I was there too!

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a million and three times. "Oh my gosh, he looks JUST LIKE LEO." Or "That baby is all his daddy." And yes, Beau does look A LOT like Leo. But friends, I was there too...and I am committed to proving that I contributed to the awesome cuteness that is my son. Please consider the following evidence:

Heather circa 1981
Exhibit A

Gotta love the early 80's. Yes I'm in a completely dangerous walker with no breaks and lots of sharp metal pieces. But Beau look-a-like? Yes?

Exhibit B

Please excuse my Georgia T shirt. Being married to a Tech grad and former Tech football player, publicly posting a picture of myself in a bulldog T shirt I am treading dangerous waters. But I think Beau looks like me. (Isn't my mom a hot tamale?)

So I posted it.

So there.

Go Jackets.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, thank you for considering the evidence I have provided you with. I've pled my case. And even though Beau IS a Leo mini-me, maybe a teensy weensy bit of his cuteness came from his mom. At least his chunky thighs.

Afternoon Chats

Beau and I were discussing the economy, healthcare and global warming. Oh, and what he thought of the new season of "The Hills".

Uh Oh...

Look what I found floating around YouTube. Yep, that's my Hercules husband squatting 575 lbs at a weightlifting meet. He has another one coming up in the next couple weeks...will keep ya'll updated.

ps. Watch for the trip at the end.

Rub A Dub Dub

Inspired by Michael Phelps, Beau decides to hit the water. He doesn't like to talk about it, but he is currently the US record holder in the 1 meter bathtub.

Beau V. Carrots. The Rematch.

It may look like I just plopped the container of carrots on Beau's tray and let him go to town. Nope. I was feeding him. Beau has gotten to where he likes to be...lets say..."more involved" in mealtime. I carefully guide the spoon to his mouth, and in the meantime he swats the spoon, grabs the spoon, blows bubbles on the spoon, smears around what's dripped, chews on his fingers and proceeds to spread fruit and veggies to his hair, behind his ears and in his neck folds. He gets his table manners from his daddy I guess.

We had an impromptu nude photo shoot today in our bedroom....hehe. Many of them are similar, but I love them all so I wanted to share them. I didn't even pose him...I plopped him on the bed and he turned all baby model on me. In the ones he is not looking at the camera he is all wrapped up in the Olympics on the TV. As I have been for the past week. Seriously, its almost ridiculous how many hours I have logged cheering for USA. Ah, gotta love the Games. Enjoy.

Happy 1/2 Beau!

A look back:

February 8th...my due date. No sign of labor. For two weeks now I had been 2cm dilated so I was certain it would be any minute. February 9th, 10th, 11th... nothing. I was doing everything in my power to get my water to break. I walked more that last week than I had my entire pregnancy... ok thats a bad example...but I walked A LOT those last few days. I even tried the eggplant parmesan at Scalinis. (If you click on their site you can see the "Eggplant Parmigiana Babies"). Finally my doctors decided to induce me on the 14th. Valentines Day. He warned me being induced was like running a marathon...I had no idea...

We went in at 6:30 am and I was hooked up to every machine possible by 7:00 am. Not to mention sporting the latest in hospital couture (backless was "in" for spring...). Pitocin and other various liquids pumping through my veins. I spent the day chatting with visitors and watching bad daytime TV. Every hour or so the nurse came in and cranked up the IV. I finally decided to get my epidural around 8pm. I was terrified of that needle, but wow, it was worth it. (Especially because in the end I would have had to have one anyway...) I reached 10 cm around midnight, but Beau hadn't dropped enough in my pelvis to start pushing. They patted my head and told me to try and rest. HA. Granted, the epidural takes away the pain...but the pressure was so intense. Plus I was SO hungry. I had had a bowl of oatmeal at 5:30 that morning but nothing but ice since. I rolled around in the bed for the next three hours. 3am. Pushing. Exhausted. Delirious. Starving. Beau actually ended up being face up which makes everything much more difficult. So the nurse has me switching positions pushing...trying to get him to turn. Three hours later they decide it wasn't going to happen and they prep me for surgery. Ugh. 24 hours of labor for NOTHING. My C-section went fine...although I don't really remember it. I remember my vision being blurry because I was so tired. I remember staring at the OR lights because they had a colorful haze around them. I remember my doctor showing Leo my intestines and bladder (because at this point Leo has left my side and is basically hovering over my open abdomen like a science project) and thinking "hmmm...thanks guys...don't worry about me...ya'll just play all you want...I'll just be laying right here when you decide you need me." I remember hearing Beau cry the first time...and everything else disappeared. 6:53 am February 15th, my life changed.

Here we are. A half of a year later.

2/15 : 8 lbs 7 oz, 21 inches

8/15: 18 lbs 9 oz, 26 3/4 inches (official stats per our doctor appointment this morning)

Beau is nothing short of a miracle. He has been so healthy and has reached and surpassed all developmental milestones. His personality is so laid back and he charms the ladies everywhere we go. Sometimes I get annoyed because so many people talk to us, especially if I'm running late (which, since having Beau, is a regular day...) I have to smile and remember to count my blessings. I have had him on an eating/sleeping schedule since the day he was born...and I'm not saying this is RIGHT way (I believe different methods work for different mothers/babies...) It's just something that has worked for us. He has slept through the night since he was six weeks old. He smiles and laughs all the time, he is always playing and trying to perfect new skills. I'm convinced our next baby is going to be a terror because Beau is SO good. Leo and I often joke that it is because we are such awesome parents that Beau is the way he is...but I'm sure its just his nature...and the Grace of God...

Ok...I'm getting a little weepy looking back on the last half of a year...

I'm looking forward to all the amazing things to come and can't wait to share them with you.

February 2008

August 2008

I took these in his room today

Episode 2

Last Saturday we got up and make the trek from Vero Beach to West Palm Beach. Beau was excited to meet all his family from Florida. I was excited because at Aunt Peg's the beer always flows, the food is always amazing, and we always have a great time.

Beau and his (great) Aunt Kathy.
James and Dublin
Aunt Kathy, Beau and the Crab
Devin, Beau, and Kathy's hiney.
One of my favorite pictures ever. We just needed Leo III, Ben and Brent. Even Peg snuck in there.

Nanny drove over one day and hit the beach with us.

It was so good to see everybody and we can't wait when EVERYONE is together for Chris and Amy's wedding!