Home again!

As Ansley is down for a nap, Eric has taken Liam to the "super special electronics store" (Radio Shack), and I have a good cup of coffee next to me, I decided to finally blog a little!

Ever since I was a working mom, I thought about the days when I would stay home and take advantage of having "extra" time off (i.e. not limiting my trips home to New Mexico for a long weekend as my vacation and work schedule dictated). So the kids and I booked a nine day "vacation" ( I use the term loosely as no trip with small children equals poolside mojitos while reading a great novel on my Kindle) to Albuquerque to stay with both sets of grandparents. 

The flight out to Albuquerque was not bad at all.  Eric is like a black belt in packing and since Southwest Airlines allows you to get a pass to have someone travel with you straight to the gate, things were relatively easy.  The lady sitting next to us, could not have been nicer.  She was admittedly hungry for her own grandchildren, which she assured me are a looooong way away from being conceived.  Anyway, she was all too happy to help me hold Ansley while I strapped Liam in and attended to his many diva-ish needs during the flight.  And she didn't even seem to mind when Ansley tried to repeatedly claw at her shirt (she has a thing for patterns on clothes). Becky (my MIL) met us at the gate and things proceeded smoothly.  I am embarrassed to say that this trip marked the first time I ever put in the car seats by myself.  I have just never had to, having my strapping man around.  I broke quite the morning sweat installing both seats, but I did it!

We spent a few days with each set of parents.  Because my mom just had major surgery and is still in a tremendous amount of pain, we spent a few days less with them.  Lets just say that my tribe is not exactly recovery material.  We had lots of fun, spent time playing and eating out with the Martinez cousins, and with our besties the Bacas. 

Cool Corrales morning.  Albuquerque was actually a little warmer than I thought it would be.  Surprisingly they got quite a few nice rain showers while we were there.

Liam viewing the cows out in the pasture.

Grandpa Ron showing Liam how to throw the ball for Moses the dog.  Grandpa also played baseball in college so I think Liam is in good hands.

We love the Pate's big backyard.  Liam spent his afternoons picking apples, running through sprinklers and just being a boy!

One of the days we were there we took Liam to the zoo for the first time.  I haven't felt like he was old enough to appreciate the zoo thus far, and it is quite a drive from where we live.  That combined with the fact that taking two kids under three to the zoo solo intimates me all came into play.  The Albuquerque Zoo is someplace that I remember vividly from childhood.  It was one of the few places that we went on field trips in school!  The last time I went there was my senior year of high school.  So lets just say it has been awhile.  The zoo has changed a whole lot since I was a kid, but there are still a few features that remain the same.  Liam was sort of nonchalant about the animals, but we all had a great time!

Grandpa showing Liam how to stand as a flamingo.  Liam has been standing on one leg periodically since our trip!

Grandma beating the heat in the shade with Ansley.

Giraffes?  Big deal.  I am drinking juice.

Because of Liam's obsession with certain animals, he liked visiting the seals. 

Watching the orangutans

Trying to stay cool

During this trip we were lucky enough to see my brother, Uncle David, almost everyday.  He was a huge help to us when we stayed with my parents and helped me feed and get the kids ready for bedtime each night.

Ansley LOVES her Uncle David

The best picture I could get of the kids and my parents.  Liam has really rebelled on taking pictures these days.

One of my favorite things to do in NM is spend time with my best friend, Stephanie.  But lets just say things have really changed since college!  With 4 kids three and under, our time together looks a lot different.  We were practically a walking billboard for abstinence. I kid of course.  We are in love with our kiddos, but we heard the murmurings of other people as we would pass by: "Those girls have their hands full" "Can you believe the energy those kids have?"  

One of the days we were there we went to the Bio Park.  Liam and Ansley are quickly becoming as thick as thieves.  After his repeated attempts to hold her hand, which she flatly refused thanks to her daddy's possible instruction, she finally gave in and allowed Liam to hold her hand through the park.

Both kids cooling off....and taking a drink out of a fountain. Yuck.

Best attempt at a picture with both me and Liam.  Sure I am wearing no makeup and Liam is doing his best to get out of my grip of steel, but it is what we got.

Annabelle is going to be a handful in her teenage years.  Poor Bacas.

Liam wandering through one of the botanical exhibits.  Which looks just like any backyard in NM.

Admiring the plane in the sky instead of the park.

Future besties?  Let's hope so!

The trip back was....not great.  This time things did not go smoothly.  We flew on an ungodly 6 am flight to save money.  Once seated, Ansley knocked Liam's $45 fruit cup purchased in the terminal on the floor of the plane (I may have slightly exaggerated the price...but not by much).  She also threw over my cup of water.  She also screamed at the top of her lungs for fun.  Liam got a talking to from the lady in front of him for kicking her seat.  Honest to goodness, I didn't even notice him doing that and I was mortified.  Then Ansley grabbed the arm hair of the passenger next to us...several times.  She also decided to make a smelly poop with great enthusiasm which prompted a diaper change in the hobbit sized bathroom.  Those are just a few examples.  When we arrived the double stroller and her car seat were no where to be found.  And they wouldn't give Eric a pass to meet us at the gate.  And our baggage was not unloaded for 30 minutes.  But we were home!  Safe and sound!  And that was all that mattered.

We had a great time, although I have definitely been schooled in my limitations of parenting for an extended period of time without Eric!