What's Shakin'?

We are!!!  On Monday, TJ & Mommy experienced our first earthquake.  Well, at least Mommy did.  TJ slept through it.  The 4.0 quake hit at 5:33 a.m., waking us up.  Thank goodness Frankie was here (he's no stranger to quakes), and he assured me it wasn't "The Big One."  Still, the quake definitely rattled my nerves.  :)

TJ continues to adjust really well to the new house, new city and new school.  He started his new school nearly two weeks ago.  We decided to have him start a few days before Ga went back to Colorado, so we could continue making "baby steps" with all the changes. 

He was so excited the first day... he loved playing with his friends, reading books and singing songs.  His teacher, Ms. Irina, is very affectionate, and you can tell TJ has a good time when he's there.  Ms. Irina is Russian, and TJ has already picked up a how to say "thank you" and "coat" in Russian.  He even corrects Mommy when she tries the language. (Stinker)

TJ was pretty sad when Ga left, but he enjoys calling both Ga & Pa each night.  He also asks to get on the computer to talk with them.  He enjoys eating M&Ms with Pa, and playing Simon Says with Ga.  I'm sure Ga & Pa have a good time, too. :)

TJ's also missing Daddy, and he was soooo excited when he flew in for a weekend visit last weekend.  All he really wanted to do was play trains with Daddy, but we did manage to make a trip to Golden Gate Park.  The boys played in the sand box before and after our picnic.  Then... we did something TJ's been wanting to do since he arrived in the Bay Area -- We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge.  He absolutely loved it!

TJ's vocabulary and communication continues to blow us away.  He has really blossomed in the past month, and he has become such a big boy.  He's able to have a conversation with you, and he comes up with the funniest sayings.  One of our favorites right now is in the morning, TJ lays in his "big boy bed" and yells out, "Guys!  Guys!  Hey guys! Guys?"  It cracks me up.

TJ also loves to sing.  His favorite song is "Life is a Highway."  He calls it the "Mack song" because of "Cars."  It's hilarious when he sings, "ride it all night long!"  He also sings "You've Got a Friend in Me."  It's the absolute sweetest thing I've ever heard!

TJ loves to help with everything... vacuuming, putting away dishes, even feeding the cat.  He likes to get Bo's food out, and then of course, order him saying, "Bo Bos eat your food."

We're excited for the upcoming week because we get to go back to Colorado for a four-day weekend.  TJ keeps talking about seeing Daddy, Ga, Pa, Aunt G and his friends, Jack, Payton, Asher and Camden.  Colorado here we come!!!

A Very Busy Month

Needless to say, it's been a very busy month in both of the Martin households, and being a split family right now is keeping everyone on their toes.

Just days after TJ's second birthday, Mommy & Daddy(and Bo) packed up the Jeep and headed towards San Francisco.  TJ stayed back with Ga & Pa while we made the road trip.  We managed to have a pretty uneventful trip once Bo's third sedative finally kicked in and the crazy cat finally stopped crying!

TJ had a good time at Ga & Pa's while we were gone.  Daddy flew back that Monday, and it was just the two of them for three weeks.  Ga would come up and help, and while TJ was a good boy for everyone, it was tough for him and Mommy to be a part.

TJ and Ga are now out in San Francisco (or San Franchesco, as TJ calls it), and TJ and Mommy are soooo happy to be reunited.  TJ misses his Daddy, and we can't wait until the family is whole again.

TJ LOVES his new room.  Mommy had it all set up, and Ga helped put his big boy bed together.  He was so excited to have a big boy bed, and he's transitioned perfectly into sleeping there.  He loves to lie in bed and "read" his books until he falls asleep, and when he wakes up... he likes to just stay there for awhile before getting out bed.  He also likes his new home.  It's one level, and he loves running all over the place.  He also enjoys playing in his nice, lush backyard.

Mommy's new job is going really well.  Her new bosses are happy with her work, and her show has even been the #1 newscast three times!  She's really happy with the decision she made even though she misses her family and friends tremendously.

While Ga has been here, we've been able to get out and enjoy the sights of the Bay Area.  Our first weekend together, we ventured to Fisherman's Wharf.  TJ loved looking at the Sea Lions, eating from his bucket of mini do-do's, riding the Carousel, and eating at Bubba Gump's.  While sitting at the restaurant, he just stared out the window, then looked at me and said, "I like watching boats."  Everyday TJ asks to "go back to Fisherman's Wharf."  He cracks me up.

On Saturday, TJ started his new 'nastics class.  I had to sign him up as soon as I could because he had been asking to go.  At first he was a little shy, but he quickly warmed up.  He even gave his new Coach Rosie a hug when he left and talked about one of the girl's, Abby, all the way home.  :)

Yesterday, we took a trip to the ocean.  It really is just a five minute drive from our house, but we decided to drive a little more until we got to Half Moon Bay.  TJ had a blast running on the beach, and when it was time to leave he waved and said, "Bye bye water, love you!"  Silly, sweet, special boy!

Tomorrow morning before Mommy goes to work, we are going to visit TJ's new school.  He keeps asking to go to school... I just wonder how he'll do when he realizes Gina, Ivy and Debbie aren't there.

I'm sure there's a ton more to report, but I just can't remember!  Now that we're halfway settled, we'll try to update the blog more! 

Happy Birthday, TJ!

We can't believe you're two!  Where did the time go?  We have had so much watching you grow into this adorable, smart, funny and outgoing little boy! 

Since our lives are a little hectic now with the move, I'll have to post pictures from his party along with an update after I arrive in San Francisco.

Until then... we wanted to share this video:

TJ watches the Sunny Sideup Show every morning on Sprout, so Mommy & Daddy made a birthday card and sent it in.  Not only did it get chosen once... it aired three times!  Here it is: