A quick trip back to the Bean

So since Benjamin turned 9 months old or so  - two MONTHS ago - his sleeping has reverted back to the days of yore when he was a fresh young vampire and loved the night and torturing his hard working mother.  He has been sleeping great until 10:30 or 11 when we go to bed then he has been waking every couple hours and needing to eat/held every 4 or so.  Needless to say we have been a bit tired (and with our high maintenance cripple dog and evil night terrorist cat) and looking forward to a full night sleep.  The trip to Boston was to attend one of Martin's friends from grad schools weddings in Narraganset which meant a night with Auntie Sarah and Uncle Aaron in charge - and a full night with no baby or pets for an exhausted mom and dad.  Well, to summarize, we were up a lot and the baby slept 11 hours with Sarah and Aaron.

Now I recently had my camera's sensor cleaned as it had some dust and other particulates inside which left a bunch of black spots all over my pictures.  Well, in my infinate brilliance I brought my freshly cleaned camera but forgot my CF card at home so no fancy camera photos - this post will be solo iPhone photos.

This time flying was much easier, having Martin along and having a direct flight made it seem easier than driving to WI.  He enjoyed walking around touching all those gross terminal chairs.

 Upon arriving he quickly asserted his dominance of Gryff by eating his bone.

 Then Martin embarked on a journey back to Novartis to introduce Mino to his old coworkers.  Let me take a step back.  Martin really likes his soon to be brother in law Aaron.  They enjoy dressing alike whenever possible.  Well, this was taken to the next level this weekend as Boston had a very hot sticky airmass and we dressed for fall so Martin needed to wear Aarons shorts and shoes as he didn't bring summer attire.  Martin was introduced to the "dad short" not so sure why it is called that as I think it looks way better than cargo shorts - but I am a mom and maybe my tastes have changed.  He was elusive in photos with them like a yeti - one action shot was captured though - mid stride - again - like a yeti. 

Martin and Mino took the T to Cambridge.  Minos first train ride was captured, and I wish I had video of the stares he was giving some of the customers. . . 

Anyway, after that meeting Saaron and I met up with the dynamic male Felices duo for a touristic jaunt around Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market that was cut slightly short by a severe thunderstorm.

 To avoid the rain we ducked into a restaurant that served "yankee type cooking" not the NY kind, mind you.  It was OK and Aaron enjoyed being the custodian of the wee little Mino. 

 We made it back home around 830 or 9 and mind you Mino fell asleep for maybe 20 minutes during the entire day so was a wild animal at night.  I got a video but it was waaaaay too long to put up on here.  We call him crack baby when this happens.  Some people were slightly horrified that we thought this was funny and OK so we may have to change the name when he starts repeating what we say, but for lack of a better explanation, he was a wild crack baby that night. 

 The next morning Min and I ventured back to Harvard Square to meet up with Erin and Marisa for brunch.  Marisa got to show off her fancy new engagement ring and I got to show off my dear son who was not in the best of moods after his wild evening the night before.

 I had to rush back to get everything ready to go to RI and to leave Saaron in charge of Mino.  I told them to take lots of pictures so they could put up a guest post.  They respectfully declined but aside from the solid 11 hours of sleep I do know that Mino spent the night on Gryff's tempurpedic dog mattress and enjoyed a sound machine.  They did fashion a hanging ball for him to bat using lacy and an exercise ball as well.  Details were a bit sketchy. 
Here are some pics of big momma and Martin - evidence why self portraits are no good: 
Taken by others (be it in poor light)

I like it, I feel as if we look good. . . then. . .  self portrait !

Eeew.
We returned in time to catch some Sunday Football with Amanda and Levi and Bruno who brought a surprise visitor Laurie, and John and Emily and Eloise.  Sadly Eloise was too much woman for Gryff to handle so we couldn't have everyone in the same room.  Hopefully after the neutering (Sept 20th!!) we can try again and not have to have them separated by two doors.

 Last but not least.  Minos new cage.  In the morning we need something to contain him while we are getting ready or he will dump the dog water and try to fall down the steps before we would even know what is happening.  Lets hear it for the Pack N Play!!