Spring Break in Arizona

This morning, I woke you up at 4:30AM so that we could head to the airport for our 6:45AM flight to Phoenix to visit your grandparents. I was exhausted since I just flew back from Israel yesterday, and you were tired too. I fed you a bottle on the drive to JFK and you seemed content. I thought you might fall back asleep but you were too excited to be outside the apartment at such an early hour. After we checked into our flight and cleared airport security, I let you run around the gate area. You had fun pushing your stroller around and looking at the letters on an HSBC advertisement.

You enjoyed another bottle of milk during take-off and then fell asleep in the baby bjorn for an hour and a half. You woke up very hungry so I fed you some black beans and brocolli. You gobbled it up. Then we played in the seat - you started to get cranky because you wanted to walk around but I did not let you free. After flippign through your books and the airplane magazines several times, you wanted to wander around during the last hour of the flight. I tried to put you back to sleep but without any luck. Instead I fed you some tofu and you were all smiles again.

When we landed in Arizona, your grandparents (Gordon and June) and your cousin James were waiting for us right outside security. They were so thrilled to see you. While Gordon and I went to retrieve my luggage, you ran around and James kept a close eye on you. June brought another yellow duck for you which you snuggled too.

When we arrived at your grandparents' home in Sun City West, your aunt and uncle (Caroline and Larry) and your other cousin Jonathan were so excited to see you. They showered you with gifts including another box full of rubber duckies. Your grandma also has a collection of toys for you so we don't have to bring any when we visit next time.
You had fun playing with the tower of boxes, squeeky farm animals, board books and yellow duckies. You also showed off your new words, like what does a cow sounds like and where are your knees. You also played with your kazoo and shakers. After an hour of playtime, I tried to feed you some scrambled eggs but you refused to eat. Then I put you down for a nap - you were exhausted but found it hard to step away from all of the attention!
While you took a 3 hour nap, I went for a reflexology appointment and then worked at the hotel. Your grandma and cousins took you to a park to run around. James and Jonathan also created a mini-egg hunt for you inside the house with plastic eggs filled with Cheerios and mini-Goldfish. You loved finding the eggs with the goldfish.

I came back around 7pm just in time for dinner. You did fine all afternoon without me! I was greeted with a big smile followed by a hug. We played for a while and then I tried to feed you some dinner of steamed carrots, peas and fish. You ate only a few bites and then lost interest. At 8pm, I gave you another bottle of milk and was so shocked that you did not finish it. You were more interested in playing with grandpa and bringing him all of the magazines on the coffee table.
Your cousin Jonathan has grown over 6 inches over the last six months. Jonathan is now much taller than me. Daddy better watch out because Jonathan might be taller than him when we visit Minnesota over the summer.
I put you down around 8:30pm - you did not cry but you kept checking to make sure I was still nearby. You were rolling around the crib and snuggling with your two new duckies. I eventually fell asleep too while waiting for you to fall asleep. Your grandma rubbed my ears around 9:15pm and I immediately woke up. Your grandpa drove me back to the hotel. . .I hope you sleep through the night because your crib is in your grandparents' bedroom. See you in the morning!

[Very slow wireless connection at the hotel so I will post more photos later - sorry Daddy! Also posted photos to Foldershare]