Blackberries aren't food...

Xander stayed home from daycare today. He is in the final stages of recovering from a cold. He wasn't feeling good on Saturday or Sunday, but is much better today.

I worked from home for much of the day to look after him. He slept a lot today so it was pretty easy, but was up and playful for a little while. Once he woke up I stopped working on my presentation, it is hard to hold the boy and type at the same time, and made a few phone calls. Xander thought my phone was very interesting. After finishing one of my calls, he took the phone from me and promptly put it in his mouth. I exclaimed, "Xander, blackberries aren't food...". Yes, sometimes modern technology makes me feel stupid.

-Jake

Blitz and the Grevious Wound

My dog Blitz sometimes isn't the smartest dog around.

Xander and Blitz and I headed out for an 18 mile run on Saturday morning. The day was lovely, not too hot, and we decided to try a new route. I didn't really know where I was headed, but I had 18 miles to figure it out. We had a wonderful run and finished up in the late morning.

After getting home I sat down to stretch a little and noticed a strange spot on Blitz's chest. Was that a leaf or some dirt? No, it was a giant gash on his chest. So, off to the vet.




The vet said, "When did this happen?" I replied, "I'm not sure, we just came back from a three hour run." The vet exclaimed, "He has been running for the last three hours! This looks like it must have happened at the beginning of your run, it has already dried out." I have no idea how it happened, but apparently Blitz had no qualms about running nearly 18 miles with a big gash in his chest.

So, 3 hours and 6 stitches later, Blitz came back home, still chipper as can be. He is on restricted activity for a little while, no running. It has only been a few days and he hasn't gone berzerk yet, hopefully it won't be too hard on him.

Crazy dog.

-Jake

8 blessed hours

We all slept for 8 hours last night. Yes, 8 hours. In a row. Without waking up once. We slept soundly and woke up when the sun came in the window. It was, in short, amazing.

Xander goes to the antique tractor show!

Xander got a real treat today- he headed to the antique tractor show with the DeBacker family who have restored and own several tractors, and who also take care of him 3 days a week.

He clearly had a great time!

Xander's first solid food

8/24/09 Baby Oatmeal...I think he liked it!

And Mom and Dad sure liked sleeping for 5 1/2 hours straight afterwards!

Congratulations Xander!

Summer Vacation - part 3

To top off our vacation we flew to DC to help celebrate the birthday of Jake's mother, Jennifer Addington. Jen turns 60 this year and did ask rather pointedly for us to visit her for her birthday.... luckily we already had it planned, and a surprise party to boot! The visit was short, but very fun, and the party was a complete success. ~Happy Birthday Jen! ~


If we didn't already know it, Xander told us this weekend... I'm ready for food! He did appear a little more at ease at the casual dining restaurant though... perhaps no escargot for the boy quite yet.

Summer Vacation - Part 2

We were able to spend four and a half days in Hilton head with Erin's family. In that time we swam, ate, played video games, swam and ate some more, and took both walks and runs on the beach. It was wonderful, but of course, it flew by. We did make sure to get lots of pictures.

Newlyweds!  Jess and Shane Orr

              

Wier Family: Jason, Meg, Nate and Morgan                 Kaufaman Family: George, Kate, McKenzie and Ella

5 and a half year old Nathan is part Fish, part Ham, and 100% fun!

Play time in the pool with Grandparents Kathy and Charles. Miss McKenzie is a pink cuddle-fish!

Walks on the beach allowed for some quiet time to catch up

Morgan and Xander, only 2 weeks apart, acting like brothers.

Erin and Xander having a wonderful time together.

   

Summer Vacation - Part 1

We headed off on vacation Wednesday last week. Xander travels very well and we had a good flight to Charlotte through Knoxville. We ate in Knoxville and Xander was very interested in lunch. This kid is so ready to start solid foods.




We stayed the evening in Charlotte with Erin's parents and the next morning had a nice visit with her grandparents. Here's a shot of Jackie Xaver, Kathy McParland, Erin McParland Lewis, and Xander.


That afternoon we left for Southport, NC to visit my father. This was Xander's first chance to meet his grandfather and grandmother, and they had a great time together. We stayed with dad for two full days and spent time playing and helping him with a few things around the house.


On Sunday morning we got up early and drove to Hilton Head, SC to meet back up with the McParland clan for a week at the beach. We of course wanted to get pictures of the three new babies, Xander, Morgan, and Ella. It turns out that it is very challenging to get pictures of three babies, all happy, at the same time.

It has been a suprisingly relaxing vacation, with three infants, a 2 year old, and a 5 year old. I think it has been very effective birth control for newly wed Shane and Jess Orr.

The whole family headed out for an evening sailing trip on Monday. We were on a beautiful 62' schooner, a replica of the first US Coast Guard Revenue Cutters. We had a relaxing sail around Hilton Head and enjoyed seeing dolphins and a lovely sunset. Xander seemed to enjoy himself on the boat, haning out with his cousin Morgan and the rest of the family.



Xander has also been enjoying his first beach experience. We have had lots of fun playing in the surf, and although it can be a little surprising at times, he seems to really enjoy it.


We are looking forward to the rest of the week here in Hilton Head, and a visit to my mom this weekend. Stay tuned for more updates!

-Jake