8/23-25/10--The Beach and Lauren's Announcement

This week marks 14 months for Lauren!

Sometimes after Dada gets off of work, we'll go out to the beach to play in the sand and surf.  On this day, we saw Duane!  He was out surfing with some friends.  He even showed me how to surf.  Or at least "try" to surf. It was fun though and I'd definitely try again.

Lauren LOVES the beach.  Salt water and silty sand that sticks to you? No problem for LEB!

Sunset from the back porch of Schooner's.

Eric and I had a morning date together at the golf course while Lauren stayed with Miss Heather.  Miss Heather is Lauren's new Nanny.  She started working with us last week (when I moved KK in to her dorm room) and we are taking it slow and trying to get to know her.  So far, I LOVE what I'm seeing.  Heather has a very sweet personality and came with rave reviews from her past Nanny Families.  And most importantly, Lauren seems comfortable with her and appears to be her same happy self.  Why would a SAHM need a Nanny, you may be asking?   Well, I've decided to look for a part-time job and get back to work but still be able to see and play with my Lauren for the majority of the week.  Kinda the best of both worlds.  Heather will come to the house 2-3 days/week while I interview and search for jobs and then continue part time after I start a position.

These are pictures from this week of Lauren's first play date with Bailey and Duncan and their nannies.  All 3 toddlers are within 4 months of each other in age and it looked like they had a fun time.  The plan is for all three to rotate houses and to start Library time and Kindermusik together.

"Hi, Bailey!" 16 months

Duncan, 18 months

Heather reported that Lauren's favorite toy was the play kitchen and grill.  So cute!

TV time-out

"Hugs before we go.  See you at Library time, Bailey!"

1st Library time.  I tagged along to enjoy watching the kids and was so pleased with how nice and organized the 20 minute program was!  Lots of singing with hand motions and interactions with adults, story time and then more singing and dancing.  Lauren loved it!!!  There were probably 20 kids there and they all sat down next to their mom or nanny...except Lauren.  She was not interested in sitting beside me or Miss Heather but rather wanted to walk around and check on all the other kids.  She never touched anybody else, but would just walk up to them and either smile, nod her head or clap.  Busy body, for sure!  Her favorite part was dancing and singing.  She even checked out 4 library books to take home.  Bailey and Duncan were there and I'm so glad Lauren is going to be doing this once a week.

Later that week, Grandaddy came for a visit.  Lauren didn't really want to let him go when we told her to "tell Grandaddy bye-bye".  She just kept laying her head on this shoulder and patting his arm.  So, so, so sweet.  My heart melts...again.

Lauren: self portrait

We'll see you next week when we return from our trip to Birmingham for Evan Ticola's 3rd birthday party!

Scalloping at Cape San Blas and Aunt Kay's BID Day

Guess where I'm going today?  I'm going with my mommy, dada, Grandma, Pa, Uncle Gabe, Aunt Stacie, Austin, Isaac, Ethan, Lucas and PaPaw Shockley to Cape San Blas!  We are going to stay there for 2 nights and go out on Dada's boat to look for scallops!  My mommy says that it's so pretty there...like Old Florida, whatever that means.  But I'm 

excited!

Having a fun time hanging out with Ethan and Daddy

Ethan, 4 years

Isaac, after a dozen chocolate chip cookies and his first missing tooth!

"How old is Lauren?"

"Oh, wow.  What are these things?  They're so neat!"

Lucas, 2 years, with is Mommy

Daddy is a master scallop-finder!  

On Saturday afternoon, Mommy left Lauren and Dada to drive to Tallahassee to meet Gigi and Aunt Kay.  We've had a hotel reservation for months in preparation for BID day and the day before classes start.  That night we met up with Gigi's college roommate and her son and daughter (both students at FSU).  Kendall, Kathy's daughter, is also a freshman and going through Rush with Kaitlin.  Crazy timing for these 1970's KD sisters.

BID day...eating Mexican comfort food and waiting for the afternoon.   We dropped Kaitlin off at Freshman Convocation and went shopping.  Our plan was to go shopping and then back to campus to watch all the "reveals" and were confident that we wouldn't be the only parents present.  Or at least we were hopeful not to embarrass Kaitlin! We almost didn't make it back in time...the whole thing was running ahead of schedule!  Kaitlin was waiting her turn and texting us "where are you?"  We were trying to find a parking space...you can imagine how crowded the center of campus was on the day before the 1st day of class!  We got out of the car, hear all of these squeals coming from different girls in all directions and start looking for Kaitlin.  She sees us right after she finds out that she got her 1st choice: Kappa Delta!  She yells "Mama!" and runs up to us in her green and white KD t-shirt!

I barely had time to get my camera ready for the big moment!  I think it was a huge relief that Rush Week was officially over and a decision had been made followed by the perfect reveal...

GGR & KHP...the mama-daughter twin duo are now sisters!  :-)

Kaitlin (front row center) and her PC '10

(and just a note: we were definitely NOT the only parents present and blended in nicely!  The only problem was that some people thought I was Kaitlin's mom and Gigi was my mom...ha!  We know better.  We're both her moms!  ha.  jk...)

August 15-21, 2010--KK moves to FSU; Marley and Mallory come for a visit

Monday August 16th was a HUGE day for us...Kaitlin moved to Tallahassee!  Although it was a day full of emotions and tears were involved, we were all so excited and happy for our Kaitlin.  She is about to experience the best part of her life by living on campus, becoming active with different groups and involved in a sorority and I can hardly contain my pride and excitement for her!!!  She is going to do so well and I know she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. 

It was so very hot that day.  Poor Kenny!  We couldn't have moved her without Kenny and his dolly!  :-)

"Oh, little bit..."

We started moving in at 10:30am but she had to be ready to leave her dorm by early afternoon to walk to The Union to start Rush Week!  So, mama and I brought take-out Mexican food for her to eat before she left. 

The Mama and her baby

The best way to say "Good-bye"?  Just don't say anything at all.  Yep, that's us girls and the way we do things.  After KK left, Mama and I stayed and organized and cleaned until 7:30.  It should be fun for her to figure out where we put everything!  We didn't decorate too much since her roommate wouldn't move in for another 2 days but we had fun organizing after our 2 trips to Target.  

Only a sister's love would bring me to doing this.  I've done a lot of disgusting things, but cleaning a dorm room bathroom from ceiling to floor (literally) is probably right up there on my Most Disgusting List.  

Kaitlin shares a room with a roommate and a bathroom and study area with 2 other suite-mates.  Each girl has their own desk in the study area.  

We started with a blank, sterile slate and made it homey. 

Lauren stayed behind at home so that she wouldn't be too bored in Tallahassee all day.  

Dada sent this picture to me via text to say "good-night".  I missed my baby a lot that day.  Probably because I was thinking about what it would be like to move her into a dorm room 17 years from now...

The next day, Marley and Moxie came for a visit with Aunt Nan.  Lauren loves Moxie and just played and played and played.  We're so glad Marley could drop by before she headed back to LSU for her senior year.  Have I mentioned how much I love Marley Gail Godfrey?  Yeah, I do.  She seriously has so much talent and charm...I don't think she really understands just how far she is capable of going.  Can't wait to see what she does with her life and English degree!  Yay, Marley!  Geaux Tigers!  

Later that afternoon, Aunt Tami and Mallory came for a visit while they were shopping for Mallory's dorm room!  Mallory was on a states-bound mission trip the entire summer as a Centrikid Camp Counselor!  She was gone for almost 3 months then came home long enough to get ready to move to Birmingham to start Samford University!  How exciting!
We ate dinner at Olive Garden and learned a little bit about Samford.  She is really looking forward to starting this new phase in her life (maybe not her mama though!) and we could really tell that she will definitely be an asset to her new school.  Very curious as to what Miss Parish will do with her future and life!  Can't wait to watch her grow and continue to develop into the person she's meant to be!
So, three of my favorite girls all getting a fresh start to Fall 2010.  I'm very proud that I'm their "older" cousin/sister and love talking about all of them even if they make me feel very old and a "has been".  Ha!

Caribbean Cruise August 7-14, 2010

Lauren's next adventure...cruise the Caribbean! 

August 7-14, 2010

Carnival Liberty

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas--St. Thomas--San Juan, Puerto Rico--Grand Turk

Daddy, Mommy, Lauren, Aunt Kay and Allison!  

We planned a summer vacation during the 1st week of school while Eric's office would be closed and enjoyed the entire week together!  Besides the goal of a family vacation, it was also my plan to have one last hoorah before going back to work.  Problem: cruise date came but no job is lined up!  I'm in the process of looking for that perfect part-time ARNP position that will give me a chance to enjoy my career AND my baby and husband at the same time.  We'll see what happens!  

This was also a celebratory trip for Kaitlin and Allison!  When we returned from our trip, they had only 1-1/2 days to get ready to move to Tallahassee to start FSU and Rush Week (for KK) and Cheerleader practice (for Allison).  

So, with lots to celebrate and be happy about, we all set out for 7 days of pure sweet quality time together...and once again, Lauren was just along for the ride. :-)

Lauren was such a great traveler!  We left PC at 7:30am with bunny in tow and she went down for a 45 minute nap after our stop in Orlando.

When we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale, it was time for a wardrobe change to get ready to board the ship!  We took the Carnival Transportation bus to Miami...Lauren was definitely tired of being confined at this point and was ready to get down and roam on her own.  Everything went really well with our air and ground travel except that Eric's hanging clothes were left in PC at the airport.  No pants, suits or shoes.

"Getting excited! Let the picture-taking commence!"

After our VIP check-in (it was slightly awesome!!) bypassing the long lines, we made it to our room.

We booked a bigger room for us since we would have Lauren.  Balcony with 3 chairs, King Bed, sitting area, changing closet (AKA Lauren's bedroom of darkness and quiet) and a full bath with tub.

The Nannies' room

Our first night at dinner.

 

"You mean that I get a piece of chocolate every night on my pillow.  And I get to eat it?  Yeah, this is going to be awesome!"

Morning of Day 2.  Waiting for our turn to board the boat tender to the island.  

Day 2: Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.  This was an island owned by Carnival and the water and sand were beautiful!  We played a lot in the warm water and sand.  Lauren took a nap later in the afternoon when Eric took her for a stroll in Big Buggy.  What's in the big back-pack?  Our snorkeling gear! 

Walking on the beach.

Our baby is a natural when it comes to beaches. 

On one end, there was a kiddie area with 2 slides.  We had fun going down the slides with Lauren.  She loves anything like this.  No fear whatsoever.

"Aunt Kay, it is such a pretty day!  I love the Bahamas!"

The Daddy and his girl

Enjoying fruit at the island's buffet

Good bye, Bahamas. View of the island from our balcony

Night 2 before dinner

I was really surprised that there wasn't much for Lauren to eat at dinner.  This, cuppled with the fact that LEB can't sit still for a 2 hour dinner, made us realize that we were going to have to split up for the remaining nights.  "Anytime Dining" came in handy at this point.  So, Eric and I would take LEB to the buffet while Kaitlin and Allison ate in the dining room.  Then we would switch and let the girls get Lauren to bed while Eric and I ate in the dining room and then went out on the ship for a little while.  Then we would switch again and the girls would stay out all...night...long.  :-)

Lauren loved the towel animals!

Day 3: Day at Sea and ready for the pool!

"Yep, I'm definitely ready!"

Having fun at lunch

Mommy went to the Spa during naptime then we all met up again.  It was heavenly...

Lauren's playground.  I was super nervous about having a balcony, but once I realized that it was completely safe (no spindles, open areas) I was much more at ease.

Playing in the kiddie pool on the top deck

Can't you tell Lauren is having a blast?

Playing and pictures!  What more could LEB ask for?

Formal Night.  Eric's suits were back at the PC airport and he didn't want to rent a tuxedo on the ship, so it was just us girls who dressed for dinner.  Lauren looked so cute!

Happy Sailor Baby!

Aunt Kay and Reny

"Yeah, she's my little sister..."

It's someone's 20th birthday!  Happy Birthday, Allison!

Having a tub was so nice.  It would have been hard to bath her in a shower for 7 nights!

"Yay, Allison!  Happy Birthday!  Party in my room!"

Eric and I came back from being out on the boat and found the nannies slackin' after LEB went to sleep.  :-)

Day 4: Good morning, St. Thomas USVI! 

Snorkeling gear all packed and we're ready to hit the road!

Lauren shopping

We rented a Jeep for the day and beach-hopped up until it was time to board the ship again.  This was by far my most favorite day of the entire trip!  We had cell phone service and used our I-Phones as a map.  It was great!

Getting ready to go swimming.  One last swig...

Megen's Bay.  So beautiful and calm.  Warm water, beautiful skies and nice people. 

We stayed here for almost 2 hours swimming, playing and eating pizza for lunch. 

I have wanted to do this for a long time now...paddle board!  Kaitlin and Allison went first.  They saw a sea turtle close to the surface.

And we went while the girls played with LEB.  It was so relaxing (for me...not so much for tall Eric).  I loved it!

"Hey, guys!  Where are we going next?!!"

Diaper change and swim suit change after a dirty diaper.  "this...is...soooo...embarrassing!"

Such a sweet baby.  You can barely see her top 2 teeth coming in.

We stopped at picked up fresh, homemade milkshakes at a nearby dairy.

Absolutely beautiful scenery

Next stop: Tutu Beach

More snorkeling and swimming

And our 3rd beach was Sapphire Beach.

The loves of my life...

Daddy-Daughter moment looking out over the water at St. John

Back on the boat and watching St. Thomas as went pulled away.  Definitely a place we'd like to return for a visit.

Naked baby on the loose!  Seeing these pictures makes me wish I had put a pair of shoes on this child.

Her walking is improving so much!  I think it's safe to say, too, that she has her "sea legs".

We were on the 7th floor.  Lauren climbed 5 stories continuously, without stopping, while Eric followed her.  She is one tough, energetic little baby!

On the Balcony Before Dinner

"Aunt Kay, what's in your purse?  I'm going to plunder, okay?!"

"Quack, quack!"

Lauren's sleeping quarters

Day 5: San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Kaitlin and Allison decided to have a morning at the spa followed by a taxi ride to a local beach while we 3 went on a VERY long tour of El Yunque Rainforest.  Sweet Lauren and bunny took a nap during the 1-1/2 hour ride to the rainforest.

Walking around the welcome center.

Classic Lauren stance right now: Belly out, butt out, one or both hands up.  Remind you of anyone?  Must be a Tricia gene passed down!

LAURA MOORE: if you're reading this, this is the exact spot where we received your text message saying "It's a girl!"  We were so excited to have phone service so we could receive your exciting news!

"Dada, let's go that way."

El Yunque...I'm ready to go back to the ship.  You've driven me crazy with all of this riding...

"I guess I'll just go back to sleep."

"Good bye, San Juan"

Day 6: We spent the morning playing in the kiddie pool and then off the ship to Grand Turk!

We rented a car again and went to 2 beaches.  There wasn't a defined map or road system, so we had no idea where we were except surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Ready to take on the water!

Calm, warm, clear water.  Perfect for LEB.

At this particular beach, we never saw another person, boat or car.  Very cool (but I have to admit, Kaitlin and I were a little afraid).

We had a delicious lunch at The Bohio Resort

Taking it easy

13 month old feet in the sand

Scuba KK and Awison

Chillaxin'

There were free roaming donkey's, long-horned cows, and horses.

Night 6 on the balcony

The Liberty had a big screen TV outside by the pool.  At night, they played movies.

Day 7: last day.  Lauren was people watching while she ate breakfast

Ready for the pool!

At lunch, she cheered for everybody that walked out of the dining room.

"Dada, I'm going to miss all of this pretty blue water..."

Build-a-Bear.  We made a St. Jude bear.  Lauren didn't understand why she had to put the guardian angel and wish-upon-a-star in the bear.  Definitely didn't want to. 

Last night for dinner...pictures of course.

48 hours after this photo, my little sister became a resident of Tallahassee and a student at FSU!

Good sleeping...

Sunrise from our balcony in Miami

As Kenny would say, "Eric became the pack mule."

"Hey, Aunt Kay!  I'm back here!"

This trip definitely lived up to all of our expectations (except the toddler food crisis. I never would have seen that coming) and I think we would all 4 say that we had a blast all week.  Lots of memories and good times for the memory book, for sure!