Ahhh, vacation
We are back from our week in beautiful Cape May, NJ. It was a really nice vacation, but though I was sorry to leave, it is so nice to be home. I missed my animals.
Cape May is one of my all-time favorite places, I have been going there since I was a child. It is so picturesque; Victorian gingerbread houses (some very large), mature gardens, trees, quaint shops, and a wide white sand beach leading up to the Atlantic ocean. We had a condo in a 100-year-old house, but the unit itself is modern and comfortable. Bruce and I spent a lot of time sitting on the balcony off the master bedroom, taking in the sights and watching horse-drawn carriages pass by. Kaya took to the beach and ocean like a true water baby. She squealed in delight as she was splashed by waves, and had a blast digging in the sand, trying to figure out how to make a sand mold.
My parents joined us for the last part of the week. I'm so glad they came -- they have not taken a vacation for about seven years. They had such a good time that they decided to stay an extra night after we left.
My Harry Potter book was waiting for me when we arrived home. Ha ha! Along with most of the world, I am reading it with great anticipation, but trying to take it slowly and savor the last new Harry book.
Busy, Busy, Busy
Summer is flying by, as usual. So much has been going on lately, it's no wonder.
Max, Jessica and Chaose came to Baltimore for a nice visit earlier this month. It was really nice seeing them and meeting that sweet baby. They have been handling things really well thus far, so we are feeling somewhat relieved. Kaya loves her nephew, and was so gentle with him.
Our trip to Chicago was fantastic. Bruce worked much of the time, unfortunately, but Kaya and I got to play and had lots of fun. We spent a fantastic day at Navy Pier and the Chicago Children's Museum. All three of us took a LONG walk from "The Loop" to Greek Town and back again, admiring several of the city's public sculptures along the way. Kaya and I had to return to my favorite attraction, the Magnificent Mile, which is a shopping mecca unlike any I have seen. We actually only spent time in the American Girl store and the Disney store; just goes to show where my priorities lie these days. There is no way to describe how much joy it gives me to buy special treats for my little girl. She is very spoiled, but not rotten. We acquired a number of nice toys, but her favorites are the plush Ariel and Dora the Explorer dolls. We also visited the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is a lovely little free zoo right in the city, within sight of Lake Michigan.
Yesterday was Independence Day, which we celebrated at my parent's house with steamed crabs and cheeseburgers. It was rainy later on, but we were sheltered under a big umbrella, so the party continued uninterrupted.
Phil is at camp for two weeks, which he had been eagerly awaiting. I went to the store for care package items this morning. I've been thinking a lot about my days at Camp Strawderman, which were very special to me. I hope that Kaya will go to camp when she is older.
I've been to the vet's office too much lately. Stella has been suffering from yet another urinary tract infection, which is a chronic problem for her, poor thing. She is on her second round of antibiotics, and the cats now have to eat prescription food to help her get and stay healthy. Sasha went in for her annual shots and exam, and was found to have a mild ear infection, so I had two weeks of cleaning ears and instilling drops twice a day, while also catching Stella for her twice daily antibiotics. It doesn't sound like such a big deal, but it is exhausting medicating animals against their will twice a day, every day. I truly hope this new antibiotic helps Stella, whose urine sample from Tuesday was still looking ugly.
Two of my cousins are moving out of state this month to be with the men in their lives. I am very happy and excited for them, but sad to know I'll see even less of them. On the flip side, another of my cousins, who moved to Nashville to be with her (thankfully) ex-boyfriend, will soon be moving home. My maternal grandmother, Nanny, moved to my uncle's home in Delaware last weekend. For a variety of reasons, it was just not safe for her to continue living alone. She is having a really difficult time adjusting to the move, however, and we are all worried. It is a summer of transition for my family, to be sure!
We're gearing up for our week at the beach, and I am so excited! I can't wait to see Kaya's reaction to the Atlantic Ocean. She saw the Pacific when we went to San Diego, but she was only five months old at the time, and so remembers none of it. She's actually a very well traveled two year old! I never even got on a plane until I was 22 years old, and she's already flown for at least seven trips. I hope we can continue our travels throughout her formative years; I feel it is important to experience as many places and people as possible.
She is just starting to form memories, and getting the concept of "remember when?" She is also starting to show real interest in potty training. I must admit that I am at a complete loss as to how to go about potty training; the thought completely overwhelms me, much like hooking up electronics. Thank goodness Bruce has been through this twice before, is all I have to say. Most of parenting has felt very natural to me so far, but not this. Oy vay, my adventures continue!
