kept running around holding his head like they were about to come through the ceiling, because that is basically what it sounded like. Hopefully (fingers crossed) it won't take too long.
And this depicts our nights…love my boys…

One month down!!

We have officially been in the city for one month now…somedays it seems MUCH longer, others like we just arrived.
Before we ventured back to Baltimore for a few days, we made it to the Toys R Us flagship store in Times Square.  There is a ferris wheel INSIDE the store, which Andrew thought was awesome and told everyone about. These pictures are on the ride, even though its hard to tell.

We were home for a few days and Andrew, Ryan and I got to visit with Aunt Betty's puppies.  The boys were IN LOVE, at least when Ryan wasn't trying to stomp on their tails. Then we got to help with Aunt Linda's horses.

I absolutely love this picture. 

This is what happens when Andrew goes to time out and there isn't anywhere to put him. Our time out spot is in the "hallway" if you will. Ryan always wants to join him and cry along with him.

 We checked out a new park that Andrew wasn't really crazy about, but they did have some spraying elephants.

I was dying to check out Pinkberry, but I don't know if I'll need to head back. 16 Handles is much yummier:)

We made it to the American Museum of Natural History yesterday and had a fun time. Ryan lasted longer than I thought he would, but we did buy a membership so we could go back as often as we want to.  You could easily spend hours in here and we look forward to going back with visitors!

This is what happens when you are really hungry with a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Andrew did ask this week if there was grass anywhere in NYC. There aren't really a lot of grassy areas right around us.  My favorite quote of the week though was when I called a gym. I asked if they had childcare. She said "huh?" I replied, babysitting? She said in her SUPER snotty voice, "this is a gym."  I said, I know, while you work out, do you have childcare, babysitting.  And she said, um, no…Obviously she had never heard of childcare in a gym.  Who would  have thought moms may want to exercise?!?(and not have their nannies in tow!)
Again, I apologize to those of you that keep getting the venting call. Even though there is so much to do here, some of it is a bit challenging with the kids. It is a very kid friendly area, but they were definitely thought of AFTER the fact. One market I can't take the single stroller in because it won't fit through the checkout (just like half the lanes at Wegmans with your cart-you guys know what I am talking about?) The store I like the most (that I did get the groceries delivered finally), I have to collapse the stroller when I get there and leave it at customer service if I need a cart, because there isn't anywhere to keep it. Most people just get a few things, which I am getting used to, but sometimes you just need to get more than a handheld basket.  The same goes with the gym I am joining-I have to collapse the stroller to get up the steps into the gym and leave it behind the front desk. Then the "childcare" is in the aerobics room upstairs with some toys in the closet. They pull out whatever you may want that day to play with. It is so foreign from our whole play areas.
We are looking forward to seeing some familiar faces this week and weekend! And we have cousin Sam's play to see in the Fringe Festival! Soo cool!