Life's Been A Beeeeach!!

For the last week we were with Jim at the BEEEEEEEACH for a family vacation! Woo Hoo!

So, why do I keep spelling Beach funny? That's because my little boy has learned the word, but he doesn't say it normal and short like the rest of us. I'm just thankful he got that vowel sound JUUUUUST right. :)

He seemed to like the sand on his toes, legs, hair, arms, feet, and just about everywhere the sun doesn't shine, but folks, he DOES NOT like sand and/or saltwater in his eyes. Especially when it is a shock - like when a huge wave comes out of nowhere and bowls him and his Mommy over for a fun-filled face-plant in the sand. Nope, not one bit.

Then again, Mommy didn't like it either. My Mommy-esque compromise for sitting in the mini-waves at all was that he let me keep one arm on his ankle. If I hadn't had my hand there I'm not sure what would have happened. As it was we both fell over and he was shifted about on the sand quite a bit. Yikes, huh?

All in all we had a good time. Jim learned to destroy sandcastles, while Daddy learned the fine art of fussing at a 1 yr old. Bo genuinely hoped to instill some artistic protection of his work, while Jim was trying his hand at being an art critic. Good Times!

Before we left for the trip I had sort-of put my foot down that next year I wanted to go somewhere else for our major vacation (should we be so lucky as to have one). I find that I'm re-thinking it, as it was such a good time. Watching Jim play with his little cousins (there were 4 under 2 at the house) was LOTS of fun. I so enjoyed seeing him romp and play. Being a working Mom I almost never get to see him interact with other kids - it was a beautiful thing.

Jim has some new words this week:

Wait
Rain - he learned this as a result of a really rough storm we had on Sun night :)
Beeeeeeach
Play

and he's perfecting the words:
Shoe
Down
Bye
Thank You
Please
Peas
More

It is so strange to hear his speach clear up and become more adult-ish. Wow. Just, Wow. He's so not a little baby anymore.

A Family Vacation...

I've waited to post this until all of my little birdies returned to the nest - I figure no need to jinx myself!

We've had a VERY exciting, if nerve-wracking week, since we were each in 4 different states!!!

Mom - Seattle
Dad - San Francisco
Baby - Nashville
Humphries (kitty) - Atlanta at home

Remember I said Bo left on Sunday (Father's Day weekend) to go out of town? Well, that's where he's been for the last week. He had a Usability training conference in San Francisco.

The kicker is that work asked me, very last minute, to go to Seattle, Washington! I told them I would have to ask my parents.

I just happened to be in route to Gatlinburg, TN for our little Father's Day weekend retreat! That means I just happened to have had all the stuff to take care of baby for an extended stay! AND I just happened to be meeting up with the only people that COULD keep him for a week!! What luck!

My parents said yes to keeping Jim, and seemed kinda happy about the deal. So, I left early Monday morning for Atlanta, but without my precious boy. :(

Yes, I cried.

I came home to a sad kitty (he'd been home alone all weekend) and we loved and hugged and rubbed for hours. Humphries has been a bit short-changed since Jim arrived. He was in love with the idea that Momma was "all his" for a couple of days.

Jim went to Nashville, with my parents, on Monday. He seemed to have a fabulous time. Grandaddy took him "fishing" and Grandma took him to all of her social functions (library meetings, bridge, etc). He made lots of friends with the ladies - he's a charmer. Flirt, flirt, flirt...Flirt. He got a full-on cold mid-week, and of course this made his Mommy quite ashamed that she'd left him. Grandma said "no worries!". sniff, sniff

I left for Seattle on Wednesday morning. I had a great time meeting with our clients, eating in great seafood restaurants, and getting to know my new co-workers much better, walking around downtown. It was quite nice indeed.

My little birdies were spread out all over North America though, which has made me quite nervous. Mom and Dad on the West coast, babies on the East Coast does not make for easy sleep.

1 & 2 Home - I came home to the nest on Friday. Humphries was so terribly happy to see me!

1, 2, & 3 Home - I picked up Jim in Chattanooga on Saturday afternoon. My parents are saints and offered to bring him halfway so I wouldn't have to drive 10 hrs round-trip and stay the night in Nashville. Instead I drove 5 hrs and was home the same afternoon. Saints I tell you.

1, 2, 3, & 4 Home - Bo came in on Sunday night, late, after his boy had already gone to bed. He sure hated missing his boy's night, night hugs, but he'll get extra special hugs from him in the morning, I'm sure! :)

G'night All!