Rainy New Beginnings

Day 116 (4.26.10) - Today was a wet, cold and rainy day. It was also Nick's first day of his new job. Since we only had one car (our other car was delivered today though), I had to drive Nick to and from the train station for his commute to Manhattan. I took a few pictures there but none of them were very good. I was like a mom snapping pics of her kid on their first day of school, lol. I took this picture on the way to pick him up. I stopped the car in the middle of the street when I noticed how green everything was. So different from California. It is actually quite beautiful here. I guess all this rain is good for something.

Time to Shave!

Day 115 (4.25.10) - This is probably the longest Nick has ever gone without shaving....over 2 weeks. Today is the last day of the bearded man cause his new job starts tomorrow and he needs to look clean cut to play the part. This pic was taken on the way to Sunday night family dinner at Amanda's house (something we hope to do regularly with the family). Check out the sleeping kid in the back seat.

New Park with Dad

Day 114 (4.24.10) - The kids could not be more thrilled that Nick is here. Joey follows Nick around everywhere -he's super excited to have his dad back. We had a fun morning at the park before we spent the rest of the day moving furniture around trying to make room for our stuff. Here is Joey and Nick on the "big slide" (as Joey calls it) at our new park in Montville. It is a really great park. I'm not sure who is having more fun here.

Andrew

Day 113 (4.23.10) - I have lots of cute pictures from today but this little face is the cutest....my newest nephew Andrew. He is not quite 6 months old and he is pretty much the same size as Ruby! He's going to be a big boy. I thought he really liked me but apparently he is a flirt and smiles like this for everyone!

Nick's Home!

Day 112 (4.22.10) - Nick got home today at about 10 pm. He drove 2,500 + miles and stopped at the diner to pick up 2 taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwiches to bring home. Look at how happy he is. He hasn't shaved in over 2 weeks and is still representing San Diego with his chargers shirt. But yes, he's home! The kids haven't seen him yet - tomorrow morning is going to be like Christmas!

Chez Lao

Day 111 (4.21.10) - The kids, mom and I spent the day at my brother VJ and Melissa's place in the Poconos. Melissa is the best host and we always eat good and PLENTY at their house. Here she is - always with a smile, her "you had me at merlot" apron, and a delicious plate of food ready to be served. For lunch we had salmon with a sort of walnut vinigarette sauce, broccoli rabe, asparagus and potatoes (also not pictured is steak). After this delicious lunch you better believe we also stayed for dinner too!

Lolo and Ruby

Day 110 (4.20.10) - Since we arrived in NJ Joey has been really excited to see everyone. Ruby has been a bit more skeptial of all the new people she has been meeting and has been pretty clingy to me. We've been here almost a week now and every day since we've arrived, my dad would approach Ruby so he could carry her and every day she would turn away from him towards me. He would never push her, instead he would just say "that's ok, we'll try again tomorrow." Every day he would talk to her and he could make her laugh but she never wanted him to carry her. Well, today he put his arms out to her and wouldn't you know, she went to him. Yes she still looks around for her mama but looks like she is finally warming up to her Lolo.

My Budding Artist

Day 109 (4.19.10) - As I mentioned yesterday, Joey is obsessed with cars these days (to say the least). Sometimes he asks me to draw a car which I did for him earlier today. Well, this evening, I was watching tv and Joey was drawing when he ran over to me really excited and said "mama, look, Jojo draw racecar" (yes, he still refers to himself in the third person). I was REALLY surprised when I saw his drawing because I could totally see the car! I mean, he has never even drawn anything close to this so I was one super proud mama. I told him not to erase it while I ran to get my camera. Can you see it?

Playing Racecars

Day 108 (4.18.10) - As you probably already know from my pictures, Joey's favorite thing to do these days is to "play racecars!" Today we went to visit Nick's mom and step-dad (Oma and Opa) and his Aunt Amanda was there too. Joey brought all his racecars and was super excited that Aunt Amanda was more than willing to play racecars with him. The funniest moment was when Amanda was playing with the combos car she gave him (the one that's in her hand in the picture) and Joey told her that was Kyle Busch. I knew he knew all the names of the cars from the movie Cars but I was totally surprised he knew Kyle Busch too. Nick told him that was his name once and apparently Joey has a great memory when it comes to racecars!

Dim Sum

Day 107 (4.17.10) - One of the things I was looking forward to in NJ is REAL Chinese food. After 7+ years in California I've found one good place to eat and that was about 40 minutes away from me. My brother VJ, Melissa and their kids Kaden and Iliana came to meet me and the kids for Dim Sum today. Joey was actually sleeping when we left (hence him not being in the picture) but he woke up just as we were about to eat so I went to pick him up. Lunch was delicious!

Pals Forever

Day 106 (4.16.10) - Joey and his cousin Jacob had the sweeeetest reunion today. They really just love each other. As we arrived at their house Jakie was looking out the window waiting for us, just so excited. When I took Joey out of the car Jacob ran outside and Joey and Jacob just ran full speed at each other and gave each other the biggest hug. They played, they fought over toys, they cracked jokes that only each other could understand, took a bath, got their jammies on and layed in bed reading books before bed time. Joey was pretty comfy laying in Jacob's bed I joked that I would pick him up tomorrow. Here they are having fun in the bath.

Ice Cream with Lola

Day 105 (4.15.10) - We made it to NJ really late last night. We had a lazy day, just hanging at Lola's house, trying to get adjusted to east coast time. Joey was so excited to see my parents, Ruby is a little more skeptial. As if he doesn't love my mom enough, she took us out for ice cream this evening. It was a beautiful warm night. Joey never really got his own ice cream cone until today and he was really excited about it. He ate the whole thing and has been asking my mom to take him out for ice cream for every meal since. Look how happy they both are. It's good to be home.

Bye Bye California

Day 104 (4.14.10) - After 7.5 years, I'm leaving California and another chapter of my life is closing. I am excited to go back home but also really sad to leave all the wonderful friends we have made. When I first came out here Nick and I drove my Honda Civic and all I brought was whatever we could fit in the back of the car. Now, not only are we married and bringing back an entire house full of stuff but we are also bringing back 2 extra people! It was a LONG day of traveling. The kids were ok considering the long day they had but it was a LOT of work for me. Good thing we don't have to go back. The movers come tomorrow and Nick will be leaving this weekend for one more drive across the country. Here is Joey at the airport waiting to board the plane. He looks concerned to say the least. He has no idea of all the changes that are in store.

Beach Break Cafe

Day 103 (4.13.10) - Of course the pictures from our last few days in California is all food pictures. I'm sure my pictures of my first few weeks in NJ will also have food pictures. Out of all the places to eat in California the place we will miss the most is Beach Break Cafe in Oceanside. Nick and I have been going there for years and they have basically watched our family grow. We've gone there pretty much every single weekend we were home for the last 4 or 5 years. The place is a small family owned business with with great food and great service. I have a bunch of different favorite meals that I like to rotate between - pictured here is mango pecan french toast with a side of bacon. Nick gets the same thing every.single.week - the a Mexican egg torta with coffee cak. Joey usually gets the Micky Mouse pancakes.

In N Out

Day 102 (4.12.10) - There are some things you can't get in NJ and In N Out is one of them! We had a busy day today. We dropped off Nick's car to get shipped and on the way home we saw an In N Out truck pass us by. I picked some up to get our fix before we leave. If you haven't had it - you have to try it next time you're out west! Here's Nick with our 2 double doubles, fries and neapolitan shakes. After we had our burgers we started packing. Yes, that is correct, we are moving in 2 days and we JUST STARTED packing today!

Goodbye Again

Day 101 (4.11.10) - Nothing says goodbye to a 2 year old like cupcakes. We had another going away party today - this time a kid friendly one at the park. Nick and I were moving a bit slow from our good time last night but the kids had fun. More tears were shed as we said good bye to more friends. In the last 7 years I've been here Nick and I have really made some wonderful friends....and seeing Joey at the park today with his friends- so has he.

My Little Thrill Seeker

Day 100 (4.10.10) - We had a busy, wonderful, fantastic day today. We had a delicious breakfast at Pipes, spent the morning at the beach, one of my best friends/gay boyfriend Torr came in from San Fransisco, we ALL took a nap (Nick, Joey, Ruby, Torr and I), then we partied it up at O'Sullivans for our going away party. So, as you can imagine, I have a billion pictures from today. Lot's of fun times! I had so many great going away party pictures but I had to post this one from the beach this morning. Ruby is such a crazy thrill seeker and loves to be tossed around. She puts her hands over her mouth, curls her toes under and just squeals in delight until her daddy tosses her up again.

Unemployed

Day 99 (4.9.10) - Today was the last day of work for both Nick and I. Since we gave our notice 2 weeks ago, the time has just flown by. A few tears were shed (afterall, I was at my job for 7 + years, Nick at his for 3) but overall it was a good day. Our good friend/former neighbor Mike came over this evening for a visit and a few beers. Here's to being unemployed. Nick starts his new job in NYC in 2 weeks. As for me? Joey and Ruby are my new employers for the time being. I am going to enjoy my time as a mom for now.

Looking for a Snack?

Day 98 (4.8.10) - I went to pour Joey a cup of juice and left the fridge open for just a second and turned around to find Ruby IN the fridge. Maybe she was hungry and looking for a snack? The girl is into everything. Excuse the lack of food in the fridge - I've been trying not to buy anything to clean out our fridge before we move next week!

Joey and mom

Day 97 (4.7.10) - Just a quick self portrait/snapshot of Joey and I for today.

Jamba Juice

Day 96 (4.6.10) - Every day I've been trying to get something they don't have in NJ. I don't think they hvae Jamba Juice in NJ...do they? Ruby got her first taste today and she was hooked! Joey loves it too. He usually finishes his drink then proceeds to drink mine. Between both kids today I hardly got any at all. Look at the look of concentration on her face!

Who Needs Toys...

Day 95 (4.5.10) - ...when you can just play in a laundry basket?

Happy Easter!

Day 94 (4.4.10) - We had a pretty quiet Easter Sunday. We're thankful that we have great friends here since we have no family to spend evrey holiday with. Today we went to our good friend Patrick's house where his mom made a fabulous traditional Polish Easter dinner. The food was delicious and the company was great. Ruby looked adorable in this little dress. Not a typical Easter outfit but it has little bunnies on it so I figured it was appropriate. She's been taking a couple steps here and there but not really "walking" just yet.

Under Water

Day 93 (4.3.10) - We took one last trip to the Sea Life Aquarium with the kids and Nick today. I've been trying to get a picture of Joey in this dome for months but could never get him to look. Finally got an ok one!

Still Sleepy

Day 92 (4.2.10) - For the last 2 years and 10 months Joey has woken me up pretty much every single day (unless his sister beats me to it). I never have to set an alarm because the kids are like clockwork..they wake up bring and EARLY even when I want to sleep in on the weekend. Well, this year between the time change and Joey wanting to stay up later and later each night, ever since we changed the clocks he has not wanted to get up in the mornings. It's actually quite funny waking him up in the morning to get him to daycare. I imagine this is what the teenage years are going to be like - him pushing me away, pulling the covers over his head and telling me to "go away." Hmm, it's not so fun being woken up before you are ready, huh buddy.

Getting Ready for the Easter Bunny

Day 91 (4.1.10) - I picked up Joey from daycare today and he was wearing these bunny ears. He was proud to tell me that he made them himself. I was surprised to hear that he wore them all afternoon because he usually hates hates and such. I had to bribe him to take a picture with his St. Patty's Day hat but today he was proud to pose with his bunny ears.

Mt. Washmore

Day 90 (3.31.10) - I know my recent pictures are fairly boring but welcome to my life. Before I got married I could go weeks without doing laundry. Then when I married Nick I realized we had to do laundry every couple days. His clothes are much bigger than mine which equals more loads. Then we had kids and now we have to do laundry daily. If we skip a day we have to do 2 loads the next. The laundry never ends. Ruby's clothes are tiny and she seems to generate just as much as everyone else. Here she is "helping" me with the laundry.

Fort

Day 89 (3.30.10) - One of Joey's favorite things to do with his dad is build forts. Sometimes their forts can be elaborate but sometimes it's just a blanket stacked up on a couple of pillows on the couch like this. Either way Joey loves it. He has a great imagination .... sometimes he brings cars in there for races, sometimes he makes me come in there (you can only imagine me trying to squeeze in there) and other times he his hiding from bears.

Ruby's Pants

Day 88 (3.29.10) - Totally a random picture but I had to post it because it makes me laugh. I picked the kids up from daycare today and Joey was wearing Ruby's pants (as shorts)! We bring the kids to daycare in their jammies and pack their clothes to get dressed there. Well, it wasn't till much later after we got home that I realized they were her pants. Granted, they are boys pants (since they were Joey's when he was her age) but he is so skinny he has the waist of a 6-12 month old! I kept telling him that they were her pants and he kept getting mad at me saying they were his and refusing to take them off.

Sea Life Aquarium

Day 87 (3.28.10) - Out of all the places here in Carlsbad, Legoland and the Sea Life Aqurium is going to be one of the places I miss the most! Since they opened a couple years ago, we've been here at least a couple times each month. Joey loves it and Ruby does too....even more so than the zoo or other places with animals probably because you can see everything up close. We actually had a Legoland double header today. We went to the aquarium in the morning then after nap we met some friends at Legoland. It's great that it is so close!

Saturday Morning

Day 86 (3.27.10) - Here's a sweet moment from just another Saturday morning. Nick has gone to the desert for the weekend for one last riding trip before we move so the kids and I are on their own. Sometimes Joey calls Ruby "mine sissy" meaning that she is his. Not such a great thing when he is taking every toy she plays with away from her but he loves to hug her kiss her and let her sit on his lap. This is a very rare moment cause you know Ruby hardly ever stays still.