Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
So my little Bean has been 1 for about a week now. He is on the verge of walking. He says a few words consistenly - mama, dada, ball, oooh (for oops), isiz (what's this?) and he has said a few words a couple of times - beah (bear), nana (banana), bur (bird), bah (baba)... He waves. He points. He climbs, everything he can... We've started a sign language class for him. It is supposed to help with communication. It is also the easiest way to teach him other languages as he grows since it is fairly universal. My French is decent, at best and MrE's Spanish is probably about the same. We're both rusty but we can teach him the basics at least.
He is just growing so much. We have a collage in the hallway from the first 6 months of his life. I look at it every time I go by and think of how much he's grown... But it is only months 1-6. So I went back to look at pictures of the last 12 months and my oh my! I picked one from each month, which was really difficult. He is just too cute! So enjoy the a snapshot of our first year together. As we go on to year two, we'll be adding another baby to the mix!
He is just growing so much. We have a collage in the hallway from the first 6 months of his life. I look at it every time I go by and think of how much he's grown... But it is only months 1-6. So I went back to look at pictures of the last 12 months and my oh my! I picked one from each month, which was really difficult. He is just too cute! So enjoy the a snapshot of our first year together. As we go on to year two, we'll be adding another baby to the mix!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Here are some pictures from Connor's birthday. There are couple of our friend Mary's birthday part on July 4th! We just had a small dinner for Bean's birthday. We are lucky to have neighbors with twins just one month younger (Linnea & Oskar). So they came over with their mom Sophie for dinner & cake because they'll be in Sweden for the VA celebration. Next weekend we'll celebrate with our other friends in VA, plus GPa & Uncle E will be in town for a family day on the USS Harry Truman! Then our 3rd celebration will be with Grammy, Grampy & Aunty Aimee in Charlotte the weekend of Aug 14th. We'll end all the birthday festivities at the end of August in MA with GPa, Nana and the rest of the J family. Not bad, 4 birthday parties for his first birthday, but such the life of a military brat with family living away. So there will be more celebrations & cake to come!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Dear Bean,
Almost 1 year ago exactly (10:06p EST) you came into our lives changing our world for the better. Forever. I honestly can't really remember you not being here even though it has only been a year... It has been such an amazing year. Although, it doesn't seem that long. The fear that I felt when I first brought you home is undescribable. All first time parents feel it though. I just wanted to make sure that you were safe, loved, happy... Even the longest days are instantly changed when you give me that little smile or you crawl over and give me a kiss. It is the best gift this mum could ask for. We have so many hopes for you, but above all we hope that you are happy and know how much you are loved.
So Happy Birthday Bean!!! You are my best accomplishment! I love you more than you will ever know.
xoxo, Mum

Almost 1 year ago exactly (10:06p EST) you came into our lives changing our world for the better. Forever. I honestly can't really remember you not being here even though it has only been a year... It has been such an amazing year. Although, it doesn't seem that long. The fear that I felt when I first brought you home is undescribable. All first time parents feel it though. I just wanted to make sure that you were safe, loved, happy... Even the longest days are instantly changed when you give me that little smile or you crawl over and give me a kiss. It is the best gift this mum could ask for. We have so many hopes for you, but above all we hope that you are happy and know how much you are loved.
So Happy Birthday Bean!!! You are my best accomplishment! I love you more than you will ever know.
xoxo, Mum

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The slide show is rather large (again)... There were just so many picture moments with our family visiting for Bean's Baptism. Of course the grandparents, Bean's aunts & uncles were here for the special event. Also making the trip were my aunts, Aunty Irene & Aunty Doris with their husbands and a few of our VA friends. It was really special to have all involved in that day. Connor was blessed by a Navy Chaplain aboard MrE's last ship, which is where he was when Bean was born. The ceremony dates back to the English Empire. When families were traveling to the New World and other territories, babies born aboard the vessel were documented by having their name & date of birth stamped within the ship's bell as a version of a birth certificate. It was really special. We're already planning the next babies baptism for next June! So mark your calendars...
We also hit the city with the tourists. Everyone stayed down on the Ocean Front. So there were pool days and beach days to be had. Aside from the sand that Bean insisted on eating, again and again, the beach was perfect. Both of the boys love, love, love the water. So it is just us adults trying to keep up with them. If I could only bottle my son & nephew's energy... Most everyone left on Sunday with the exception of GPa, Nana, my sister & her family. So Bean was able to show Zilla some of his favorite spots in VA. We brought them to our Gymboree class, the Botanical Gardens water park, our neighborhood beach. And just like that, it was over... Everyone left this morning and the house was sadly quiet once again. Well it was quiet up until 2:30p, which is when Bean fought with all his might to resist his nap. Mommy won this battle though. We both needed it.
Now we're unwinding from our travels and visitors. MrE is jumping into his first week on the new ship. He has been leaving and returning home while the sun is out. He has made it home for dinner every night. Better than that, he has made it home in time to see Bean before bed. So far, life is better... However, it is only week one. So we're still crossing our fingers. And toes. And everything else. Tomorrow is our first appt with the new doctor's office. Hopefully this goes better than the last Dr, or mid-wife I should say. This weekend we are just lying low.
We also hit the city with the tourists. Everyone stayed down on the Ocean Front. So there were pool days and beach days to be had. Aside from the sand that Bean insisted on eating, again and again, the beach was perfect. Both of the boys love, love, love the water. So it is just us adults trying to keep up with them. If I could only bottle my son & nephew's energy... Most everyone left on Sunday with the exception of GPa, Nana, my sister & her family. So Bean was able to show Zilla some of his favorite spots in VA. We brought them to our Gymboree class, the Botanical Gardens water park, our neighborhood beach. And just like that, it was over... Everyone left this morning and the house was sadly quiet once again. Well it was quiet up until 2:30p, which is when Bean fought with all his might to resist his nap. Mommy won this battle though. We both needed it.
Now we're unwinding from our travels and visitors. MrE is jumping into his first week on the new ship. He has been leaving and returning home while the sun is out. He has made it home for dinner every night. Better than that, he has made it home in time to see Bean before bed. So far, life is better... However, it is only week one. So we're still crossing our fingers. And toes. And everything else. Tomorrow is our first appt with the new doctor's office. Hopefully this goes better than the last Dr, or mid-wife I should say. This weekend we are just lying low.
Let me start off by first apologizing. This post will be neither eloquent or detailed as far as the writing goes. Even though our travels just happened, life has been busy and my pregnant brain just cannot keep up. Keeping a journal would have been a great idea, but again I default to the pregnesia... Didn't even cross my mind before I left. Besides, chasing around 11 month old doesn't leave much time for writing. Now on to our recap... Our travels started May 7th with a quick stop in Omaha for one of my closest friend's weddings. It was so good to see her and meet Mike. We also got to see the country's best zoo. It was amazing. Bean is a big fan of the gorillas and smaller cats. It was a quick 4 days, but a lot of fun!