Crossroads

Pete and I are standing at a crossroads for our future right now. We have a couple of different opportunities; each one will completely take our lives on a different course. We've been talking about them and going over the pros and cons of each. In the midst of all of this decision making, we've been doing the last of the remodel for our sweet little condo. Stress has now taken on a whole new meaning and let me tell you going without an operating kitchen for a month is not something I EVER want to do again!



(Here is a small sample of my "stress". Imagine all of this mess with an infant!)

Out with the old!
No sink!



This is where the stove should be!

No countertops or sink!

The tile work we have been doing.












In having said all of that, I am glad we got our feet wet with this small place. We've learned a lot about rennovating without losing our shirts and are looking forward to not being so green with our next purchase! The work here will be finished in another week, and our place goes from "FOR RENT" to "FOR SALE"! It is exciting and sad at the same time-especially since our next move will completely change our lives.

I've been thinking a lot about all of this upcoming change; while I am SO ready to move on, I am nervous at the same time. Today however, I was looking into the clear, big, blue eyes of my son and I realized that no matter what comes, we will be okay. He has come and made us a family. We will be leaving this home full of wonderful memories and lots of love! Who knows where we will be in the next three months, but with my two boys by my side,the support of my wonderful FF gals, and my family,I'm up for anything!

Just for Chrissy...

Now, my BFF has sent me an email letting me know I can "tell the whole world" officially that she is going to be a mom. My response to her was that we have the same circle of friends and we know each others' family...basically, who would I tell that didn't already know. Well...here I am telling all of the blog world the good news. Chrissy is going to be a mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah! I am so excited for her and Ryan. They have given Pete and I the great gift of friendship for over five years now! They are going to be wonderful parents. I love you both and can't wait for little L to come. (I hope she's a she so that Pres can have a wife alreay for him!)

Science Center Fun

Me, Dyer, and Pres

Pres playing in the water. He figured out REALLY fast that he could take those things out and put them in his mouth!

Pres playing in the new and improved toddler section. It was kind of boring before, now there is not only new carpet (Thank God for that one-see rest of blog for explanation) but lots of new activities!






Pete and I joined the Science Center. It gives me something fun to do with Pres during the week. He loves going and watching all of the other kids! We went this week and had a blast. His favorite part was playing in the water. Two weeks ago he didn't even want to stick his hand in the water; now he won't take his hands out of the water without a fight!

For some strange reason Pres is obsessed with floors. Any time any floors are carpeted, he spends minutes trying to grab at it and if he can't get it to lift up, he bends down and tries to lick it. It is SOOO gross. I guess this is what happens when you don't have any carpeting in your house?! I tell you this because much to my amusement and the amusement of those around me, Pres did his fun trick at the Science Center. He would sit and pick at the carpet, then yell at it for a minute, then finally bend down and lick it. I have no clue what the fascination is for him. I immediately pull him up and tell him ewww, all the while being so thankful that the carpet is new. This way only about a few thousand dirty feet have been on it! He soon tired of the carpet and began to enjoy the toys. It was lots of fun to watch him play and interact with the other children.

To my FF ladies

Just looking at this picture brings back memories!!!! Look how swollen my feet where! Yuck! Glad to not be the fat one in the group pic this year!!!!!








My dear, sweet friend in Christ is coming to visit me this month! Yeah A.K.!!!! I can't wait. Thank you to Cpt. K for having training duty and letting me borrow his wife!

Dear: my wonderful girlies,

It seems as if unbeknown st to us, we are starting a tradition. We will all come together again this summer to celebrate the coming of a new baby! You other two without any kiddies better watch out! Every time we all get together and pray, one of us ends up pregnant! I just booked my flight to STL and I am so excited. I'm also a little nervous as I am bringing Pres with me. Traveling on a plane with a baby by myself is a little daunting to me! Luckily I found nighttime flights and I was able to book a non-stop one out there. He should sleep the whole way. Needless to say, when we all get together if I am a little cranky, be patient with me. At least this time I will not be 8 months preggo and swollen like the Macy's Day blimp!!! We reserve that right to our dear C.L. for all of the preggo ickyness this year; although knowing her, she's still going to look like a model! I fully look to flying out to NH or NY for J.T.'s baby shower the next summer (I told you I was praying!)

As a bonus, I get to spend time with C.L.'s wonderful family. They are always so kind to me. I can't wait to see everyone and spend time with you all. We are going to make such a crowd when you add in C.L.'s sisters!!!!!!

Love to you all!
April

9 Months

Trying to get the kitty. Notice the purse of his mouth...he knows he probably shoudln't be doing this!


After bath he watches his "Your Baby Can Read" video. He always comes out of getting dressed with Daddy with something odd to chew on. This night his hair brush!


Starting to stand up on the swing.

Baby blue eyes! They are so intense. I really can't do them justice. I really need to have Katie (www.howiwonderphotography.com) come and do pictures again!




This post should actually be titled "Bumps, goose eggs, and scrapes"! At 9 months there is no stopping Pres. He is walking from furniture to furniture and loves when you hold his hands so he can walk wherever he wants. We had his 9 month check up today and it was a doozy. He has grown 4 inches since his last visit! He is not a chunker at only 19 lbs, but the doctor assures me that he is just right. He had his first flu shot today. It did not go over well. He is a fighter and a screamer. The poor sweet nurse. She takes it so personally when he cries. She has to give him a hug afterward. My concern was for the next little boy coming in. He heard Pres screaming and tearily told him mom "mommmy-the doctor must be bad, she made the baby cry." Poor thing looked terrified to go into the room as we were coming out.

This new adventure in walking has brought about a scary new chapter for us...lots of boo boos. I have used more bactine this week than I have done in years. He will just let go and try to walk. He then lands hard which ever way he falls. Yesterday it was on the baby gate. He scraped his chin pretty badly on the way down. He's a champ about the wounds though. He happily sits on the counter top while I clean and put medicine on.

We have officially ended the crying at strangers! Whoo-hoo! This is such a blessing. He now gives great big smiles to everyone who talks to him. I think he has finally realized that he likes the attention. For this reason he loves Home Depot and Publix. The sales associates at both of these stores tend to be a bit older and have a BIG thing for babies. They give him all of the cooing a little baby could ever dream of!

Funny things to remember for Pres:

You love to open and close-doors, drawers, lids, toys, books...it's rather annoying, but you love it so!

You call the cats in the cutest way...you smack your lips together and then twist your sweet head from side to side waiting for them to come.

You now will blow kisses and do it at the most random times-you literally melt me at the sweetest times.

You love to play outside as I am weeding. Occasionally you will eat the weeds!

You bang things together- your favorite are golf balls banging on the TV, wall, floor...

You have your first full tooth in and you spend all day running your tongue over it!

I know I am forgetting some things, but that is the beauty of the blog- I can add to it at any time!

Daddy teaching Pres about Sunday lounging!

8 months

Aren't we quite the pair?! This is what I look like after chasing you around all day!




Here you are chasing after a kitty in this picture! Notice the intent look on your face!

I don't even know where to begin. This past month has brought about so many changes. Some have been good...others....not so good! I think the best way to go about this is to just write this blog to my beautiful baby boy.

Dear Pres,

You are now 8 months old and it is hard to believe you used to be so tiny. Your hands and feet are HUGE so it’s clear that there will be a lot of growth in the next few weeks. You have finally cut your first teeth. Your daddy and I didn’t think you would ever get them. They are both on the bottom and they look so cute when you smile. You keep running your tongue over them and grinning as if you can’t believe they are there! Every day you show me something new. It’s amazing. You have completely figured out all of our baby proofing methods so I am in the process of moving furniture to cover any outlets you can get your little hands on. It won’t be long before you can climb over the baby gates too. I see you working on it throughout the day. You start by standing in front of it, then proceed to throw one knee, then the other against it trying to use your fat little toes to climb! Just yesterday you discovered the toilet paper. I came into what I thought was a Preston proof bathroom, to find you with toilet paper stuck in your mouth and the rest of the roll in your lap. You just grinned at me and all I could do was grin back. It’s not your fault it is so irrisitable!

You are coming into your own with your attitude as well. You make it very clear (through much grunting) if you don’t or do want to do something. Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell if the noise means you like it, or you are irritated with it. Just like your daddy, you have a low tolerance for failure. If you can’t get something right away, you grunt at it, then bang it or throw it depending on the size. When you get too frustrated, I have been putting you in your crib for what I like to call “refocusing” time. You calm right down and snuggle up to your blanket. You are going to be quite the handful my little one, and I look forward to the challenge!

You are taking lots of side steps and going from one piece of furniture to the other. Yikes! I am not even used to you being such a good crawler and now you are trying to walk!

You are starting to become more and more friendly. You will easily smile at anyone now, but you are VERY picky about who can hold you. I joke that you are like the dad from the movie Meet the Fockers ( I am sure your daddy will show this to you when you are older). He had his “inner circle” and you certainly have yours! Just this week, you’ve allowed your Grandpa Mike into you “circle”! You now reach for him to take you and say words to you. For some reason any word that Grandpa Mike says to you, you find it hilarious! For me, it is so special to see you interacting with him. Your inner circle now consists of me, your daddy, Dyer, Grandma Vicki, and Grandpa Mike. As you can see, you really are very picky!

There are so many things to share that I don’t know what to share and what to leave out. I love everything about you. I love how you wiggle your hands and feet when you like something or want me to pick you up. I love how you knock all of your books off of the bookshelf to find the ONE book you want me to read to you. I love how you will crawl up to me, jump in my lap, and bury your face in my shoulder. You are such a sweetie! I love how you will lean back when I am holding you and look at me intently, then give me a big grin. I wonder what you are thinking when you do that. I love how you will giggle in the swing. I love how you get so excited when it is time to eat. You attack your food with such gusto that many times you gag yourself on the spoon! I love how you smack your lips together when you really enjoy how something tastes, BUUUUUUTTTTT most of all, I love how you have completely changed my life. You have given me the best gift in the whole world, and that is motherhood! Thank you my boogies! I love you!

Love,
Mommy