Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Our new house has a great swingset (“new treehouse, Mom!”) and a big yard that have completely won our little guy over. |
We're here!
We're deep in the midst of unpacking, still firmly in “complete disaster area,” but heading in the direction of “starting to look like home.”
Oklahoma welcomed us in style: an earthquake, an early morning hotel fire alarm, and a string of tornado warnings in our first thirty-six hours here. A little dramatic, if you ask me, but never mind that. We got here safe and sound, our house didn't get blown away the first night we owned it, and we are excited to be settling in.
We took some extra time on the way here so we could stop and see a few sights along the way. It also helped to break up the trip so we didn't have too much driving to do on any one day. Useful when traveling with a toddler (and a pregnant lady. Though, I have to give credit where credit is due: the baby very well behaved on the drive. I felt better during that week or so than I have at any other point during this pregnancy.)
Anyway, we took a day to drive up and see the Grand Canyon, which is… glorious. It was hard to take in the scope and beauty of it all, but it certainly was spectacular.
Pippo was mostly unaware of the canyon itself, until he dropped his stick behind a fence and we couldn't reach it. This prompted an appropriately grand meltdown, which took a good hour or so (including lunch) to fully recover from.
(If you ask him about visiting the Grand Canyon now, he will tell you all about it: “Dropped big big stick in Grand Canyon, make Pippo sad.
He also drew train tracks in the dirt. Again, did he notice the canyon? Not sure.
We had a few tricks up our sleeve for all the time we spent in the car, including some of his favorite Curious George books on CD. To say they were a hit would be an understatement.
He was absolutely delighted with them, and happily listened to all three in a row as many times as he could.
This is Pippo's official Funny Face. He made it up himself.
His official job moving in and out of hotel rooms was carrying Daddy's toiletry bag. He'd hoist it up on his arm, saying “get toytree bag. Oh. Toytree bag so heavy. So strong! So strong!” as he walked along.
Moving is tough, especially when you're little. Pippo has been handling it like a champ, though. We spent eleven nights in hotel rooms, and the only thing that seemed really to bother him was that dang middle-of-the-night fire alarm. (Not that I blame him. I was rather less than pleased about it, myself.)
He thought up some good hotel room games along the way, including Jump on the Bed, Slide (using the mattress from his travel crib, aka “Tent Bed,” as the slide), and Hide in the Suitcase.
Goodness, was he happy to see his crib all set up in the new house! When I brought him in to see it that first evening, he started frantically clawing at his clothes, trying to get them off and get into his pajamas and climb into bed all at the same time. Again, I don't blame him — I was happy to be back in my own bed, too.
Coming soon… pictures of the new house!
irisvipperman says
So many great pictures and memories here… God bless your family. <3
Sue says
Adorable. Loved reading along!
Nick says
Great photos! He's becoming funnier and cuter. Love the funny face he developed on his own!
Blair says
Glad you've made it to your new home! Hope you settle in quickly. Loved the car photos and the Grand Canyon, but it confirmed for me that I think I would be utterly terrified to stand on the edge of the Canyon! Maybe when my kids are older 😉 Your family is adorable and I can't wait to see your newest addition!
Marcia says
Ah, childhood… what an engaging and truly happy narrative.
Sue says
Love the Grand Canyon photos! I have never been there, but it's on my list of places I really want to see with my kids one day.
Pippo is so cute in the Curious George photos. What a happy little guy!
Catrina says
So glad to hear that you've all arrived safely! Annnnd I think Pippo's funny face is pretty funny, he's won me over. 🙂
Sarah says
Love the pictures from the Grand Canyon. As a family about to do a similar cross country trek I'd love to hear what other tricks you had up your sleeve. We have already purchased a set of the Julia Donaldson stories (of The Gruffalo fame) on CD and plan to complement with busy bags for our just turned 3 year old. The newbie 1 year old I think will just have to like it or lump it as I haven't been able to come up with anything too creative for him.
_Rosie says
Sarah, we've gotten excellent mileage out of our Magnadoodle (on plane trips and in restaurants, too. Your little guy might have fun with it, too), and brought a whole crate of his favorite books in addition to the ones on cd. Those, lots of songs, and some special snacks were our most successful car activities, I think. I brought some lacing cards, but he hasn't gotten the hang of those yet.
We did pull out the ipad (I have one app on it that is very sweet that he loves) and a Kipper dvd a few times towards the end of the day's drive. (I hate to rely on electronics, but at a certain point it just becomes a lot to ask of a two-year-old, especially one who isn't good at sleeping in the car.)
Becky says
That is a most awesome treehouse! I also love the the funny face. My children have taken to saying “cheese, muffin, argh” for their pictures since “cheese” was simply too pedestrian. It always garners a good look from passers by. 🙂
Patty says
I love your Pippo pictures. I have a little boy just a tad older who does just about everything you describe and it is all ridiculously cute. Even when he's less than excited about the situation (ie., losing big big stick). It's been a while since we've had to move, thank goodness! I'm not sure how *I* would survive moving 4 kids! Of course we can't stay here forever, but I'd say we can fit a couple more kids in this apt yet…. 😉 have fun unpacking and setting up a new place! I have to confess that while I know it's no fun to move little kids or whole pregnant, I'm looking forward to you having a new canvas to work on that will result in some more beautiful home pictures and ideas! Good luck!
momco3 says
So glad you are settling in. Pippo seems to have the simultaneous arts of pretty handsome, happy, funny and real all at the same time. Thanks for sharing!
DeirdreLMLD says
You are a champ for doing that move. 11 nights across different hotels! ugh.
I cracked up through these photos. For one thing: Pippo in a BSox hat on that rock – what a little stud. Hilarious and delightful faces with Curious George. And the funny face is a classic!
In case anyone is doubting, I definitely heard the big big stick narrative over the phone from Pippo himself, just as Rosie described! Clearly a traumatic experience.
_Leila says
I heard the story about his big big stick too! It was so sad. 🙁
But it had a happy ending and that was so cute!!
Mama Rachael says
My little guy will be 2 in May, and I know Pippo is about 6 months (9 months?) older, yes? When did you find he put together the book on CD and the book?
_Rosie says
Just about, Mama Rachael, he turned 2 at Christmas! We ordered them on Amazon – here's the version of Curious George we got: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618609229/ref=o…
We also got Curious George Rides a Bike and Curious George Goes to the Hospital. They're really well done!
_Rosie says
My husband pointed out that I read your comment wrong – I thought you were asking where we got them. We didn't pull them out until the trip, and I was worried that he wouldn't be able to follow along, but he had no problem at all! In fact, if I had realized what a hit they would be, I would have gotten him more!
Judging by how quickly he got the hang of it, I think he would have been able to follow along a little younger, too – I bet a book-loving 2-year-old could do it with a little coaching at first. He does *love* reading books in general, and knew these books already in particular, which also helped.
Mama Rachael says
My thanks to your Hubby! I figured you had lots of comments to reply to, and I might just give books on CD a try anyways.
We love curious george, so I might try it out with books he already knows. He loves to read, thought he's hard on books (just tore a page in the library book! argh!)
Thanks!
Mary says
Nothing like a move to bring a family even closer. What great memories you are making!
Pippo is looking like a big boy now. Such a fun age!
CMerie says
Glad you are getting settled in. We went to the Grand Canyon a few years ago when the oldest two were 3 and 1. The baby we kept in a stroller, but the 3 year old I kept on a leash (I always thought I was against leashes for children until I went to the Grand Canyon). I'm afraid of heights anyway, but was terrified the entire time we were there (which was only a few hours) that I would lose my son over the edge. We have a picture of my husband sitting with my son near(ish) to the edge with his arm around him. What you don't see in the peaceful picture (because my husband photo-shopped it out so he could get it framed) is a very tense me just in screen holding tightly to the end of the leash. I'm not sure we'll be going back until our children are much older. Scary!
_Rosie says
CMerie, I hear you on the leash. I was really glad we had the stroller, not just because it let Pippo nap while we walked, but because it helped keep him contained the rest of the time!
laurachristine06 says
Best of luck with your settling into your new place! And the Grand Canyon, wow, it is . . . Grand, isn't it?? 🙂
Kathy says
Looks like the way to move across the country, glad you guys made the most of it and it looks like you had a good time and created great memories.
Good luck on getting settled in!
Lisa Schmidt says
I was holding my breath a bit looking at the pics of the Grand Canyon. I would be a nervous wreck going with my kids. Good for you!
Mary says
Oh the trauma of the “big stick”! I can only imagine how difficult that was. But he chose to soldier on with a BIGGER stick. Yay Pippo! I am loving the funny face…classic indeed.
It looks like the new house is a real winner. What a treehouse! I love it. Good luck with the unpacking. Trust me, it does get easier the more times you do it. Welcome to Oklahoma!! I think you are going to like it there.
Nancy says
What a beginning to a new adventure in Oklahoma! Beautiful pictures!!
Anna says
Here in Colorado, those hikes on the edge are pretty common. It is unnerving, but I know exactly what you mean about the edge not being as close as it seems.
When I was pregnant with my second, we were on the top of Loveland Pass- one of the highest places you can go by car. It doesn't make any sense, but the wind was quite strong and I was sure the in utero baby was going to blow away!
Anne-Marie says
Pippo and his stick at the Grand Canyon reminds me of one of our family's stories. For years all my sisters and I knew of the cathedral of Reims is that it was where we lost my youngest sister's stuffed rabbit that she has just got for Easter. When I visited it as an adult, 20 years later, I sent her a postcard saying that the beauty of the cathedral was worth a cloth toy. She replied, “Easy for you to say! It wasn't your rabbit!”
_Rosie says
Haha! I love it.
Mona says
Hmmmmm. Pippo, hippo, fippo, rippo! Just kidding! (I just thought that was soooo funny when I read it.) The pics are adorable and it's so good to see everyone handling the move with grace. I asked your mom to tell you about the Clear Creek Abbey in Hulbert, OK, but now I'll add it on here. The website is clearcreekmonks.org.
_Rosie says
Thank you, Mona – she did pass that along! Unfortunately, they're about 4 hours from us, but if we find ourselves in that direction we'll definitely visit!
Mary says
Great pics! The Grand Canyon scares the heck out of me. I've never been there and I think I would totally freak out to have to wrangle my kids near there. Just thinking about it makes my heart race!! Pippo is just the cutest1
tacy says
Rosie I am glad you were able to keep him occupied for so long with just those Curious George books! I am ashamed that we resorted to candy- big lollipops- on our recent (relatively short) trip.
_Rosie says
Tacy, we had our fair share of treats, too. Don't worry!
hope says
Congrats on the new house! That treehouse is going to be a lot of fun! (FWIW my kids were rather unimpressed with the Grand Canyon. I think it is sort of the sensation from the top that it is just a beautiful giant sand painting and it almost doesn't seem real. They would have appreciated it better had we been able to hike to the bottom.)
Anne says
ahhh! so cute! also, his goofy faces remind me of Ann! these cousins have a goofy side in common. 🙂
Steph says
Glad to see you all made it safely. May the forces of Nesting be with you 🙂
msagala1 says
Congrats on surviving the move, Rosie…with a toddler and a baby in-utero, no less!!! Tell Pippo I'm kinda jealous of his backyard playground 🙂
Guest says
Oh, my goodness….you really do have the gift for telling a good story!! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pics, and the highs & lows of your journey. God's blessings in your new home.
Brenda
RubberChickenGirl says
Why pray tell does a Marine have a gingham toiletry bag?! Don't they issue camo ones or something?
RCG
_Rosie says
Haha, RCG, this cracked me up! It's a very manly, black-and-white gingham, provided by me (homemade Christmas gift this year), rather than by the Marines. You can usually tell pretty easily what parts of his kit I'm responsible for…
RubberChickenGirl says
It looked like light blue and white gingham, as in classic baby boy gingham. I was wondering if you were crafting for him. I dunno if crafting and the Corps aren't a (insert a good word here, you Word Girls, for oxymoron/clash which escapes me right now)??
RCG
RubberChickenGirl says
Side note….I don't enjoy heights in my old age and everyone creeping out to the edge of the rocks beyond the little “fence” line at the Canyon were freaking me out!! And then this little boy was pushing his brother in a stroller and got caught up watching something and the stroller started rolling forward on a large rock toward oblivion and I grabbed the stroller. The dumb father who was no where near the stroller acted like I was some overreacting nosey person. Hello!! Your baby nearly went quietly strolling over the edge while you were oblivious. Oh my gosh, the whole thing had me in knots. My kids thought I was overreacting as well until we walked in the gift store to find the book entitled Death in the Grand Canyon. http://www.amazon.com/Over-Edge-Death-Grand-Canyo…
“Gripping accounts of all known fatal mishaps in the most famous of the World's Seven Natural Wonders. ”
RCG
Becca Anne says
Oh oh oh! I'm an Arizona girl and it was so neat to see my state on your blog! I hope you enjoyed your time at the Canyon – I always feel like there's not much to do after you look at it for a few minutes 😛 Can't wait to see pictures of your new place!
Mary says
Grand Canyon… so scary! Butterflies in my stomach at the “edge of cliff” pic!
Charlotte says
Pippo in the suitcase cracked me up! What an awesome kid he is!
RubberChickenGirl says
Mutually exclusive. That's what I was looking for…..crafting and the Corps are mutually exclusive. :O)
RCG
Meghan says
Could you please tell me where Pippo's shoes are from? The pair he is wearing in the toiletries picture are so cute, and cute boy shoes have been elusive for me.
_Rosie says
Hi Meghan! Sorry, my computer wasn't letting me respond to your comment before. Those Converse sneakers were a sort of desperate Target purchase after his last ones wore out and I couldn't find any others. They're online here: http://www.target.com/p/toddler-s-converse-one-st…
They are cute (he gets a remarkable number of compliments on them), but haven't held up particularly well for how much they cost (like I said, I was desperate). My main complaint with them, though, is that they're a real pain in the neck to put on. He had another pair of Converse sneakers before these that I got at Marshalls. They were very similar, but had little tabs on the back to help put them on, and cost about half as much. I'd hold out for those instead. 🙂
Woman of the House says
I'm so glad the trip went well and that you are getting settled into your new house! Enjoy all the nesting (which to me is by far the best part of moving 🙂 )!