The verdict is in

It was the alternator. Along with $400 worth of other things. (Battery, fuel pump, belts) When you add in Lucy's $200+ vet visit (she is better now), I would like to venture that we won't be eating out any time soon. Sigh. It could be a lot worse, I suppose.

Since the car is in the shop, we have Caroline's car seat in our living room. Caroline thinks this is great. She tries to get in it and sit then when I help her in, she gets out of the seat. It's a big game to her.

In other news, our apartment has been invaded by ANTS! There is a small gap between the door and the baseboard thingy and the ants have found a way in. After a couple of ant bites, anger got the better of me and I retrieved the vacuum from the hall closet and took care of the little suckers (pun intended). AND, to make sure that they never come back, I found the caulking gun and sealed every crack around the door. I have outsmarted them! For now, at least.

our car died

It was a sad sight this weekend. The car died Friday morning about 4 feet from our driveway. Thankfully, I had enough momentum to pull the car in the driveway. The speedometer as well as the other gauges stopped working. And the radio didn't work, and the AC didn't work and then the car engine turned off. I have to admit that I was quite frightened (hoped the brakes would still work...). We called Hyundai on Saturday and they towed the car (for no charge) from our driveway. The tow guy said that the alternator was the problem. Hopefully everything will be covered under Hyundai's warranty and we won't need to pay anything.

Caroline is so close to walking... we are expecting her first steps any day now!

the little climber

A couple of days ago, Caroline was sitting in her seat (the one that attaches to our table) and I went to the kitchen to get breakfast for her. The breakfast making process takes appoximately 1 minute, and in that time, I select a jar of breakfast food (Organic Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal- Stage 3) and microwave it for 15 seconds. In that time I heard a curious banging coming from the direction of our dining room table. I went in, knowing that I had not given Caroline any "banging" toys and thus could not possibly be making that sound, unles she had somehow gotten out of her seat. She had. I was quite impressed. I always strap her in and she somehow squeezed out of the straps and onto the table, whereupon she took to hitting our Glade Candle-in-a-glass-jar against the table. Since then, we have reverted to using her highchair, which is an okay solution to Caroline not falling onto the floor, but the chair takes ages to clean. I feel that I spend eons cleaning all of the little parts. In any given day, I have to scrub 2 trays, a seatcover (which I usually stick in the washing machine), straps (and there are 5 of them), 2 toys, the footrest, and the seat frame. It usually, however, just stays dirty.

Well, I'm off to see The Apprentice (season premiere), so I'll write later.

Dr Appt

Yesterday, Caroline went to her 9 month old well-baby checkup. There were no shots this time, just weight/length measurements. Caroline is in 50th percentile for height and weight and in the 75th percentile for head circumference. I think she gets that from her dad. I asked about Caroline's belly button, because it has been an outie since she was born. Recently, the cute little thing decided to poke out even more. I was a little concerned about it. The doctor said that it is indeed a umbilical hernia, but he anticipates that it will correct itself within the next several years. If it doesn't, laproscopic surgery is required to close the muscle. Apparently, these types of hernias are common in babies (5-10% have them); most self-correct. If they don't self-correct, surgery is required because risks of abdomenal hernia later in life are increased with an (uncorrected) umbilical hernia.

Back home

We arrived home yesterday. The house was still standing and there was plenty of laundry awaiting us. Things are getting back to normal now. Caroline is pulling herself up more than ever before and she is now finding it easy to cruise around the furniture. She has let go a few times, standing without support. Her first steps should be soon.

Our cruise to Canada was fun--the weather was, in general, very good. We had a good bit of fog one day, but the rest of the days were warm and sunny. Our first stop was Halifax, Nova Scotia. We were there for just about 5 hours so there wasn't a whole lot we could do. We managed to walk through the downtown area, get coffee, do a bit of shopping and enjoy the scenery. The next stop was St. Johns. We got off for a little while, but we were exhausted from the previous day's excursion, so we didn't stay out long.

We were on the ship Carnival Triumph, which I believe is one of the biggest cruise ship in the Carnival Fleet. The ship had several pools, two dining rooms, an assortment of other eating areas, a theater, a casino (where Todd won $2 on the penny slot machine), shops, bars, and I could go on and on.

Caroline is enjoying Regan and Nick's new table. Good choice! 

Insert appropriate comment here. 

:) 

:) 

:) 

:0) 

It's time to share, girls. 

Awww. They both want the same toy. 

;) 

:) 

Here is Natalie. 

Caroline is playing at Natalie's apartment.  

It's a long way up. 

Caroline is trying to climb up the stairs. 

The Baby gate! (Sorry these are out of order; I am rushing here, because I still need to pack!!) 

Another painting. 

Here is another painting. I'm working on learning how to turn the flash off. Just imagine it without the white spot in the middle. 

;) 

Oohh. A camera! 

More handiwork. 

Here is Todd's handiwork. The posts by the stairs are metal, so he had to add a piece of wood in order to attach the baby gates. 

Here is one of our new paintings. It is hanging up now.  

Noise!!!! 

She has discovered how to make lots of noise now! 

Lucy is resting on our sofa (her favorite spot) and Caroline grabbed her ears.