Fourth Of July and the days since....

First let me say how amazing my husband is in that for the second year in a row he made sure that I was in Moncks Corner for the 4th!!! He knows how much I love Moncks Corner festivities over that weekend and does what he can to work it out so I don't miss it, and this year was no disappointment! So here are some pictures from that weekend:


We got to see Amy, Mike and Walter! Unfortunately I have no pictures of Amy! :(


Cute picture of Walter and Wesley! :)


We played cards (spoons) while waiting for the fireworks. It's what we do, and I love it! Really, Craig sucks at that game! :) (I say that because he barely beat me, but he only won by stealing the spoons from my hand!)


Rita got a hold of my camera


Also I took funny pictures of Rita! :)

The next day Derek, Wesley, and I packed up to head to Norfolk. We stayed with Derek's past and future XO (not to be called XO in the future, but boss none the less)and his wife, Jessica. When we got there, there was a Gymboree box on the bed with a gift for our little man. 3 shirts, one pair of shorts, and what has quickly become Wesley's favorite new toy...his "lovey" "taggy" or "towel" whatever we feel like calling it on any given day.






Such a sweet boy!!! I LOVE HIM!

After we successfully found a house to rent when we move to Norfolk (Viginia Beach)

(more on that later)
We headed up to Chantilly to visit our long lost and much missed friends Jon and Jill and their wonderful kiddos (when Miles isn't kicking Wesley in the head! lol only kidding Jill) Kaitlyn and Miles.


Jill finally got to get her hands on Wesley! and I could barely pry them off! :)


I just think this picture is TOO sweet!


this one too!

We also made our regular trip to Chuck E. Cheese while we were there..."for the kids" or so said Jon and Derek...Mainly, the dads wanted to play! But regaurdless, Wesley got to ride the merry go round for the first time!!!


After a short stay with them we headed back to Moncks Corner as a rest stop on our way home. Wesley gave his grandaddy a snuggle for his birthday present.

Doesn't my daddy have beautiful eyes?! :)

And now here we are, back at home and resting before our next big trip, on Saturday! We're very excited to be flying out before dawn on Saturday to go visit with Derek's family for a little under a week! I'm looking forward to spending time with all of his family and extended family, and I can't wait to hear Gram sing her Tony Tiger song to little Wesley. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'll blog about that soon!

Also something I'm looking forward to...my second nephew is going to be born VERY soon!! See you soon little Nathan! :) And shortly after that, neice-y Iva comes!! I love family, and the fact that it's growing by leaps and bounds on all sides!

Bathtime Cutie

Penguins and Bumbos

Wesley's Uncle Roy gave him a toy penguin and we played with it for the first time yesterday. He LOVED it!





And today was his first time sitting in his bumbo seat. What a big boy!





Also, welcome to storytime with Wesley:

Welcome home Daddy!!

Wesley wearing Derek's outfit from when he was a baby.



Getting my laughs out now since I'll have to punish him one day for this...but for now it just makes me giggle.


Talking to the clothes in his closet


DADDY! (Please note the HUGE smile on my husband's face!)








We went to go pick up the car and it had a flat:

So we sat in the car and Derek held Wesley for the first time in 2 months in the deployed parking lot!

and they both loved it!


And daddy read him a book before bed


and he loved that too


There is no doubt that Wesley completely remembered his daddy's voice. Last night we sat on the couch, Wesley in my lap, Derek next to us. And every time that Derek would look at Wesley he would just laugh and talk and talk to him. It was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. I never doubted that Wesley would remember him. We made sure that he would with a cd of Derek reading "Tiny Bear's Bible" that I played for him often. But I never expected such a sweet response from Wesley. He missed his daddy and is SO glad that he's home again, to stay this time! (and so am I!)

You will not be missed...

Of course I'm not talking of anything but this submarine!



I can actually honestly say that I have enjoyed being a part of the Wyoming Gold Crew Wardroom Wives for the past almost 2 years. The women have been a huge part of my life and sometimes the only way that I could make it through each patrol.



But Wyoming, as good as you've been, you will not be missed. Because for the next 2+ years Derek and I will spend the most time together that we have EVER had, and I can't WAIT!



So here's a fond farewell to you SSBN 742, the USS Wyoming!

Believe it or not, Derek is somewhere in this picture with Wesley and I. He was driving the boat, I think, at least he was on the bridge anyhow. So here's the first picture of the 3 of us. Tomorrow we'll get one more up close with Daddy in there too!



(and here's a video that Kristy made with my camera)

2 month check up

Well, my baby is definitely getting BIG quick! Today we went to the dr. and he's up from 9lbs 10oz to 12lbs. and up from 21 inches to 24.5! Crazy, right?

2 months later

I know I know it's been too long since I've updated, sorry! :) But now I have a chance to do so, so here you go!

I've been saying for over a month now that Wesley seems to be advancing faster than most babies do, and a lot of people have laughed and replied "all mothers think that of their child" So now, I present you with PROOF that my son is quite advanced for his 2 month life!

http://www.babycenter.com/0_milestone-chart-1-to-6-months_1496585.bc This is a link to a milestone chart. Of the 3 things listed in the advanced 2 month section, he can do all 3, but the first 2, holding his head steady and bearing weight on his legs, he's been doing those things for WEEKS! That's my boy! And again, if you look in the 4 month mastered skills section...my little man does them all! Oh yeah, that's right, he's his daddy's boy and a true genius in the making!

Now for pictures! These are all from the last month, I don't know exactly when. Sorry I'm slack! But enjoy anyways!


Naptime on Gran's shoulder




My poor man got his first shot...sort of.


Pastor Hal love!


(rita don't be mad!) Aunt Rita love


Playing with his rattle from Gramps and Grandma


New Duds


Real naptime. How cute is he?!


Sweet baby


Playtime, talking to mommy!


Sweet Tennis shoes

That's all for now! more later!