Update

Saturday, July 19th, the Bednars had a wonderful Crab Fest Picnic. The entire family went to play, talk, eat, and enjoy the pool. At the pool were 2 little girls about 3-4 years old who were swimming by themselves. Once Alex was in the pool with his swimmies, he wanted nothing to do with me and declared his independence. He swam away and went after the girls. It was a nice time :)

Sunday, July 20th, Alex and I traveled to Fairfield to sign paperwork and allow Pat time to study for the Bar. That evening, Abuelos had a church softball picnic. Alex had a blast running around, swimming, and playing in the rain. In the pool, Alex swam by himself and played with Logan a 6 year old boy. At the end of the picnic, there was a storm and both boys ran in circles very excited about the rain.

Monday, July 21st, Abuela watched Alex and I went to Hagerstown to sign paperwork. While there I was hit with surprise blows. 1, I would need to come in Wednesday to sign additional paperwork. 2, I was required to attend a New Teacher Academy Aug. 4-7th and 12-13th. 3, All teachers start on August 14th and students start on August 20th. Pat also contacted the landlord and found out that they will not let us out of the lease. So we will be payign this rent until October. Thankfully, Abuelos agreed to house us!

Tuesday, July 22nd, we visited Mammaw in the morning (see previous blog) and in the evening, we visited Magnee and Pap. At Magnee and Pap's, Alex got his first experience of Noggin' and Max and Ruby, explored Magnee's garden, played with weed wacker, snow blower, and lawn mower, and dug with 2 shovels.

Wednesday, July 23rd, Abuela watched Alex again as I sat through 2 hours of benefit information in Hagerstown. That evening, we all went to the Fairfield Firehouse.

Thursday, July 24th, we said goodbye to Abuelos and Mammaw and got boxes from El Vista. Alex and I visited a daycare, Children's 1st Academy, in Boonsboro that has an opening for Alex. Afterwards, Alex and I drove around Baltimore to home. Alex refused to sleep and had a few tantrum on the way... but we finally got home after 2.5 hours. Once we got home, Pat and I unloaded and started changing addresses on credit cards, cars, bank, investments, and every other bill. Are we forgetting anything?

Overall, a very busy time for the Carrs!

Fireman Kyle

How do you become a 2 year old's hero? Besides being a cartoon with a catchy song... you give him a tour of a firehouse!

Kyle was a great sport and showed Alex the Fairfield firehouse. Kyle graciously allowed Alex to "drive" the fire ENGINE (the one with hoses), fire TRUCK (with ladders), and ambulance. Kyle also showed Alex lots of hoses, ladders, hammers, extinguers, flashlights, hats, boots, poles, and TONS of medical equipment. Alex had Kyle open every door and explore every nook and cranny of the emergency vechiles. Alex LOVED talking to Fireman Kyle and leading him by the hand to explore new areas. Kyle was a great sport. At the end, he allowed Alex to close the doors and sent him off him toots of the horn that made Alex jump! :)

Visit with Mammaw

Tuesday morning, Alex and I went to visit Mammaw. There Alex got to water Mammaw's flowers with the watering can and hose, take a walk, have crackers, and drink milk from a Big Boy cup. At the end of the visit, Mommy and Alex were wet but everyone seemed happy :)

Yea!

Today was Pat's last day of BarBri classes. He now has less than 2 weeks until the Bar exam. We will all be very relieved when the studying is over :)

Other news, today Alex went without peeing in his trainer during errands, wetting during his nap, AND went poopy in the potty. Very exciting times.

Job stuff... Pat received his official letter for his job and will start September 15th. I will sign my contract with Boonsboro on July 21st.

Not so good news... Our medical benefits run out August 1st from Penn Delco and will not start with Boonsboro until September 1st. So we will have a month without medical coverage or hopefully receive CHIP assistance. However, we cannot apply for CHIP until August 1st.

I also contacted 2 daycares. Only 1 has gotten back to me and will not have a spot until January. I am hoping this is just a fluke and things will go more smoothly...

Potty Training

Less than a week of running around naked, we have started a potty training chart. For each time Alex went potty, he got a Curious George sticker for his chart. Todays sticker count: 14 stickers and 1 accident.

We are even at the point where Alex will go into the bathroom himself and setup himself on the potty. Then he will announce, "Mommy, I'm peeing!".

This has been an interesting experience :)

Growing Quick...

Yesterday, Alex took some big boy steps. 1st he climbed up on the toilet all by himself and went potty!

Then he climbed up on the kitchen counter to get a was cloth to help clean.

Crazy little monkey!

Puppet Show

The past 2 days, Alex and I have been trying to do a craft each day. Our craft has been making Sesame Street puppets. So far we have colored, cut out, and glued Bert and Oscar the Grouch. Then this afternoon, Daddy put on a puppet show for Alex which was met with rave reviews :)