Just give me a minute

I have a new excuse for not being a consistent blogger--and it's only one word this time: Pathophysiology. 
Basically, I'm graduating this December with my bachelors of science in nursing and I saved this dreadful class until my last academic, dying breath. 
So anyway, until I get the hang of 120+ pages of notes per exam and can stop staring at that picture of that guy with neurofibromatosis, I'm going to be a little absent. Follow me on Instagram if you miss my bad habit of posting too many pictures of my child--I'll never kick it. 
I also included a video of us at the park a few days ago. Jude's main thrill in life is a slide, as you can very well see. 
Warning: click on that link if you're curious. but you might die. 

Fall Wishlist

While on my break during work today, I got an email from Gap.com, kindly informing me that their fall "New Arrivals" are in stock. At first I thought, "Psht, heck yes. This is happening." I scrolled through the pretty new sweaters and plush coats and scarves, only to realize that I wasn't getting the same rush I usually do. You know that if-I-wear-this-I-will-live-forever-in-an-endless-fall-Gap-catalogue high. Instead, I was left wanting more.
And then I clicked on the baby section and my wishlist went from a chunky oatmeal sweater to I'm basically going naked this fall.
Any mom can testify that squeezing a chunky baby, soft in fall fleece and beanies--while watching their little marshmallow butt-cheeks run around the house--is for some reason far more gratifying than buying stuff for themselves.
Gosh, we're just so selfless. 
Anyway, here's my ever-growing Gap wishlist for the little man this fall: 

Adam said that little lamb beanie is too girly. Gosh, is my little guy really a little guy now?

I guess so.

No more unisex accessories, I suppose. 

Reunited with an old friend..

A few months ago we gave Jude's good pal, James, our trusty-old Radio Flyer to push around while he learned how to walk. James and his mommy just returned it to us yesterday and it's been a sweet reunion.
All day today he's been in-and-out of Radio--having me push him around and standing up, yelling triumphantly, "I did it!"
Yes, yes you did.  

I feel like that first picture is him just saying, "Mom, where the heck has Radio been all this time?"

Thoughts on 9/11

On the day of the World Trade Center attacks I was in my seventh-grade history class. Over the intercom we heard our school secretary cancel all after-school sports and activities. We couldn't even imagine under what circumstances they would cancel such a crucial field hockey game, and it wasn't until I went home and saw my mom starring in disbelief at the news that I knew something horrible had happened. I remember being scared and asking her, "Mom, we don't live that far away. Are we going to be safe?" She just looked at me and said, "I could have brought you home early from school, but I had a feeling of peace that everything was going to be alright."
Today, I can't help but think of the lives lost and send prayers to those who are still suffering from this tragedy. My heart goes out to them. I'm grateful for our country and how, instead of cowering in fear, we rose up and grew together as a nation. One's true character shows when times become difficult--we showed the world that we will never be defeated. 

The Last of The Vacation..

Highlights:
-Uncle Bryon and Jude are the best of friends. Not photoed is the two of them cuddling and watching Sesame Street on the iPad while I hold back tears from all the cuteness. 
-Visiting Great-Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma's holding a box of chocolates there and saying, "Jude, you want one? Grandma says you can have one." 
-Trying to intimidate Great-Grandpa into letting him play with his cool phone. 
-Collecting rocks at Slim Point and running away when at all possible.
-Imitating the snobby waitresses at some European cafe in Manhattan. 

Since being home we've detoxed from eating 8 meals a day, including the pre-breakfast warmup each morning of chocolate cake and Twizzlers. And more recently, our kitchen counter has become the new up-and-coming place for swarms of fruit flies due to our current fruit-picking addiction and inability to do the dishes before bed. 
But all-in-all, it's good to be home. 

Lake George 2012

Believe it or not, there will most likely be another post about Lake George in addition to this one. There are just far too many special and awkward moments to share to leave it all up to one post. 
We love Lake George. My family goes every year and we try our hardest each August to attend. This year, we enjoyed lots of boating, island-hopping, picnicking, swimming, eating, laughing, hiking, and shuffle-boarding. Jude had a blast at the little beach down the road and we also enjoyed the company of Bryon's girlfriend, Courtney, aka BFF from Jersey, and Mom's BFF, Grace, during the week. I'm convinced this place is the most beautiful in all the world. And each year our plans for staying and never leaving become more elaborate than the last and always include me as the school nurse and Adam as that weird guy that gives watercolor lessons. 
We're an ambitious group. 

Oh, George. How we love you.

NYC in August

Adam flew into Newark Airport late the Saturday after Jude and I arrived, so I figured I'd spend some time with my crazy sister Briana who lives in the city before wading through some Jersey traffic to grab him. 
I have very fond memories of spending time with Briana in NYC the semester before I started college and she never, ever disappoints to show me a good time. 
Upon arrival, she asked me what I wanted to eat. After pondering briefly and realizing I was once again in the mecca of food deliciousness, I said, "Honestly, everything." 
So, after eating at four different restaurants for dinner (more like taking it to-go and eating it on the Subway), grabbing Crumbs cupcakes for dessert, randomly meeting up with a bunch of friends on a street corner, and wearing some very, very Cruella red lipstick, I felt a pang in my gut when I drove through the Lincoln Tunnel, out of the city that nearly stole my heart to pick up my man. 
Dreams come true there. Especially mine, because we were married there :) 

Thanks, B. I love you even more than I loved that arepa we shared and got red lipstick all over.