Zoe's 1st Train Ride

It has been almost two months since I last posted (bad Daddy!) and there's lots of updating to do. The next five blog entries catch us up through a very busy late August/September. So let's begin with our trip to Port Washington, NY and Zoe's first train ride.

Instead of getting in our car and driving the 2 hours+ (very much depending on traffic, could be over 3 horus), we decided it might be easier on all of us to hop on the train. Lots of space to walk around and play if needed.

We jumped on a double-decker NJ Transit train in Trenton and motored our way into Penn Station NYC where we switched to the LIRR for our remaining journey to Port Washington where our friends Adrienne, Drew, Erika and Alexa live. One of the great things about where they live is that you can easily walk to their house from the train station.

Unfortunately, we never did take out our camera while we were visiting the Saurs, but we did get some cute shots of Zoe's first train experience.






Trains are great for putting babies to sleep. Good thing she has a comfortable bed, right?






A playful Zoe on the way back home checking out Mom while she gets her photo taken.

Sweet Zoe

Jan took some adorable photos of Zoe on this first day of September. She looks awfully sweet in this outfit and the natural light. Little did we know that in just a few short hours, Zoe would take ill with her first GI virus incapacitating her (and us to a certain extent) for the next few days.

A memorable moment to note from this day. As I was sitting in the pediatrician's office later that afternoon, Jan handed me a sick-looking Zoe so she could run to the ladies room before our appointment. Zoe was looking paler by the moment and, sure enough, decided to projectile vomit on Daddy as soon as Mommy was out of earshot. Not once mind you, but three times with excellent volume.

I was still in my 'dry-clean only' business clothes, which were now dripping (and soaked) with whatever it was Zoe had eaten that morning. And wouldn't you know, not one parent in the packed waiting room (lots of kids lining up to get their beginning of the year sport's physicals) offered me any assistance!

I wished I had a change of clothes with me (as we always do for Zoe) because we waited an hour to be seen. Ughhh, what a day!

With that, I hope you enjoy these photos! =+)

Zoe's 1st NYC Trip - Labor Day Weekend

With a much healthier Zoe (and a Zoe now quite experienced with train travel), Jan and I decided that we should spend the beautiful Saturday of Labor Day weekend walking around New York City - since enjoying some US Open tennis will have to wait until Zoe's a little bit older. Perhaps next year.

Here's a great shot of Zoe hanging out on the subway platform in Penn Station waiting for the downtown train.



We stopped on a park bench under a shady tree in Madison Square Park for lunch. Zoe was enjoying the scenery and passersby.






After a long morning of walking around, we decided to put the picnic blanket down and let Zoe out of the stroller and stretch her legs a little bit. Here we are in Central Park enjoying a beautiful tree-filled view capped by the buildings on Central Park South. Zoe was in a happy, playful mood as you can tell bu the next few photos.









What a face on this one, huh?






Back home again on the train enjoying a nice book with Mommy. What we do without those Sandra Boynton books?



And, a post wouldn't be complete without a picture of Zoe with one her toys in her mouth.

Peddlers Village Trip

On a beautiful and warm Labor Day Sunday, we introduced Nancy, Charlie and Trevor to Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA.

Check out Zoe just waking up from a nap in her stroller.



And here are some family shots of Nancy, Charlie, and Trevor.

OBX Vacation - Sep 2009

For our first "family" vacation, we invited my parents to join us for a week at beach house on the northern Outer Banks in Corolla, NC just north of Duck (for those of you in the know about OBX geography).

The weather predictions of a 40% chance of rain on most days of the week did not play out, as the sun was shining and the rain stayed away (mostly). The surf was quite rough - only a few days without the red flag flying - but enough that my dad and I could enjoy swimming in the waves.

We have hundreds of photos from the trip, so it was difficult picking a few for the post. Let's start with our house...



Zoe was so lucky to spend a whole week with Grandma and Grandpa. I am not sure who was happier. =)



Two shots of our initial walk to the beach. It was a very windy evening and the surf was up.





The next day, sky was a bit calmer. Here's a shot of the dunes and the walkway across the street from our house.





It didn't take long for the salt air and breezes to make their effect on Zoe...



When she did wake up, Zoe enjoyed playing in her tent on the beach.





The three of us (actually, Zoe took a ride with Mommy, who was impressive with her strong legs) climbed ~214 steps to the top of the Currituck Lighthouse a mile or so south from our house.






As part of our rental, we were able to use a community pool, fitness center and tennis courts. There was also a playground and Grandma and Grandpa put Zoe on her first swing while Mommy and Daddy played some tennis.

In addition to this photo, we have a few short movies of Zoe enjoing her first swing set experience. Weeeeee!!




Zoe in her fancy beach hat dipping her toes into the community pool.



A very adorable shot of Zoe sitting in Mommy's lap.



Here are few shots of Zoe enjoying her time inside the house.



Traveling in styel by laundry basket.






Zoe in her first pair of sunglasses looking very cool!



And, we end the post with Zoe taking a nap on Daddy. You gotta love that face!

Zoe First Time Sitting Up - Caught on Camera

As fate would have it, Jan was watching Zoe last Monday evening while I was at volleyball, and captured Zoe's first successful attempt at sitting. We are so lucky that Jan captured this footage. We hope you enjoy!

Posing for Mommy

All right, I've had enough of this posing stuff. Time for my nap.