August 20, 2009

Grandpa Frank's Visit

Well, my dad just left a couple of days ago and we were so busy having a good time that I didn't bring out my camera once! I know, I know! But my dad did take some good pictures, so maybe those pictures will find their way to the blog.

We had a great visit. We both landed at the airport on Friday (I was in LA all week and dad came from Omaha). We had steaks on the grill - they were fabulous - and beers on the patio. Saturday we visited the farmers market and bought some incredible produce and barbeque sauce. We ate at dad's favorite restaurant, The Lazy Goat. Robbie had hummus, pimento cheese, bread, carrots, celery, steak, tomatoes and even had homemade french fries . . . shh, don't tell Kevin! Saturday night Kevin made an incredible dinner for us - a spicy rubbed Mahi Mahi with a roasted yellow pepper pesto sauce. It was insanely good, and I don't really like fish. We had a lazy day on Sunday and Monday. Oh my dad finally taught me how to make his famous spicy spaghetti sauce. Hot sausage, onions, green pepper, spaghetti sauce and tomato paste. Yum yum. As you can see our visit revolved around good food and drinking on the patio each night - oh and we watched a few movies too.

My mom and Grandpa flew in last night so I am one lucky girl to have family visiting for two weeks! We are planning a weekend at the beach, but are a little worried about the hurricane! Hopefully we can still enjoy a nice beach weekend. I will post with pictures later!

August 5, 2009

Hoof and Mouth . . . Say What???

Kevin, me, Robbie, Jackson, Scott, Rachael, Katie and Tee - this was a very fun 4th of July celebration. I want to retire on a very similar lake lot!
Not a good photo of Mama, but Robbie was just too cute. He absolutely LOVED the pool and actually wanted to be out of this floatie so he could enjoy it even more.

OK, so as you know, Robbie has been sick for a few weeks. First, it was "he has a virus, go home and let it run its course", then a week a half later as more symptoms and more fussiness arises we were told it was an ear infection. Yesterday Robbie woke up with a 102 fever. By the time I dropped him off at Kevin's mom's (because I can't take him to daycare with a fever - so THANKS mom!) it was 103.3. She called me a little while later when it hit 103.8. Long story short we took him to the doctor (don't worry, I didn't wait until it hit 103.8 to call, I called as soon as they opened in the morning). The doctor said that it is hand, foot and mouth virus, of course not to be confused with hoof and mouth disease (mad cows). Yes, I did make the initial mistake! Robbie is going to be just fine but we have a few days of fever and illness before that happens. Thankfully my mother-in-law is so helpful and Robbie totally adores her, so he gets to spend the next couple of days with Nana. Also, a good friend sent me the photos. They were taken at her parents house in Columbia, SC on the lake. I asked if we could be adopted and shockingly they were not so keen on the idea.

August 3, 2009

New Developments

I have pictures and video to post, but let's just face it, that happens about once a month and this month is starting to get pretty busy . . . so I thought I would at least let you all know what Robbie is learning and doing . . .

First of all, I missed the first time he crawled because I was on a work trip. I missed the first time he said Mama because I was on a work trip and now this weekend I missed the first time he clapped because I was on military duty! Man, this stinks! But he had mastered this new skill by the time I got home on Saturday night. He was so pleased with himself. It was impossible to have a conversation with my in-laws because about every 10 seconds he was accomplishing another of his new skills and would clap and expect us to clap along with him. So, of course, we would all stop what we were saying and clap and say "YEAH". He would get so tickled.

Another new skill that he has accomplished "almost" walking. For a while now he has been able to pull himself up to standing and walk along the furniture. He also can go from sitting to standing without any assistance and bend over to pick up and items and then stand up straight again. So now he is letting go and taking a step or two before he falls. He can also stand up (without attempting to walk) for quite some time.

Like all parents, Kevin and I think our little man is a genius, ha ha, but I really do have a funny story about a recent moment where he figured something out that impressed me. I think Robbie is going to have Kevin's smarts . . . Kevin has this uncanny (and frankly sometimes annoying) ability to figure ANYTHING out. Give him a problem and he can solve it - even ones that you don't want him to! ;) Anyway, Robbie was playing with his Auburn ball and it rolled under the kitchen table. I was busy trying to make dinner but I have promised myself that I would enjoy moments with my family instead of always trying to accomplish tasks. So I took the time to watch him. He was trying to reach under the chair to grab the ball but could not quite get there. So he backed up and cocked his head to the side and you could tell that he was trying to figure out how to get to the ball. I walked over to him and just pointed to the other side of the chair and asked him if he could come over here and reach the ball easily. Without hesitiation he crawled right over and reached for the ball. Simple, I know, but it made me so proud and excited to see my little man problem solving!

Now on to the developments of the other less interesting people in our family . . . Kevin is taking part 2 (of 4) boards in four weeks. He spent this weekend studying while I was at military duty. This week he has midterms so that only leaves him with three weeks until boards. My mom and grandpa are coming for a 10 day visit and then we are going to Albany, GA to visit with the Lewises on Labor Day weekend. So that leaves Kevin with precious little time to study for boards. He is such a hard worker and I greatly appreciate the effort that he has to put into Chiropractic school. Watching him only reinforces my lazy attitude that I do not want to go back for my masters!

The same 'ole is going on with me. Work is busy and satisfying. I really enjoy what I do for a living, so it makes it that much easier. I will be in California next week but will take the next two weeks off from travel to enjoy time with my mom and grandpa. We are also going to the beach for a weekend too - I can't wait. Robbie loved the beach earlier this summer so I can't wait to see him now. He is a little water baby so it will be fun to see him play in the sand and water.

I will try to post video and pictures soon - I do have one interesting video of Robbie opening the safety gate at the top of the stairs. Kevin and I did not know that he could do that and found out after he fell down two stairs. Thankfully Kevin got to him before he went down the entire flight of stairs!