I spy a plump little boy with a grin enough to catch a fish for breakfast who giggles whenever I tell him how much his grandma's love him. This is how it goes......(in high pitched, annoying, mommy voice)..."Brooks, Brooooo-oooooks....do you know who loves you soooooooooooo(getting higher and higher) much?????? Do you know who loves you sooooooo-ooooo much? (Then as I come up to his chins to gobble on them I say) Your grAndma's (really high voice) do! Both of them. They love you sooooooooooooo-ooooooo much! And then he gives me this response:
Priceless.
I also spy spiders. Ewww. Supposedly Halloween on the Bluff is something not to be missed. As I walked up and down the Bluff (Bluff drive on Isle of Hope) a few weeks ago I noticed creepy things and ghosts lurking in every corner and it had just barely turned October! Well now that Halloween is truly upon us the goblins have really come out to play. Halloween isn't a joke around here and I can imagine the candy selection will match the house decor and therefore will be over the top. Unfortunately (but fortunately because we'll be hitting the mountains with dear friends) we'll be missing the festivities this year but we will be bringing out the "clown" that I birthed 5 months ago. That's right - Brooks will be entertaining us all weekend in his colorful clown attire which doubles as pajamas -how perfect is that! I only wish we would be stuffing his plastic pumpkin full of goodies so I could help him devour his stash.
Let's see how alert you are this morning. How many spiders do you spy lurking around this house on the bluff? Answer below. Don't cheat.
Happy Halloween y'all. I count 14 including the huge spider on the tree and 2 that you only see about half the body. I wouldn't mind being infested with spiders if I had this porch to merrily gaze over the marsh everyday. Would you?
True story. Brad walked in the door from an afternoon run just as my grocery shopping companion, aka the 5 month old, and I were putting away the groceries and starting a new recipe - some sort of shrimp pasta thing. Brad picked up the little guy and went into our dark living room to...well, "live."
Me to Brad (from the kitchen as the shrimp was simmering): Your son is a kleptomaniac.
Brad to me (from the living room where he and Brooks were living): Why is our son a f*%$ing maniac?
*Note: he didn't say the real dirty word, he was truly saying "f-ing" but either version sounded quite silly coming out of his fairly clean mouth.
Me (with a raised eyebrow): Because he tried to steal a candy bar in Publix. Hes a kleptomaniac.
Brad to me (walking into the kitchen to clear this up): Why are you saying that?
Me: Saying what? That Brooks is a kleptomaniac?
Brad (with a look that signified that he figured out what I was really saying but was still quite perplexed that a 5 month old could have sticky fingers in a store): Oh, I could have sworn you were calling him an something else.
Me with a giggle: Some days are worse than others but he is never that bad! Anyway, as I go to get Brooks out of the baby bjourn and into the car after our grocery shopping trip I noticed a candy bar in his hand. He grabbed a candy bar I guess as I was paying and walked (or was carried) right out the door with the thing.
Father Brad: Well, that's the 2nd time then. (Reminding me of the first episode last week when we strolled him out of a local outdoor store with a shiny key chain hidden under his elbow).
Not to worry....I returned the candy bar immediately and in turn brought a smile to many a disgruntled grocery store employee and I plan to return the keychain as soon as I am downtown tomorrow. Seriously though....what do you do when your not-walking, not-talking baby sneakily grabs any item in his sight and stuffs it into his pocket only to be found later by his innocent mama? Which reminds me of a similar story when I was growing up and one of my siblings (or it could have possibly been me...my memory fails me when it points to my own faults) decided to "play" with the plastic eggs that were a part of the Easter display at the local Bealls store in Brandon, Florida. I just remember getting home and having to explain to mother dear why there were plastic colored eggs in our pockets. "We wanted them," we exclaimed. Ooops. Kids do the darndest things!
Needless to say, the little guy is getting his hands on everything (hence the picture in yesterday's post) and he is awed by the tiniest shiny object or reflecting surface. I know this seems obvious but it still is odd to me that each day I could love him more than the day before. Just when I think my heart can feel no more love - the next day comes and I walk in the nursery to the most oval, joyful little smile and my heart grows just a little more. I think I am going to like 5 months. He is truly fascinated by everything. The best entertainment is his curiosity regarding Amos. He follows Amos as he runs his morning laps in the yard and he just smiles and giggles at him the whole time as if in his own way he is cheering him on. I am convinced they talk to each other and share the same sentiments about their crazy mom and dad. Oh, my heart is bursting just writing about him. I am so grateful, too, that this move has truly allowed me to live in the moment and soak up every minute with the little guy. I am praying that prayer again that I once mentioned...."to not miss it." Thank you, God, for allowing me to be in the moment each day and enjoy each giggle, smile, and curious gaze. Now if only I could stop him from stealing.....
We've had a pretty perfect weekend here in SouthEast Georgia. I am delighted to report this because I think both Brad and I were a little anxious about our first full weekend in our new city. We both have agreed that much of our reasoning behind this move was the ability to truly prioritize our family of 3. We knew there would be little distractions and we would almost be forced to get to know each other again and to develop the characteristics of our family that we often dream about. Ironically, the first few weeks here have done just the opposite than planned mostly because we have traveled so much and have yet to actually spend time here with no agenda. So, I was a little anxious to see how this whole weekend would play out and if our "reason behind the move" would actually cause us to sit still a little. Well, we didn't sit still but we have certainly done everything together. Brad, I know, was feeling a little anxiety because he felt like he had to have the perfect restaurant and the perfect babysitter along with the perfect weather for our first weekend here in order to get even a half smile out of me. Well, folks, I am smiling big right now...I am not as tough as he thinks. Friday night we went to celebrate Brooks' 5th month with a margarita and some cheese dip. I have quiet a fixation for Mexican food or anything close - tex mex, taco bell...whatever....I love some chips and salsa! Brooks behaved nicely on his birthday and we enjoyed checking out our neighborhood Mexican spot. True, it is no Taqueria and there are really no similarities but it is a mile from our house and we can find out anything about the neighborhood that we would want to know from all the faithfuls that are seen there nightly. *the picture below shows you my husbands brilliance and infatuation with his iphone. Why not watch baby einstein while waiting for your burrito? Yesterday we ventured to the Home Depot together and walked each and every aisle. As Brad commented correctly, I never would have done this with him in Atlanta. But in Slow-vanna, with not a thing to do, I was thrilled to explore our local do-it-yourself megastore with my groom. We ended the day with a pretty sweet date. We have had a babysitter 3 times in our 2.5 weeks here and that is 3 times more than we did in Atlanta (not including Nana Nise who is more like Brooks' second mama when we are there). We trekked the 20 minutes to Tybee Island in order to eat some typical seafood and watch a sunset. I still can't believe we live near water and even seeing it doesn't make it real (maybe once I get my toes wet it will hit me) but I love that we do! After our yummy dinner we headed to the Bohemian, Savannah's newest hotel and home of the lone (as far as I know) rooftop bar in the city. We both felt like we were 22 again with out a responsibility in the world. It's funny how just a night like that can truly make you forget about the 18 pound dependent human snoozing at home in his crib. Oh, and just because you can in Savannah, we purposely didn't finish our drinks and walked right out the door with them as we ended our night strolling the tree-lined squares back to our car. It was a pretty perfect evening thanks to Brad, my trip advisor, personal travel agent, and muy guapo date all-in-one.
Today we tried a new church and afterward we ran into an old sorority sister of mine who married a fraternity brother of Brad's. This was pretty perfect timing as we both were a little blue going into the weekend from not knowing anyone or seeing anyone familiar in nearly a month now. After church we went on a short turned HUGE walk in order to explore our neighboring isand. 6.7 miles and two blisters later we came back to the dock to take in the perfectly warm yet cool temperatures and our first real sunshine (and slight sunburn) in a while. This was truly one of the most beautiful and peaceful walks my little fast-walkin feet have experienced. Happy feelings were certainly stirring throughout our mini marathon and I just let them stir. It felt so good to truly enjoy the day, our new city, and our family of 3. As one can probably easily tell - this has been a hard transition especially for me so a genuine smile today was a much needed treat for both Brad and I!
I digress...Brooks likes beer. Yes, that's how I'll end this. Brooks is fascinated with his dad's beer bottle and therefore Brad is using them to lure him to roll from his belly to his back. Now only if he could reward him with a sip, he said, that would be funny.
*Don't turn us in...he doesn't really get a sip or atleast he didn't as far as I know. Who knows what Brad does to soothe this baby? Is it the shape of the bottle that so intrigues him or is it the shiny color? Who am I fooling....he probably already has some clue that the stuff tastes good and will cause his mama many sleepless nights worrying so his interest is sparked.
So,much to our surprise we not only survived our first weekend here by oursleves, we embraced it and truly felt like a family - a real, live, American family. God knows what we need right when we need it and this weekend is proof of that....I am very grateful.
Added bonus for special Sunday readers: Because Brooks makes me laugh - I hope this makes you laugh, too.
If you recall back when I was in baby la-la land and I would have fallen for any baby product that anyone even mentioned in passing we ordered the baby bath pod. Well, as I was attempting to rest and let Brad take care of all of the night time responsibilities tonight I heard him getting all excited in the bathroom. When you hear hoops and hollers from the bathroom you gotta run to see the commotion. I thought maybe Brooks had used the toilet or something. No, much better! He was bathing in his long forgotten baby bath pod! He loves bath time anytime but I think this just made things much more exciting.
Okay, hand me the bumper sticker. My child is better than your honor student. And better than your Schnauzer. I couldn't be more pleased with the little ball of giggles today. I officially have a low grade fever and I don't think I have turned my head more than an inch each direction since Sunday. Admittedly, I used these symptoms to get a pretty awesome and lengthy back rub from Brad Sunday night but now I'm not playing.....I can't move! So, what do you do with a 5 month old in a new town when mama can't get off the couch? You do what every good mama would do...You put your baby on the play mat in front of the Ellen show and let him be entertained. 40 minutes into the show I look down to check on the giggle monster and he had flipped from his back to his tummy and was peering up at the television as if Ellen was talking right to him. I know in a month these little moves won't seem so challenging but for our lazy baby - any movement deserves an applause! (Yes, you witnessed him conquering the belly to back roll on camera a few weeks ago but he has yet to attempt that again since that one stellar day of tricks).
So, I've got my camera ready just in case he decides it's time to enter the world of turning consistently. And by the looks of this little bug in my body - he may be spending lots of time on the play mat in the floor next to me the next few days.
Question for you...My one friend here gave me the name of a primary care physician. She also told me he lives at the end of my cul-de-sac. Are you thinking what I am thinking? It's probably not the sweetest way to introduce myself by showing up with a thermometer in my mouth? Oh well, I guess I'll get Amos to babysit tomorrow while I go to meet my neighbor at his office. The adventures in new town continue.....I know, God, you have been trying to teach me to rely on other people for many years now and this just may be the perfect way to break me....especially if it requires relying on not only my husband (that's easy) but the few people we have met here???? Please pray the little guy doesn't catch this thing!
I love this old classic movie! Don't you? Lately I feel like I am 15 again rummaging through someones food pantry once the kids are to bed to find the perfect snack that maybe I wouldn't find in the pantry at home. It sure was easy back them to "play" house with another persons kids, in another persons home. Babysitting was my life during my lovely teen years. I was quite the business woman at a young age - learning just how to maximize my potential by babysitting multiple neighborhood kids at the same time. I called it Mothers morning Out. I would probably now call it illegal. Nonetheless, I've funded my dreams on that first golden business!
It's true though...I feel like I am just baby sitting for someone else's life most of the time or playing house on many days here in Savannah. Last week our new, quite gorgeous washer and dryer were delivered. They make just enough noise to not make the house feel so lonely and like I said they are a pretty pair as far as electronics are concerned. Even as I load our stinky clothes in there (mostly Brooks' covered in slobber) I still feel like they aren't my clothes and this isn't my life. I am just babysitting and soon I'll go home to talk on the phone until 2 in the morning and watch rerun episodes of Full House. I know, you are thinking..."honey, it can't get anymore real...you have a child and a dog and a husband and you just had to buy your first appliance." Well, I know this but I am just going to keep living in my make believe world....it makes it much more fun that way! If I were to describe to you my surroundings as I write this post you would think I was making things up......67 degrees, no clouds, sun peering through the tall pines in the backyard, high tide, slender white bird on the dock, Amos dancing like a girl in the grass, and me in my bikini with a margarita as I type on the computer. (Maybe a joke about the last part....maybe???)But that's just a glimpse of our days in Savannah when Brad is at work (and of course when it is not raining which is pretty comon these days no matter where you live in the South.) The scenery is always so perfect whether I am doing the laundry or playing on the floor with Brooks or walking out to get the mail. I can't tell you how different this feels than our last season in the capital city. Here, I jump when my new friend, the washer, beeps because her cycle is complete. That is what I have to look forward to in my day. I don't say this negatively at all...sure, it gets lonely but I can't tell you how quiet my heart is....very little to be anxious over....no double-booking anything, no rain checks because I am running late to meet someone....just a whole bunch of calm. Hence, the reason I have red marks up and down my arms from pinching them to make sure I haven't fallen asleep into a peaceful dream. Oh, there is certainly good and bad to this season but today I am enjoying the good. I've written several hand written letters, made dinner already, cleaned the kitchen (don't you love the smell of Mrs. Meyers house cleaning products? I am infatuated and therefore tend to wipe the counter every time I walk by), had 3 parties with my washer and dryer and thus every article of clothing is fresh and clean. I have also cleaned up trash out of my yard twice as today is trash day but we don't have the big cans yet so some neighborhood animal keeps messing with me and my trash. Grrrrrrr.......That would go in the "bad" category. We've also strolled through the yard and sat on the dock talking to the fish and I've read part of a book. It's amazing what can be done around the abode when there is nowhere I know to go and no one to meet. Like I said, there is both positive and negative feelings surrounding this new found empty schedule but right now I am enjoying the added freedom in my adventures in babysitting!
Last week in our happy boredom we decided to try some rice cereal with Mr. Brooks. I've created a monster! Now he watches everything I eat (making me realize, too, how often I like a snack!) and he smacks his mouth open if he sees anything that might come into vision. I was really planning on waiting to start any solid foods but last week I was looking for something new and thought I would experiment with my baby. Best place to start right?
We also had a surprise guest babysitter last Friday! It was such a treat to spend the day with one of my most beloved friends, Dr. Ashley. This is another positive...I am now 3 hours closer to 2 of my favorite girls "playing" house in Charleston.
Lastly, I just need to show you this picture. It doesn't get anymore make believe than this....yesterday, after Brad and I tried a local church service we pulled out of the "visitor" parking spot to find this family on their way home from church. I never would have known there is a place in the great US of A where families bike home from church on a Sunday. I could bet there was an apple pie waiting on the window seal for them, too, as they pulled up to their house. Pinch me!
And just because this is funny....here we are enjoying the dock despite the chilly weather. More adventures to report on coming soon.....
