Milestone Week

This first week in South Carolina Christian "cut" both of his lower incisors and has become quite a good little eater. So far he has had pears, peaches, bananas, and sweet potatoes. He seems to really love them all.

Also, little man finally rolled over yesterday. He was doing pretty well moving around by the scooching method, but apparently decided he was ready for the next step. We could tell he was so proud of himself as he rolled back to front and then front to back. I am sure that soon enough he will be crawling, and that will open up a whole new world of adventure...and trouble. :o)

Just a Walk in the Park

Christian and I have been loving spending time outdoors during the day while Steve is at work. We also have been able to take evening walks before Christian's bedtime. It's so refreshing to actually have places to walk (at least until the heat and humidity are in full force.) There are a couple of beautiful lakes/ponds within walking distance of the TLF, so we have been enjoying Spring at Shaw. Some of the trees are flowering and there is new growth each day. Here are a few pics from our walk on Wednesday.

Memorial Lake

Happy boy!

Wordless Wednesday *My Matchy-Matchy Boys*

Our Future Home

We are officially under contract for a beautiful home in Sumter, South Carolina. We are absolutely thrilled to have found such a nice home in a safe, family-friendly neighborhood. Unfortunately we will not be able to close until April 30, which means even more time living out of the TLFs at Shaw and a hotel off base (we will be switching back and forth based on availability--fun.) The TLF's here are quite lacking compared to Edwards' and it has been interesting with a baby...especially since they only have one bedroom and Christian sleeps in the "living" area (the bedroom isn't even big enough for a pack n' play.) This weekend, Steve's parents will be bringing Phoenix, so that will also be another challenge to add to the mix. BUT it will be all worth it once we move into our new place. We have extra rooms, so PLEASE visit. :)

Moving Part II...A Sweet Reunion

We made the first part of our move across the country from Edwards AFB (California) to Shaw AFB (South Carolina) in December with a 3 month "pit stop" in Colorado. Steve left in January for 9 weeks of trainings at Hurlburt Field in Florida while Christian and I stayed behind with family. Fortunately, we were able to meet in Orlando for a long weekend in the middle of Steve's trainings. Now we are FINALLY together again! Whoo hoo!

The journey from Colorado to South Carolina went really well. My mom, Christian, and I traveled for 3 days and made good time except for when we had to make a detour of a detour...but that only cost us an hour. The drive for Christian wasn't as easy as it was from CA to CO (because he didn't sleep nearly as much) but overall he was a really good boy and we were able to entertain him with toys.

We arrived on Wednesday afternoon and began to look at homes that Steve had previously viewed. These past few days we have been house hunting almost non-stop and have been getting a better feel for the Shaw AFB and Sumter area.

It has been so nice to be together and to see Steve with Christian. We are really looking forward to being able to settle down and to get the chance to explore the east coast.

Christian is 6 Months

Wearing jammies from Grandma E. (Nana) that she bought before we knew if we were having a boy or girl.

Sweet baby boy has been busy busy! And is growing before our eyes!

I was able to take Christian to the pediatrician early for his 6 month checkup and vaccinations last Tuesday the 8th, which was nice so that we wouldn't have to scramble once we arrived in South Carolina. Christian weighed 17 lbs. 5.25 oz. which puts him in the 54th percentile for his age, was 25.75 inches long (33rd percentile,) and his head circumference was 43 cm (34th percentile.) He is a very happy and healthy little guy! He has made the switch to size 3 diapers and has been wearing size 6-12 and 9 month clothing for a few weeks now. It's amazing how as soon as we put him in a new outfit, it seems as though he has outgrown it by the next time he wears it (okay, I am exaggerating a little, but he outgrows his clothing SO fast!)

An Apple a Day

Christian loves this little apple toy from Grandma and Grandpa R.'s house. All of these fun "old" toys from the 80's are coming out of their dusty boxes and getting a new life! Just this week my mom brought up my old play kitchen toys from the basement, and to Linden, they are the best thing ever!

Tomorrow, our journey to South Carolina begins (Steve arrived just yesterday.) We plan to stop the first night in Kansas City and will stay with my Uncle Norm and Aunt Phyllis. Please pray for a safe and maybe even fun travel. :)

Paint and Pizza

Some of Kaitlyn and Logan's finished creations

Today we had a little adventure at "Color Me Mine" with Grandma R., Aunt Kristi, and cousins Logan and Kaitlyn. We were all able to paint a little creation and enjoyed each other's company with pizza at "Mellow Mushroom" afterward. Such a fun day!

Grandma painting a special plate with all of her grandkids prints

Christian wasn't so sure about the cold, wet paint on his foot

Little Buddy

In the time that Christian and I have been in Colorado, Christian has become more and more interested in his cousin Linden. We are always excited to see her on Tuesdays and Thursdays (sometimes more often than that) and the two have become best buddies. We will definitely miss seeing that spunky, sweet little girl!

Just One of the Guys

Little C loves hanging out with the guys. Whether it be his Grandpa E. or Grandpa R., Uncle Ryan, Uncle Will, or Uncle Kevin. There is just something about the men- Christian loves to stare and be held by them. I think its because he misses his daddy.

Little man with the big man, Uncle Will.

Reading the newspaper with Grandpa E.

Tuesdays and Thursdays

On Tuesdays and Thursdays my mom watches my niece Linden. Here are a couple of snapshots of Tuesday and Thursday happenings taken back in January.

Pretending to sled...even though it took awhile for it to actually snow again.

Linden loves her books! I hope that Christian will have a love for reading as well.

Pears

Last Wednesday Christian began eating his first solid other than rice cereal or oatmeal. We decided on pears because he has been having a little bit of a hard time digesting his food lately, and pears are supposed to be a little easier on the tummy. He seems to like them, although he is learning how to purse his lips when he doesn't want to eat. He either gobbles up his food, or isn't interested at all. (Maybe its the pink spoon?)

Look at my sweet cubby cheeks! :)

Teething?

This past week Christian has been really into bringing ANYTHING to his mouth to "chew" on. He likes the ribbon that attaches his pacifier to his clothing, his toys, his jackets and shirts, mommy's hands, and table edges (yikes!)

When he is supposed to be winding down for bedtime and is lying on his back, he reaches up his hand and tries to put it in my mouth. I kiss his little hands and he then smiles wide and giggles. After that, its a little hard to get back down to business of going to bed.

Just today my SIL, Kim noticed that he has a little bump on his bottom gums, looks like we may have a tooth emerging after all!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

"Happy Birthday Daddy! I miss you and am excited to see you soon!"

Getting Ready for Move Part II

We are getting ready to make our 27 hour drive to South Carolina in 2 weeks! (My mom will be helping me drive out to SC.) Crazy how fast these (almost) 3 months have gone. It has been such a blessing to be home in Colorado while Steve has been at his trainings in Florida. Can't beat the comforts of home and being near family and friends. I am really thankful that our families have been so welcoming, and that Christian has had a chance to see both sets of grandparents, his aunts and uncles, and cousins often. We have certainly been spoiled here, and we will miss the privilege of seeing family everyday. We are really going to miss you all!

On the other hand, we are excited to be a family again...to actually be together. I know how excited Steve is to see us again and to stop living out of a hotel room. Poor guy...he has been away at trainings (Fort Bragg and Hurlburt Field) about 6 of the past 12 months. So it will definitely be nice to settle down...at least for a little while.

We haven't ever been to South Carolina so we are excited to see new places and meet new people. A fresh start and a new perspective. A little scary in some ways, but exciting all the same. A whole new adventure awaits us....