Photo Shoot Results

Here is the pictures we got from the photo shoot at Portraiture Studio Photography.
I think we got some good ones!
Amanda

PS Thanks to Julie Strzyz for the hat, Colin is too cute for words wearing it!

Visit the Strzyzs-Massapequa Version

Last weekend Eric had Friday off so we loaded up the Buick and headed out to Massapequa, NY. As always we hit traffic on NJTurnpike and then right before the Verrazano Bridge and also on the Belt Parkway. We had planned to arrive by 3pm but didn't get there until 6pm. Colin was super ready to get out of his car seat. Chef Joe made us grilled pizzas which were scrumptious. We walked to get some gellato for dessert. Joe and Cyndi set up Baby Strzyz's pack and play so Colin had a place to sleep. He went to bed around 7:30pm and the rest of us stayed up late. The guys were planning on leaving bright and early to play Beth Page, the yellow course of course. They woke up at 4am to leave by 4:15am and were able to t-off at 6:20am. Cyndi and I went for breakfast at the corner deli. and she offered to wait for me and watch Colin while I got a mani and pedi, it was fantastic! I couldn't believe it was $24 including tip, OMG! When the guys finished golfing we all cleaned up and took a trip to Freeport, NY. NY has inflated prices already, but add marina prices on top of that and you pay a pretty penny. Thankfully the food was yummy. We then came back to the house and hung out. We helped out getting the nursery final details in place-hung some curtains and helped with the mobile. Cyndi and I went to get the ingredients for dinner, Joe grilled steaks and Eric made faux-crabcakes. Everything was delicious! Sunday we were greeted with Cyndi preparing breakfast. Eric and I got all of our things back into the car and all of us headed to the beach. We took a leisurely stroll on Jones Beach, it was such great weather. Before we headed out of town we went for smoothies. Just as before we hit our usual NY traffic and we weren't able to make it home 10pm and we left at 2pm. We love NY traffic...NOT! It was great being able to hang out with Joe and Cyndi in the quiet before their storm. Baby Strzyz should be making her debut before the end of this month. We are super excited for them!

First Flight

The trip started off a little rough when we arrived at the ticket counter to check our bag the screen told me I now had 2 flights, after becoming upset and frustrated I learned that instead of the non-stop flight due in at 10:30am we would be traveling through Atlanta and arriving at 4:22pm. Those of you with infants know how difficult it is predicting all that might happen and preparing for a day of travel. My 3 hour trip with the baby just turned into a 9 hour ordeal.
ALL NEW INFO HERE:
The problem solvers in my life helped to calm me down and get an earlier flight so Colin and I ended up arriving in Indy around 11:30am. Colin was an amazing baby for the flight, he was eating on takeoff and slept the whole flight until we deplaned. I was really relieved! Grandma Chase/Mom picked me up and we went to Tulip Noir where they serve fancy teas. I enjoyed my lemon scone along with my Madagascar Vanilla Rooibos tea and I noshed on my half grilled cheese sandwich and cup of soup. Colin behaved himself well. Later that evening my sister/Aunt Erin hosted a dessert party where some friends came over and we hung out. Thursday Grandpa Chase/Dad took us to a photo shoot mom arranged. We ended up getting some cute pics of Colin at Portraiture Studio which can be seen here. That day we just hung out with Grandpa Chase and I went to Urban Gypsy to see if Aleah could help my haircut, she ended up making some adjustments to help balance it out so it will grow out nicely. For dinner mom made sloppy turks and everyone was there; Erin, Dan, the pups, Mom, Dad, Colin and me. It was really great being able to spend some qt with everyone. Friday Erin, Mom, CJ, and I took a 4 hour drive over to Peoria to visit my Grandpa and Aunt Laura. We made a quick stop in Normal, IL to visit Mary Mercer! She is the best! My mom is sooo lucky to have a best friend like Mary who has helped to set her up with all the necessary gear for entertaining Colin. She hosted us for lunch and served a delicious fruit salad alongside some Gondolas from Avanti's. We hung out for a little bit and then hit the road. When we reached Peoria Aunt Laura was waiting with big hugs for everyone and she was working her cooking magic on some twice baked potatoes that would accompany our Portillo's Ribs. If you haven't ever tried them, order them you will NOT be disappointed! That evening we just hung out and hit the hay in order to be fresh for the morning. We had breakfast together and then got ready and Mom offered to babysit Colin so we could go see How To Train Your Dragon. We enjoyed the movie, so go see it! All of us hooked up and went shopping, which is our tradition. Aunt Laura and Grandma Chase bought Colin some adorable outfits for summer, THANK YOU SO MUCH! We spent the rest of the evening hanging out with Grandpa and Aunt Laura. We decided to head home Sat night instead of staying for another night, Colin was having adjustment issues. Sunday morning, Mother's Day, dad woke up and made the moms (and Erin and Dan) some awesome pancakes. After lounging around and hanging out, the whole family headed to Broad Ripple and ate lunch together and took a stroll. We walked into a cute kids store called Night Owl Baby. More cute baby clothes bought here for Colin, he is so well dressed! After taking a trip to Fresh Market we all selected our meals for the evening which mom cooked, we had a family dinner again. Another wonderful time spent together hanging out. Monday Erin and mom and I hung out running some errands, then had lunch at Don Pablos. As with all visits it was really hard to face the reality that our time together was ending. I hate those times when you have to say goodbye. I miss them so much everyday. Mom took me to the airport and I checked in with no problems and went to the gate. The flight home was a little more tricky-Colin did great with takeoff, but woke in the middle of the flight because of a poopy diaper. We went to change it but then he wanted to be awake for the descent, so he fussed the whole time. Eric was there as our savior to take us home. While I was putting Colin's seatbelt on I left my cell phone on the roof, so we took off and once we got to 35mph the phone tumbled off and it took a second to register what the noise was...I yelled for Eric to stop the car "MY PHONE!!!" I jumped out and ran to find it in the dark. Just before I could get to it, a 15 passenger van swerved to give me room and ended up squashing my phone. I was devastated. The phone's screen was decimated, but it still worked so I could get the pics of Colin off. Eric my knight in shining armor bought me a new to me phone. Hopefully I won't do any more damage!

Picasa is updated!

My mother's day date

I will be away visiting family in Indianapolis, IN and Peoria, IL next weekend. Eric proposed we have a day date today. I had purchased a Social Living coupon for Scion near Dupont Circle and we went to see what it was like. Eric and I enjoyed some scrumptious menu items. I had the Lobster Hash and Eric had an Omelette. We also had Mimosas and Fried Pickles-Yummy! Colin behaved as good as he could, it was summer-type humidity today and the heat was high and we struggled through it. After we ate we headed to the National Portrait Gallery and strolled around for a couple of hours in the lovely air conditioning. Then we headed home, where Colin and I took a nice nap. Eric headed out to get some Croaker fishing in. Colin then went to bed around 8 which has afforded me the time to update my blog! I am looking forward to my travels Wed. and please keep us in your thoughts!

Love you all, Amanda