Fall?

It is the middle of September and we are in the middle of a "cold" front, or so they say. This cold front dipped the temperature t0

a low 70 degrees. That is right, a cool 70 degrees. To me, it felt heavenly and a much needed break from the 90+ earlier. The locals here? Freezing. While having the ability to actually take a walk with Jack outside last night, it made me really really miss fall and fall weather.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the beautiful muted oranges, browns and olive greens. I like the crispness in the air.I like sweaters and boots. I like football and bonfires. I like drinking coffee and taking walks. I like celebrating being thankful and the beginning anticipation of Christmas. I really miss Minneapolis in the fall and i miss my rural Michigan home town during the fall. I miss apple orchards and carmel apples. They don't have apple orchards here in VA.  I have always loved fall. My birthday is in the fall and my wedding anniversary is in the fall.

Fall is very different in Virginia beach. September is still just as hot as the summer months, except for the slight possibility that you have a "cold" front come through for a few days or it might cool down a few degrees at night. You can't really enjoy the extra month of summer at the beach though. Jellyfish mate off the shore of the beach and than die after they finish mating the end of August and September. Nice, right? So, that means in the 90+ weather you don't go to the beach unless you want to walk all over dead jellyfish or venture into the water and get stung by the dying or mating jellyfish. The leaves don't really turn colors here, they just kinda fall off and that is not usually till late November. It doesn't really cool down till November either. That means that all the brand new fall clothes in Banana and H&M can never really be worn, it is too hot. I do enjoy the mild winter months, but i really miss those crisp fall days! I am just going to have to live vicariously through the beautiful fall post of my blogging friends...

Cutest Face Ever

Seriously, i know i am the mom and biased and all, but look at that face. Pretty stinkin cute.

Workin Woman

Well, kinda of. I am now back to work, but the main change is the location. I am working full time from home and going into the office on a need be basis. We shall see how it goes. I have all day and all night plus weekends to get my hours in...BUT i also have a nine week old baby, so my time is really not my own.  I am really excited that i have the chance to even work from home, make my full salary and to get to be with Jack. I am just hoping i can keep up with everything.

Kids say the darnest things...

When we first had Jack people told us to write down the funny things he would say and do, because you think you will alway remember it, but you don't. I think that is a great idea. While Jack's only form of talking is cute baby coos and big gummy smiles, this is a story that i want to always remember.
This is my niece Emily. She is 6 and gorgeous. She is also FULL of personality. She always has been, since she was a little baby.
When Ryan and i were in Michigan we were at his parent's house for a big family picnic. I needed to nurse Jack, so i went inside. Emily and my 12yr old niece Paxton were playing around the house. Jack was nursing and i was properly covered, but most of Jack's head was exposed. It was hot and there was no A/C in the house. Emily and Paxton had been running through the house and now were playing in the living room. Emily came over, patted Jack's head and asked if he was sleeping. I told her that Jack was not sleeping, he was eating right now. She stopped dead in her tracks and went back over to look at Jack. She than looked up at me, with the most horrified look on her face, and with a disgusted voice she proclaimed, " Jack drinks boob?!?!" I nodded yes and told her that it was how babies ate. She than told me that that was absolutely disgusting and she was SO glad that she was not Jack. Paxton tried to explain that babies always nurse from their moms and that she did it too. I don't really remember if Emily was formula or breast fed, but she would not believe that babies would want to drink boob. After she ran out of the room, Ryan and i laughed so hard... Poor little girl, she was probably scarred for life.

I want to be here

My sister is on her honeymoon in the Rivera Maya part of Mexico. Ryan and i also had our honeymoon at an all- inclusive resort in the same area. It was pure heaven. We did not have to worry about food, gratuity, or activities. Our biggest decisions were if we should get room service for breakfast and if we should go to the pool first or the ocean... ahhh, those were the days. When things are really hectic and busy, Ryan and i still talk about just leaving and going to Mexico. Wouldn't it be nice to just hop on a plane and head to sunny Mexico, hit the beach in a fabulous bikini (that makes your post baby yucky belly disappear) and enjoy a nice miami vice? A girl can dream....

Wedding Time...

The main reason that we ventured to Michigan with a newborn was my sister's wedding. I was the Matron of Honor and Ryan was an usher. Jack was the adorable baby that my great grandmother would not put down, even when her arms went numb from holding him. Abbey planned a 40's ish style wedding and it was beautiful. She had some ladies from her church help with the decorations and they turned out great! They had a dessert reception with a full ice cream bar, chocolate fountain and chocolate cupcakes.
The bride and groom were giddy happy. There were not a lot of tears at this wedding, as opposed to mine where my husbands SOBBED the entire time, thus leaving not a dry eye in the whole place. But that was o.k... cause everyone was just, happy. For those of you who do not know my sister, she is an amazing songwriter and singer. She is about to release her second cd and you should buy it. Seriously. Go to abbeyandrew.com and have a listen. Well, she decided not to sing at her wedding. She sang at my wedding. She took a poem that Ryan had written to me and turned it into a beautiful song. That was another reason why there were tears at my wedding. Kurt(the new hubby) and Abbey wrote a song together and just played it instrumental. While Abbey played the piano and Kurt played the guitar there were slides of scripture verses about marriage. It was really beautiful.
Here are a few pics of the event...

Kissy Kissy

Proud Grandpa


Cute wedding outfit #1
Mommy and baby with cute wedding outfit #3
(Jack was 3 for 3 with soaking through his outfits for the wedding)

We made it!

We are back and all in one piece! Jack was absolutely amazing on this trip. He was perfect on the plane, never cried or made a fuss. He got a bit upset once we were in the airport, but the poor thing needed to eat! For being a six week old baby who had only met a few people in his short life and was thrown into a whole new world, Jack did amazing. He was quite the star and was rarely put down. The poor kid was so happy when we would just let him lay on his back and kick around. He was held ALL the time.
It was also the first time that i was away from him for any amount of time. I had been pumping and freezing milk, so that Ryan would be able to feed him while i was away. It seem to work out pretty well, except that i missed my baby! It was nice to get a bit of a break and spend time with my mom and sister though. Abbey lives an hour and half away from my parents where we were staying, so i did lots of driving. We had to get my dress fitted, get pedicures of course and than the bachelorette party, rehearsals and so forth. Needless to say, Jack was with his dad quite a bit!
Ryan was amazing and took great care of Jack. He really enjoyed spending so much time with him. He was at his mom's house though, so if there were any major questions, she was there to help out. Ryan's oldest brother Micheal was also in town with his two kids, which was great to see them. Jack ended up meeting 1 grandma, 1 grandpa, 2 great grandpas, 3 great grandmas, 3 uncles, 1 aunt, 6 cousins and a whole slew of other relatives.
All in all, it was a great trip. I will have to blog about the wedding and the more of the trip later. Little Man is calling me.