Since our family trip Jessica has taken quite the liking to me, I will never complain about this, it’s my favorite season with her so far.
She wakes up asking for Mama and when she climbs in bed with us in the morning she smothers me with hugs and kisses and sweet little versus from her mouth like, ‘Wake up Mama’ ‘Mama’ ‘Mom, munch?’ ‘Mama, Jessica awake’ … there’s no down time for this girl in the morning, it’s up and at ‘em. Raring to go - when the sun refuses to shine here in Michigan she brings the rays to my heart.
She’s taken a permanent lease out on my legs when I’m working in the kitchen. She’ll just prop herself right behind me, holding on where ever I go. It’s the things I remember doing to my mom and now she’s doing them to me.
Jessica Ranae, you are a vivacious, vibrant little girl and I am proud to be your Mama, may you never stop calling me that. May you always find the nape of my neck comforting and may you always feel welcome on my lap. I used to write to you and tell you that you were the sweet sweet breath of heaven - that hasn’t changed one bit.
Jessica, you are the sweet breath of heaven, you are the giggle in my soul, you’re the skip in my heartbeat. You are my daughter, and I love you to pieces.
posted on November 30, 2006| 1:48 PM EST
Lovely little house. I love you.
Map of journey.
We drove over 1,300 miles and around Lake Erie. We had so much fun. Can’t wait to do it again.
posted on November 26, 2006| 5:20 PM EST
Today is the last day of vacation. We’re only about 3 hours, roughly, from home … so I think we’ll take a less traveled path and see what we can find. Vacation has been awesome, Jessica has been great too. Except for that one tantrum she threw in the car with Grandma Jane and Uncle Jimmy … it was the worst tantrum she’s thrown to date … that was not the highlight of my trip.
I think Niagra Falls in Ontario was a highlight for me and getting to know Aaron’s family a bit more. The driving in itself has been relaxing and I love, LOVE being the map reader. Turns out I’m actually good at directions. I defy the laws of nature.
I’d like to revisit Toronto with Aaron, and not Jessica, as well as Cleveland and anywhere in Pennsylivania. We’ll have to do another road trip sooner than later with some friends.
See you on the other side.
posted on | 8:42 AM EST
We stopped for the night on our treck back home. We had a great stay in New York with the extended fam - Thanksgiving was a blast. More photos to come once I’m on my own computer and flickr account.
Jessica learned how to tell our cousins dog to Shit. Isn’t that adorable? You’ll have to excuse her - she really means SIT.
Uh huh. Lovely. Now she thinks it’s funny to tell US to shit down. That was unexpected.
Tonight we’re heading out on the town of Lakewood, OH for some dinner and then back at our hotel for some TV and sleep before we hit the road again tomorrow and land at home.
Vacation has been great - we found our ideal vacationing style. Road trip without a schedule.
Jessica is now willingly washing her mouth out with soap for all her naughty words - she found the complimentary soap and is taking bites out of it. She’s making this parenting thing way too easy.
posted on November 25, 2006| 7:41 PM EST
We’re in Toronto - in an amazing hotel. We decided to splurge a bit on Toronto seeing as how it’s a vacation within a vacation.
I’ve uploaded some photos to Aaron’s Flickr feed because I didn’t bring my computer and changing defaults is a lot of work with a 2 yr old who wants to swim already. Enjoy the photos!
Tonight we’re going to eat out on the town and discover Toronto a bit more, then tomorrow we plan to walk around and sight see, weather permitting and get back on the road toward Niagra for a few hours.
More later …
posted on November 20, 2006| 3:48 PM EST