CT shore

We made it to Madison, CT on Friday afternoon. We are renting a "cottage" with a view of the water. We celebrated Nanny's 90th birthday yesterday. There was such love and happiness... it is a beautiful thing! I took some pictures but can't connect my laptop to the network... I'm borrowing someone else's to type this right now. Cell phone reception here is terrible. My cell only gets roaming signals, which drains the battery. So, for the next week... I'm internet and cell restricted... I'm going to consider it a blessing!! :) I'll post a big, big blog when we return in September!!! :)

Bubble time...

Our neighbor, Amy, gave Jemma a new bubble toy yesterday. There was no reason... she just said that Cady liked hers and she got a good deal, so she bought one for Jemma too. How generous and thoughtful is that?!? I love our neighbors! Here are some pictures of Jemma and her Daddy playing bubbles last night with James watching!

Sunday

Sunday was a full day of fun. Jemma had a makeup swim lesson in the morning. Jim had to work (not fun at all but we are leaving for vacation, so it was necessary). Here is Jemma playing in the dirt before taking off her clothes to play in her little pool... naked. She didn't want to put on her bathing suit and it was easier for me to just let her go!

Maggie stopped by with Danny for a visit.

Claire (next door neighbor) stopped by to play for a little while. Then we went in for dinner (frozen pizza) and took a walk around the neighborhood. After our walk, it was time to empty the pool and put away the toys. Jemma and Mya had a blast playing in the pool water as Jim emptied it. James was just happy to watch the girls play from his stroller.

Jemma and James played on the floor before their bath.

Spaghetti Hands

I can't be mad... I can be a little frustrated and amused... Jim isn't going to be happy... it is just motivation to paint soon...

Here is the wall:

Can you guess what Jemma had for lunch?!? Spaghetti. I was making myself a sandwhich just feet away when she said, "Look at my handprints, Mom!" She was so proud of herself... I wanted to giggle but had to do the grown up appropriate, "We don't touch things, especially walls, when our hands are dirty." I guess we'll just have to paint soon... or simply live with 2 year old art on the wall... he, he, he...

Saturday

James slept well last night. He slept until 5 this morning in his crib, then we brought him to bed with us until 8... he nursed very frequently during this 3 hour stretch and I didn't mind since I was able to stay mostly asleep and we could just cuddle. I love being able to make him feel better by snuggling and cuddling and nursing! I think there may be a tooth starting to bother our little man...

We woke to Jemma calling for her daddy. She is usually really good about staying in her bed until we come get her. She does call out, "Daddy, I'm awake" or "The sun is up" or "Do you hear me?" And she will call for us progessively louder until we come and get her. She knows that we monitor her and she knows that we respond to our little alarm clock. It is so nice to be greeted by our little sunshine! Jim took her to MyGym for a makeup session since we are going to miss this Friday. They went to Rigeleto for lunch afterwards and brought lunch (panini with fresh mozzerla, tomatoes and basil) home for me, too! It was so yummy. And Daddy bought a cupcake for Jemma as a special treat... he can be such a softy sometimes! :)

After lunch, Jim and Jemma went to have the minivan (aka, the Red Dragon) washed by the Chief selectees on base. It looks so, so nice now! A clean car is great. And they got Jemma a backpack for school... a Hello Kitty pink backpack! Jim says that she spied it on the top shelf and asked for it specifically. I can't believe that my baby girl is going to preschool in a few short weeks. How fast the time flies.

While they were out, James woke from his nap crying. I picked him up and rocked him back to sleep. This was a rare thing for us. I did it all the time for Jemma and it was always so nice to just rock and sing lulabyes while she snuggled. Usually, I have my Jemma who wants or needs something, so I have to wisk James up from his nap and onward. Today, it was quiet and James just snuggled against me and we rocked and I sang. Jemma's favorite was "Twinkle, twinkle." I wonder what James' favorite will be... right now it seems to be twinkle, twinkle but maybe that is because I want it to be...

Here is James napping on Jim this afternoon. Jim is such a wonderful and loving father.

Jim mowed the lawn this afternoon. Of course, Jemma had to get out her little lawn mower and mow after her nap. She is so cute... she loves to do anything and everything her Daddy does! She told me during dinner that she is going to fly a jet. Then she told me that she touched a bomb. Yes, she did in fact... Jim took her to the hanger this afternoon and she touched the jet and a bomb that was nearby. How many 2 year olds can claimed to have done those things?!?

We went for our nightly walk and the weather was perfect! Jemma played with some little kids, petted three dogs, jumped and balanced over the speed bumps, and ran over/around every manhole. Our nightly walk took over an hour and we didn't even make it to the end of the neighborhood!

This is James just before taking a bath. I tried to get Jemma's picture because she looked so cute in her Hokie shirt, but she would not hold still! The bottom picture is of Jemma and her daddy "Sharing" pudding. They made pudding together Wednesday night when I was at the commissary. Now I'm off to snuggle with my wonderful husband...

I knew it was too good to last… James slept through the night Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but last night he barely slept at all! It is only 9 pm and I am so ready for bed tonight. I’m hoping that he sleeps tonight, but I don’t think he is feeling his best so we may be in for another sleepless night. Poor little man has had a runny nose all day… I so hate it when the kids don’t feel well.

Thursday
Here is a picture of him Thursday before I took Jemma to her swim lesson. He was just happy to roll around without clothes… he loves to be without any clothes, but he has such a range when he pees that I can’t let him go without a diaper in the house! James was being fussy this morning while I was getting ready to go out (we had to make a run to the Fresh Market for asparagus for a baby shower), and then I heard little giggles instead of whining. I looked in and Jemma was playing with James. She took the initiative to grab the pink dog and actually entertain her brother. It was so nice to see them both happy. I don’t think I can express how much James loves his big sister… he gets so excited to see her that he grins and giggles and moves to see her. Sometimes he jumps up and down in my arms like he just wants to get down and run after her. She loves him too… but it isn’t quite the adoration that he has for her. I sincerely hope that they develop a really close and strong relationship.

Jemma had her last swim lesson yesterday (except for the makeup that we are doing Sunday), so I hired a sitter for James. I decided that I would give my undivided attention to Jemma for her last class. Usually I sit away from the pool in the shade with James and I sometimes go inside to nurse… so I don’t always get to pay close attention to what Jemma is doing. Jemma still doesn’t want to get her face wet, but she is doing well with kicking and floating on her back. James stayed home with Taylor. (Taylor has watched Jemma for us and she is a very experienced and responsible 14 year old. I had no worries… class was only an hour, we were just down the street and had the cell phone.) When Jemma and I returned home, Taylor had put James down for a nap and she reported that he didn’t even cry. It was a very nice morning!

I went to a baby shower last night while Jim watched the kids. It was a great night… Trina had made a fabulous dinner (yummy chicken cordon blue with a salad and asparagus and rice on fancy china, real cloth napkins, and sparkling cider… I skipped the wine since I was driving and my tolerance is LOW) and there was a cake from this wonderful Italian bakery… it was so, so good. Christine opened her gifts and there were so many cute, cute little girl outfits… did I mention that I love baby showers?!? We had a wonderful 3 hours of hanging out and celebrating the upcoming arrival of a new baby girl. And when I got him, both kids were clean and in bed and Jim was cleaning the kitchen… oh, how I adore my wonderful husband!!!

Friday
Today I hosted a morning coffee for our neighborhood. Only 5 of the neighbors could make it but we had a really nice time. The kids played and we just chatted. I cheated though… I went to the Fresh Market yesterday and bought two loaves of cake. Last month Amy hosted and she made little quiches and a dip for fresh peaches and a special lemonade… I just didn’t have the energy to bake. I made a spaghetti sauce yesterday with the fresh tomatoes and green pepper that my mom brought last weekend… I just could not make myself make brunch for today. Afterwards, I took Jemma to MyGym. She has such fun! James napped for the first 30 minutes, so I was able to fully participate with Jemma. She loves it when I can give her all of my attention… we sang together during circle time, and jumped on the trampoline and ran around during free time. She was so good… she used the potty twice at MyGym! We haven’t used a pull-up all week and we have had no accidents.

We went to Mya’s house this afternoon. Merin let the girls fingerpaint and color with markers. Jemma got a tube of glitter when Merin and I were talking in the other room… there was glitter everywhere… on the table, floor, chair and all over Jemma’s hands and clothes. It was a sparkly mess! After dinner, our little family went for a walk. We try to go for a walk every night. It is nice to be out together and see the neighbors, too. Jemma petted several of the neighbor’s dogs, found every manhole and ran and jumped over them (I even jumped on/over several of them- hopefully none of the neighbors were watching), and “balanced” on the two speed bumps. Long gone are the days of speedy walks… we now meander at a snail pace, but it is always interesting! Both kids got a bath and now both are sleeping. James is sleeping on Jim in the living room at the moment. He has puked once this evening and we are reluctant to put him down… I really hope our little man is feeling better very soon.

Just a day...

Our internet connection is driving me crazy... something is not working properly! We have to get it fixed soon...

James has slept though the night (on his tummy) every night since Saturday!! I love this age!

Here is Jemma's new swimsuit that she wore to swim lessons on Tuesday. She was the envy of all the other little girls!

Maggie and her little boy, Danny, joined us for dinner Tuesday night. He was born last November and James is almost as big as him!

Here is Jemma and her Daddy sharing a bedtime snack:

Sleep, glorious sleep!!!

James is being such a wonderful baby... he is sleeping at night in his crib! I put him down Saturday at 8:15 pm and Jim woke him at 6:30 am because I needed to feed him. Jim put him down Sunday night at 8:30 and James woke himself Monday at 6:30. (Apparently he woke at 2:15 and Jim rocked him back to sleep, which I slept right through.) We got him down last night (Monday) at 9:30 and he is still sleeping... and it is 6:45! I sure do hope this is not a phase, but a beginning of long, sleepful nights! I have missed sleep... it is a wonderful thing!!! :) Now, my guilty confession: He has been sleeping on his tummy. I know SIDS and "Back to sleep" BUT he rolled himself over onto his tummy Saturday night and I didn't have the heart or will to roll him onto his back. I kept expecting him to wake up for his midnight (and 2 and 4) feeding, but he slept. So, I put him on his tummy again Sunday night... and again Monday night. I keep justifying it to myself, "He is a big boy... he is already 5 months old... we are monitoring him..." I do feel a little guilty, but oh, how I love sleep!

My parents came for a visit this weekend. They arrived late Saturday night (after the kids were in bed) and left Sunday evening. We went to the Cheesecake Factory Sunday for lunch... my birthday treat! It was yummy. I love to get their Lemon-Herb chicken with mashed potatoes and carrots. And of course, I got cheesecake for dessert... Lemon Raspberry cheesecake. It was absolutely divine! We stopped in Kohls after lunch because I wanted to get James pj's in 12 months size... he has outgrown the 9 month ones already! I also had to exchange a 12 month outfit for a 18 month one... the Sonoma brand runs a little small. Can you believe that my 5 month old is in an 18 month outfit already?!? Here is James hanging out with Papa, and Jemma with Granny.

Below is Jim feeding our little man Sunday night. We started out with rice cereal. Now we are on oatmeal. I just increased the amount to 3 Tbsp. last night... he didn't spill a drop and I think that he would eat more if we would give it to him!

Here is James playing with his toes. He loves playing with his toes and fingers. Yesterday he was sucking on his toes while I was changing his diaper. And when we were in the Commissary he was "singing" and playing with his toes. Thankfully, most of the shoppers thought he was cute and not annoying. At least he wasn't screaming or crying! I love his singing and cooing.

I took him to the pediatrician yesterday. He was pulling on his ears, seemed a bit fussy and had a huge spitup. There was no ear infection... yippie! And he is now 19 lbs, 8 oz.

Here he is in his cute little Dump Truck outfit that Aunt Suzanne bought for him... and he is playing with his toes!

Papa and Granny left us with lots of bounty from their garden... corn, butter beans, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and watermelon. Below is Jemma enjoying watermelon before bed last night. It was such a good watermelon. I love homegrown produce!!!

No ball...

Friday was uneventful. We went to MyGym and then stayed indoors most of the day. It was too hot and humid to be outside in the morning and early afternoon. We had storms that cooled it off enough for us to take a stroll through the neighborhood last night. Jemma found all the manholes and ran over them with her baby doll stoller... Uncle Andy would be proud!

Saturday has just flown by! Jim took Jemma to MyGym for a makeup class this morning, then they went to get her haircut (after getting two cookies for Jemma and a lemon pastry for Daddy). Apparently, they were half way home when Jemma told Jim that her hair needed to be cut and they needed to see if Mrs. Amy was working. So, he turned the car around and they went to have her hair cut! I did marry an awesome man. Jim mowed the lawn this afternoon and it looks so nice.

Jim went to the Hornet ball alone this year. I opted to stay at home with the kids. I'm not ready to leave James with a sitter yet. (I have left him with Jim and Amy and GrandMary for a couple of hours, which was great for my sanity... but they are family and I was close by.) Yes, I know that others do it and I'm sure that there are lots of great sitters out there, but not me yet. Time passes all too quickly and I love being with my little guy. Maybe if the ball were in VA Beach and not 45 minutes away in Norfolk... maybe if family were closer to babysit... maybe if I were back to my "normal" size and wouldn't look awful in a formal dress... maybe?!? Anyway, Jim is so handsome in his uniform. Here he is with the kids. Jemma cried and cried when Jim drove away. She has never really done that before. We have always blown him a kiss and waved goodbye... but this was the first time that she has been all weepy and cried, "I want my daddy." It makes me worry what workups and cruise are going to be like. I know that I get all weepy and sad when Jim leaves, but I have to control myself and make sure to put on a happy face for the kids... oh, how I dread cruise...

We had dinner (James ate his cereal and barely spilled a drop), then Jemma played outside with Mya. We have such wonderful neighbors. I really enjoy talking with Merin and just watching our little girls play. Here is Mya and Jemma when we went to HarborFest in June... this is just too cute not to post! I'm off to bed... hopefully my prince charming will be home from the ball soon! :)

Home, sweet home

We made it home last night... our trip began at 10:30 and we were home at 7:30. Here is Aunt Suzanne entertaining James while I finished packing the minivan for our trip.The first three hours were great... James slept and Jemma was content. We made amazing time because we hit no traffic. I had a repetitive conversation with Jemma:

Jemma asks, "Mommy, what are you doing?"

I respond, "I'm driving."

Jemma asks, "Why?"

My response varies: "So we can go home." or "To go see Daddy." or "Because you can't yet." or "Why not?"

I even answered her a couple of times with "I'm driving... what are you doing?" She would simply say, "I'm riding, but what are you doing Mommy?" Then I would have to think of a more detailed answer, "I'm focusing on the road to keep you safe." Then the "Why?" would keep going... I try to answer her questions with a follow up question or change of topic. We talked about Mya and Claire and how we could play with our friends when we were home. We talked about the construction and farm equipment along the road. We talked about Daddy and all of our family members. We talked about almost everything. Jemma is quite a chatty little girl! When she grew bored with our chats or I needed to focus on the road, then I would turn on the DVD player. She watched the Baby Galelio and Baby Divinci DVD twice through... for as long as we were in the car, I think we did remarkably well to use the DVD player so little. We did sing along to Veggie Tales and Mickey Mouse several times through. Eventually, I had to listen to a little "Mommy radio" which Jemma objected to, but she was easily distracted with crayons and coloring book. Although, I did look back after she had been quiet for a while and discovered that she was "Decorating" Bity baby with crayons! Apparently, she needed makeup. I was not very happy with that.

Jim arrived home about 8 last night. It was just enough time for me to have the minivan unloaded and James nursing. Jemma was playing blocks, as we had talked about on the ride home. She missed her Daddy very, very much. She is such a Daddy's girl, and she jumped up and was so excited to see Jim. But, oddly, she sat back down and invited Jim to play blocks with her instead of her usual running and jumping in his arms. James missed his Daddy. He was practically jumping out of my arms to get to Jim last night! Here he is in the swing today... such a happy little guy in the swing. Below he is playing with Daddy before Jemma woke from her nap. She was tired after our travels yesterday and swim lessons today.

Mya and her mommy, Merin, came over to share pizza with us for dinner. I haven't been to the grocery store yet, so we ordered pizza! Jemma has missed Mya and they enjoyed riding in Jemma's car after dinner and playing bubbles. Now, both kids are asleep and I'm going to cuddle with my wonderful husband. I'm so, so happy we are all home!!! :)

On the road again...

Yippie! Jim will be home tomorrow!! :)

In fact, the kids and I are heading home tomorrow, too. Here is Jemma playing sidewalk today. She said "Mommy I want to do hopscotch,"so I drew a little hopscotch and she hopped. She has so much energy and the heat doesn't bother her one bit. I know the picture below is a little fuzzy, but she was just so cute in the glasses and she would not be still for a picture so this is the best I've got! We played with bubbles, chalked, hopped, bounced/threw the ball, then headed back to the AC !

Here is Uncle Andy with James. He took James so I could make dinner. We've had such fun with Suzanne and Andy... we are going to miss them lots! We are also going to miss "Uncle Chris" as Jemma calls him. Chris (Suzanne's brother) is so, so, so good with the kids. They both love him! Chris went to a wedding Friday... I was explaining to Jemma what a wedding was and that people get married at a wedding. Jemma said that she was going to have her fingernails painted for her wedding. So I asked her who she was going to marry and she thought for a minute and said, "I'm going to marry Chris." I just had to laugh...

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I posted recently about poop. Well, here is my "little guy" who didn't poop Sunday, so Monday he just exploded! Yes, there is poop on the bouncy seat, on his legs and hands, on the toybar... it was everywhere. And Jemma didn't poop Sunday, so I doubled her laxative Monday with no results. So I tripled her laxative today... and yes, she pooped on the potty... twice!

Weekend

James didn't want to go to sleep last night... it was almost 11 before he finally fell asleep; therefore, there was no blogging for me. I just went to bed! Little guy was up at 6:30 this morning, too. He was ready to play! I was ready for a little more sleep.

We had a great weekend. Saturday morning was mellow and we just relaxed around the house. Here is James watching TV with Uncle Andy. Jemma spent almost an hour talking with Chris... I asked what they talked about and he replied "What did we not talk about!"

We went to church Saturday night and the kids seemed to enjoy it. I snuck out of the service to check on them in the nursery. Jemma was drawing with her shoes off and James was watching a little girl from the swing. I was so happy that they were happy! Afterwards, we spent some time out on the deck since it was such a nice night. Jemma ate (and wore) her watermelon, and we shared lemon squares from a local bakery. I love sweets... it so contradicts my desire to fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothes!

Sunday was GREAT! We had a relaxing morning. I made bacon and pancakes and we ate on the deck. Uncle Andy napped with James in the hammock while Jemma and I spent time chatting with Aunt Suzanne. Jemma came running down the hall saying "Aunt Suzanne, is this what you use to powder your nose?" Too cute....

We left for the Desirey's and stopped by Target for a little shopping along the way. (Uncle Andy took Jemma and Roscoe to a park nearby while Suzanne, James and I shopped.) We had such a lovely visit at the Desirey house. Jemma and James got to swim with the family. Mrs. Desirey made such a yummy dinner... Hamburgers, corn on the cob, green beans, and homemade peach cobbler with ice cream!!! :) Now, both kids are in bed (thanks to Aunt Suzanne giving Jemma a bath and putting her to bed while I took care of James) and I'm heading there myself.

The hat was a gift from Mr. Desirey. (The race was on during our swim and before dinner.)

Only 3 more days and my wonderful husband is home... I am so looking forward to it!!! :)