Teddy goes to Chicago

So, Teddy really is a traveling baby- and a champion at that! Here are some crazy statistics we figured out while we were in the car (30+ hours in the car leads to some free time). In the past 2 1/2 weeks we have visited 3 cities (Syracuse, Libertyville, and Burlington) to attend a memorial, a baptism, Steamboat days, and to visit with family on both sides. We flew 1888 miles and drove over 2000 miles. Teddy got to visit with 12 cats, 5 dogs, 7 cousins, and all of his many loving aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He had his first flight, first ride on a boat, first time in a church, and first two teeth appear. A lot can happen in just a few weeks I guess! Anyway, this update will include the first part of our trip, and I will do another blog update for the latter.

We were only back home from New York for 4 days before we packed the car up again and headed for another trip- this time by car. Although Teddy did really well flying, we were relieved to be driving this time. That way we could bring as much of Teddy's stuff as we wanted, and we could travel on "Teddy time." We headed to Chicago (Libertyville) for cousin Harper's Baptism. Here we are as we headed out of town: Although we did leave shortly after lunch, we were not able to make it out of Atlanta before traffic time. We drove all the way north of Louisville, where we stopped for the night. We chose a scary Super 8 Motel to stay in. Teddy was excited to get out of his car seat and play with some toys: The hotel turned out to be lacking in the cleanliness department (to put it nicely). We were initially happy when they told us they had a pack-n-play. However, the box was wet and the pack-n-play moldy (EEEWWW) so Teddy got to sleep between his mom and dad on a queen bed. He slept well, though neither of us did. How can someone so little take up so much space?? We were very excited to visit with the Weinsteins. As you can tell, Teddy is getting some much needed rest after 2 days of traveling, while Aunt Sammie and Aunt Shelley visit with Jack.

More dogs!! Oliver and Monty show us that the life of a beagle is very difficult:

Nana Pat and Harper were happy that Jack shared the couch with them:Grandpa Steve with Finley: Grandma Susie with her sweet granddaughters Harper, Amy, and Finley: The family poses for a picture before Harper's baptism. From left-right: Grandma Susie, Harper, Aunt Sammie, Aunt Shelley, Aunt Stephanie, Grandpa Steve, Amy, Shae, Teddy, and Lisette:

3 Generations of Hoscheks, all dressed up: "Copy, copy"

Shae was excited to see a Cubs game with his dad and sisters while we visited. Although Teddy stayed home to play with his grandma, aunt, uncle, cousins, and mom, he showed his support for the Cubs:

Shae and Sam visit their brick:

Aunt Shelley and Uncle Matt got a cool new stroller while we were visiting. The two girls look like movie stars as they check out their sweet new ride:

Hung over dad + baby = lots of naps!

We had a great time visiting with family. Aunt Shelley and Uncle Matt were so nice to open up their home to everyone. We had 7 adults, 3 babies, 1 toddler, and 4 dogs in one house! It was noisy but fun. Harper was so sweet to let us borrow her room. Poor little girl had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, but continued to smile and play. Shae and I were your typical germ-phobic first-time parents; washing our hands and Teddy's toys over and over again. But so far he does not have any bumps (knock on wood). We had so much fun playing with the babies and Finley, and we are grateful we were able to spend some time with the Weinsteins before they move to Canada next month.

Here Finley plays with Teddy: Teddy enjoys his cousins' cool pink chair:

Lastly, I'd like to dedicate a video is to cousin Finley. She is such a doll and so full of personality! We're thinking she may want to watch this video one or twice. (You can thank us later Shelley and Matt).

Teddy Goes to NY

Teddy took his first plane ride over the weekend. We went to upstate New York to attend a memorial service for Lisette's cousin Kenneth. Though we traveled for a very sad reason, we did get a chance to visit with many family members that Shae and Teddy had not yet met, and that Lisette had not seen in years.

I was very nervous about Teddy's first plane ride. You can tell how nervous he is here in the parking lot of the airport: Can you see the fear in my eyes????

Teddy actually did really well on the plane trip there. Once we arrived in Rochester, NY we rented a minivan along with uncle Hal and his family. Teddy got to bond with his cousin Violet on the drive to Dewitt:They are in serious training together for Synchronized Sleeping. We are hoping it will become an official Olympic Sport by the year 2014.
Once we got to Fabius, NY we were able to visit with my Aunt Judy. Here is Teddy meeting one of her 12 cats:

Teddy spots another cat as he sits with his great Aunt Marita:Teddy found one very familiar face in this new place:

I was really excited to take Shae and Teddy to the farm where my grandparents, father, aunts, and uncle all lived. You can see how excited Teddy is once again:

Uncle Hal feeding Violet by the pond:

Shae and me on the pond:We also had some time for sight seeing at the falls:

Finally, someone traveling with my dad who enjoys and appreciates dams as much as he does!!!Those crazy engineers!

The hotel we stayed in had a really nice indoor pool. Teddy and his cousins really enjoyed it:

Teddy even went out to eat at a fancy restaurant:

On Saturday June 5, we attended the Memorial Service for my cousin Kenneth. He was a very smart, brave, and good hearted man who will be dearly missed. After the service we all went to my Aunt Judy's house.

below (L-R): Jamie, Uncle Dale, Aunt Marita, Aunt Judy, Paul, and Eileen:

Aunt Marita and Aunt Judy:

Teddy watches the big kids make bubbles:

I bought this onsie for Caroline years ago when I visited my friend Melanie in NYC. Now it's Teddy's turn to wear it:

The weekend went by way too fast and before we knew it, we were back at the airport. Our flight was delayed so we had some time to play at the Rochester airport:

Our pilot:

Uncle Hal changed Violet before getting on the plane:

Here is Teddy, sleeping peacefully on the plane. I look more relaxed, right?

I actually was more relaxed on the return flight. All was going well. Until Teddy started to get a little fussy. As I was trying to comfort him, I accidentally bumped his head, which led to very loud crying!!! Yikes! Note to self- don't "smoke" your son's head on the airplane, especially when he is hungry! Once he ate, he was much happier. We got home late Sunday night and are going to spend this week doing laundry and getting ready for our next big trip. We are excited to spend some time with Shae's side of the family next!

Some Firsts for our Smiley Little Man

I am a little behind on posting some of our pictures and videos, because we have been out of town. Meanwhile, Teddy has been very busy having lots of "firsts." His first tooth is on it's way, although we didn't realize it until this weekend when Aunt Miriam pointed it out us. The very next day, it broke through the gums! Little Teddy didn't even act grumpy!!! He is growing and changing so quickly, before we know it he will no longer have this adorable toothless grin:
Teddy shows off his smile along with his Hugh Hefner look:

Recently, Teddy enjoyed swinging for the first time at one of the playgrounds in our neighborhood. Though he initially appeared serious, he seemed to have fun in the swing.

Teddy went to Stone Mountain for the first time a couple of weekends ago. Shae's work had their company picnic there to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. Teddy also sat in the front of the cart at the grocery store for the first time. He seemed very excited about the new view! I took this picture on my cell phone:

Though this is not a "first" or a "Teddy smiling" picture, you can see where Teddy gets his smile from as Shae rides his bike in our driveway for the first time:

Here is a short video of Teddy in the swing for the first time:

I was also very excited when Teddy finally jumped in his bouncer for the first time. Of course I grabbed our camera to catch it on tape. Now all I have to do is remember you can't rotate videos once they are shot! Sorry about the sideways view:

Teddy also had his first flight on an airplane on his first trip to upstate New York. I will add another blog entry soon with pictures from his trip.