Grandpa's and rules...

For some reason, my dad who was the biggest rule setter when I was growing up has become the grandpa who has no rules. He tells me with a big smirk on his face that Pres can't break the rules if there aren't any...makes me want to give him a big 'ole smack in that smirky face...yep! Anyways, because of this, Pres LOVES going to Nana's and Grampy's house to play. What kid wouldn't. You can go wherever you want, get whatever you want, and do whatever you want with a simple grump. Pres is still learning all of his power, but he's a fast learner! I tell you all of this to explain the video I'm going to put up-just in case any of you are wondering why my son is naked in a pool with his grandpa who has his regular clothes on. Yep...all Pres has to do is grump in the direction of the pool and my dad heads out there is whatever he is wearing and promptly puts Pres in the pool in whatever he is wearing. Luckily for me, my apparent nagging has hit home a little-my dad now knows that he should at least take Pres' clothes off before he puts him in the pool (the fact that there are swim diapers and a bating suit is useless). Here you go...also take note of the Nana's voice in the background...she's just as bad!






Here are a couple of pics of that day as well. Mainly because I think they are too cute together (despite ignoring my rules!)

My new toddler

Pres is now officially not a baby anymore. He's a walking, talking, feeding himself, and stubborn as all get out toddler. He is starting to be in the stage where he wants to do everything by himself. Feeding him has become a challenge because he insists on doing it himself and usually ends up looking as if he bathed in his food! Consider the following picture and imagine cleaning up this mess three times a day.
















He's walking now and as seems to be his personality, walking simply isn't fast enough so he must run! This has brought on a lot of bumps and bruises, skinned hands and knees. Here is a pic of one of the few times he's not running. He was strutting his stuff for his own audience at mine and Pete's anniversary party. He is really proud of himself and claps at himself when he walks!














The talking cracks me up and it is never ending. He will sit in his room and play by himself just chatting away. I love to watch him do this. He will just grab a book, sit in his Elmo chair, and read to himself; or if he's not in the reading mood, he will sit at his table and do puzzles!














In all, this time is the best time yet. I can't believe how much fun we have everyday and how sweet he is (most of the time!). I am so looking forward to what the next year has to bring. I am having a wonderful time discovering his little personality.

His new words:

leg
hat
yuck
truck (I am so over this word!)
nana
sock
that (he points at what he wants and says "THAT")
milk
dock (from his favorite book)

His favorite foods:

ravioli
spaghetti and meatballs
mac n cheese
apples
animal crackers
cheese


His favorite books:

Colors Book
Hickory Dickory Dock
The Very Hungry Caterpillar

His favorite activities:

ANYTHING that takes him outside!

Some things were not meant to be seen in high definition...

...specifically a lot of skateboarders! Pete is really into any and all X games types of sports. Lately we've been watching the Dew Tour. It is really fun to watch and I am always amazed at what these boys (a lot of them can't even drive!) can do-especially since my skateboarding consists of sitting on a board and falling off! Despite their skills, I have been taken aback while watching them on our new TV with our HD box. The nicest thing I can say would be that there is a reason God gives certain people lots of money-it helps the homely guys score the ladies. So to close this silly little ramblings...not all things are meant to be seen clearly. I would much prefer that they nix the closeups!

It's official...Pres is All-American

I took Pres today for his first official trip to the playground. He's been before, but this was the first time since he started walking. He really wasn't too interested. He was really into the truck in the parking lot. He spent the whole time we were there walking around this F-150. After I had my fill of walking around the stupid truck (I mean...really...he couldn't go down the slide just once?!) I took him to McDonald's for his first official Happy Meal. This was a HUGE hit. He are the entire thing. There was nothing left but an empty high chair tray! The great thing about feeding your child absolute rubbish is that they then fall prey to the carb overload and take a loooooooong nap!

The Ghetto Pool!

This weekend we had a water pipe burst behind us. It poured water and almost flooded our neighbors home. Pete helped to keep the water out while we waited for the water company to get there and I decided that it was a shame to have that much clean water go to waste. I stripped Pres down and let him have fun! He had a blast in his "ghetto" pool!

Greg & Jen

Our sweet friends from Tampa came a visited us last month (sorry it's taken me so long). Pete went to high school with Greg. They came to share with us stories from their recent wedding. We missed it because we had no babysitter. :(

Pres loved them from the start and had a great time being played with. They were both so wonderful with him. There is nothing sweeter that watching your child welcome in the people you care for.

Here's some pics from our dinner and two beautiful pictures from their wedding. Doesn't Jen look gorgeous?! She looks like one of those brides from the magazines. Her dress was amazing.

Canada

I would like to give a big thank you to all of the Lawson clan for making me feel so welcome. Guy and Judy (Ryan's parents) were so sweet and I had a wonderful time in their home.

I traveled to Canada with Chrissy for her "baby party" as Jaima (who I'll introduce later) called it. We had a looooooooong day of travel to get to our final destination, and an eventful trip. On our first flight into Maine, we were stuck on the tarmac for 1 1/2 hours! This doesn't sound like a lot, but when you have the only two tv's that don't work on the plane, screaming kids in front of you, and a strong desire to get going so you can get your iPod video going; it is excrutiating. The flight itself was interesting. We had two obnoxious kids and their even more obnoxious parents in front of us, a poor old woman who peed herself in her seat thus thus leaving Chrissy and I between feeling sorry for her and being really grossed out by the smell, and a landing that was like an amusement ride when the pilot decided to tip ALLLLLL the way to the right.

We finally arrived in Portland, Maine and had a 4 hour drive into Canada. It was on this long drive that I realized I didn't have my passport. I was panicked. I think everyone was a little concerned. Little did we know that our tax dollars are going to great use with trained professionals who are not only a bit bored with their jobs, but are guilty of profiling. Guess I didn't fit the "terrorist" profile and really had no difficulty going back and forth across the border.

We arrived in Woodstock around 2am local time and were greeted by Ryan's brother and his cutie girlfriend Jaima. She was adorable. You would think after all of that, we would be exhausted, but we were pretty keyed up and she and I spent a hour or so giggling like school girls in Ryan's childhood bedroom. I had a blast nosing around at all of the pictures. All I have to say about that is MULLET!!!!!! ha ha ha!

On Friday we were taken out of the house by Ryan's brother Brad and his girlfriend. I think they had strict orders to keep us out of the house while all of the festivities were being set up. We went across the border to Holton, Maine. This was when I really noticed the profiling. Poor Brad was harassed on the way out and on the way back in! It was the 4th of July, so not much was open. We quickly headed back to their house and began to get ready for the party. Judy would not let us help AT ALL, so with not too much to do, Chrissy gave me a maternity fashion show as she decided what to wear.

That night about 40 strangers all converged to the house. It was the biggest group of strangers I have had to meet in a while. Everyone was so gracious and kind-especially Cindy and Phyllis. Those two made me think of apple pie! Chrissy got a ton of wonderful gifts and it was fun. Here's some pics from the party.

Chrissy and I as the party was winding down. I think you can see that our lack of sleep was catching up with us!
Chrissy, Ryan's Grampy and I. He was the cutest man. He wanted even more pictures taken!
Chrissy, Ryan's Grampy and Jaima-isn't she a cutie!?
Chrissy and Brad-poor Brad. I dragged him inside where the ladies were under false pretenses and then preceded to embarrass him as a "Ryan" substitute for a "Baby Features" game. He was a good sport and sat down to be scrutinized!







The next day we crossed the border again and went to this beautiful lake house in Maine. It was gorgeous. The water was fresh water and you could see all the way to the bottom. I had a fun time throwing water balloons using a giant sling and ate a ton of good food. We left that night and had a rest and then headed over the Ryan's Grampy's house (he lives one house down from Ry's parents). I got to see some really cool pictures of Ryan as a toddler and he was adorable with chubby cheeks and curly blond hair!

Sunday was our travel day and we had an uneventful travel time, but with the same strange landing. Maybe it's Jet Blue's planes or something. We came home to my six year anniversary party already in progress and boogied the night away at my house!

Thank you Chrissy for such a fun time. As always, I enjoy every minute with you. I have even more silly memories like Mandy the cat stalking you!

A Quick update for Jackie in Denver!!! :)

Just some quickie bullet points until I have more time:

-I've been traveling this summer so I've been super busy.

-I just got back from Woodstock, New Brunswick in Canada and had a wonderful time with Chrissy and her in-laws. That part of Canada looks a lot like upstate NY with the exception of lots of Tim Horton's. (for those of you who don't know, this is the end all and be all for coffee and donuts in that part of the country-or so I was told over and over again!)

-Pete and Pres had a great time being boys while I was gone and somehow male bonding now consists of buying a new flat screen TV and Thomas the Tank Engine DVDs to watch in Blue Ray?!

-Pres is walking!!!!!!!!!

-No good offers on the house, so keep up in your prayers for that.

-We've made some new friends, and I am enjoying lots of play dates with Holli and Colton.

-There are a lot of opportunities coming our way, so there is sure to be crazy change this winter.

-I am waiting for pictures from my Canada trip and will talk more about that when they come. As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words," and the pics can be my words.

In a quick closing: "Christina Lynn, thank you so much for your never-failing honesty, love, sisterhood, and friendship." "It is truly an honor to call you 'friend'".