Finegan's Begin ...Again!: NJ bound!

Elizabeth, Oliver and I got to NJ Friday June 7. We drove up thru the tropical storm so it rained the whole time and added an extra hour to the trip. Baby and Dog slept the whole way though! I was greeted by John's Mom and Dad, sister Kait and her boyfriend John waiting for us in the driveway with an umbrella and camera. Excited would be an understatement. It feels so good to be here with them because it brings John a little closer to us all without him actually being here. And because this is his home and therefore has a piece of him in it, it will always feel like home to me, though it comes in third place to NC and MD (soon to change though.) And it definitely does feel weird without him here especially sleeping in his old room, in his old bed, amongst all his books and pictures and yankee memorabilia. Not to sound too morbid but it almost feels like he's passed away. But then he calls on facetime and the whole family gets to talk to him, which is great! It especially feels weird bringing our child into his childhood room. Like we're still kids and shouldn't be responsible for something like her yet.

Every day Elizabeth met someone new. Among them were John's Aunt Kim and Uncle Jeff, there son Peter and other cousins Jimmy and Alex. All of John's Mom's family (she is one of 9 so that's a lot!). John's best friend Andrew King, family friends Mr. and Mrs. Greig, and Judy Beidelman. Tuesday John's Grandmother threw a party for Elizabeth so all of her extended family and friends could meet her. Then the rest of the week we saw John's sister Kaitlin's college roommates, family friends Mr. and Mrs. Decker, Timmy Costantino, Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard, Maureen's friend Karen Toole and Jeanie Kassis. And then we saw John's friends Alex Tolotta and his fiance Angela, Matt Walsh and his girlfriend Bri, Matt Billera's girlfriend Heather and last but not least, the last night we saw his friends Joey Hassick and his girlfriend Gina and Adam and Brittany Socrates with their 1 year old daughter Mea.

All in all, it was a great trip. It was pretty packed with people to see but luckily it was enough time to see everyone with a little extra for some down time. It felt sort of like a mini-vacation because I didn't have to be tending to her 247 since we had so many visitors and the grandparents and aunts wanted their fill. Ellie did pretty well with the new place and all of the strangers holding her. She fell asleep and everything, no matter who was holding her. I hope she will stay that way and be an adaptable child (like her mama!!) She turned 3 months while we were there! Time is going by so quickly. She just started grasping for things which is exciting and she is so close to belly laughing, it's not funny (pun not intended?) I keep trying and all I get is a few giggles and that's it. I guess Mommy just isn't that funny.

John is still doing well. He got my package just in time for father's day, in which I sent him Elizabeth's handprints on a small piece of paper so he could "hold her hands" while he was over there. Father's Day was the first day I hadn't talked to him since he's been over there, which was hard and worrisome. But it was because they're communication was down all day for certain procedures to be carried out properly. I talked to him the next day and he and his unit are safe and that's all that matters!

Here are some pics from the week!