Travels Near and Far

The Molloy family has been on the go for the past few weeks...road trips, visits, learning to walk...it's been a whirlwind!

Two weeks ago we drove to Maryland/Delaware for the weekend to visit with the Wolfe family. This was extra exciting because my brother and his family also came (from Virginia) and we got to spend some time together for the first time since Easter. Aaron and Kate's son Eamon is exactly 3 months younger than Lucas (although they are about the same size) and it was really cool to watch them interact with each other. (Last time they saw one another neither of them had a clue as to what was going on).

Eamon, having had most of his interactions to date with adults and dogs, was very interested in Lucas - particularly in sticking his fingers in Luke's eyeballs and occasionally licking him. Which was hilarious for everyone except, pehaps Lucas. Lucas, being used to other babies from day care and his overbearing sister who is doing wacky things to him all the time, was relatively laid back about the licking, but the eyeball touching got to be a bit much for him at one point and he pouted and then burst into tears. Other than that small episode, they got along really well and I am so excited to see them play together the next time we see each other. I wish we lived closer so the boys could hang out more often!
Cassin, Elise, Lucas and Eamon
While Lucas and Eamon were bonding over rice cereal and hair pulling, Ellie was having a blast with her second cousin Cassin (10). Cassin was very patient and wonderful with Elise, who followed her around like a puppy dog and begged her to play games with her the whole time. The kids were pretty good on the car rides there and back, which gave us the confidence to try the travel thing again the next weekend.

This time we went to visit some of Marty's friends from college. We met up with Tom at his (giant) house in New York along with Bryan, his wife Laura and their daughter, Collette (6 months). Ellie kept saying how "beauty-ful" Tom's house was and had a wonderful day literally running in circles around the house, doing somersaults down the hallway and exploring the backyard (with particular interest in the hammock). Lucas enjoyed crawling and walking around the floors of Tom's house, and of course, he adored the stairs. Who needs toys?! The adults had a nice time catching up while the kids enjoyed each other and the house all day.

As I mentioned last week, Lucas began taking independent steps last week and of course because I predicted that he'd be a walker by this week, he once again proved me wrong by not really walking. He is still taking a handful of steps at a time, but really hasn't gained enough balance or confidence to yet be considered a walker. I think he THOUGHT he could walk, so he began moving his little legs way too fast and took one too many really hard nose dives into the hardwood floor and now he's scared.

Ellie with Collette
After all of our travels, I think we're planning to stay put for the next few weeks. As for Lucas walking, well, time will tell...