Trip to St. Louis

We just got back from a busy two-week trip to St. Louis.  We flew to Chicago first, and went to the Italian Consulate to get our work visas.  That went very smooth, and we got them that same day, even though we were expecting it to take a few weeks.  That afternoon we flew to St. Louis.

Ben had his own seat on the plane.  For a little while.

Nona and Grandpa McCord were so happy to see him.  At first he gave them a blank stare, but after a few seconds he broke into a smile.  He definitely remembered them!

Ben had his own room at my parents’ house.  My mom cleaned out a second room and turned it into a nursery with a crib, rocker, and toys.  Tim and I went into the office most days, and grandpa babysat.  We got to visit Great-grandpa McCord, Great-grandma Aholt, some cousins, several friends, my best girlfriends and their new babies, and our birth class friends and their babies.  We went to Monarch for the last time with some family, and we went to the zoo with my parents.  Tim went to Las Vegas with some friends for a concert and fantasy baseball draft. 

Ben and Nona.  She's still got the touch.  Great Grandpa McCord

Ben and his Godparents Laura and Jeff, and his girlfriend, Cecilia.  We did not help them hold hands, they did that all on their own.

 Monica, Lucas, Sophia, Laura, Cecilia, me, and Ben.  It was great getting together with wonderful friends and all of our babies.

 

 Our birth class group and my doula.

Ben getting his most recent hair cuts from Missy.  He's had several by now, the first at 6 weeks old.  He did pretty good with this one, and really liked her bracelet.

 

 At the St. Louis Zoo.  Monkey see, monkey do!

 When we went the first time he was 2.5 months, and all he could see were the penguins.  This time he loved the penguins, and could also see some of the bears and monkeys.

Ben used the high-chair that I used, and my dad used.

We spent the last four days in Cape Girardeau with Tim’s parents.  Ben had about the same reaction to them, big smiles after a few seconds.  They also put up a crib.  We had a relaxing long weekend, visited with more friends and family, played games (with and without Ben) and went to a winery on St. Partick's Day (no green wine though).  I made tiramisu once in St. Louis and once in Cape with cookies and espresso from Italy.  It was so good!

Ben with Grandma, great uncle Barry.

Ben's first time at a playground.  Not so sure about the swings at first, but he liked it if you kept it gentle.

 He sat and played with the grass for a long time.  One of grandma's students met us at the park.

The cats have been super lovey since have been back, even Hunter.  He’s been sleeping in bed with us (Zeus always does anyway).  Zeus won’t leave our side, and Hunter has been jumping up on my lap while I feed Ben.  I think they missed us!