Playa del Carmen

As you can see I have been traveling quite a bit recently with Ian and Emma. The day after Valentines Day we all got in our tiny car again and drove to my parents house. This time however, Ian and Emma were staying with my parents and Tim and I were traveling ourselves! For five days Tim and I sat on the beaches of Playa del Carmen and did absolutely nothing. We stayed in an incredible condo with a rooftop deck. It was wonderful, blissful, heavenly, you get the point. Tim and I were able take a deep breath and catch up on life. We read, walked through the town, and ate some amazing Mexican food. Our best day there was spent at Al Cielo, a private beach club with superior food, including a whole fish encrusted in sea salt served table side.

Valentines Day

Tim and Ian got Emma and me roses for Valentines Day. They were beautiful and a wonderful surprise. Ian arranged the roses delicately in a vase. On top of being a chef when he gets older, Ian may also have a knack for arranging flowers. I couldn't have done it better myself.

One of my favorites!

February Road Trip to Sewickley

A week later I took Ian and Emma to visit Tim's family in Sewickley, PA. We missed the new babies Finnean and Olivia so much and just had to see them. Ian and Emma did awesome on the trip and we had a great time hanging out with Tim's parents (Nina and Grandpa); Matt, Elisabeth, and Olivia; Susannah; and Cate, Mark and Finnean. The weather was mild so we were able to spend time outside. Ian also got a special trip to the science museum with Nina that he is still talking about!

On the trip home I started to feel lightheaded while driving and no matter what I ate I just couldn't stop feeling like I was going to pass out...so I ended up pulling over to the side of the road and calling 911. I was in a major snowstorm in the middle of Pennsylvania and had no idea where I was. The 911 operator was able to patch in Tim who was able to locate me on his i-phone (amazing!) and the ambulance and police were on their way. Ian and Emma were amazing, and Ian got to talk to his first 911 operator as he was being informed how to unlock the door and what he should do if I became completely unresponsive. After the ambulance arrived they tested my blood sugar, blood pressure, heart, etc and everything checked out. I was still not feeling great so they followed me to the nearest exit where Tim's dad and brother met me. Tim and our friend Nate came from the other direction to pick me and the kids up. It was quite a day and after being in the car for over 9 hours it was great to be home. I still am not sure what caused me to feel lightheaded (maybe a mix of exhaustion, anxiety, and low blood sugar?), but I am thankful that I chose to play it safe and call 911 instead of passing out (which I have been known to do several times in the past) on the road with Ian and Emma. Despite feeling somewhat lame and embarrassed for having family drive so far to rescue me there were some very funny parts of the day as well, including some Ian quotes while talking to the 911 operator and the EMT.

911 operator: Ian, do you know how to unlock the doors when the ambulance arrives?
Ian: I want to play with my Daddy

911 operator: If your Mommy falls asleep Ian, can you stay on the phone with me?
Ian: My Mommy just drank all of my apple juice

Ian (post EMT pricking my finger): Mom, you are doing great. You didn't even cry!

Philadelphia- West Hartford - Boston - and back to DC!

In late January I took Ian and Emma on another tour of the east coast, visiting family along the way. My final destination was Boston where I was meeting Tim for his induction into Gordon's Hall of Honor. After leaving DC, I met up with Tim part way in Philadelphia for a Heritage conference and got to spend a night at the Four Seasons and even went on a run down to the Art Museum before picking Ian and Emma up at my parents and continuing my journey north. We also stopped at my sister Sally's house in West Hartford, CT for Will's birthday party- superhero themed. The party was spectacular for the kids! Sally made capes for all the boys, they could decorate them, and get their face painted so they could be a superhero too!