Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Well. Wouldn't ya know?

This is night 2 of me putting Nathan in his pack and play downstairs while I check email at night. Both nights - BAM... asleep in less than 10 minutes. Hmmm. Good to know.

All this time of rocking and playing till he finally goes to sleep... I guess we were over-thinking the whole thing. Or I just couldn't bear to put him down while he was still awake. I'm sure we had good reason not to even try putting him down while he was still awake. I'm sure that once upon a time he cried bloody murder if that happened.

Well, here's to new discoveries!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Happy Friday

Let's start with a really sweet picture. Nate's not normally tired enough to sleep on our shoulders.

Sitting up and playing like a big boy

Nate has been eating green beans for the last four days. Here's Day 1. Nate likey!

Dammit, Woman. BEANS - MOUTH - NOW!

Looking cute, AGAIN! Michelle, did I mention we love Bag o' Baby? Mike and I heart the green!


Today was the debut of the high chair! I had been looking on Craig's List for one that just sits on the dining room chair... I was going through Nate's closet today looking for garage sale items and BAM! High Chair! I totally forgot that one of Mike's buddies from work gave us his chair when his son outgrew it. BONUS FIND!

Moooommmmm... Can you just go ahead and feed me instead of taking 100 pictures?

One last cute picture o' the day. I bought Nate a winter beanie with a brim. I thought I'd try it on him today. What's cuter than a baby in nothing but a diaper and a beanie? Ding, ding, ding. You're right... NATE in nothing but a diaper and a beanie!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

My cutie

I love that Nate now smiles for the camera. Thanks Michelle for the new onesies (I love Bag o' Baby!)
I love this look

Adorable

Sitting up

I see a Halloween costume coming on...

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Last Bell

On Friday we attended a funeral for one of Mike's firefighter "brothers". Duke passed on August 5th after an 8 month fight with cancer. Since Duke's death was classified as a line-of-duty death, the funeral was a full-fledged fire department service. The VBFD has a special fire truck designed to carry a casket of the fallen firefighter. That alone makes me tear up. Even more so, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk firefighters and engines/ladders attended the funeral. Being a member of the fire department truly is being part of a brotherhood. I would say most of the FFs from the other municipalities had not even met Duke, but the loss is the same as losing a family member. At the church, the Ladder truck was raised and flying the American flag. All the FFs in attendance stood at attention when Duke's casket went in and out of the church.

After a moving ceremony, the Engines and other apparatus led the procession to the cemetery. Route 58 and I-264 were closed by Suffolk PD and the Sheriff's Dept for the motorcade. I heard Duke's friends and family say how impressed Duke would've been at that! That really is a big deal!

Also at many intersections throughout each city we traveled through on the way to the cemetery, on-duty fire engines were parked on the corners and the FFs were at attention and saluting the entire procession. It was very emotional.

The most moving moment to me was when the Last Alarm* was called. After the ringing of the bells, over the PA it was announced that roll call had been taken and William "Duke" Lee, Jr. had failed to answer. Through the sounds of my own sobs, I heard some version of "May the wind always be at his back and the let the sun shine down on his memory." Then the bagpipes started and Taps was played. I was grateful that I had already taken Nate some distance away from the crowd as I was very teary and gasp-y.

Mike told me to know that I would be well taken care of should anything happen to him. My first instinct is to blurt "Let's not talk about that!" but in the back of my head, I am thankful that the brothers take care of the families the way they do. It is very special.

Here's a picture of my handsome hubby in his Class A uniform.

This picture is my Mikey - I love his smile


*Last Alarm: Throughout most of history, the life of a firefighter has been closely associated with the ringing of a bell. As he began his hours of duty, it was the bell that started it off. Throughout the day and night, each alarm was sounded by a bell, which called him to fight fire and to place his life in jeopardy for the good of his fellow man. And when the fire was out, and the alarm had come to an end the bell rang to signal the end of the call.

Duke has completed his task, his duties well done, and the bell rings five times, followed by a pause, five times, followed by a pause, and five times in memory of and in tribute to his life and service.

Just a swingin'

On Thursday, Mike, Nate, and I headed out to Sleepy Hole Park for a playdate. We had a great time. When we got there, the baby swings were occupied, so Mike strapped on the Snugli and took Nate for a swing. He loved it!

Once the Nate-sized swings were available, Nate really let the giggles fly. So cute!


We stayed at the park for about an hour and a half. We sat in the shade and talk to my mommy friends. Of course Mike turned on the charm and all the other moms loved him! We ended up having a really great family day.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

More pictures

Here are some more of my favorite pictures from vacation. I haven't even come close to going through them all. :)







Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The End of an Era

Okay, not technically an era but it's significant to me. My plates used to say "ANT AMY". I was even known at work as Aunt Amy because of it. Although I always cherish being an Aunt and love my nieces, I am very excited to introduce my new license plates.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Guess what today is

...Day 4 of cereal! Our big boy seems to be enjoying the addition of almost-real food. Well, the oatmeal is just okay compared to the lasagna sauce that Nana gave him while on vacation. (Seriously, lasagna sauce!) Each day he eats a little more and smears it around a little more after putting his hand in his oatmeal-filled mouth. I can't believe my baby is eating. He'll be having a steak dinner before I know it. :)

You wanna hear another BEST THING EVER IN MY LIFE moment? Nate has started reaching his arms out for me to pick him up. Be still my heart!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Great Times

This one's a keeper!
Michelle, Nate, Mike, and Me

I'm back from vacation and back into the real world. Boo! I had a great time with the family. I have so many pictures I want to share, but don't want to do a slideshow. You know you guys won't wait to look at all the cute pics so I'm going to do lots of posts with lots of pictures. Also, I still need to get the pictures from Mom and Michelle's cameras.
All the ladies crowded around the handsome boy


Jill loves her cousin Nate!

Molly's infectious smile/laugh

Me, Molly, & Jill

Mike and the Bumbo. The Bumbo saw lots of action last week!

The double piggy-back

Strike a Pose

Mike and the girls (Molly had a feather in her hat. We called it "macaroni".)

Jill was a great helper and loves her Nate!