Food, Inc. Update

I can't believe the number of people who emailed me, called me, Facebooked me, or just plan old talked to me about my blog entry on Food, Inc (the documentary) and the changes that Matt and I made in our house. So many people told me that they made the change too...or were planning on it. It made me realize that we really all can make a difference, because it's not just the Phillips' who made the change...it's a lot more than that!

So, here is the update! We have stuck to what we said we would do, and let me tell you, it's way harder with two kids than it was with one! (the going to the stores part) Of course, convenience has won out a time or two, but about 99% of the time, we are buying local (1st) or organic if local isn't an option.

I just found local dairy products from a dairy in PA. There is something really comforting about drinking your milk from a glass bottle. Even if I did have to call my mom and ask her what to do with the cream layer on top of Jack's whole milk bottle. I don't know if it tastes better, but it sure feels better!



http://www.tricklingspringscreamery.com/

Kitchen Safety

When you a have dangerous recipe and no hardhat handy, you can substitute with a mixing bowl...

A Walk in the Park

Matt and Jack took some time out before we left New York on Sunday to play in Central Park.





We even got a chance to see Elmo!

Pow Pow Powerwheels....

Choo Choo

Here is the train photo! Good news since this post, Annapolis Mall now has a train too! Bad news for the cash in my wallet...

What a Week!

We've been up to quite a bit this past week. It's been busy! Last Tuesday it was very rainy, so we grabbed Grammy and headed up to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. This was Jack's first time back to the Aquarium since he could walk... and much more exciting this time around. He (like all kids) loved the bubble tubes in the beginning. He loved looking down into the big tanks (with turtles, sharks and rays) from all the levels and the whole shark area at the bottom.



On Saturday we headed up to Baltimore again, but this time to watch Daddy run in the Baltimore Marathon. He finished with a BIG PR of 4 hours and 12 minutes!!! Congrats Daddy!




On Sunday we went to a Halloween and Pumpkin Carving Party thrown by Jack's #1 girlfriend, Cardin. We got to try out our costumes before the big day, as well as do crafts, decorate pumpkins, eat yummy treats, and of course play with all the other kids! Jack sported his Gondolier outfit - and Emma was a pretty pink flower!





Today we travelled down to Tysons to meet Emily and Cardin for a Happy Birthday lunch for Emily's 30th! We played in the Kid Zone, took a ride on a train, and had a yummy lunch at the Nordstrom Cafe - complete with a take home balloon. I'll be sure to post the train pic - I'll have Emily send it to me - but for now, here's Jack with his balloon!

Fall Day -Farm Day

Yesterday we had an amazing fall day - even if it was 80 degrees. In the morning, Jack, Emma, Grammy and I went to the Kinder Park Fall Festival. We visited all the farm animals, saw some tractors (Jack's favorite), and even watched a giant catapolt shoot corn cobs 100 yards across a field. Of course, Jack posed for some pictures by the pig, sheep, goats and his favorite tractor.









In the afternoon, we celebrated Hayden's 1st birthday at Clark's Elioak Farm in Ellicott City! It was great fun! They have all the old fairytale play pieces from the old Enchanted Forest, as well as a petting zoo and pumpkin patch. First we went to the petting zoo where we saw sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, ponies, bunnies and chickens. Then, we took a tractor pulled hayride to the pumpkin patch where Jack and Emma got to pick out a pumpkin to take home. Then we went back to the pavilion for pizza and cupcakes! Yum! Jack and the birthday girl got in some quality time at the pavilion playing with rocks! Happy Birthday Hayden! At, before we left, Jack and Emma posed for a super cute pic!

Tummy Time

Apparently even toddlers need tummy time too...

Lions and Tigers and "Boos", Oh My!

Last weekend we visited the National Zoo in DC. It was an incredibly hot day for late September, 90 degrees! But, despite the heat, we had a great time visiting all the animals. First we hit the farm animals. Jack loved this section - as soon as we walked in he spotted the cows and yelled "Boos" at the top of his lungs. When you ask him what a cow says, he answers "boo", not "moo"! Next was the pig - and Jack snorting.

We saw the gorillas, tigers, elephants, pandas and many more. We even saw the elephants performing a little show! Jack had a great time and even has a souvenir thanks to Grandma - a sippy cup with lots of baby zoo animals!

Photo Shoot

On Sunday I decided to take some snapshots of Emma to remember just how small she is! I did the same thing with Jack and every time I see them I can't believe how tiny he was! I love their cute little wrinkly bodies...that soon will be all chubby! Of course, I had an excellent assistant that helped me the entire time - and of course he had some photos snapped of him too!

A Step Back in Time

On Saturday the four of us, (I know, seems SO crazy to say the "four" of us!) along with Matt's dad and his girlfriend, went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival. If you have never been, it's quite an experience. People in elaborate costumes, vendors selling everything from pottery, to furniture, to metal bras and cups (yes, that kind of cup), and the most delicious food this side of the Texas State Fair! It's quite the scene of course, but also lots of fun. We watched a few shows, took in a jousting competition, watched Grandpa test his skills at the hatch throwing booth, and played on the playground (Jack's first time on the big boy swing). Jack even got serenaded by a Renaissance Irish band. And, the part that made Mommy the most excited - Jack had his first pony ride!!! I hope he liked it! He smiled the entire time! Mommy would be SO happy if he wanted to ride ponies all the time! Emma pretty much snoozed the day away - except when Jack poked her in the face - we are still getting used to the double stroller thing! We ended the night with a delicious dinner - the 6 of us and my parents - and a bottle of Dows 1980 port - to celebrate my birthday of course!

A few fun pictures of the day...

A new addition!

It's been quite a week. On Wednesday, I celebrated my 30th birthday, AND the birth of our second child. It was a GIRL!! As with Jack, I'm so glad we decided to wait to find out the sex until she was born. It is such an exciting moment!

Emma Mae Phillips joined Team Phillips on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 9:29am (ironically, I was born on September 8, 1980 at 9:34am). Matt was telling me the time each minute the last few minutes before she was born - we were convinced that it was going to be the same time! Emma measured 19.5 inches and weighed in at 7lbs 2oz - she's a tiny little thing!

We had a planned C-section this time around so things were much calmer than with Jack. Walking into the OR instead of being rushed down the hall - much better!

We were lucky enough to have some great visitors - my parents, Matt's mom and Chuck, and one of my best friends, Emily Babcock - to welcome Emma to the world! And of course big brother Jack met Emma for the first time too!

We only had to stay 2 nights in the hospital and got home early evening on Friday. Emma is super easy going and Jack just loves her!

My Best Day Ever - by Jack Phillips

Today was my best day ever. I went to the park with Mommy and Grammy. We went to Quiet Waters Park. It's where we always go to the playground and to take Hokie for walks and to the dog park. Today, the park had it's birthday party. It is 20 years old. They had a big party and invited everyone. We went to the party and saw so much cool stuff.



They had a helicopter that did what my Mommy called "touch and goes" for everyone to see. Then it stopped flying and we got to see the helicopter up close and sit inside and push the buttons. It was almost as cool as a plane.


They also had about 20 different trucks and tractors to touch and sit inside. I sat in a snow plow, a bunch of tractors, a fire truck, a golf cart and the coolest was the police car.


The police man let me push the siren buttons too. The police car was my favorite because it had flashing lights and made a lot of noise.





I also got to touch all the tires, my favorite thing to do.






After we saw all the trucks and tractors, we got to see an owl. It was awake during the day! Did you know that owls say "Hoo Hoo". I've been practicing. The lady said that she was friends with this owl, but normally they are not very nice. They like to eat small animals, even small dogs. Good thing we didn't bring Hokie with us to the park today.

Today was my best day ever because I got to see real firetrucks up close and lots of trucks and tires. It was really cool!