Back in the U S of A

The rest of our Toronto trip was very relaxing. On Thursday we were a bit let down by the Distillery District-- we did not find it as interesting as the guidebooks made it sound. But it all worked out for the best, as I was tired and John had some work he needed to do. So we relaxed at the hotel in the afternoon before heading out for a nice dinner and the comedy show. Between dinner and the show, we enjoyed a walk around the St. Lawrence Market area and did a little shopping.

On Friday we packed up and headed back to the US. Our trip over the border was much quicker than the crossing the other way. Either the time and day of the week were in our favor, or we picked the better bridge this time (or both!). We didn't even have to pay any duty on the wine we had purchased. We stopped on our way across Cleveland so John could visit his grandfather at the Cleveland Clinic, then made it to the Maloneys' in time for dinner.

Charlie wasn't sure what to make of us at first-- but he seemed glad to see us. He appeared to have had a really good time while we were gone. He had grown accustomed to the dogs, and even knew their names, as well as the names of all the other family members.

We stopped by the Zimmermans' in Columbus for a visit and dinner on Saturday on our way home from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Charlie enjoyed showing off his new "bike" from the Maloneys, and playing on their swingset. He even used a big boy swing.

On Sunday we started the final stages of preparing Charlie's new room. He helped us assemble his new bed in the room, and afterwards, he did not want to leave. He loves climbing in and out of the new bed, and piled it high with toys. We have only a few more things to do to prep the room for a final move-in.

On our way back to the states on Friday, we received a call from Children's Hospital that let us know that the biopsy of the rash on Charlie's face was to take place on Tuesday (tomorrow!) No one had bothered to call and tell us! Of course, the ointment we had been using since his last dermatologist appointment about 3 weeks ago actually seems to have been working. We have only been applying it on one side, so we can see the difference. I presume they'll take the sample from the other side of his face tomorrow.

We learned this evening that Charlie finally has a new cousin, and he instantly was able to repeat his name-- Wyatt. I'm sure Charlie will be excited to meet him. We've also been talking to him a lot about the coming of his baby brother. Mostly it is intended to steer him away from the talk of his "baby sister" which he seems to tell people about. I can only guess he has been saying "sister" because his closest friends at daycare have baby sisters, not brothers.

Charlie continues to use new words and phrases, and has broken out in random song a few times over the past couple of days. His favorite right now is "ring around the rosy". He likes to sing about falling down.

My latest checkup at the OB went fine today. Heart is beating right along. Next appointment is in 4 weeks, and we'll likely be able to schedule our delivery date during that visit. Time is flying by quickly.