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...

Superdad!

I know it sounds like I am a throwback to the 1950s when I say that Eric's a great dad for handling parenting tasks, but given how hard he's been working our situation is a little different.

So you can imagine how impressed I was when I got stuck at court today until 6:30 and he walked to Jennifer and Edward's to get Vake, brought him home and fed him all before I got home.

AND I WON MY MOTION! Yee-haw!