Greetings Blogger. Just wanted to let you know that we are leaving tomorrow for Vero Beach Florida. Huge thanks to Pat and Leo (III) for the trip! I can't wait for Beau to see the ocean and feel the sand in his toes...and diaper. I also can't wait because for once Leo will have someone/something to entertain him while I can catch some peaceful rays. Usually he's all: "I'm hot. Can you put more sunscreen on my back? Let's go in and make sandwiches. I'm sweaty. Will you get in the water with me? I can't take it anymore. Can I read your Cosmo?"

Check back next week for all the goods.

I love my husband!!

He may not be winning any "best tan" awards, and yes, he does blow his nose loudly and often, and gives me lectures when I don't brush my teeth for a full three minutes...but I love that man. Today is our second anniversary!

These are a few of my favorite photos of us over the years.This was taken on my 21st birthday. Easter 2001 I believe. Leo looks like a baby. This was on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic 2006New Years 2007
Daytona 2007 with Eric and Lindsay. I was preggs with Beau.

Two years ago today Leo and I got married. In all, we have been together going on 8 years. We met Leo's freshman year at Ga Tech through some friends and have basically been inseparable since. (well, maybe INSEPARABLE is not the word...) I conned him into working for me that summer as a lifeguard. And even though the sun is the sworn arch-enemy of my now husband he did it... for love. hehe.

Tradition says that on the second wedding anniversary a couple gives each other cotton... so I'm thinking I'm going to let Leo wash that huge basket of Beau's dirty clothes and diapers...hehe.

I love you Leo. More and more everyday. Here's to a hundred more years.

I WIN

Its official...I have the cutest baby ever. No hard feelings, please.

We miss you Daddy! (He's in West Palm again on business) Hope these made you smile. Love you Doodie.

Proof

Proof that I am WAY funnier than Leo.

Three things:

Three things you need to know about me crucial to this story...Things I am not proud of, but they are part of the sometimes psycho, irrational, uptight, anxious gal I am. Take me or leave me.

1. I am claustrophobic and get EXTREMELY anxious in places where I don't have personal space and feel like I can get out if I need to.

2. I don't like strangers touching me...like brushing up against me or bumping into me. It goes back to the personal space thing...plus I'm a bit of a germaphobe.

3. I have an irrational fear of things that live in the water. Period. Frog, fish, seahorse... I don't discriminate.

That being said...

We went to the Georgia Aquarium on Saturday... along with everyone else south of the Mason-Dixon. Leo, Beau and I went with Granddad Leo, Grandma Pat, and Uncle Ben who were visiting from Charlotte. It was so crowded my anxiety level was already through the roof. If you got remotely close to the glass to see something the crowd would swarm in and you couldn't get out. I elbowed my fair share of children in the head (not just for the heck of it) because they get right up underneath you. If there is one thing I dislike worse than being trapped in a crowd of strangers...its being trapped in a crowd of strange children. So I pretty much enjoyed (err..looked at) everything from afar. If I could see it, super, if not...well I avoided the mob. Then we entered the tunnel where you basically walk under the giant tank filled with HUGE sea life.

*Tunnel with no visible way out: check (note: I don't do well with REGULAR tunnels...much less ones that are made of glass holding millions of gallons of water and slimy things)

*Smashed in from all directions by strangers like a tourist sausage: check

*Surrounded by freakishly large fish and other creatures that give me the willies: check

Heather is well on her way to meltdown.

All I could think was the glass breaking and no, not being physically hurt, but having one of those fish THINGS brush up against me. And having the snotty nosed, sticky fingered, screaming kid next to me grabbing my arm in one hand and my hair in the other in order not to be swept away... I know, I know. Judge me. Luckily...it didn't break, and I somehow didn't either. I actually think I held it together well considering the trauma that was going on in my head.

Beau and Dad on the other hand thoroughly enjoyed the day. Beau liked looking at the new sights and colors and Leo had no problem getting him up to the front. Here are a the FEW pictures I got.

Ok...this thing was as big as I am.Beau and Ben and icky jelly fish

Video Drama

This is why I can't post any videos...

I'm trying to get Beau eating and doing his caveman grunts because it is so funny. But then, Leo morphs into this low budget game-show-host and feels he has to give a play-by-play for everything. All my attempts at videos seem to meet this same fate. I had to nip this sweet potato monologue in the bud.





I know I've already put up some crab pictures but I just love these. Plus, we live at the pool now...so these are the only pictures I've been taking. I promise we will start to do more exciting things...for the good of the BLOG!



A couple others...this one he is sitting by himself!

Just your average day...

Not much overly exciting or blog worthy has really happened this week. Again, we were fatherless because Leo was in Seattle. But I (ahem, WE) survived...and I have to say I'm pretty darn proud of myself. Beau and I are regular fixtures at the pool. He used to hate it, but I bought him this crab float and he can't get enough...hey, and I can work on my tan. Especially since my body has not seen those sweet UV rays in over a year (um...I was well on my way on my 65 lb weight gain program...it was for the greater good).

Speaking of weight gain... He'll be five months old on Tuesday. Chunky as ever. He now laughs spontaneously and it just cracks me up seeing what he thinks is funny. Usually its the dog, but one time he did it when he saw Lori...I told her she shouldn't take it the wrong way that he only does that when he sees the dog...But that's neither here nor there...One of my favorite things is in the morning when he wakes up he just starts talking in his crib. I'll lay and listen to him for 20 minutes on the monitor. I imagine he is saying good morning to all the things in his room, ordering room service, and going through the day's to-do list. He has loved everything that we have put in his mouth, or attempted to put in his mouth, as he is not the neatest eater... and I am so excited to say he is no longer nursing and for the first time in 14 months there is not another human being relying on my body for his own nourishment. If I want sushi I can have sushi and if I want a beer (or three), sweet Mary, I can have a beer (or four)! Loved it, but love saying goodbye too...



Beau and his wheels...
The famous crab. Aside from the fact that I almost passed out blowing it up, its my new favorite thing. Also I look really cool with a huge crab in the back of my car.



I took these after he had his dinner one night. Happy Baby.

M O N T R E A T

We just got home yesterday and Leo was off to Seattle this evening...so I am exhausted. My day consisted of unloading all the crap I took (which was WAY too much), putting it away, washing clothes, and getting Beau readjusted. On top of that Beau is cutting teeth... Why does it seem I'm more stressed after my vacation than before? Aren't you supposed to come home refreshed and relaxed?

Anyway, had a great time in Montreat. The first time I went I was about six months old, so it was special for me to take Beau at about that same age. We went shopping in Black Mountain, went on lots and lots of walks, made our first trip to a playground, saw our first parade, and I even actually got to read a book. Not to mention visits to the Dairy King (yes, I said King) and getting Leo to play Taboo (everytime he flips a card he goes "Oooo").

Well, I took a million and three pictures but I told Leo most of them might as well have been in our garage because they are just pictures of Beau...but that's ok. That's all anyone cares about anyway, right?

So here are my favorites from the week...

On one of our MANY walks. It is exhausting carrying a hefty bundle up and down a mountain a couple times a day. My hiney apples were sore.



Dad's new hat
Mom and Beau on the slide.
In the creek.

Learning how to rock-hop like a champ.

He loved the swings.


We are both wearing our Montreat shirts if you can't tell...

All this walking is hard work.

Forth of July Parade. Beau loved it. Especially the trucks and dogs.
The dam at Lake Susan
Lake Susan.
Assembly Inn

Beau in his OTHER Montreat shirt...I'm a little obsessed. This is in our front yard.
Beau and Lo.