sweet morning

This was my morning.

Beach Life

  Another great day at the beach, well evening.  We didn't even get to Sandbridge  till after 7pm but that was due mostly to Clay being at work (we tried to go to his softball game but the other team didn't show up) dinner, and the temperature was 96* most of the day!  It was a "cool" 84* while we played in the sand.  The guys fished, Stan caught a skate (picture is on Clay's camera though). Rose and I traded off on Elliot duty and sandcastle building with Gabrielle.  When we first got there I sat in the sand and nursed Elliot, watched Gabrielle use her spade (what she calls her shovel with a long handle), the sun was starting to set, I looked out at the ocean and surfers.... what a rough life!  I did think my eyes were playing tricks on me and that the sand kept moving- no it was crabs with REALLY good camouflage! We got such a late start there that some little girl didn't go to sleep till 10pm! She was happy and singing (kumbaya one of her new favorites),  hoping she isn't too tired tomorrow!

water and milk

This week has been filled with many things, but the day at the water was my favorite.  The day started out with us parking at the end of Atlantic Ave and walking the boardwalk, it was a hot day and Friday afternoon so it was busy.  There was some big concert planned for the weekend plus lots of booths getting set up.  We walked and showed the visiting grandparents what vacation in VA Beach is about.  We stopped in a museum about birds, went out on the pier, put our feet in the Atlantic Ocean (first time for Stan and Rose).  Our walk concluded with lunch at the Waterman Grill, the same place we had my delicious birthday dinner!  That evening we got the idea of having a picnic dinner.... one stop at KFC and a drive through First Landing State Park looking for a good spot (we didn't really want to eat in the woods, even if the park was pretty) we found ourselves back on Atlantic Ave, the residential end.  We took a little path over the dunes and were on a GORGEOUS beach that was mostly empty! The sand proved too much of a temptation for Gabby, she didn't eat. Then her and Clayton went to check out the water.  It was a progression from just putting their feet in to a stark naked G running and splashing in the waves!  It was an absolute wonderful evening, warm but not hot and relaxing.

Milk seems to be my enemy this week!  I have tried to give it up, and I guess it is going okay.  Elliot seems to be having a little less gas and tummy pains.  I miss it, I just want a glass of it some  days.   My milk is giving me issues too!  I went to bed last night feeling a little sore. I woke up today after Clay left for work and had a major case of the chills!  I snuggled under the blanket (which hasn't even been on the bed really for 2 months) and was still cold.  The thermometer said 100.7 and I had a major body ache and more tenderness in the milk producers.  Right away I knew what it was. I called the Dr and got an appointment.  The grandparents came over and watched Gabby while I went to my appointment.  Diagnosis: mastitis. So now I have a 10 day supply of antibiotics and feel like I have the flu.  Ugh!  Ibuprofen is the only thing allowing me to function!  And now to leave you with a picture of Elliot, how we see him some days-  crying!

E at 3 wks

I am realizing by uploading my pictures that I need to take more of Elliot... otherwise he will end up with that "second child syndrome" (half the pictures, etc).  I guess it is because every time we go out and do something he is usually sleeping in the stroller! Not a bad thing, I like it when he sleeps when we are out, though he doesn't seem to do it when it is just me with both kids!  So, Elliot is growing by pounds it seems like!  All of a sudden he just seems heavier and bigger and much more alert! He loves to eat. Has MAJOR gas issues, I am trying to see what I can do to help out in that area... right now I am attempting to cut out dairy from my diet to see if that helps him. More pictures to come, I promise!

Two of a kind

Clayton and Gabrielle are a wonderful pair.  They are more alike than I realize sometimes, and sometimes so much alike they clash (both want to have the power).  It is so fun to see them in action together, and puts a smile on my face that mirrors the smiles on their faces.  Since Elliot is pretty much attached to me these days (due to the whole maker of milk thing I have going) Clay and Gabby are together frequently.  Just a few pictures of the two smarty pants in action. Yes, I think Gabrielle is going to take after her father in the snide comment area, but her intelligence and brain for remembering random facts also comes from him too! * the pictures come from our visit to the Hunt Club Petting Farm (they both have a major love for animals) and a HOT day at the Pungo Strawberry Festival

G

Besides being a new big sister, Gabby is loving being a Grandpa's girl! The two of them have so much fun together, they play on the balcony even when it is raining out.  They take their daily walks to the store, share some 7-up, read lots of stories, stretch like cats in the morning and talk.  My dad has told me a few times how constant Gabby talks! Yes, I know she is GABBY!  One day this past week we tried to go to the beach, it ended up being too hot (92*) and way too windy (the sand is no fun in the wind).  While we were there it was fun, Grandpa and Gabby walked in the Atlantic Ocean and she wasn't afraid at all, but it was cold!  I got a quiet day at home with just me and Elliot while Clay, Grandpa and Gabby ventured to the beach again.  Clay fished, and caught his first fish here- make that 6 little ones that he used to catch 6 "big" ones.  He also got bit by one of them.  Gabby and Grandpa walked the beach and played in the water.  I lounged at home in a quiet house!  

   We have been trying to show my dad some of Virginia Beach.  We took him to one of our favorite parks, Mt Trashmore on Mother's Day and had fun flying the kite and playing on the toys.  We went back one day and walked the almost 2 mile loop around the park and lake.  Norfolk Zoo was our destination on Thursday.  Besides the million class field trips there with us it was fun.  Elliot slept the entire time!  This weekend we are dealing with rain storms and thunder, so will be sticking close to inside.

2 weeks

Elliot is now two weeks old.  We had his two week check up yesterday, at our civilian Dr (who is a wee little man and wears cowboy boots).  Elliot gained back his birth weight- plus two ounces! Yes that means he is one ounce shy of 9 lbs.  We have a good little eater on our hands, it couldn't have anything to do with him wanting to eat EVERY hour and a half for three days straight!  Sleeping is good some days, other days not so much.  He really is a pretty good sleeper, not too much fussing and crying.  Clay and I do call him our little dinosaur due to the sound effects he makes when he is half asleep in his bassinet.  Still have the umbilical cord stump, ready for that to come off!  Elliot is pretty spoiled with all the attention and kisses he gets between Clayton, Grandpa, Big Sister Gabrielle, and I.   We are finally starting to see him more alert, with his eyes wide open.  I swear he looks like a different kid with his eyes open!  I have been looking back at pictures of Gabby as a newborn and I must say they look very much alike!  Side by side a few pictures you can get the two of them confused.