Nonna Cici

A few days after we arrived home from our big Christmas trip (read about that here and here), my mom and sister arrived in Portland for a visit. Since they are both teachers, they decided to take advantage of post-holiday-season airfare discounts and come up for some quality time during their winter break. We readied Alton for their arrival by excitedly counting down the days until Nonna and Cici* would arrive, and he amiably trotted around the house saying, "Nonna Cici!" with great anticipation (*Note on Cici: my sister's name is Cari, but when Alton had trouble pronouncing that she elected to go by her first two initials, C.C., and thus became Aunt Cici). They arrived after he was already in bed, but got up bright and early the next morning to have fun with Alton. Aunt Cici got her cardio in by running circles around the living room with a giggling Alton shouting "Fast...Fast!"

and Alton expressed his preference for Nonna to be his dinner companion during Taco Night.

We took Alton swimming, and he proudly sported his "I Love Nonna" t-shirt, which my mom procured for him at the legendary Claro's Italian Deli near Uncle Dave's house.


A day would not be complete to Alton without reading, so he took advantage of lap time to log some hours on new books,

and have Aunt Cici help him look up his favorite trees and shrubs in the Pacific Northwest Gardening Guide (he likes the pictures).

We had guests for dinner this night: the Groeners! We prepared dishes and appetizer and chilled the wine while Alton and Daddy took a little Superman flying break.


Then the fam arrived and it was time for fun with *E and *O! Now that Alton is big enough to interact with the cool older kids, his cousins enjoy sharing their favorite activities with him. For *E: reading...

...for *O: red-hot dance moves!

The three boys tossed a beach ball around before dinner,


and had a great time putting puzzles together! We were glad to share some hangin' out time on a Friday night with the extended family.

For the weekend, we had big plans in store. Since Andy and I both have September birthdays, our parents had put their heads together and our joint gift was a night away! They gave us funds for a hotel stay, and promised that the next big grandmother visit would include an overnight of babysitting Alton while we absconded somewhere lovely. We were thrilled, and September to January was just enough time for us to mentally prepare ourselves for this big first: the first time both Mommy AND Daddy had been away from Alton for a night. We weren't worried about our little champ, since he is so easygoing and a great sleeper, but still we looked forward to this date with excitement and just the littlest bit of nervous anticipation. But first we had to decide where we were going to go for our minibreak excursion! A wine country B&B? Hip downtown hotel? Snowy mountaintop lodge? In the end, we opted for the Heathman, a historic hotel in downtown Portland with sumptuous rooms, a tried-and-true restaurant, and easy walking distance to everything. Andy and I planned a relaxing 24-hour itinerary to include massages at a nearby spa and dinner at the Heathman Restaurant. We took the Max train into downtown Portland and wound our way down nippy streets to the spa for our massages, then emerged all drowsy and gooey and...something else. What was it? Oh, that's right: we don't have a schedule to keep! With hours to go before our dinner reservation, we strolled to the hotel to check in and popped into some shops along the way. What a weird feeling not to be thinking about our day in terms of the next piece of Alton's schedule (nap, diaper, snack, diaper, diaper, dinner, bath, diaper, sleeeeeep). We were able to wander leisurely knowing that the little man was in the safe hands of his Nonna and Auntie, who were responsibly keeping his schedule ticking along in our absence (Although Alton did try to put a few things over on them...oh, I always take Little Pooh Bear AND Big Pooh Bear into my crib at night, uh huh. They weren't fooled).
But upon Mommy and Daddy's departure, the babysitting duo decided to take advantage of chilly but clear weather and hit the park around the corner. They thoughtfully took pictures of Alton enjoying himself for us to smile over when we got home (which of course was even before lunch the next morning--we can enjoy decadence for a day, but we missed our favorite little guy!).
Alton gets suited up for the park and selects his train hat to wear; Pooh Bear tries to come along for the ride.

Seconds out the door, and he spots an airplane!

Boppin' down the street with Nonna.

Aunt Cici thoughtfully brought Minerva along for the outing, even though she has her own ideas of what's cool outside, and they do not involve the park.

Tunnel vision! Train hat begins its descent down Alton's head, pushing his ears out to the sides.

Nonna "Icicle Hands" Carnine and Alton "Purple Fingers" Rhyne, now be-mittened, sing the Itsy-Bitsy Spider.

Time to hang out inside where it's warm! Alton and Cici snuggle up with a book.

Alton grabs a few favorite stuffed animals while his auntie reads...

then decides that it's better if SHE holds the animals, and HE reads!

Andy and I returned home bearing gourmet truffles for the ladies from Moonstruck Chocolates, then the day segued into girl time for Nonna, Cici and me! Andy and Alton had a manly meal at home while we ladies took in dinner and a movie: a delightful Italian meal and the new romantic comedy "Leap Year" (we are suckers for Amy Adams). It was also Aunt Cici's last night in town. Nonna stayed on for two extra days after Cici said her farewells. But first, of course, Alton had to try on her Uggs.

Hmm, we're down one guest now, what are we going to do with ourselves?

Invite some friends over, of course! Alton's buddy *B came over for a morning playdate with her mom Elizabeth and baby brother *F in tow. I was excited for my mom and good friend Elizabeth to finally meet in person, and Alton and *B were keen to try out all of Alton's new toys.
"Daddy, I want one!"

Alton made sure to spend plenty of his extra one-on-one time with Nonna in the playroom, holding her undivided attention as he demonstrated all of his toys.
He steered trains around the train table,

drove cars up ramps,

aimed cars down the slide,

and went joy-riding!

Whew! What a busy trip. We settled down after that into normal life by getting sick, as you know, and now are finally ensconced in our regular daily routine (with the addition of runny noses for Alton and me) and happily finding activities to occupy us during the cold and sometimes rainy weather. Several days after the departures of Nonna and Cici, Alton continued to ask about them, especially first thing in the morning and during mealtimes: "Nonna? Nonna Cici?" I would remind him that Nonna and Cici had to go home, to their homes, and he would nod knowingly, "Nonna home. Cici home." Yup.