Daily Walks

We have started taking Ben for daily walks. Sometimes to the grocery store, sometimes to the mailboxes and around our complex. Today, we walked up to the shopping center across the street. We went to Target and the Party Store. It is so nice to be able to go out and get some fresh air after working all day and not seeing the oustide world. It is a bit cold here lately (only mid to high 50s lately), but the afternoons are great. I am home by 4:30 which gives us plenty of time for a nice walk before dinner.

Everyone at work says I should be able to go out like this for most of the year. I hope so. I am tired of months being trapped indoors. And, it is so great for Ben to get outside after a day indoors.

Almost Thursday which means almost the weekend!!

No time to blog!!

So, I cannot believe we have been here 2 weeks already. We have been keeping so busy I have not even had time to blog.

Some things of note... I love it here already. I work until 4 and I am home before 4:30. Who knew that was possible?? I get an extra hour of sleep every day because my morning commute is so short. And, even better, I get at least 3 hours a night between work and Ben's bedtime which is fantastic.

Our apartment is working out fine so far. It is an apartment...not much else to say about it. We have more space for Ben's toys now which is nice. And, we have tons of shopping and restaurants across the street or a quick drive from here so it has been a great location for us so far.

Anyway, have to get moving for the day. Ben is always one the go. He NEVER sits down. Even when we get him up in the morning, he is already standing up in his crib and ready to go.

I am going to try and get more pictures up soon.

gd

Ben's On The Move

Ben is really getting into the whole walking thing now. He is SO CLOSE to walking on his own...he just doesn't know it yet. He loves using his new walking toy to get from his "playroom" to the kitchen. But, anytime he hits anything and stops, he gets very unhappy.

Ben Plays Catch with Daddy

Ben's plays catch with Daddy. As you can see (or more accurately, hear), he really enjoys throwing the ball again and again. I think his favorite part is making daddy chase the ball!

My Dad's Shoulder Replacement

Just want everyone to send well wishes to my dad today. He is having his shoulder replacement surgery early this afternoon. I hope he is not too nervous! I would be freaking out (which is ok to say in my blog because he does not read it, but I would never admit it to him!!)

Anyway, please keep him in your thoughts today and during his recovery. I hope this surgery takes away all of the tremendous pain he has been dealing with so he can return to his old self!!

We are here......where's our stuff?????

We arrived late Friday night...about 10:30. Not too far off from our original estimate of 17 hours. We actually would have made it more quickly if it were not for the 3 hours it took us to go about 40 miles in Virginia. Lets just say that was fun. Ben was awesome. He actually slept all but about 3 hours of the trip, basically waking up when we stopped for food, gas or a diaper changed. And, surprisingly enough, he even slept all night at the hotel. How do I spell angel child?? Amd Phoebe was a champ. She had a mild sedative before we left and while she was awake the entire time, she was fairly peaceful for the ride. Not normally the most affectionate cat, she has been so sweet since we got here. I am not sure if she is petrified or if the pills were mood altering!!

Anyway, we are here in our apartment with no stuff. Our things were supposed to come between Saturday and Monday (with the emphasis on Saturday) but still nothing. I am on the floor to type this blog with one of our 10 belongings we brought down from MA (work laptop). Supposedly our furniture, etc will be arriving first thing today. Lets hope so. It has been exciting to be here, but really, we just need our furniture and start to get settled in so we can really enjoy our exploring.

Basically at this point, we have a new desk chair, but no desk. A new wireless keyboard and mouse, but no computer. Cable and internet access, but no TVs. We have eated out a lot which you would think is great, but I really just want to make something normal. My stomach is not used to all this take out and restaurant food!

Hopefully our delivery will come early this morning as we were told and we can begin the unpacking. Our new apartment seems really great so far and I am assuming it will only get better with our belongings being in here. We really need Ben's toys. I think he is starting to get bored (thats how I interpret his constant need to climb on us!). He is sooooo close to walking I just want his push toy thing that is supposed to help babies walk. I bet once he gets that, he will be up and running in no time. We have a playroom in this apartment that is just waiting for Ben and his toys.

Anyway, will report back once we get some stuff.

Transition Week

So, we are in the midst of our transition week. Staying at ma & dad's house. This worked out ok since they are in Europe, returning very late on Tuesday night. So, basically, we are only in their way 2 days before we leave. They are not working Wednesday so there is only 1 day we will all have to be getting ready at about the same time in the morning.

Things are going ok being here. We got settled in Sunday night after a weekend of rushing here and there, saying final goodbyes to friends and family. I guess compared to the packing and chaos of the past, this week should be fairly low key. One exception being that by the time Tom gets home from work, it is bedtime for Ben, meaning I get him at school, get him home, fed, bathed and sleep ready all alone. Not all that fun. We should be nice and exhausted come Friday morning when we are trying to leave at 4am!!

Counting down the days now. All that is left is to pack up the car, buy some snacks for the drive and go on our merry way!!!