Well, my days are numbered! On Monday I return to school and Will returns to the loving care of Aunt Lisa. I am greatly blessed to be able to spend the summer at home with William but boy is it hard to think of returning to work. I started my summer with a large to-do list. And I am ending it with a still large to-do list. Clearly keeping my blog up to date was not one of the things I crossed off! Ha!! am happy to say the one thing I did cross off my list was to enjoy my time with Will. He is growing and changing so fast. Every day holds something new and what a blessing it has been to be with him this summer and see it all.
Here are some highlights since my last post.
Kindermusik Class ... we took a 5 week music class with Miss Erinne. We danced, sang, played and made some new friends. Will and I both enjoyed it. Casey joined us for our last class.
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| Kindermusik Class |
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| Bubbles with Casey |
Pizza ... William had his first pizza this summer. Homemade by Mama, of course. Both Uncle John and Uncle Jamie said if it wasn't Cappy's it didn't count. Nonetheless, he thoroughly enjoyed it! Uncle Allen and Aunt Jen (Steve's best friends) were here when he had his first pizza and he is smiling at Allen in the picture.
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| First time eating pizza! |
Balloon Festival 2011 ... We took Will to the Balloon Festival in Middletown. He couldn't take his eyes off the balloons as they inflated and waved bye-bye to them as they took flight.
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| Balloon Festival 2011 |
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| Watching the balloons inflate |
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| Waving bye-bye to the balloons as they fly away |
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| Bye-bye balloons! |
Duck tub ... Will has graduated from the baby tub. He's not quite ready (or should I say Mom and Dad aren't quite ready) for the big tub. His duck tub was a hit! He loves to play and splash in his tub and likes to hear it quack.
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| The duck tub |
What a mess ... William loves to play in his bedroom. His favorite spot is right in front of his bookshelf. He pulls a book off, checks it out - even pretends to read some of them - and tosses it aside for another. He has favorites in his toy box but by far his favorite is the sock drawer. He waves his socks around and talks non-stop and quite loudly. If he stops talking it's because he has a sock in his mouth. Daddy can always tell when he comes home if we've been playing in his room!
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Playing in his room
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| Playing in his sock drawer |
Toys ... Will's favorite place in his playroom is right in front of his toy organizer, pulling out his favorites.
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| In front of his toy organizer |
Saying good-bye to Angel ... We lost Angel (who I called JuJu) suddenly at the end of July. Steve found her on the floor one morning unable to get up. I rushed her to the vet and she began to show improvement but that improvement quickly stalled. It was determined she had a large stroke and it had taken her eye sight and affected her balance significantly. Her balance improved and she came home to see how she would do. Her ability to walk continued to improve but not her sight. She was remarkable finding her way around and I was hopeful. Sadly the next day we found her having another massive stroke and suffering. By the time I reached the vet she was almost gone. Shortly after, she took her last breath. I was blessed to have that one final day at home with Angel. We had precious time together and said our good-byes. She is greatly missed not only by me but her siblings. Festus and BJ miss her and are still missing a little bounce in their steps. JuJu's ashes rest on our mantle with Gus and Brandy's.
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| Angel with Babe |
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| Grooming Festus |
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| Angel and Festus |
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| My JuJu Belle |
Upside down ... Will continues to desire to see the world upside down! The other night he was on his head and had both arms up in the air and one leg trying to touch daddy. I was amazed how well he balanced on one foot and a head! He even tried to stand on his head at the Aquarium. I guess he wanted to see what the fish looked like upside down too.
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| On his head ... again! |
Great big bear ... I had this huge teddy bear and decided I'd bring it out for Will. At first he was intimidated as you can imagine. He would get close but if bear moved towards him he would pull his arms and legs in tight. He eventually reached out to touch the bear but only with daddy close by. He would touch him and then turn for Steve. Now he kisses and hugs his bear and pulls him until it's right on top of him. They are the best of friends!
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| Talking to his bear |
First trip with Grammy and Pa ... without Mom and Dad! Will went for pizza with Grammy and Pa and some friends. He was the life of the party and they've already requested another outing. It was a little strange to be at home with Steve and not Will but I did well. And when they pulled back in and I ran out the door (literally) to get him!
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| First trip with Grammy and Pa |
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| What's going on Mom? |
Newport Aquarium ... Casey and Mom and I took Will to the Aquarium last week. He went in April also so it was neat for me to see his reactions this time and how they've changed. The Coral Reef was still a favorite but he was much more animated this time and pointed at everything. The penguins didn't interest him much last time and they were the hit of the day this time! The hit of the day for me was Denver, the Sea Turtle. He hid the whole time we were in the tunnels and I was sad not to see him. He was napping and I saw him from the observation deck. And then he woke up!! He came to the surface and looked right at me several times. I was like a kid at Christmas!
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| Coral Reef |
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| The BIG fish got TOO close! |
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| Will and Casey |
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| Will and Grandma |
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A shark came right up against the glass in the tunnel. I'm not sure if
Casey's face or Will's arms are the best part of the picture! |
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| I'm not touching that glass again!! |
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| Did you see that mom?! |
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| Eating puffs. |
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| Penguins! |
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| Will and Casey |
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| Mama Penguins watching the babies swim. |
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| Denver |
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Porter the Penguin - thanks Grandma!
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Hueston Woods ... Steve's birthday was the 12th. I surprised him with a weekend at Hueston Woods. We saw several nature shows (birds, cats, reptiles), Will got to pet and sit on a horse, we swam, we hiked a little, Steve fished (while Mom and Will slept), went to the beach and walked in the lake and took a quick trip to Miami University. We stopped at an orchard on the way home too. We had a wonderful time! Will liked the lake the best. He loved the sand on his feet and really loved walking in the water. He kicked and splashed and tried to pull us farther and farther in.
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| Waiting with Daddy to see the birds |
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| I have a question ... |
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| Red tailed hawk - Colonel |
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| Great horned owl - Carlos |
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| Enjoying the show! |
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| Naptime - and you can see Will was not napping! |
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Turtles
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| That's a REALLY big cat, Dad. (Outside watching the cougar) |
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| Cougar |
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| Bald Eagle - Baldie |
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| Carlos after a shower. |
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| Will on Harley |
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Will checking out Harley
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Waving at Molly
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| Petting Molly |
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| Swimming at the lodge |
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| Finally ready for a nap! |
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| Petting a milk snake |
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| Kisses for Daddy! |
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| Do you see that BIG snake, Dad? |
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| Petting a box turtle with Mama |
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| Walking by the lake |
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| Acton Lake |
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| Sunset on the lake |
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| View from the lodge |
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View from our cottage
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| View from our cottage |
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At the beach
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| Not sure about the sand... |
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| I like this stuff! |
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| Watching the seagulls |
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| Sandy toes! |
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| Walking and splashing. |
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| Family picture |
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| Hiking the trails (NOT easy with a stroller!!!) |
William has had numerous ear infections this summer. We saw an ENT last week and he will have tubes put in his ears on Sept. 6th. Dr. Adam put tubes in Emily's ears 25 years ago and did one of mom's sinus surgeries many years ago. We absolutely love him and Will did too. We ask you to keep Will in your prayers. We look forward to less ear infections and no more antibiotics soon!
William will be one in just two weeks. Time seems to pass so quickly these days. I strive to embrace every day and all that it holds. I count each passing day as a blessing and look forward to the ones ahead and all they bring.
I'll post pictures of his birthday, hopefully before Christmas!
Blessings to all,
Alisa
