Beach Day 3

Up and early again, we "lotioned-up" and headed for the beach. I was anxious to see how Mills would like the sand and the sound of the waves. We arrived out there early before it got scorching hot, reserved our places, and enjoyed our morning. Mills loved the water! Then, it got so hot that we barely made it back to the board walk without setting our feet on fire. Literally, I didn't think I was going to make it. I've never been on sand so hot, and I can't ever remember being at the beach in weather this hot.

There is no oil here, but tons of tarballs, which are harmless and more of a nuisance than anything. They didn't slow anyone down, but the club had a dispenser of Dawn at the showers, just in case anyone got them on their feet, legs, etc. We all did. I think there are more and more each day. When you step in to the water and the waves crash in, they are every where. Any where from the size of a pencil eraser to a half-dollar. A man and his family had collected sand in a bucket and brought it up to the showers so that they could mix it with the Dawn, making a pumice-like material to help scrub the tar off. He gladly shared some with me as his little girl held the hose and helped shower me off. She was too cute!

We did have a problem with "gnats" this morning as we settled in to our spot. I'll let you ask Justin about those! LOL!! We won't go there...at first I thought they were those pesky sand fleas, but they weren't.

We got a little hungry and went up for lunch, then enjoyed the view from the balcony, scoping out more dolphins than I could count. I, was of course, waiting on them to do something impressive, like jump out of the water, but it was not a show day for them. Nevertheless, they were beautiful to watch and I was glad to see them.

Erik, Justin, and Amanda have been excellent help with Mills and I actually got some "me-time" today. Wow! I was wanting to go down to the beach again, while J & A went to the pool. Erik wanted a nap, and so he and Mills took a good loooong one. I was encouraged to go and join the others, but opted for alone time on the beach and it was quite nice. Even though it felt like 200° out, I managed to get a little sun and be visited by a few nosy little crabs. Okay, so they weren't so little, but interesting, nonetheless.

We ended the night with dinner at the Original Oyster House, and this momma was happy enough to scarf down 1½ lbs. of crab legs. I left very satisfied!

Beach (Day 2)

So, let this be said, there is no sleeping-in on vacation either. But...I wouldn't trade a happy waking baby for anything. Up at 6, as usual, Mills had his bottle on the balcony, then we showered and headed to the Market Grill for a quick breakfast, and made a trip to the grocery for lunch and breakfast/snack items. Being new to the resort, we were still trying ot figure out where and what everthing was and so we opted for pool time and later a nap before heading out for dinner. To this point, I am still in awe of how much of a good baby we have. He is very happy, and of course gets fussy when he is tired, but who doesn't? It is in the upper 90s at this point and so, we were a little worn out. We still think that we are very lucky parents!!!

Beach 2010

We started the first of many family vacations on Friday, June 11. I told Erik last summer when I was pregnant, that we would go to the beach this year. So after several recommendations, we reserved our spot at the Beach Club in Ft. Morgan. We left town around 10:30-11ish on Friday with great weather, but it was extremely hot. I have been very nervous about riding so long with a 10 month old, but I can't tell you how surprised we were. Mills did exceptionally well, with no crying...AT ALL. He rode all the way with a smile on his face enjoying his Nick Jr. dvd, and took two naps at his regular scheduled time. By the time we got through the crazy Mobile traffic and construction, I was the one who was over-tired and ill. Kudos to Erik and Mills. I was just ready to get there and was starving. The Hansons met us there and arrived just a few minutes after us. We unpacked, ate, took baths, and quickly headed for bed. I was anxious about how Mills would sleep in a pack & play. He never liked his when he was small, but he did great. He slept all night and woke up "bright-eyed and bushy tailed."

Ever Wish You Were...

HER?

OR HER??

These days are not as easy as they used to be. I used to keep a near spotless home on a daily basis and never tire when doing so. How do you do these things? People say, "sometimes you just have to let your house go!" Yikes! I sit here many nights now procrastinating more than I ever have in my entire life. I come home, feed Mills, bathe Mills, read to Mills, and put him to bed. Then I think, oh I will just do all of the house after he goes to bed. Honestly, who feels like doing that? If I could just wiggle my nose or cross my arms and nod my head, it would be more than awesome!

My Project

Lately I have been packing a few of Mills' clothes for the upcoming arrival of Baby Boy Krull who is scheduled for delivery on none other than E's birthday, Oct. 3. I can't bear to let some of Mills' clothes sit in the closet, so I gladly offered them to Kate, to borrow. Even if we do have a second child, which is no where near in thought, baby Krull will have more than outgrown them by then.

It is so hard for me to believe that our baby boy has grown so much. When I look at those tiny newborn and 0-3 month layettes, I can't even begin to remember that size. He is now wearing 12 month clothes. I have shoes that are about as long as my pinkie finger, and socks that look like a ball of cotton that would not fit over my big toe. It's kind of sad. I miss those tee-tiny feet! But all of that wraps up one of my most favored characteristics...I am extremely sentimental!!! Things have meaning to me. Not just anything, but things that have memories. I guess its in how I was raised, but to me, they're important.

I work very hard to conserve the memories that we have made, and I will keep anything that holds dear to my heart, no matter how much I may clutter the attic or hope-chest. To this day, my mother still has a few of my baby dresses and other things that my grandmother made (mainly Easter dresses) in my old closet at home. I believe it is important to be able to show my Mills, what he wore home from the hospital, and be able to tell him when he took his first step, which brings me to tell you the project that I have been working on since March 27, 2009....Mills' baby book. I have yet to see a completed baby book, so I vowed to keep up with EVERY LITTLE THING he does. I am even wanting to bronze his first pair of shoes. Old fashioned? Yes, but I tend to be old-fashioned at times. I have worked very hard at remembering to write things down, and post pictures where the book asks. I don't want him to look at me one day and say, "Mom, when did I do this? "or "Mom, when did I do that?" I don't want to say, "who knows?" To me its not a good answer. This is another way of showing our love and memories of him, so, I've been meticulously working with this "project," because one day, I will give it over to him to show to his children.

Picture of the Mommy & Daddy to be and EVERY ultrasound picture made

I kept all of our baby shower invites and included them, as well.

Mills' and my hospital bracelets

Every doctor's visit is recorded. Unfortuately, there are too many.

Mills' "check-up" stickers. I never leave the doctor's office without his sticker! ha!

Mills' accomplishments. There only a few more blanks to fill.

He's Makin' a Mess...and I Could Care Less!

I haven't posted an update on Mills' eating since this post, because I didn't want to "jinx" anything. You all know I have a bad habit of saying something too soon and ruining it! I was a little worried about getting to eat textured foods after he gagged, of course, but I guess I was just trying to rush him. I did call the pediatrician to see if he had any other tips in addition to the comments that were left. I thank you all! We did end up switching Mills back to Stage 2 foods, but only for the meats and a few of the fruits. Stage 2 foods have so much variety, especially the fruits.

This week, we have given him protein twice a day along with a veggie or fruit. Most of the time he will eat a jar of fruit or vegetable, and a meat, for supper. This week, we have given him this, BUT we have also put "table" vegetables on his tray, and tried various different foods if we have gone out to eat. Outcome = SUCCESS! So far this week, on Sunday night, he ate a whole cup of peas, in addition to his baby food, on Monday, we met for dinner, and he insisted on grabbing rice off my plate and shoving it in his mouth. You know what? I let him! I didn't care if he got food everywhere, because I am bound and determined to get him to eat table foods. Wednesday night, we met Gammy and Pops for dinner at Breakfast Cove, and I think he ate more of their hash browns (shredded, of course) than they did. It was hilarious! Last night he ate whole cup of carrots, and tonight, was green beans! Letting him feed himself has also helped. I can't tell you how relieved I am. We are introducing a little bit at a time and it is working great! Maybe he just thought the Stage 3 meats were gross. Can you blame him?

Mills Mows the Lawn

*with a little help from Daddy!

Erik was busy cutting yards all morning. Not only does he cut ours, but he cuts my mom's and his grandparent's, as well. I took Mills out to let him watch, but Erik asked him if he wanted to ride. Of course, Mills said, "Yes." Ha! Yeah right! I was a little hesitant at first, but of course Erik was extra careful. And Mills loved it! Every time they would pass me, Mills would look up and grin from ear to ear. Of course, I couldn't get it on camera, but here are a few pictures. Maybe Erik is trying to train him early ;)

Meeting a New Friend

Last night my friend, Susan, was generous to pass of some glorious size 3 pampers cruisers for Mills and we couldn't have been more grateful! Susan and I attended hygiene school together , and we do not get to see each other much anymore. Her little one, Reagan, who is 10 days older than Mills, is a Huggies baby and didn't do well with the cruisers, so, of course, we were more than happy to take them off of her hands :) Mills and Reagan hadn't met yet, so here are a few pictures from their first meeting. Isn't she a cutie?!!!

He's "eyeing" her pappy as if he does not have one of his own...strapped to him!