The Divine Miss M

Babies grow up so fast. At times I love it (i.e. in the middle of the night). And, at times I hate it (i.e. when they talk back to you and refuse to do what you want or go where they should go). My sweet friend, Kelly, caught Miss M as she approaches her 3-month mark...

Oh, Life...

I love being able to keep up on the lives of so many friends and families through blogs. I also find, sometimes, however, that I become swept up in the emotions of all that others are going through, it starts to weigh heavily on my mind, and then it teaches me lessons.

When I was first married I kept waiting for the phone call to come that my husband had been involved in a terrible plane crash and had not survived. I know that's pathetically morbid. After all, he does fly airplanes for a living and, it only seemed natural that that would be the way he would be hurt/die. Fortunately for me (and him) and my sanity, I have overcome those anxious moments waiting by the phone. I have simply become supremely confident in my DH's abilities as a pilot and his own supreme self-confidence in his own capabilities, that I no longer think about it.

My dear, sweet, super longtime friend, Brooke, however, received a phone call on Sunday that I told her I always thought I would get - not other people. Her husband was involved in a plane crash in Guatemala. Fortunately, he was one of the 3 survivors. Now, I know there were others who were not so lucky, but when I spoke with her last night it struck me how often she said the word "grateful." I know she truly meant it.

And, so, all day today I have thought of Brooke. And I have thought of Dan. And I have again started to think of my DH and the precariousness of life and the risks involved with what he does every single day. If he didn't enjoy it so much, I'd insist he change professions. In the meantime, I also have a renewed commitment to myself to profess my love more, find my patient gene and exercise it more, and remember that life really is so very precious.

Go USA

Am I the only one staying up WAY too late (i.e. 1 AM regularly) to watch the LIVE results of the Olympics? I love this time every 4 years. I'm so proud of my country, I'm so awed by all athletes at that level, and I'm so inspired by the stories behind them. What a great celebration of athleticism, dedication, and aspiration.

The Olympics are on all the time in our house. If a TV is on it is tuned to the Olympics. Those are just the rules. I can read "Breaking Dawn" next week (sorry, die hard fans), I can fold the ginormous laundry pile while watching the gymnasts do crazy things on just 4 inches, and I can even play Candyland while catching some beach volleyball out of the corner of my eye.

Is it a problem that Mr. A knows the Olympics theme music and screams, "Mom!! OLYMPICS!" every time he hears it? I think not. We're just starting him young. So, in the words of Visa, GO USA and GO WORLD.

Fun in the Sun

Mr. A loves to hold his "Baby Sis" - all by himself

We were up visiting my mom's this past weekend and got to hit the beach quickly, among other things. The kids sure love their BG - and so do we! Thanks, Mom, for watching Mr. A and Miss M while we celebrated our anniversary!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

This rolling bit is tiring - I'll need a nap poolside

Little Miss M made her first big movement today - she rolled over - from her belly to her back. And, when I thought it was a fluke and put her back on her belly to do it again, she promptly repeated the roll. You go, girl!

8 Is Great

Today DH and I celebrate our wedded bliss, and this year, we celebrate to the tune of 8! Hard to believe how quickly the time goes and how much fun the ride so far has been. So much seems to have happened, yet so much seems to be ahead too. And, there isn't anyone I'd rather walk the journey/ride the coaster/sail the seas/stumble a bit/go the distance with. It'll be grand, I'm sure, if the last 8 years are any indication! Happy Anniversary, hun!

PS - To celebrate this year DH put together a great night in NYC with dinner at Dos Caminos, a brilliant showing of "Spamalot," and great shakes from none other than Wendy's (Dylan's Candy Bar closed at 11 - we got there at 11:01 - and Serendipity had a 45 minute wait - we didn't need Frozen Hot Chocolate that badly). Truly a night to remember! :)

So Happy Together

We actually had a professional take some pics while on our family vacation in Idaho. She was great and I wish that she lived closer to us so that I could sign her up again in a few months when I'm feeling a little better about myself and actually wanting more pictures to be taken! A few of her masterpieces...

The Fab 4

...and their fab feet

Puss in Boots

Our local movie theater offers free kid movies every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the summer. It's great. The movies are usually a few years old, but kids get to see them on the big screen and I never feel bad leaving 45 minutes into it! This morning we went to see Shrek - a Mr. A favorite. As we neared the door to leave and he needed shoes, these were what he insisted upon.

I guess it was in honor of Puss. It wasn't a battle worth fighting, but I am starting to wonder if this is going to become a pattern. I thought they'd be so cute for jumping in the rain puddles. Apparently I was wrong.

A big thank you to the handy camera phone of my friend, Stacey.

Going on a Trip

This morning Mr. A picked up the little wheelie suitcase that's still in our bedroom from our trip, extended the handle and the following conversation ensued:

Mr. A - "Bye, Mom! See you later! I'm going on trip."
Me - "Bye, buddy! Have fun. Where are you going?"
Mr. A - "Costco."
Me - "Oh, good! What are you getting there?"
Mr. A - "Ice cream!"

We might need to change things up a bit around here.

The Wild, Wild West

We took a sweet 2 week vacation to the Western part of the country with DH's family and had a blast. We spent most of our time in Eastern Idaho (right near West Yellowstone) doing every fun summer activity possible - swimming in the river, floating down the river, riding on the 4-wheelers (and getting sweet air), digging in the dirt, playing with cousins, eating Papa's yummy pancakes, drinking lemonade, helping with a cattle drive for the ages, seeing moose, seeing a bald eagle, bison, and Old Faithful in Yellowstone, feeding the fishies, celebrating every cousin birthday with the best "Un" birthday party ever, celebrating my own b-day, trading our "Favorite Things," eating junk, playing golf, working out to Kelly's rocking revised Tae-Bo, going on long walks, watching the rodeo, late night "Bubble Babble," playing cards, spending time together, and not sleeping. The motto of the trip - "Sleep when you're home." A few of our favorite moments captured below...

Love you, Dad!

Mr. A helping me blow out my candles

The gang celebrates

Miss M and Me at the Rodeo

DH and Mr. A at the rodeo

The many faces of Miss M

We sure think she's fun!

Best ride around

Mr. A and his cousin, Little D, "surfing" on the flipped over canoes

Team Seamons Grandkids - all 17 of 'em!

Floating the river

Going 4-wheeling

Golfing on the green in the backyard of the cabin

On our way out there - Mr. A asked for a blanket while he watched his show. I did ask if he wanted the pillow too - he said, "No, thank you. You're welcome."

The Fab Four - these boys were all born within a year of each other and we could not get ONE shot of all of them looking - they're hilarious

Miss M's Visitors

Aunt K

Aunt K and Mr. A

Papa

Aunt J-J

I am long overdue in this posting, but wanted to give a shout out to those sweet friends and relatives who came to see Miss M (and her big bro) so soon after her birth...

Thank you, Starbursts

For motivating such scintillating entertainment. No, this picture is not posed, but the pee-pees on the potty are rewarded with Mr. A's favorite candy - Starburst. The other day while he was "waiting" for the pee-pees, this is honestly what I found.

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service

In uncharacteristic fashion, I've had to go to the local grocery store 2 days in a row now. Mr. A has accompanied me both times. I'm fairly confident that the manager at the store thinks there's something going on at our house. I had to go early yesterday morning and Mr. A saw me getting ready to leave and petitioned strongly to come. So, I decided it wasn't that big of a deal to make a quick trip. He was in his modest dinosaur pajamas (shirt and pants included) but had no shoes near the garage door - except for his froggie rain boots. He insisted on wearing them. Fine.

This morning, he was fully clothed, however, he had removed his socks and shoes while we were driving in the car and he REFUSED to put them back on to go into the store. I hoped they wouldn't invoke their "rule" since I, at least, had shoes on. Come to think of it, Miss M didn't have them on either (but at least she covered her little piggies with a blanket). Mr. A climbed into the "basket" part of the shopping cart with strict instructions to remain seated at all times and not draw any more attention to ourselves (do you REALLY think that happened?).

We're not going back there anymore this week. And, if one more person says, "You really have your hands full" to me, I'm going to ask if they'd like to assist me instead of just gawking awkwardly.

Dr. S

We're only 2 days into the week and we've already been to see the pediatrician twice - one scheduled, one not. Such is life, I guess! Mr. A had a bad ear infection and a burst eardrum (we've been reassured that, as bad as that sounds, it will have no bearing on his hearing long-term). He did mention to me on Saturday that his ear hurt, but it was just a few times in the morning and then he never mentioned it again. I guess I should have known it was a pattern when, on Sunday morning, he complained about it again. It took the gunk coming out of his ear on Monday morning for me to pick up the phone and call the dr's office. Nice mom, I know.

Miss M, on the other hand, is growing like a weed. 2-month vitals:

• 11 lbs, 12 oz (75th percentile)
• 23 1/2 inches (75th percentile)
• some crazy head circumference (75th percentile is all I know)

She's got her "big" brother beat big time!

Membership

Over a year before I had Mr. A I suffered a miscarriage. At the time I remember my wise sister-in-law saying to me that I had become a card-carrying member of a club to which I never wanted to belong. That thought has never left me. You see, I think we all, at various and multiple points in our lives, become card carrying members of clubs that we never wished to nor thought we would belong.

My thoughts this week have often turned to my DH's great cousin (whom we even set up with my sister at one point) and his also great wife. This week they became card-carrying members of the club to which I'm pretty sure they never thought they would belong (to read more about it visit www.sivleyseven.blogspot.com - post titled "Sweet Maddie") . I have shed many tears just thinking about them.

And so, I have tried this week to not let Mr. A's food throwing, mischief-getting, blatant disobedience(ing) affect me as much and to coo and smile longer with my Miss M now that she is blowing bubbles and "talking" and growing up way too fast. Life changes too quickly to not enjoy the ride.

In this case, membership doesn't seem to have a whole lot of privileges. We do feel strongly, though, that membership of a different kind (in our church) allows us to truly believe that we will be with our loved ones forever and that membership certainly has sweet, comforting and everlasting privileges.