Teddy was VERY excited to be able to stand at the train table today and play with his brother. Andrew….well, not so much. I believe the exact phrase was, ‘Stop eating my freight car Teddy!’
I see MANY more disagreements in our future. Let the fun begin…
We took andrew out on the jetski (slow of course!) for the first time this weekend. He was definitely apprehensive, and asked for his Ellie a few times, but he did it! No tears! We’re definitely proud of him for trying something new….and wearing the life jacket without a fight. I think this is only the beginning. I see many more adventures with Daddy in his future! ?
….when you realize the paper on the table at the doctor’s office makes noise. Commence rapid flailing of arms and legs and uncontrollable giggles!
I’ve shared in earlier posts that this blog is meant to curate the comings and goings of our family; a tool to help us remember the big and small experiences that shape and mold our family. Well, our family had a new experience that certainly left it’s mark; unfortunately it’s just not one filled with cute smiling kiddos and afternoons with friends.
Last Wednesday Andy woke up complaining that his stomach hurt. We all brushed it off because we’d just ate and drank for 5 days over the 4th of July; of course your stomach hurt! On Thursday morning he felt the same and by the afternoon he was asking me to make him a doctor appointment. At that point, I knew something was up. Andy never asks to see the doctor! Before he could make it home from the city Thursday evening, he was running a fever and we decided he should visit Urgent Care. We both thought it was Appendicitis. The Urgent Care doctor examined him and told him (1) no Appendicitis and (2) go to the ER.
I swiftly called a relay of neighbors, family and grandparents to watch the kids while I took Andy to the ER in Morristown. By the way- a frenzied drive to the hospital is way less fun when there’s no baby waiting for you on the other side. Anyway, after several hours in the ER we came to learn that Andy has a bad case of Diverticulitis- an infection of the digestive track. Apparently Diverticulitis is actually quite common in older people but exceptionally rare in someone his age and a case this bad for his first event. At 2am on Friday morning Andy was admitted to the hospital…..and me to the looney bin.
Nearly 4 DAYS, lots of IV antibiotics, a liquid diet, slow shuffling walks through the hallways, numerous visits from a flurry of hospital staff, COUNTLESS times staring at the clock and he was discharged. In on Thursday, out on Monday. It was nothing short of f*$king terrible.
Through this experience I have learned three lessons:
This was not life or death but it certainly was serious. It was a reminder that life should be treasured. All the other bullsh*t out there really doesn’t matter if you and the ones you love aren’t healthy. So folks….eat your vegetables (there are A LOT in Andy’s future!!!), visit the doctor regularly (many of those in his future too!), cherish your family, be generous with your love and CARPE DIEM!
Leaving!
We spent the 4th of July long weekend on LBI! The weather was awesome and provided many opportunities for feeding the ducks at the bay, going to the beach, taking long walks in the morning, ‘swimming’ in the hot tub, playing in the pool, visiting the playground and just being silly together! So glad to be able to spend time together as a family since the days, weeks and months are seemingly flying by!
Morning walks…a few donuts and bagels were consumed along the way. A net neutral calorie/exercise event. PS- Check out those cheeks on Teddy! Chunky monkey phase in FULL effect! 
Feeding the ducks:
Beach time! Andrew is super into digging at the moment. 
No sun for Teddy! ?
More fun, naps, swimming and lots of baby giggles! 
Thank you Founding Fathers for choosing to ditch the Brits and declare independence in a month that has perfect beach weather! Much appreciated!
After 4 days apart, A & T were back together! Andrew wanted to go for a walk in the wagon with Teddy. We improvised….
After the wagon we headed to the park. A brave new world without the car seat! 
Grandma Camp 2017! Andrew was whisked off to Maryland for the inaugural Grandma Camp after Teddy’s Baptism for some cousin bonding time. By all accounts everyone had a great time reading, going for walks, playing in the pool, visiting the zoo, and more! Mommy is hoping to lock in the same rate for GC 2018! 
Grandma Camp coincided with Mommy’s first business trip post-Teddy. A pretty typical (work-wise) and rather uneventful trip to San Antonio, TX. Though I did get to sneak in a trip the Alamo. Visit the Alamo: Check! But the real highlight was my first uninterrupted night of sleep in MONTHS…maybe even YEARS!
And back at home, Andy held down the fort with Baby T.
Mommy got home just in time for Daddy to leave for Chicago the next morning. And the traveling Phillips clan is back at it again!
A major milestone! On Sunday June 25, 2017, Henry Theodore was baptized! Like is older brother, Teddy was baptized at St. Mark’s Church in Basking Ridge, NJ by Father Rick Morely. Also like his big bro, he was surrounded by family, friends and lots of love!
Our little cherub:
Attempting a picture with big brother where they are both smiling and looking at the camera: minor fail. 
Attempting a picture with his cousins.- major fail.
And off to church we go!
Blessed by his godparents: Aunt Cathy and Uncle Nathan!
We’re so incredibly blessed to be able to raise our boys in such a loving and caring community of family and dear friends!
PS- There was another baby boy baptized in the same service as Teddy. Their name was the Killips. Yes, you read that right. The Killips and the Phillips were both baptized the same morning!
Who needs a shirt….or shorts for that matter?! Isn’t that what being a kid in the summer is all about?!
