The McGinnis Family

We just want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are holding up. We dn't really have words for you all right now, but we're going to be okay. This weekend we ran away to Lancaster to try to distract CJ. It must have worked a bit because he's still asking to go back to the hotel. This kid is such a traveler. We took him to the Strausberg Railroad to ride on an old steam engine train. He had a wonderful time. Here are a few pics of him in his conductor hat. He also has some very cute conductor overalls that we will feature in a photo later on.

Here is CJ at Halloween with his second cousins Dakota and Cheyenne. He had a great time trick-or-treating with them. He came home dumped out his candy and was ready for another round. He enjoyed his trip to Kansas City and loves his Superman outfit. He was supposed to be Curious George, but the store Mama ordered it from sent the wrong size so Grandma (Edie) and Daddy ran out to save the day.

We had a wonderful time in Chicago. We met up with Christy who showed us around the city. CJ was especially impressed with the Lincoln Park Zoo and Navy Pier. She was a great tour guide. We took a water taxi down to the Sear's Tower, but decided not to go up since CJ was passed out cold. He really loved looking at all the buildings and people. On Friday night when we were walking back from dinner, a very impressive looking Marine came over to us. He was young maybe early twenties, but extremely decorated. He asked us if he could give CJ his old Lieutenant bars. He pinned them on CJ and saluted him. It was a pretty neat moment. We thanked him and he said, "No, thank you for being the best parents you can be." What a neat experience. The pictures are of CJ at Navy Pier.

I can't believe its been a month since we updated. Well, actually I can. It's been a month full of adjustments between moving to Newark and Mama and Daddy both in school. We are a bit crazy. Mama has school Monday and Wednesday during the day and Tuesday and Thursday nights. Daddy has school Tuesday and Wednesday nights so needless to say it's a bit crazy. As most of you know, we are also very excited that CJ will be a big brother in May! It's amazing how fast time passes. We can't believe that our CJ baby is a big boy who will be a big brother soon. CJ seems very excited and loves to kiss Mama's belly and talk about the baby. Casey has taught him to refer to the baby as a brother so he's always saying baby brother. We've been in Chicago the last four days for a conference. Casey and CJ have roamed the whole city. The first picture is from Thursday night when CJ passed out at dinner before the food even arrived. He looked at me and blinked twice, laid hi...

We have officially moved back to Newark! We have a lot of work to do before we can say we're moved in, but we're getting there. It was a long weekend of moving and cleaning and running after a filthy little boy. CJ started us off by packing one of his shoes in an unknown box that we have yet to find. He went around in his socks until Mama could go to buy him some new sneaks on the way to the new house. He loves the house and spends all day going HOUSE! HOUSE! For that I am grateful. He did cry when he had to leave his friend, Deandra, across the street. We vowed to keep in touch though and are planning on taking her with us to the zoo in a few weeks. As for the rest he has settled right in. We've enjoyed lunches together all week. Of course, he loves the backyard and the stream that runs along the edge (Did we mention that we have a little stream?). He has been investigating everything and is constantly covered in dirt. No longer is this kid afraid of the grass. Last night ...

Here is our Philly boy the night we took him to his concert. He was telling us all about the people walking by as we ate a quick snack at a local pub. He was being a bit bossy insistant that we soak up the sounds and people as quickly as he did. He was not impressed with our apathy and definitely reminded Mama to look around and enjoy the atmosphere. While I am certain he will enjoy the backyard, I think he too will receive quite a culture shock when we arrive in good old Newark later this month. Currently he is running through the house shouting box as the continue to pile up. It is amazing how much we have just donated though. We're ruthless and I think he is concerned that his toys will go out as he has been hiding a toy here and there as we pack. He just made a good friend across the street and I'm sure he'll miss hanging out with her, but I think he already met a new little girl whose father works at the University. Last night we went to Old City to grab a bite...

This is CJ rolling his eyes at us. He is such a nut. We were on our way to the Jack Johnson concert. CJ loved his first official mainstream concert! He partied it up with the best of them. Dancing and singing along and of course bossing everyone around him to do the same. Finally, he passed out and slept through the last hour and all the way home. This week has been a big one for him. He's really getting his alphabet down and only misses a few letters here and there. Numbers seem to be more of his thing though and he has been counting like crazy. He can count all the way to 9 by himself (much to our suprise), but usally likes to stop around 5 or 6. I guess as first time parents we don't know what he's supposed to be doing, but that seems like a huge deal to us. He loves numbers and is counting everything. He is also growing much more comfortable chatting with us even though he gets quite frustrated that we don't always know what he wants. He has been call...