Cape Cod- May 2011

Last week, we took James on his first trip to the Cape! It was technically his second trip out of state, since he went to New Jersey for Mothers' Day, but it was his longest trip yet, so we were a little nervous about the dynamics of a five hour plus road trip with a fussy fussy baby. In our favor is James's love of car rides, but to our disadvantage is my uneasiness to bring the baby into a public restroom. He did pretty well, sleeping for three hours, and then screaming when he wanted food and a changing, and then sleeping the rest of the ride.  We changed him in the car which was a little tricky, but he's still small enough that it's doable.

The three of us had an extremely full long weekend. On Thursday, we took him to see his 93-year-old great grandfather and 87-year-old great grandmother Rogers. They were so excited they practically ran out to the yard. Analyze that last sentence against the prior one. Wow.  He also met his Great Aunt Denise.  I'm not sure why it's called "Great Aunt" when it's the Grandmother's sister. Seems like she should be the Grand Aunt Denise, but sadly, I'm not in charge of the English language.

With Great Grandpa George and Great Grandma Ruth (Kevin's mom's parents)

With his Great Aunt Denise

Grandma Kathy had to work Thursday and Friday, but was more than eager to help when she was home. She's deeply in love with her new buddy. Kevin was even able to take in a Red Sox game in Boston on Thursday night for Jon's birthday. If by "able" you mean I almost went insane from taking the baby's fussy hour for 3 hours by myself, and he almost died of exhaustion from taking a baby shift that evening when he returned from the game.

This was also the first time we've had the baby share a room with us because he never liked that the cradle we put in our room rocked, and he never disliked his crib.  He slept in the bassinet-size crib his grandmother Kathy slept in as a baby! I definitely prefer James being in his own room at night, especially since the room is close enough that we clearly hear his cries, but we don't hear all his evening chatter. But it was necessary to keep him in our room to protect him from Nomar the cat, who I don't trust at all. Not at all.

Grandma Kathy was so happy to have James visit. Nomar, less so

Then Friday, we journeyed farther up-Cape to visit his Great Grandmother Shute. She was happy to finally meet the little guy, and pleased that he's named after her son. She was also extremely impressed at Kevin's interaction with the baby- bouncing, holding, feeding, and diaper-changing while we were there, while I chatted unencumbered.

James met his Great Grandma Catherine on Friday (my Dad's mother)

Dolores threw him a brunch party on Sunday so people on the Cape could meet him.  James's first party!  We had mimosas, delicious brunch food, a cute decorated cake, and even opened presents. Everyone was so kind and everyone got in some baby snuggle time. Kevin cautiously made sure everyone washed their hands or used hand sanitizer, which was both important and cute. Kevin is such a wonderful doting father. James also met his Great Aunt Mary, the Searles family, and my friend Allison. Thanks to everyone, we had a wonderful trip to the Cape!

Ellen, her grandma Dolores, and James

Cutting his party cake (James's first cake!)

Opening some presents with Ellen's help

With his Great Aunt Mary

James with the "Searles girls," Fran, Jenny, and Megan

My friend Allison got to meet him