Life's A Beach

March 14-21, 2009

Our big vacation this year was in Sea Grove Beach Florida which is right outside of Destin.  We rented a beach house with the Vicinanzo Family from Birmingham Alabama.  Mike worked with Matt in Alabama and we became close friends with them over our two years there.  The Vicinanzo family consists of 5 children...yup you heard me right I said 5!  Their four youngest came on the trip with ages ranging from  8 weeks to 8 years old, they are probably the best behaved group you will ever meet.  Liam loved the chaos of the house and the constant entertainment they provided.  

Our vacation was exciting to say the least.  The first few days the weather was rainy but we made the best of it spending time at the pool and just relaxing.  Then the plague set in...I am not kidding!  Erin was the first to get sick with flu like symptoms, then their daughter Riley got it, then Mike, and finally Matt.  Liam and I really lucked out and stayed healthy along with Gracie and Brodie.  There was a lot of pooping and puking going on and a whole lot of cleaning. It was a complete mess but we survived and made the best of the time we had left.

The house we rented had a swimming pool which we used everyday.  Liam loved it!

The beach was just a short walk from the house.  Mike, Liam, and I (and usually a Vicinanzo kid or two) went for a walk on the beach every morning, it was so peaceful.  Then every afternoon we would take Liam down to the beach before his nap.  He was not so fond of the beach though.  He hated the sand and would scream anytime it touched him...

He really like just sitting on the blanket playing with his stacking cups. 

and would even practice his crawling...AS long as he did not touch the sand!

We had a great time!  I really wish that we had a few more days to make up for the sick time but all vacation must come to an end.  I love this last picture but for some reason I can't get the darn thing to turn so just turn your head a bit... :)

Motivation in Pacifiers!

March 11, 2009

As you can tell from my previous posts I am worried about Liam and some of his developmental milestones, one of which is pulling up.  Everyday I go into his room after a nap and the little guy is just laying in his crib happy as a clam.  I have never found him sitting up let alone standing.  So today was really the same as any other day, there he was laying on his tummy looking over the bumper at all his pacifiers that he had thrown onto the floor.  Yesterday I started to line them up on the rail of his crib to get him interested in standing with no luck...but today we were lucky!!!!

He looked up at those tempting pacifiers and pulled himself up to his knees (he was laying on his belly) he then seemed satisfied because he could now reach the little buggers.  I needed to run downstairs to get some wipes and this was how I found him!

I cheered so loud and then I started to cry!  I am so happy to finally see some progress,  I can't wait for him to do it again.  After some pictures, and hugs and kisses we called Daddy at work to share the good news.   What an exciting day!  

Who would of guessed that the pacifiers would help him to succeed!

Meijer Garden Butterfly Exhibit

March 7, 2009

Today was a rainy day so we headed to the butterfly exhibit at Meijer Garden.  I was not sure that Liam would be into it or not but overall he enjoyed himself.  He spent most of his time walking around like a big boy, holding onto my finger or pants of course!

The butterflies were beautiful, the colors were amazing.  They were buzzing around everywhere.

One of Liam's new tricks is giving hugs and kisses.  Whenever we tried to get a picture of Liam and I together he would give me a big sloppy kiss.

It was really funny, these pics aren't the most flattering of me but they really captured the moment.

One Year Check Up

March 5, 2009

Today Mike and I headed to see Dr. Kort for Liam's one year appointment and because the poor guy has been sick since Monday.  He started to run a fever on Monday night and it just seems to be sticking around.  He is miserable!  Dr. Kort said that rosiolla is going around so it might be that otherwise if he still has a fever on Monday we go back for lab work and a straight cath to rule out a urinary tract infection (sounds like a blast).  I am praying that he gets better soon.

He weighs 19lbs 12oz, and he is 30 inches long.  This checkup was a great time for me to discuss some concerns I was having about Liam meeting his developmental milestones.   Mike thinks that it was ridiculous and I worry too much but who better to ask than the pediatrician, right?  For example, when he is down on the floor rolling around he never puts himself into a sitting position, but if you sit him up he will sit there until he decides to lay down.   He does not crawl in a traditional manner but army crawls on his forearms, and he does not pull himself up yet.  I told her that it seems like his arm strength is just not there, she tested him and said that he is definitely not the strongest kid ever but not to be concerned and that he was on his own plan.  She also said that if we do not see improvement over the next three months we would investigate further but she thought he was doing fine.  It is just so hard to watch all the other kids in playgroup that are younger than him crawling and even walking already.  I guess I just need to accept that some things are out of my control.  

Besides those worries, Liam is doing great.  He cruises the furniture like a pro moving from room to room and problem solving how to do it without letting go :).  He is super social waving hi and bye to everyone, raising his arms up for so big, washing his hair with his hands when asked, clapping in his own little way,  giving hugs and kisses when asked, and generally just a really happy guy.  We make friends everywhere we go, his smile is contagious!  

Happy Birthday Liam!!!

February 28, 2009

Today Liam turned one!  Can you believe it?  This year has flown by...Liam's birth, the big move to Michigan, Mike's new job....but we made it and it was time for a celebration.  I really had a hard time deciding exactly what to do for his birthday party.  All of our family is in Chicago so originally I thought of having a big bash there but after some research I decided (with some help from Mary Rahman) that something more intimate here in Michigan would be best. Afterwards I am glad that was what I decided, it was perfect.

I started off by decorating the house the night before after Liam went to bed.  This will be a yearly tradition, a friend of mine said that is what they do and I thought it sounded like fun.  So when Liam woke up on his birthday I took him out to show him all the decorations.  He LOVED everything especially the balloons.  He was in paradise.

I made a cake for his party, it was my first try so I had some backups just in case.  The Elmo head turned out great...cakes galore.  Can you ever have too many birthday cakes?

My parents came from Chicago and Mike's dad came from Arizona for the party.  We also had 2 of Liam's little friends from play group along with their families.  It was a great group.  Here is Charlie with his party hat on....oh and the dogs too!

We had a great meal of Chicago style beef sandwiches, corn casserole, homemade potato salad and more.  Hmmm, it was so good.

We opened gifts which was pure chaos.  A lot of family and friends sent gifts from Chicago and beyond so we had quite the chore ahead of us or should I say me because Liam was not really into opening the gifts.  

Then it was off to the best part, of course, the cake!!!  Liam had his own little smash cake.  At first he was not into it and just picked at the frosting. 

 I almost took it away but left it on his tray while I cut cake for everyone else and that was when the party started!  That boy definitely has my sweet tooth!  He had cake everywhere!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

One Year Ago...

February 28, 2009

As a little girl I always dreamed of being a mother, one year ago today that dream came true and it has far exceeded my expectations.  Liam is a miracle and a blessing that I don't know how we lived without.  

He is my sunshine in the morning, everyday is new and exciting.  Just when you think you know how things go he changes it up a bit, for better and worse.  He can make me smile even at my grumpiest of times, and makes us laugh so hard that we both have side cramps and tears streaming from our eyes. 

Liam has changed our lives forever, who knew how much you could love one little guy.  I see so much of Mike in him...his looks, his charm, and of course his undying love for me!  It has been so exciting this past year to watch him change and grow into a one year old and I am excited to see what the upcoming year will bring.  I still remind myself daily to cherish every moment, good and bad, because I know the time will fly by.  I love you Liam!

Let the Birthday Festivities Begin!

February 26, 2009

So the big day is approaching fast...Liam is turning one!  We are starting to celebrate a little early with our Thursday infant playgroup.  I have made such great friends here in Michigan in such a short amount of time and can't believe how lucky we are.  Liam has some great little friends too...

After I had some play time with the other kids, Mr. Sleepy Head woke up and made an appearance at his own party and we had some cake!  Hmm, I made it and it was yummy!