Sept 30: Boston

We have completed another trip with Erik in tow!  We just spent the past week from Sept 25 through Sept 30 in Boston, Massachusetts, for ACC Corporate Retreat (Kent's employer).  This was the first trip to Boston for all 3 Johnson's.  Before heading up north, I had checked the weather and saw that it was going to be mostly sunny and in the 70's.  Beautiful fall weather that I couldn't wait to experience.  Unfortunately, after our first day there, it changed to rainy & in the 60's.  That certainly put a damper on the outdoor excursions that Erik and I were going to do while Kent was in meetings.  We spent a lot of time in a nearby shopping center walking around and people watching.  I managed to restrict my shopping to only one store!  We also went to the New England Aquarium, the Boston Commons & Public Garden, we started the Freedom Trail, took a duck-boat tour (on land and on water vehicle), we ate at Quincy Market and took Erik on his first subway ride.  There was one part of the ride where I got separated from Kent & Erik and ended up on the opposite side of the car.  I looked over and saw that Kent & Erik sitting on a bench and they were literally surrounded by girls oohing and aahing over Erik.  I tried to take a picture, but had a blocked view.  By the time I had a clearer view, there was only 1 girl left (see bottom picture below)!  It was quite funny to see Erik looking up at a circle of 4-5 girls all hovering over him trying to hold his hand and waving at him!!  Kent said that one of the girls had red fingernail polish on and Erik kept stroking her nails trying to touch the color!  Erik loved the attention - I'm not sure how I got a social child - maybe when he gets older, he can do all my talking for me!!!

Even with the not-so-great weather, we really enjoyed our time in Boston and look forward to going back again to further explore the city.  We really liked the Back Bay area where our hotel was located and thought that the city had great character.  It actually reminded Kent of London.  I've included some pictures of our Boston trip below.

Outside the New England Aquarium

Out and About in Boston

Watching fish in the HUGE tank at the New England Aquarium

Finding adoring fans on the Subway!

This past week, Erik continues to display some new "tricks" - we have been trying to teach him sign language, such as milk, Daddy, Mommy, more, all done, etc - on Tuesday, Sept 25, he did the sign for "More" when eating!!  I was super excited to see him use a sign that he has completely ignored for the past year.  He has used it correctly since last Tuesday.  It is amazing to see him learn how to communicate.  In addition to some sign language, his vocal skills are improving.  I've mentioned that he has mastered new words like "Up" in recent weeks; he is now trying to string multiple words together.  He has been saying "All dun" when he is finished eating or wants us to stop something like wiping his nose, he just started saying "Up, Dada" this week when wanting to be held and will say "Dankt du" when he has been handed something or after I say "Thank you"!  I love hearing him try to say words; it is so cute!