Pittsburgh Vacation, Day 1: In Which Nolan Has Many Things Happen

"I eat my money."

This is never a good thing to hear on the morning you are heading out of town. Nolan's big eyes were searching my face, pinched into a worried expression. I can guarantee you, it wasn't as worried as mine- the last time we had a child consume money, it resulted in an X-ray, emergency room trip, and an ambulance ride to a hospital in another city.

Luckily, Nolan is quite verbal and I was able to determine the coin he swallowed was a penny, and not 2 Pounds Sterling. He wasn't drooling, gagging, or having difficulty swallowing (issues Matt had when he decided to investigate money with his mouth). We waited an hour or so, watching him like a hawk. After the hour had passed, he was running and playing normally- it was quite clear the child was fine.

We loaded up the children and drove for three hours to Pittsburgh's Children's Museum. It was a delightful place- with a climbing structure that reached three stories high, art studio, and several other interactive exhibits. Matt was enraptured by the art studio and the "garage," where parachutes and climbing nets were located.

Matt in the giant kid climber

Playing on a bubble see-saw

Matt tries his hand at silk screening

Both boys loved the water area. The entire top floor of the Pittsburgh Children's Museum is devoted to water play. Sprinklers, ground fountains, a water table, and pipes covered the room, and the boys were in heaven.

Nolan, prior to taking a swim in the water table

The museum offered rain coats and crocs to help keep clothing dry. This worked perfectly, until Nolan decided to take a swim in the water table. While Matt was tinkering with pipes and setting up a complicated plumbing design, Nolan was reaching for a toy and fell "overboard." Fortunately for us, his hearing aids had been removed as soon as we walked into the area.

Nolan was soaking wet (and more than a little upset), so we decided it was time to check into our hotel and head out to dinner. A quick change of clothes and the quiet of the hotel settled his nerves.

We took a trip to the Church Brew Works (a converted Catholic Church, which is now a micro-brewery). Matt was happy to get pizza, and was intrigued by all of the stained glass. The only downside is that there is a 90% chance that his next trip to church might involve a question on the location of the kegs...

Dinner at the Church Brew Works

Once back at the hotel, we took a swim before settling in for a good night's sleep. The boys rotated beds a few times during the night, but finally fell asleep. Around midnight, I heard Nolan crying, "Mommy, help me!"

I stumbled around the darkness of the room, looking for Nolan in the plush comforter of the boys' bed. I couldn't find him at all. I felt around the floor, all the while hearing his voice crying. Nearing panic mode, I called out to Dennis, "I can't find the baby!"

Seriously. We're in a hotel room, can hear him crying, and can't find the child. We turned on the light and played "find that sound." We finally found him.. under the bed. Curled up in a corner and hidden by the dust ruffle- he had crawled under the bed and gotten stuck. With a little tugging and maneuvering, we freed him and put him back to bed.

We can only hope our next day of vacation will not involve swallowed money, swims in the water table, or children lost in the middle of the night.