Easter 2011

Happy Easter!!



We headed down to St. Pete last week to spend Easter with the family. Plus, Nick and Robyn brought the girls down and we were finally able to meet Caroline! We drove down Wednesday night and Caroline and the adults were still up. She was playing on her play mat, so we put Robbie down next to her. Caroline is very petite and Robbie is not, so it's funny to see the size difference even though they are only 15 days apart (Caroline is older). At this stage babies are all about grabbing, so there was definitely ear, cheek and hair pulling going on. We spent about as much time pulling them apart as we did letting them play together! It was still cute, though.

Mom and Dad had to work Thursday, though Dad didn't go in until 8. We hung out at my parent's house and then headed to see Grandma for lunch. She reserved the private dining room for us. I think Taylor ate most of Grandma's fruit and she also got half of her cake, though she only got cake because she ate her sandwich. The food was really good. Unfortunately Robbie was getting tired and fussy, so we left early. Mom gets off work pretty early, so she got home shortly after we did. Jill and Jason stopped by with Ryan. I can't believe that Ryan is a year old! We have very cute kids in our family!! Mom made orzo chicken for dinner. It's one of the recipes from the meal plan and we really like it.

Friday morning, Jonathan, Chat and the kids came over to visit with Nick and Robyn and the kids before they left. I wasn't sure when we were going to see them, so I'm glad they came over. The big girls had fun playing together and even Nathan got to join in (sometimes). Mom had Robbie asleep in the stroller, so we sat in the garage and watched the kids play. It was really nice outside. Unfortunately Jonathan had to go to work, so they all left a little after 11. We had lunch and then Nick and Robyn got their car packed up for their trip home. It was such a short visit with them, but I'm glad they came down and we were able to see them for a while.

After Nick and Robyn left, Matt and I took Robbie over to Mimi and Gramps' for a visit. Barbara headed over when she got off work. I left to go take a spin class at Jill's studio and we hung out for a while after class, so I don't feel like I was at Mimi and Gramps' for very long. I did go back and have dinner at their house. I was surprised to see Mark and Brigette and Monett and Gary there, but it was nice to see them again. I know Robbie was passed around and played with a lot with all of them there.

Saturday morning we headed over to Tampa to visit with Jim, Jean and Brittany. We got a later start than we wanted, so we didn't visit at the house too long before we headed to Lowery Park Zoo. We were worried that it was going to be too hot, but it wasn't that bad. We got to hear the monkey enrichment talk and see them getting their food in toys. I never see the animals that active and we think Robbie was checking them out as well. Since it was very sunny and we forgot Robbie's hat Jim bought him a cute one at one of the gift shops. It's pretty big for him, so he'll have to grow into it, but at least we'll have it for a while. Robbie got to feed the giraffe. (Matt held the lettuce in his hand.) I'm not quite sure what Robbie thought about it, but he was a good sport. I also think he liked seeing the manatee when we went to the underwater viewing area. After the zoo we headed back to the house. We thought we'd give Robbie a quick bath to cool him down. I think he liked the sink being his size...until he pooped! That's the first time he pooped while getting a bath. We cleaned Robbie and the sink and then he got his Easter basket. Robbie got a couple of toys, some new clothes and baby food. We took the baby food to dinner with us to let Robbie try it. I'm not sure how much he actually at v. how much he got all over his face, hands, clothes and me! The food is pretty neat. It's in a pouch and we got spoons that screw on, so it's all in one feeding.

We were up early Sunday morning for church. Robbie stayed in the nursery. It was funny to me to hand him over to the nursery workers because I used to be the one watching the babies, not dropping them off! I saw several familiar faces. After church we took some Easter photos and had lunch with Jonathan, Chat and the kids. Nathan was so excited about his Lightning McQueen picture that he had and kept showing it off to everyone. Mia showed us some of her dances from class and gymnastics moves she's learned. Mia also said that she wanted to be Robbie's baby sitter, but she wouldn't change his diaper. I don't blame her! :) After lunch Jonathan, Dad, Mia and Nathan took a nap. Mom did fall asleep while holding Robbie, though I woke her up taking their picture. I felt bad leaving while Jonathan and the kids were still sleeping, but we had Easter dinner ready for us at Mimi and Gramps'.

Matt and I were pretty full from lunch, so neither of us had a big dinner, but we were happy to visit with everyone that was over. Barbara made and decorated cute individual egg cakes with Publix icing. Too bad I couldn't have one, they looked delicious! Robbie was getting tired around 7, so we knew that was a good time to get him in the car and head home. He slept the whole way home, which is nice for us, but he wasn't quite ready to hit the crib when we got here. Matt was nice enough to stay up with Robbie (and catch the end of a basketball game) so I could go to bed. We did "sleep training" with Robbie while we were at my parent's house which just means we let him cry himself to sleep. I never thought I'd be a "cry it out" mom, but the longest he went was maybe 10 minutes. It's still working now that we are home, though I admit Robbie slept with me for a couple of hours in the recliner last night, but that's only because I was so tired I fell asleep!

We had a really nice visit. It's going to be hard tonight now that I have to cook again! :)