MS Walk

On Sunday, Sandra and I participated in the MS walk in New York as we have the past two years. This time we took along Markus. We also had a great team as Sandra's mom (who I suspect came for Markus =)), Brenda, Natalie, Natalie's friends Reyna and Juliana, Jack & Jess, their friend Debbie, and Evelyn, Priscilla, and Noelle joined our Frydam Trekkers team! Our team raised $1,360 for the MS Society! The walk raised over $1.7 million!

We did the 3-mile walk as this was the stroller-friendly route. At about 0.01 miles into the walk, Markus started crying. He had been up early and all the excitement of the actions and people kept him awake. He was tired, and he likes to cry when he's tired. We already fed him, so we knew he wasn't hungry. We continued to walk and in 5 or 10 minutes (looooong minutes) he fell asleep. This is what we expected would happen and he pretty much stayed asleep until the end of the walk.

A bunch of us went to eat lunch afterwards and this is where I was getting nervous as I don't think we've ever eaten at a restaurant with the little guy. I still get nervous doing new things with Markus. We had to change him, but there weren't any baby friendly places. Sandra and her mom managed to change him upstairs in the bathroom. Markus later started crying and I quickly ate my food (rather at my "normal" fast pace) and I took him to an upstairs level that was empty to feed and rock him. He calmed down and eventually so did I. =)

We're always proud of ourselves for doing these little adventures as they are great learning experiences. I mean, parents DO this stuff, so we try as much as we can to do normal things with Markus as well. Both of our parents are always saying how they did all of these thing with no problems. Sandra and I assume that both of our parents conveniently forgot any nerves or worries they had. I mean, in 10 years or so when we look back we will also say how we took Markus out all the time to the MS walk and whatever with no problems because we just remember the fun parts.

Well, if it weren't for this BLOG to remind us.

=)

Markus Flips!

This morning Markus reached a new milestone -- he turned himself over to his belly! I saw Markus in the morning laying in his crib and I gave him a few kisses and went to get ready for work. After I got dressed, I walked back into the room and there he was laying on his belly! Amazing! Sandra and I were so very excited. We've tried to capture it on video, but Markus gets so distracted when he sees the camera. In other news, Easter was a nice extended holiday for us. We spent it at Sandra's parents place and we all went to church in the morning. Markus was okay for about 10 minutes and then started getting fussy. We took him to "crying room" they have at St. Paul's in Congers, and stayed there with some other parents and kids. He also got a new jumperoo, which he enjoyed initially, but not too much these days. Anyway, here is a video of him in the jumperoo.

Atlanta Trip

Last weekend (Thursday Mar 26 - Monday Mar 30) Sandra and I took a trip to Atlanta, GA to attend Jenelle's wedding. We decided to leave Markus with his grandma and this was the first time we would be away from Markus for an extended period of time. We were very emotional during the days leading up to the trip as we felt guilty and sad that we were leaving him. Everyone said that it would be okay, and we knew he would be safe, and his grandma LOVES him, etc., but it was hard to shake the feelings.

We dropped Markus off Wednesday night. He was sleeping, but woke up around 11:00 as we transported him to his crib. He had some trouble falling back asleep, but grandma (abuela) reassured us that he was okay and she would take care of him. We went home and it was sad being home without him there. We had to NOT go into his room.

The next day we woke up and flew to Atlanta with no problem. We had a lot of things to occupy our minds and it wasn't as bad as we though it would be. We also felt comforted knowing that we could Skype and see him when we wanted. The first day we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and then later met up with our friends Jack and Jess for dinner. We ate at a local microbrew called Max Lager. (YMCA at the Hard Rock)
So far so good! We went to the Aquarium the next day, which was a lot of fun as well. We saw so many little kids that it was hard not to think of Markus. We didn't get sad, but were excited thinking about the day we we would take him to the aquarium and he would get excited. (Raph, Sandra, and Jess at the Aquarium)

We wanted to Skype with Markus that night, but we had technical difficulties. That was hard for us because we wanted to see him, and were prepared to see him, but it wasn't happening. That was probably the hardest part of the trip. Friday night was the Bachelorette party, so I got to hang out with Jack and Joe, aka "the husbands", at a local Hooters and watch the NCAA tournament. We started pounding down pitchers of various beers and barely watched the games because they were all blowouts. Joe retired early as he flew in that same evening. Jack and I continued to drink and ended up at a local Irish pub. The girls were at an entertainment club and we all came back to the hotel around 3:00ish.

Saturday Sandra, me, Jack, Jess and Joe went to the Coca-Cola Factory/Museum/Brainwashing Asylum in the afternoon. (COKE!)
It was fun and we got to try all the different coke brands from around the world. Later that night we got to go the rehearsal dinner at a family members house and we capped the night with a few cocktails at the hotel lounge. We actually did that every night except Friday! I found that I actually like Gin and Tonic (thanks Jack!) and jazz lounge music is addicting. It just puts you in a great mood. (Us, Jack and Jess enjoying some drinks and jazz at the Ritz Carlton...nightly). The wedding was Sunday afternoon and it was lovely.
at the wedding). Jenelle looked absolutely stunning and we were so very happy to see her get married. It was an afternoon wedding, so we met up with Jack, Jess, Meredith, Joe and Jack's brother Chip and his girlfriend to eat at a Mexican restaurant (Jalepeno Charlie's or something) and finished off the night, where else?, the LOUNGE at the Ritz Carlton! =)

There was so much stuff happening that we weren't completely focused on Markus all the time. We left Monday morning and were so excited to see and hold and kiss the little guy. Which is exactly what we did.

Final thoughts on Atlanta that I forgot to mention earlier:

• We were in downtown Atlanta, and I was surprised that the area was so shady. However, I've never seen TWO gold teeth shops on the same street before, and now I have. So that was cool.
• No pharmacies in the middle of downtown Atlanta. You have to traverse through said shady areas to obtain contact solution.
  
• The Lakers were staying at our hotel and we go to see Pau Gasol. Sandra actually left her seat to follow him in the elevator, but the rest of us were too "relaxed" on Gin and Tonic to say anything.
• More pictures! (Markus x2, girls with the bride, Sandra and bride, Jess Jack Meredith Joe Sandra Me)
  

And I tried to keep it short....