Anne's Birthday and Vake's Baptism- the two part post!

So we all "got down" for Anne Monroe's birthday, which was the night before Vake's baptism. Here's Eric partying like it is 1979. Please note that my very patient husband totally rocked the purple ruffled tuxedo shirt with his tux.
Here's the birthday girl with Dennis, who was wearing the peach version of Eric's purple shirt.

What good sports! And please note E's gold chain- the sad part is this is one of my fave necklaces that I wear to court ALL. THE. TIME.

I was channeling old school Halston, but my baby just wants to be a hippie!!!

Here we are- the happy 70s family!

Anne's Birthday and Vake's Baptism- the two part post!

Here's to my amazing sister, Anne Monroe, M.D.

Anne, I am so proud of you. You are so accomplished- how many people are able to achieve what you have achieved, both professionally and personally. And, as if that's not enough, you are just an amazing person- I am so lucky to have you as a sister- you remind me so often of what we are all actually striving for and reaching for in this world. Thanks. I think you are the bomb.com.

What a happy day we had on Sunday- we celebrated Anne's birthday on Saturday night and little Vake was baptized at Grace and Holy Trinity on Sunday. In these pictures, you might be wondering why he's not wearing the baptismal gown. Suffice it to say that it needs a little repair after Grandmary and Mommy attempted to stuff a very large baby into a very small dress.

V was a star. If he could walk, he would have sashayed his way down the center aisle. He didn't cry, didn't fuss and was generally cheerful about the whole process. It's not very good of me but I was SO proud when so many people told me what a gorgeous baby he is...

Here he is with Uncle Neil.

And livin' it up with Aunt Martha...

We were very fortunate to have Uncle Brook and Left Bank Granny Sue come in from Seattle- and how nice that they got a good dose of Richmond sunshine!

Here he is with Aunt Andrea- I didn't manage to get organized and get a pic with Wills, which is a total bummer- oh well...

And unfortunately, my pumpkin who was such a trooper started to get totally tuckered out- so he and I did not get a good picture together- this is about it....

But a certain someone still managed to pull it together for Grandmary...

Anne, thanks again for sharing your special day with us! We love you!

Duck Duck Baby

I think my little V could be the biggest ham I've EVER seen.

Duck, duck, BABY!!!!

Not Very Crabby!

So while we were at the beach, we spent a good part of a day at the Aquarium (the site of the mosquito attacks...) and as you came in, they (like a lot of other touristy places) take your picture for a souvenir pic that you can select as you leave.

We went through the aquarium and were leaving and I remembered that they had taken a family snap of us- it was ok of Eric and me but SO great of Vake. And as we were flipping through the options, the photo booth guy made this one for us. Who's not immediately sold?

Souvenir 8x10: $15.00
Watching your son smile his way through the first year of life: priceless

Little Boy's Best Friend

Look at these two buddies- Stilly is so sweet with V- she definitely likes being around him, even when there's no food in the offing.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig!

We had a most excellent adventure at the beach. It took us awhile to get on the road on Wednesday, but eventually we got the car packed up and headed out of town about 1:00pm. We took the "scenic" route through North Carolina. The "scenic" route includes a trip to Target to get the items forgotten at the house in the hurry to get out of town and then factors in heading through the slums of Goldsboro, which put the slums of Richmond to shame...

We arrived at our hotel- we were lucky- we didn't get rain- Thursday and Friday were a bit overcast but we used that time to go to the aquarium- I have an awesome picture of little V as a hermit crab that I just need to scan so I can post.

V was pretty fascinated by the fish swimming around.

Here we are posing with the frog. So E and I were trying to be all "super good parents" and there was a nature trail that started right next to where this frog was. We were on it for about 9 minutes before we were attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. Angry mad rebel mosquitoes who smelled the blood of a Yankee (Eric) and attacked the entire family.

Here we are pre-mosquito swarm.

What, you think you are going to eat me for lunch?

My little Octopus with the Octopi. You know what they say, "Forewarned is forearmed. And forearmed is half an octopus."

By Saturday, the sun was shining and V and I spent some time in the pool- the water was c-o-l-d...
And someone got so tired that he took a little snoozerooni, despite the fact that he was exercising his right to be a nap refusnik.


After swimming and napping on Saturday, we took a trip to Fort Macon, which was briefly held by Confederate forces during the Civil War, although you'd never guess that from the displays. Vake was in an AWESOME mood and flirting indiscriminately with all the confederate reenactors.


This was Eric's favorite part of Fort Macon, I think.

By the time we headed home, everyone was very tired- but we had an awesome vacay!

And we're off!

The Martins are taking a long-awaited vacation starting tomorrow- so today's really Friday. We are headed out to the beach.

If E tries to use his blackberry, it will likely be thrown into the Atlantic.

Seven Months at Jacques Penne!

SuperT took Vake to the Jacques Penne yesterday while Eric and I went to Chuck and Julie's wedding (big congrats C&J and what a nice party...)

I've resisted the naked shots for awhile now, unless of course Vake is in a bathtub with his cousin Domingo and the appropriate accoutrements. But Tarenitup had no such reservations.

Oh hello there, I am feeling a little shy because I am NAKED.

So NOW I've got clothes on again...

But it is MORE FUN to be naked.

A LOT more fun. (NB all the cute fat rolls and the cumulus cloud legs on this baby...)

This is my naked and contemplative pose.

I'm ready for my close up!

And now I am dressed again.

I LOVE the outfit Grandmary made for me.

Oh hello there. Didn't know you were behind me.

I'll do a pushup for you. I am super strong as WELL as being super cheerful.

Super Cute! 3 Pecking Ducks...

My friend from growing up, Elizabeth, has started her own business and I've got to spread the world. She appliques t-shirts, onesies, bibs and burp cloths. You've seen them on little Vake- see the post from yesterday.

Her prices are super reasonable and the amazing thing about her business is she will wrap and ship baby presents!!! A-MA-ZZZZING! And shirts are really good quality, 100% cotton.

Vake is sporting a 3t and it is a little big, but not too big, and he probably weighs 26-27 pounds now- I need to weigh him...

Here's the link to her blog where you can see all her cute designs.

www.3peckingducks.blogspot.com

Happy Sevenmonthiversary Vake and Happy Birthday Grandmary!

Could you be any happier, Vake?

Today Vake is seven months old!

Here are things that Vake likes and is doing at seven months:

• Eats cereal, fruit, veggies and rice;
  
• Wearing a Size 5 diaper;
• Sleeps from 7:00pm to about 7:30 am every night;
  
• Rolls from back to stomach & stomach to back;
• Laughs and SHRIEKS all the time;
  
• Very ticklish;
• Loves to pull my hair;
• Can get up on all fours and rock back and forth;
• Loves to snuggle;
• Recognizes favorite people and shrieks a greeting at them or raises little hands to be held;
  
• Cut 2 teeth on the bottom within 1 week of each other;
• Loves to take baths and drink the bathwater;
  
• Is jealous of little H when Taren's taking care of him;
  
• Drools less than before.
  

I mean, really, look at this million dollar smile. Could we be any luckier?

And guess who got to stay up past his bedtime last night to wish Grandmary a Happy Birthday? Here he is, helping with candles!

On the Road Again...

Vake took his first shoulder ride today- here he is trying to decide if Eric's hair is a delicious taste treat! We stopped on the drive back at the Newport News Welcome Center- we're getting ready for Sue and Brook's visit and Eric wanted to collect some brochures.

Vake also took a ride in a boat they had there.

Beach Bunny!

So sorry it has been such a long time since I have updated the blog- I had a huge motion last Tuesday that I WON totally unexpectedly- hip hip hurray- and I was playing catch up at work. But in happier news, little V, Eric and I went down to the Outer Banks courtesy of Aunt Liz and her family! It was SO nice to get away and little V was, as usual, such a trooper.

Andrea, one of Vake's godparents and the mother of my sweet godson, Wills, told me that the thing that makes the growing up of your baby easier is that EACH age becomes your favorite. I have to say I am a HUGE fan of Vake at almost seven months. He is happy and so friendly. He's "talkative" and loves to meet new people. I think I could be happy with six/seven months forever.

The pic above was as we were getting ready to go down to the pool/beach.

Vake liked the pool- the water was a little cold but he seemed to enjoy splashing around in it. I think it is a testament to how hard I am trying to please my readership that I did not destroy this extremely unflattering pic of my arm and back. Gross. Oh well. I will tell you that I am still training for the 1/2 marathon in Richmond in November- my goal is three hours fifteen minutes which I am REALLY hoping is achievable- I am still super slow, mostly because of pain...
Vake and Daddy went down to the ocean while I took it easy for a bit.


Then Vake and I hung out by the pool- the hat is a recent gift from Aunt Andrea who just got back from Woods Hole.

Vake was so good- he entertained himself by ripping the cover of a People magazine to shreds (you cannot convince me that he has not absorbed his father's disdain for celebrity gossip) and then played with his toys.


And when he got tired, he put his little head down for a nap...