Big News!

WE HAVE TEETH!!! Two of them as a matter of fact. Drake also now reaches for (AKA demands) his bottle, and holds it consistently. He also has decided that rolling is no big deal. I guess sitting up alone, and crawling are next. I cannot believe how big my sweet baby is.

I had a great time this past weekend with my college sorority sisters, and hope to get a blog up about that later. It was such a great weekend!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's day to Eric, my dad, Denny, and Boots! This is Eric's first Fathers day, and I think he's having a good one. For Mother's day last month, I got to choose the activities for the entire weekend. And we are doing the same for Father's day! Yesterday Eric slept until 11, and we went clothes shopping for him later in the afternoon. Last night I took him out to eat wings. You can understand how much my Buffalo boy enjoyed that, I'm sure. Today, I let him sleep again. He was up by 9, and gone by 10 for 18 holes of disc golf. It's another one of his favorite things! Tonight we are going to Pops in the Park, which is a summer event where the Charlotte symphony orchestra plays for free in the park. It's a lot of fun, if it's not too hot. We'll have to see about that one.

We are doing sleep training with Drake, so I am DEAD tired. No more nursing him in the middle of the night, just using the binkie and soothing him back to sleep. I've shouldered most of the work this weekend, since I'm off and it's Eric's special weekend. I'm looking forward to tonight, when I shift some of the work back to Eric. I'm in desperate need of some rest. I feel like I did the first month of Drake's life. But this sleep training will all be worth it when he consistently sleeps from 8pm to 7am. That's my goal! And maybe one day, it'll even get stretched out to 8am. The last two mornings I've given in by 6:30 and nursed him. I really want to make it to 7am tomorrow! This kid has GOT to quit waking up at 5am.

Drake's two bottom teeth are still right below the gum. They are so sharp, and he no longer gets to naw on mommys fingers. I'll be sure to post when they finally pop through!

Beach Trip!

The most adorable face in the world.

My brother and I with our kiddos
Drake laughing on the beach
In the ocean
Break out the sunglasses!

Eric and I with my brother Davy, SIL Bridget, and the sleeping babies.

Out cold. Do you not just love the tutu bathing suit?
Drake loves his daddy.
"Hey Eric- We thought you were watching the kids?"
Drake wanted to hold hands--so sweet.

Eric and I went out for a date night at Joe's crab shack! It was very tasty.

This is what happens when Drake is left with grandpa. He put EVERY toy possible on the bumbo play tray. He was trying to ensure there would be no crying or fussing.
In a coma on the beach. I love these little sun shirts kids wear. Drake's in SPF 50, which is fabulous.
Drake and Daddy on the beach. My men sure are cute.

Drake was not interested in looking at the camera.

Kisses from mommy

Drake and gammy
Drake and grandpa
This is my new solar veil ring sling by Taylor Made. It's mesh, so it's perfect for swimming. It's also a high spf! Drake loves it! For any of you other baby wearers out there, I highly recommend it.
Mom, Dad, and Eric putting up the tent.

We've had a wonderful time at the beach. I think Drake enjoyed it too, although he seemed to sleep alot of the time on the beach away. Must've been the soothing sound of ocean waves. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Drake decided that the beach was a lovely place to perfect his roll. He rolls from front to back, and back to front. We also introduced a sippy cup, with nothing in it. I'm letting him get used to that and a spoon since he'll be using both soon. I was shocked and sorta sad when he immediately took the cup and put it in his mouth. How does he know how to do that??? He is such a big boy. In other big news, he has two teeth that are RIGHT below the surface. It hurts when he grabs my fingers and puts them in his mouth. No more chewing on mommy as a teether.

Packing

I've always considered myself to be a good packer. I certainly should be, as much as I've traveled. But this having a baby stuff has really thrown me off kilter. I bought a HUGE new suitcase, and I still can't fit all of mine and Drake's stuff in it. Close, but no dice. I still need to fit some toys, bottles, and disposable diapers. I fit all of his real diapers, but I want to take some sposies to the beach to test. I need to take sposies and formula to Punta Cana in July, in case they won't wash my dipes, and in case my milk isn't enough. We are testing the formula at the beach later this week as well. I'm just going to mix it with some breastmilk and let him have a couple of bottles to try. I want to make sure that (a) he'll drink it, and (b) his tummy tolerates it. I sure hope so! I'm worried about being in the Dominican Republic and not having something we need, so this week on vacation is our "test" week. I'll be taking tons of photos and video, and hopefully will get some posted. I'm taking my computer to aid in this lofty goal. If nothing else, at least I'll get them edited and ready to post.

Seattle

Eric is leaving us today:-( Drake and I are sad, but when he gets home we are going on VACATION. He's headed to Seattle for the national sleep conference, and will get to stay with our good friend Carmen while he's there. He flies in next Wednesday morning on the red eye, and after he gets home and repacks we are headed out. First we have to go to Florence to drop the dogs off, then we are headed to the beach. I am so excited to have some beach time and introduce Drake to the beach! I have a busy weekend since I'm on call tomorrow, and then work Sun-Mon-Tues. Hopefully I won't have to work much tomorrow, b/c I have a bridal shower to attend, plus I need to start packing. I've got lots to get done while my hubbie is out of town. It will all be worth it when I'm playing at the beach!

Ugh...

Ungrateful and rude people really piss me off. Especially the ones who pretend to be so mannerly and proper. It wouldn't be all that painful to say thank you and mean it. Or to be respectful and fair. Okay, rant over........

Starting solid food

No, Drake is not on solids. I sure do get that question a lot. He's not on solids because he doesn't need them. I have lots of allergies, and was fortunate to outgrow all of my food allergies. But when I was first tortured with allergy testing in the 5th grade, I was allergic to EVERYTHING. No, I'm not exaggerating. Ask my parents. It was ridiculous. So, I'm very particular about waiting to at least six months before Drake gets solids. And that's just one reason. There are plenty more. But that's the main one for us. I'm copying an article from the associated content that has more info. If reposting it educates just one other mother, then my job here is done. And, maybe I'll quit being asked all the time about feeding Drake solids. It gets old.