Rhode Island visit

There is so much to update, that I figured the best way to do it was start with the most recent and work backwards. Last weekend we flew to Rhode Island for the weekend.  I've been flying into Providence to go to a client in MA since June.  Neither Adam nor I had ever been to RI before, so thought we would make a weekend of it. 

We were up early on Saturday morning (4 am) and almost missed our 7 am flight due to insane crowds at check in and security.  It was a quick 45 min flight to Providence, and we were at the William Rogers zoo in Providence when it opened at 9 am.  It is really a beautiful, open zoo.  We really enjoyed it and Jackson seemed to as well. 

After the zoo, we headed to the Carousel.  This was Jackson's second time on a carousel and frankly, I'm sure he would be fine if it was his last.  He's not a big fan.  He did, however, love the little rides there which we had to pull him off of kicking and screaming. 

We then headed to the hotel in downtown Providence, which was right across from the Capitol and is also an old Masonic Temple.  It was beautiful and in a great location.  We walked down the street to have some lunch at a brewery and then went back to the hotel for an afternoon nap.  When we woke up, we jumped in the car to explore Providence a bit and ended up seeing most of it, as it's not a very big city.  We hit a great ice cream shop and drove by the local baseball stadium.  There wasn't enough time to stop though - we had to get back downtown for Waterfire. 

Waterfire is once a month downtown Providence and is very popular.  It was the best date night that we didn't have to get a babysitter for.  We basically strolled up and down the river, listening to music, eating food, watching the fires and sipping on some beverages while Jackson chilled (most of the time) in the stroller.  We even listened to the Providence Philharmonic for a bit before walking back to the hotel.

The next morning we were up early and in the car headed down to Newport, which is on the ocean.  We had breakfast downtown Newport, but the one highchair was in use so Jackson sat next to mommy like a big boy (until he was naughty and daddy had to take him outside).

Then, we walked, and walked and walked some more, thinking we could get ourselves to the ocean.  We finally ditched that idea, jumped in the car and hit the first beach of the day. Jackson had a blast running in the water and on the beach.  This was his first time on a beach since Aruba in February, so we were happy to see he was a bit less afraid.

We then walked up to the Cliff walk which overlooks the beach we were just at and contains multi-million dollar homes, including the Vanderbilt's Breakers.  When you are on the walk it is impossible to see the houses, so we took a drive through and they are all amazing! 

From Newport, we headed south along the shore to Westerly, a more family-friendly beach town.  All we had was a beach towel and our suits, but it was enough for an hour's worth of fun in the sun before we packed up and headed back to Providence.

More pictures from the weekend here!

Poop & boogers

I hope a funny story can make up for my lack of posting lately. Here goes:

Daddy went to pick Jackson up from school yesterday and was holding Jackson while listening to the teacher tell him how Jackson dug in the back of his diaper that morning, pulled out a turd and showed it to all his classmates.  Jackson, deciding that that wasn't enough of a story, then reached into his nose and picked a fake booger and tried to feed it to Daddy.  Such a boy!

Stay tuned.....pictures will be up this weekend!

Happy 40th Birthday Daddy!

Not on my airplane!

I'm woefully behind in updating this blog (and am currently sitting in a Holiday Inn in Mansfield, MA with no access to pictures to do a decent update), but wanted to share the story from our trip home from WI yesterday. 

It is no secret that Jackson has turned into a bear to fly with because he won't sit still.  The entire flight is comprised of Adam and I passing him back and forth, back and forth.  Until yesterday.  The flight attendant quickly put the smack down on the passing, insisting that Jackson could not sit in an aisle seat, and had to be in Adam's lap in the window seat.  Needless to say, I exchanged some words with her, but surprisingly Jackson fell asleep in Adam's arms and we thought we would survive this new rule.  Until he woke up....and threw a tantrum.  The kind of tantrum that Mr. Peepers, blueberries, a sippy cup, an iPad and a Blackberry would not fix.  The kind of tantrum where I thought "well, it's good this didn't happen on the ground, because I think that flight attendant might have kicked us off."  And he screamed.  And he kicked.  And he cried.  And the people around us were staring, wondering how it was possible we could not get him under control.  And then out of nowhere, the flight attendant appeared again and got in Jackson's face and told him (in a very loud voice that the entire plane could hear), that he basically needed to shape up or ship out - "Not on my airplane" she repeated.  And you know what?  It worked immediately!  She handed me a cookie and basically dared me to suggest I needed to feed him a proper dinner first.  He sat on daddy's lap for the next hour and would look at her out of the corner of his eye whenever she would pass by!

Throwback Thursday

Throwback to January 10 when Jackson was just pefecting his walking, falling and soccer skills all while holding on to the remote.

Where is it?

Adam discovered the other day that Jackson loves playing in the sink while the water is running (sorry Earth!).  We put him in the sink the other day to play a bit, and then decided to turn it into a bath.  At one point, Jackson became aware that he was naked and started looking for you know what below his big buddha belly.  

Pajama Day

Pajama day at daycare is a big hit in the Hardt house.  You just wake up and go (ok, maybe not exactly)!  On the most recent pajama day, Jackson sported the new monkey slippers he got from Grandma Honey that he wore all day long.  During summer, they also have water days twice a week which involves an extra set of swim clothes, swim shoes and a towel.  And tomorrow is Donuts for Dads day, following a nice Muffins for Moms that I had in May.  To top it off, all the teachers at Goddard are great and take great care of our little man.  At the end of the day though, he is happy to say "buh-bye" with barely a glance back.

Bambino Trail is mobile

By now you have probably seen lots of QR codes in advertising (those little buggers pictured above) so thought I would post one as the sign of the times for Jackson.  If you have a smart phone, just download a QR reader (I use i-nigma for my i-Phone) and snap away.  The one above will take you to a mobile-friendly version of Bambino Trail.

Gramma Honeys

On May 12, we headed to Gramma Honey's in Milwaukee for a long weekend filled with family and friends.  Here are the highlights:

Riding in an old wagon, complete with the tub that daddy use to put his papers in for his route!

Driving the car at the playground - always a favorite

Riding a beautiful rocking horse at Uncle Aaron's house

Playing Uncle Aaron's instruments

Flying on Aunt Jamie's airplane

Learning to cook with Grandma Honey

Eating Grandma Honey's jello squares for the first time

Playing ball with the boys

Hanging out with G-mommy Kate and G-daddy Phil

Self photo with Grandma Honey

Playing the keyboard with G-Pop

15 month update

Weight: 27 lbs 6 oz

Length: 32.75 inches
Visitors: Auntie Andra came to visit at the end of February before moving back to Paris.
My Likes: I love listening to music, especially the Beatles and Michael Jackson.  I usually sway back and forth, clap, snap my fingers and have recently been stomping my foot as well.  I like mommy and daddy to hold me - I'm always reaching "up" so they will pick me up.  Banging the cabinet doors, especially when no one is paying attention to me.  I also love reading books, especially Hop on Pop, Barnyard Dance, I am a Bunny and Goodnight Moon. I am definitely an "observer" and like to watch other people.  Have I mentioned how much I love my daddy?  I am definitely a daddy's boy and cannot get enough of his attention.

My Dislikes: I still hate having my diaper changed and therefore turn almost every change into an opportunity to pretend we're at a rodeo.  I have also been throwing some tantrums lately - usually when I don't get my way, or for no reason at all!

Other milestones: I'm saying lots of words now and use a few signs like more, please and love.  I've also been blowing kisses to people when they leave.  I'm a great eater (and not very picky at all) and a great sleeper (approx 7 pm - 6:30 am).  I also love to show off my belly and get lots of laughs when I try to suck my big "daddy belly" in!
My Words: Dada (my favorite word), Mama (seldom!), book, ball, more, bubbles, buh bye (while waving), uh oh (while putting both hands on his head)
Trips: We went to Milwaukee at the end of May for a long weekend. 

Looking forward to in the next few months: Grandma and Grandpa Porter coming for a week and a half at the end of May/beginning of June. Going to WI to see all the grandparents (and other family and friends) July 1 - 11.  Hopefully going to the beach one of these weekends!

Throwback Thursday

Although there may be a mama at the beginning, it is clear what his favorite word is.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was WONDERFUL.  If I were ever President (of anything) I would make Mother's Day every day! Both of my boys were uber sweet to me. 

First, I woke up to breakfast in bed.  Daddy and Jackson made me pumpkin pancakes with a nice side of fruit (which Jackson had to have all the blueberries although he had already had breakfast). 

Then, Jackson did the housework while mommy kicked her feet up.

In the afternoon, we headed to Jasmine for a sushi lunch. 

Jackson's sophisticated "I'm lunching" look

After that, it was off to Longwood Gardens for the first stroll of the season. We thought we would be back a few times this year, so bought season passes.

 

Jackson showing off his belly in front of the fountain

Jackson at his finest

The little thief tries to destroy the evidence of his bad behavior.

Heart Doctor Hardt

Today we went to the Flower Market in Rockford Park and decided that among many choices (firefighter, astronaut, policeman, artist, etc.), Jackson would be a doctor when he grows up.  Introducing heart Doctor Hardt.

Throwback Thursday

Somebody better feed this baby before he eats his hand!