Well, we left our hearts in San Francisco. What a beautiful place! Mom, Peter and I spent a few days in California visiting my brother and I finally got to see what all the fuss is about. We did not plan for much, as this was a visiting trip more than a sightseeing trip. However, you can't leave the house (or hotel) without tripping over something beautiful and/or historic. Waking to a view of the Pacific isn't so bad, either. Grab some popcorn and a drink - this is a long one, folks...

Peter was a trooper on the trip out west. We split the trip into two flights so that we could have a layover and some time to stretch our legs (and sanity thresholds). We had talked up this trip so much and Peter was so excited to finally ride an airplane. The only flight he'd ever taken was when he was three months old, so this was a special day. When the day finally came, he woke excited and bursting with "happy" (his new favorite word). Getting through security and finding our gate was a breeze. Peter was clearly a little overwhelmed by the lines and the bustle - "stand here, take your shoes off, jackets go in the bin, wait our turn, follow Mommy, come on through, high five, sit down, shoes back on...." Who knows what he was thinking?! Of course, he was probably questioning what grown-ups are thinking doing all of that mess. Our gate was located next to the kid's play area, so that helped with the wait. Loading all of our gear onto the plane was another story. The plane was late, so the boarding was rushed and I had a tough time getting the seat belt latched. Long story short, thank goodness my mother was there to keep Peter from running down the aisle of the aircraft.

All that talk about airplanes and how they get really loud, then they go really fast, and then they go really high... it was all in vain. This child got into his car seat, we buckled in, and he started asking for lunch. I kid you not, he didn't see a single cloud go by on that first flight because all he would do is look at us from his window seat and ask for his sandwich. So, after a picnic in the sky and plenty of stories, he took a 25 minute nap. He slept through the landing, but not all the crowd noise once deplaning began. The layover was made short by repeatedly enjoying moving sidewalks with Nanny, and he did really well on the final leg into California. In fact, when I told him Nanny was going to get a car, he shook his head and pointed to the sky - not interested in cars anymore. Planes are the way to travel.

While the next hour of our trip was likely the most eventful and the most stressful, I'll spare details. Use your imagination and picture me with Peter in a stroller and a luggage cart in baggage claim while Mom took the shuttle and our carry-ons (snacks and diapers) to pick up the rental car. Peter has had maybe a handful of leaky diaper experiences in his whole life - two have been in airports. No snacks, no diapers except for the damp ones in our rainsoaked luggage, and no sign of Nanny for 45 minutes. Nice. Once she arrived, all was well and we set on our way from Oakland into San Francisco. At rush hour. And got lost. Did I mention we were in Oakland? Thank goodness Peter didn't seem concerned... he saw so many cranes and machines that all he would say was, "OhWow!" He's saying the "ow" part in the picture below.

Geoffrey was waiting for us at the hotel with a big smile and supper for Peter. While Peter played shy for about 30 seconds, once the words "French fries" were uttered, they were best friends. We enjoyed a nice dinner in and visited, not sure what Peter's late bedtime and time difference would have in store for us in the morning.

Up at 4am PDT. Yay.

After an early morning trip to the grocery store, we set out for a stroll around Fisherman's Wharf. We were also located close to crooked Lombard Street, so we hiked up the hills to see it as well. We later met up with Geoffrey and went to the aquarium and he showed us around town.

When asked where he was going, he replied, "Buh!"
(Translation: I'm going to find Uncle Geoffrey)

Giddy at the notion of helping the fireman

"Choo-choo!"

Throw me something, mister!
Oh wait - wrong city.

At Fisherman's Wharf

We drove over the Golden Gate Bridge that afternoon, but it was so foggy that we couldn't even see the bridge around us. Geoffrey showed us where to go to get a good view on a clear day, and we decided we'd try to do that while he was at work. We were all asleep by 8pm. Party animals!

My two favorite bookworms with their favorite book

A quaint little block off of Market Street

Have backpack, will travel...

We never would have found this viewpoint without Geoff's guidance - breathtaking!

Taking in the views of the GGB, the bay, and the ocean

Spotting an airplane

He spent about three minutes deciding whether or not
to cross this line into the playground sand.
After two days of concrete, cliffs and having to hold hands,
the playground won.

We were able to spend a great deal of time with Geoffrey, even more than we expected given his heavy work load. It was a successful trip on all counts - good visit, good travel, and a flexible little boy. Peter went with the flow and enjoyed every minute, especially once we found grass instead of concrete. He loved spending time with his uncle in Far, Far Away, and loved coming home to his daddy.

Our trip home was less dramatic, even though it was just myself and Peter. He kept me entertained on our nonstop flight with all the words and sounds he had learned that week. He slept a bit and ate a lot of snacks, but he was well-practiced in all the airline procedures. At security, he began taking off his shoes before I could even ask him to, and he sat patiently while I buckled his seat on the plane. We're experts now! I suppose he could smell my apprehension, and he likely knew that he wouldn't fly again soon if he didn't behave himself. I was incredibly proud to be his mama... well, even more so than usual.

Showing his lovey the sights out of his airplane window

What a whirlwind few weeks! As we gear up for a visit to Uncle Geoffrey in California, we are talking lots about airplanes and airports. All the while I am attempting to downplay the fact that he will finally get to ride in an airplane. As soon as he catches on, he'll want to ride every airplane we see or hear. Folks, that's a lot of airplanes.

School is going really well! As I pulled into the parking lot today, he clapped and cheered, "Yay!" A far cry from two months ago. His teachers have loved watching him bloom over the past several weeks, and I must admit that he is talking more and trying harder to repeat after us. We continue to try and censor ourselves - it's a hard habit to develop sometimes. His tantrums have... developed... over the weeks he has been at school and exposed to other kids, but we're hard-hearted. He's learning he doesn't get very far with that nonsense. :)

Hayes is doing really well, staying busy at work and at home. He is still running a bunch and somehow he's able to eat whatever he wants without consequence. I, on the other hand, am growing daily. I feel well and am managing to get adequate rest for this stage in the game, so I count myself lucky. Just keep me in your prayers next week as I brave the germ-infested airplanes. This flu threat and the hype over its effect on pregnant women has me a bit thrown. My cousin suggested I wear a mask on the plane, and I may just have to do it. Oh, you'll see a picture for sure!

We are trying to spend lots of time together as a family these days, since our time as a trio is limited. Peter and I are just about finished with his big boy room, so pics will come soon. In the meantime, enjoy these snapshots of recent days...

Giddy-up!

So proud of these pajamas!

Making elephant ears at the zoo

Baking Halloween cookies with Nanny

Worshipping at the altar of Handy Manny

Enticing squirrels to come and visit
by holding up one of our rather large burr oak acorns

As I cooked dinner one evening, he lugged his napmat, lunchbox,
and lovey up the stairs to come and settle down for a "snooze" on the kitchen floor.

Making gumbo

Rock-a-Callie

I "let him out" onto the porch while I worked on supper,
and walked out after a minute to find him curled up in a blanket
watching a blank tv screen.

We enjoyed a quiet weekend together - first one in a while! We decided to take full advantage of a gorgeous fall day yesterday and have a picnic at the park. Wide open space, a balloon launcher, and a yummy lunch all made for a worn-out little boy... and a long nap time.

Making sure Daddy's drink isn't poisonous

Racing back from a balloon launch

Fetching a balloon

After his nap, we packed up again for a trip out to a pumpkin farm. Last year's visit involved a much shorter attention span, so we were able to stroll around and see all the farm animals before chasing pumpkins (literally) and hopping on a hayride. Peter's favorite? Definitely the tractor pulling us around!

Watching a baby pig at the pumpkin farm

All sorts of wonderful and interesting sights,
yet he wants to play on the plastic slide. Hmph.

Ummmm... this one.

This elusive pumpkin rolled away from Peter every time he got within arm's reach.
When he finally caught it, he wanted nothing more to do with it.

Toddler bliss

Do I have to get off and give other kids a turn?!

It was a good day.

I arrived at school yesterday to pick Peter up,
expecting the usual bouncy, napless boy.
Here's what I found:

Who knew I could get so excited about a nap? Apparently all it took was a teacher suggesting Peter go to sleep in his sleeping bag "just like Daddy." I'll have to remember those three magic words...

It's been a busy few weeks around here with lots of home improvement projects. Nothing like hosting a party to make you get your act together, right? It was a shower for some dear friends expecting their first baby, offering a natural deadline before I take it easy for a few months to focus on our little trio. In the meantime, we've managed to have a few laughs around here.

E for effort?

Monkeyshining at a bouncy birthday party

Showing off the choo-choo sticker from his flu shot

You got me... I have no idea.

Visiting the fire trucks and earning his junior deputy badge

There aren't words.

Enjoying a backyard bouncehouse

Wait - who had more fun?

Well, folks, he's done it. Peter has now survived two full days in school! He has not yet napped in this new environment, but we're okay with that (temporarily) as long as there aren't any tears. All in due time... I arrived to pick him up today to reports of Peter's comedy routines and an infectious good mood. A far different child than they met four weeks ago. Woohoo!

On a different note, Hayes and I snuck away to New York last weekend for a delightful reminder of why we loved living there. The weather was perfect, we ate like royalty, we saw some shows and explored lots of different parts of the city. We literally ran into a college friend on the street corner, and we had a surprise visit with a dear friend from my high school. Our feet were glad to be back from the land of pedestrians, but we are thrilled to report that we still do, indeed, heart New York.

Hayes at the rooftop bar in our hotel

Yes, that's a live frog.
Long story - part of a fabulous scavenger hunt tour across downtown.

Biking across the Brooklyn Bridge

Surprise! A giant puff of cotton candy
- one of four desserts we ended up with at this particular dinner -
"for the baby," said the waiter. Far be it from me to disappoint....

Speaking of the bebe, all is well! Lots of movement, especially upon hearing Peter's and Hayes's voices. If my bump size is any indication, we've got another linebacker on the way. Ha!

We saw the butterbean today! I am just over 19 weeks and my ultrasound showed a perfectly healthy and active baby. (S)He had the hiccups off and on throughout the ultrasound, but we caught several glimpses of thumbsucking and one hand resting over the heart. So patriotic!

You'll see a profile shot below, as well as a footprint. This profile is more Hayes's side to me while I saw mostly my family in Peter's ultrasound profile. Note the squared-off shape of the foot. I suspect we may have another thick-footed child. I'll go ahead and alert the shoe shop...

Looking forward to meeting this little one!

Who needs a cookie jar when you've got a popcorn bowl!?

I can claim all the sweets I want as long as there's popcorn for my boys...

School Update.... A much better day! He played and built and painted and didn't cry nearly as much as the past few times. Here's a glimpse into his little character: his biggest smiles came when his teacher mentioned having to run to the kitchen to get the popsicles. He immediately (loudly) volunteered to accompany her and help her with pressing the elevator button. He had so much fun that he asked to go with her to put the leftovers back in the freezer. So what if he's buttering her up? Truthfully, I'm okay with him being the teacher's pet, especially after all he's put them through in the past week. :)

Oh, and he ate lunch with everyone else today, too. Big day!

Overheard/seen at the Bryant house this week:

• Upon opening a birthday gift of bath toys, Peter took a fist-sized motorcycle squeeze toy and tried to ride it. My reaction inspired him to try riding the like-sized train, car, fire-truck, etc.
• For those who have seen his "fold your arms and be patient" trick.... We have an old photo of young Hayes sitting in the grass with his arms wrapped around his knees. When I suggested to Peter that he be patient and wait for his breakfast to cook, he pointed to the picture, nodded, and said "Dada" before folding his arms and being patient.
• After hearing the baby's helicopter-like heartbeat, Peter saw a helicopter and said, "Baby."
• While school drop-off was easier Thursday, Peter's confidence didn't last very long. I got a call to pick him up before nap time because he'd been so upset all morning. Of course, he was all smiles when I arrived. Go figure. We'll try again Tuesday!

Peter was all smiles this morning before leaving for school. Well, all except for the brief few minutes in which he was wearing a belt. Didn't last long. We spotted a few school buses along the way and laughed that Mommy was his school bus. I was reminded of my mom referring to herself as a roadrunner, carting Geoffrey and me around town when we were little. And so the torch is passed....

Drop-off was smooth, albeit a tad difficult. We have had many discussions about Mommy leaving but always coming back, though the message wasn't resonating this morning. He cried as soon as I kissed him goodbye and I could still hear him down the hall until I left the building. After a few tears myself - only a few - I went about my business and had a very productive day. [Note: The flat tire previously mentioned was indeed repairable and I am now back on four new and fully functioning wheels.]

Upon my return to school to pick Peter up, I was greeted with smiles and all good news from his teachers. Apparently he wasn't so hungry during lunchtime when they kids all ate together. Instead, he waited until the other children were finished and getting quiet for rest time to let his teachers know he was finally ready for his lunch. My boy, the private diner. Ninety minutes and no nap later...

The Daily Masterpiece

(his classroom is built around a duck theme)

[He later explained to me that the white duck is Mama, the top duck is Dada, and the last duck is "Peta Bay," his version of his full name.]

The traditional congratulations-on-surviving-the-first-day-of-school sussy -

a beanbag for his big-boy room

No, he will not be receiving such pomp and circumstance every day of his academic career. Unless he deserves it. ;)