10 Years Strong

A few weeks ago marked a special day in Brad and I's history together...August 14th was our 10 year anniversary of when we met. I was 17 and getting ready to start my senior year and Brad was 18 and had just graduated. Neither of us were expecting to meet our future spouse or soul mate that summer night. I was very close to not going with my friend to meet Brad, but I'm sure fate had a hand in it. I can't imagine where my life would be without Brad and I don't want to imagine my life without Brad. I can't begin to express how lucky I am to have found someone so perfectly suited for me. Brad is my best friend, who I can tell anything and everything to, the one person who can always lift me up at the end of a bad day, the one person that I can always count on and fills my days with endless love and happiness. Somehow I find a way to love Brad more with each passing day. Brad gave me the greatest gift possible when we had Blake and my love for Brad has grown even more seeing him with our son and the love that he has for him. We've come a long way in 10 years and it excites me to imagine where we'll be in another 10....I love you Brad!!

Vacation in Pictures

Condo


View


Pool


Sunset


The Boys Fishin


Brad & His Catch


Dad & His Catch


Family at our ol' Favorite, The Coffee Cup


Blake & Mommy


Brad & Brooke on Beach


Blake Hanging Out


Brad & Brooke at the Wedding

Vacation Wrap Up

We made it back safe and sound from an absolutely wonderful vacation. We left at around 11pm Tuesday evening, driving in a torrential down pour until Louisiana, but Blake slept most of the way and was an absolute angel when he was awake. We made it to Gulf Shores at 11am Wednesday. Driving all night was exhausting, but Brad and I decided sleep was over rated and headed straight for the beach. We were all a little worried about the impending Hurricane Fay making its way up the coast of Florida and I didn't want to waste any sunlight we had! But we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather while we were there. Saturday was our only day we had some wind and a little rain, but that didn't come until later in the day. We all got lots of sun and great beach time in. The only damper on our vacation was my sister-in-law didn't make the trip, worried she would be stranded from the storm and miss her first day of school on Monday. We sure missed her, but know we'll get to do it again hopefully next year with her there!
Our condo was AMAZING...5 bedrooms, each with their own full bath. Huge living area and the world's longest balcony on the 20th floor with an amazing view. We had time in the ocean, volleyball in the sand, pool time, time in Pensacola looking at our old stomping grounds, fishing for the boys and then Saturday we made it to my friends wedding. We did so much and had such a wonderful time and it made it all the more special to be there with my family . Blake had a wonderful time on his first vacation as well. Although he didn't make it to the beach (he's a still a little too young), he loved sitting on the balcony with his grandma and grandpa looking at the view and having the feel of the ocean breeze in his face.
We felt so lucky that Blake was such a wonderful baby on the way to Gulf Shores I was a little nervous about the return trip thinking there was no way we'd have luck hit us twice. I was wrong. We didn't get on the road until around 11am Sunday, so I knew we wouldn't have him sleeping through the night on our side, but he didn't fuss at all. I don't know what I did to deserve such an amazing baby, but I am so grateful! What a trooper he is!
Thanks to my parents for such a wonderful vacation and looking after Blake so Brad and I could have fun in the sun!
More pictures to follow when I've had more than a few hours of sleep....

Just a couple of Photos

Here are just a few until I can post more after our trip...

Surfing the Web...


Cutie Pie...

Let the Fun Begin

Brad and I knew that as soon as Blake started sleeping through the night we'd get a good kick in the butt with a teething baby. We were correct. Blake is starting to teeth and my always happy non fussy baby, is still for the most part just that, but now has his moments of extreme fussiness and pain. Its such a helpless feeling knowing you can't do much for your little one, but hopefully we can get through this phase without too much pain for Blake or Brad and I!
I apologize for no new pics of Blake once again, but we have been running around like mad people getting ready for our trip. We leave Tuesday for Gulf Shores and will be back Sunday. Expect lots of picture and stories of our fun filled beach trip upon our return! Wish us luck that we get through a 10+ hour car ride with a 3 1/2 month old without too many hiccups along the way!

Got Milk?

I was getting ready to leave work for the day and my cell phone rang. It was Blake's daycare. A little nervous, since you usually only get calls if your baby is sick, I answered. It was the director of Blake's school. Not good I think. Then she speaks the words you dread as a parent with your sweet baby away in daycare..."there was an incident involving Blake at school today." My heart sank and my mind started racing. To be honest I couldn't begin to tell you what long drawn out story she was telling me, I was just begging for her to get to the end so I could find out what happened to my Blake. So what was this dramatic incident that I had so built up in my mind? There was a mix up and Blake was given another baby's bottle. While, this is not something that I would like to have happened, I was incredibly relived that this was all that had gone on. I think the director of Blake's school needs a lesson in relaying information because I for sure thought it was something horrible. Blake drank the bottle without missing a beat and the only difference was it was formula made for reflux. (Not breastmilk.) Whew! No ill side effects and lesson learned from his school that parents need to label bottles with the child's entire name and not just initials.

Bye Bye Carpet

Hooray for no more nasty carpet! Thanks to our good friend Aaron for helping us install, our house is now sporting new floors in the living room and master bedroom. I couldn't love it more! Next on our list...new couch. Its only taken 5 years to start decorating my home to my liking! More pictures once our living room is complete, but for now here are a few pics of our new lovely floors!

On occassion I've questioned how germs are passed so easily in daycares even if they are cleaning every surface and washing hands constantly...question answered yesterday when I picked Mr. Blake up. I walked in and Blake is sitting in a bouncy seat staring at the little girl who is several months older than him sitting in a Bumbo seat right next to him. She keeps taking a hold of Blake's feet and giggling as drool is spilling out of her mouth and a pile of this drool has encompassed Blake's foot. Cute? Yes. Gross? Definitely. So in case you are wondering, yes I did bathe my child last night and scrubbed his little feet thouroughly!
Blake is doing wonderfully and is growing like a weed. As of last week he's started holding things and loves to take his blankie or little stuffed bear and snuggle with it against his cheek and is extremely cute! The sad news in my world this week is I've run out of supply to nurse Blake, which I've been doing once in the evenings and one in the mornings. My little chunky monkey just needs more than I can provide him. I've enjoyed having the closeness and bonding time with him that only mommy could do, but I guess the good news for me is any middle of the night feedings can now be given to both daddy and mommy!! (sorry Brad!)
Blake has been sleeping through the night wonderfully, however I think I spoke of it too often and the last two nights he's woken at 3/4am. He's been a little fussier than normal and sucking on his hand a whole bunch so we'll see if its just a short lived phase or if there is early teething in our future....
Last weekend I had an adult evening with girlfriends while attending my friend's bachelorette party. I have to say, the bar scene just isn't nearly as fun as it used to be, but it was nice to get dressed up for the evening. That is why the pics below I look like I do!
Coming events....installing new flooring in our living room and master bedroom this weekend. Wish us luck!! 2 week countdown to beach vacation!!!