Goodbye 2007!

Well, it's been an eventful year. Alex's birth, Dennis leaving the Navy, and now the pending move to Orlando. We are so blessed to have had so many positive changes this year. We're exhilirated by them (and tired too).

We had a great December-- a couple of weeks at home together in Pensacola after Dennis finished at the hospital; then a great trip to the Beaches Boscobel resort in Jamaica where Alex had a great time in the pool and Dennis and I were able to get certified as PADI scuba divers; then good family time with the Garcia clan at Aunt Kathy & Uncle Dan's house over Christmas.

Alex is really developing quite a personality. He laughs a lot and wants our attention all the time. We had the first indication that he understands words the other day when we started a new game. Dennis or I says, "Stand Up!" and he pulls up on our fingers to a standing position. We say, "Sit Down!" and he bends his knees to sit on our lap. We're getting lots of laughs out of our little game, and I am so excited to see that he understands some words.

The movers come Wed., Jan. 2 to start packing us out, so our time in P'cola is really short. I'm conflicted about that-- happy to start the new life but melancholy about leaving our friends here.

Ch-ch-changes

Today is Dennis's last day at work in the Navy. What a big change. He seems nonchalant about it, but I think it's worth noting. After all, it's been almost 10 years that we've been living this military life. We've had 6 residences (including the 3 in San Diego), and lived in two foreign countries. We've seen much of Europe, Kenya, and Egypt. And we've made some incredible friends. We are so lucky to have friends all over now. I can't wait for them to bring their kids to see Disney and visit us in Orlando!

We'll be moving away from Pensacola in early Jan. Dennis will start work in Orlando on 1/7. Alex and I will arrive there shortly before the closing on our new home.

In other news, Alex is working on his first tooth. I was surprised by its emergence, as it seems a little early to me. And, it makes me a little sad. I want to see that toothless grin for a while longer. :)

The pictures today are of what we've been doing lately-- just hanging around the house playing.

Busy Little Boy

Alex has been super busy over the last couple of weeks.

First, it was Halloween. He spent the day dressed as "Mummy's Little Pumpkin," attending Mom & Me exercise class and playing in his exersaucer (his favorite toy these days). Then, in the evening, he sat on the front porch with Mommy and gave out the candy to the other neighborhood kids. Dad was on call at the hospital, so we decided not to trick-or-treat this year. Besides, it's difficult to get that in when you have to be in bed by 7 p.m.

Just after Halloween, we drove to Orlando as a family to look for a house in what will be our new home city. We're really excited, as we found a new construction home in Baldwin Park. It should be finished by mid-Jan, and we'll move in ASAP. Baldwin Park is a planned community built on the former NTC grounds near downtown Orlando and Winter Park. We love the neighborhood-- miles of running/walking/biking trails, parks, pools, and a commercial center with restaurants, shops and a Publix to which we can bike! It can be seen at www.baldwinparkfl.com. And the house is plenty big enough for a long stay (not another 3-year stint, please!). On that website, our plan is the Halsey Craftsman.

By the time we returned from Orlando, Alex had really grown up! He is sleeping through the night consistently and sat up yesterday! He's very proud of himself, and we're real excited to see our little boy acting so big!

Rice Cereal-- Blech!! I'd rather eat my bib!

We Are Family

We spent a week at the beginning of October visiting with the Drury and Garcia families. Alex had a great time seeing his cousin Sarah. It was the first time he really noticed her, and the two of them laughed a lot together. Alex also loved playing with Sarah's toys (for some reason, these are much more interesting than his own) and having "happy hour" outside (in the exersaucer) with Sarah (in the walker), his mom, dad, aunt and uncle.

Alex also enjoyed the attention he got from Grandma, Grandpa and Abuelita. In fact, starting on the second day we were at their house and for several days after we returned home, he was unable to be in a room by himself without fussing. Apparently, they are spoiling him already. I guess that's their job. :)

I'm attaching some photos of Alex with his grandparents-- playing at their house and enjoying a picnic by Lake Keeowee.

Now, That's Love

I was folding Alex's laundry last week (before the cast came off, even) and started thinking that I was really enjoying it. And, it wasn't even special laundry-- no dress outfits or anything, just a bunch of tiny, blue, stretchy onesies and pjs and more burp rags than you can imagine.

Then I started thinking that a mother's love is really amazing. I mean, you really have to love someone to the depths of your soul to enjoy folding their laundry, especially when you did it yesterday and will do it again tomorrow.

What a wonderful experience being a mom is. :)

"Pinky"

That's Dennis's new nickname for me. That's because, four weeks ago, I fell and broke my pinky finger. It's quite a story-- one for the baby book.

As many of you know, I had a hard time breastfeeding. We won't go into the details-- it was just a really bad experience for me. Anyway, when Alex turned 3 mos., I cut myself a break and decided we were done once and for all with the breastfeeding. As a result, I returned my rented breastpump to Baptist Hospital. Feeling footloose and fancy free, I nearly skipped out of the place. And that's when I tripped and fell, over a bike rack, and broke my finger. BREASTFEEDING'S LAST REVENGE!

Now, you say, "What's the big deal? It's just a pinky finger." Ah, yes, and one would think that you'd have it taped to the next finger for a while. Maybe 2 weeks? No, I managed to break it in a way that required a full cast, up to my elbow, with the pinky and next finger immobilized at a 90 degree angle to the palm. For 3 full weeks. VERY CONVENIENT for caring for a 3-month-old.

Anyway, I made it through. I got creative with the diapering and feeding, and Dennis did all the baby bathing. The cast came off last week, and I'm in a removable splint. This means I'm finally able to shower again (I hear the Hallelujahs from all my friends and family) and to blog. So, there will be more entries coming.

Just thought I'd explain where I've been all this time . . .

What We Did On Our Summer Vacation

It's been a while since we've written. That's because we've been busy having a big post-Labor Day time!

Just after the holiday, the whole family (including Lili) took some time to relax in a beach condo at Cape San Blas. The beach there is fabulous and totally dog friendly, so we all had a great time! Alex and Lili both had a blast swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. And Alex practiced his strokes in the saline pool at the condo too. We took walks at sunset on the beach and ate well. It was really a nice family vacation. That said, I'm not sure Lili will be going on vacation again anytime soon-- the first night we were there, she threw up on the white bedroom carpet!

On our way home from the Cape, Dennis and Lili dropped Alex and me off to spend a couple of nights in Destin with Alex's Great Aunt Carolyn and Great Uncle Larry. Alex thought The Great Aunt was one of the funniest people he had ever met and rewarded her with smiles and laughs a million.

Since we've been home, we've been settling back into our routine and doing some fun new things. Baby Yoga was on Monday, and Alex loved it. He laughed the whole time and was clearly enamored with the instructor. We also have a play group that we've attended a couple of times. Alex loves to watch the other kids and mommies and can't wait until he can run around with them.

Speaking of moving, Alex is bearing weight on his legs and looks like he'd like to take off running a lot. He's also rolling from his back to his tummy all the time now. Sometimes this is problematic, as he can't get to sleep on his tummy and can't return to his back reliably yet. I end up going in to the crib and turning him over several times before he falls to sleep-- pretty funny!

Guy Time

Alex and Dennis had some good guy time this week. In spite of my reservations, mostly about sleeping (or not sleeping, actually) in one room, Dennis insisted that we spend a couple of nights at the Pensacola Beach Hilton over the weekend. I'm glad he did, because we had a really nice time. It was "away from it all" without being too far away. The Gulf was beautiful (though I did get stung by a jellyfish), and Alex really enjoyed the water there and in the pool. And, he and Dennis had some uninterrupted time together.

True to form, Alex demonstrated that he is a REAL Szurkus, sleeping in the oddest places:

1. On the beach bar. Alex is officially the youngest patron that the Hilton's bartender has ever had. Because it was the only patch of shade on the whole deck, Alex napped for over an hour, in his carrier, on the bar. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture.

2. In the bathroom. He couldn't seem to close his eyes when he was in the same room as us, just kept watching us through the side of the pack 'n play. So, we moved him to the bathroom. It made for a little inconvenience during those middle of the night pit stops; but it paid off. Alex kept his regular night schedule, and Dennis and I were able to watch our first movie since the little guy was born.

3. In restaurants. Alex has been to the best places in Pensacola. So long as we go after 7 p.m., he sleeps in his stroller through the whole thing. On this trip, he caught some shuteye at H2O and Hemingway's. I dread the day he gets too old for this.

Pix are of our little dude in his shades and of guy time at home.

Cousins

Alex is slowly meeting all his cousins.

My cousin Hilary spent a few days with us last week. It was great to have her around. We had uninterrupted girl time for the first time in years! And, she and Alex got to know each other. Here are some pix-- Hilary helping out by watching The Bean while I had my haircut,the three of us on the couch in our living room, and the cutest baby in Pensacola.

A Few Of His Favorite Things

Here's a list of Alex's favorite things:

1. The "BMW of Swings," a pricey side-to-side model with music, a mobile and a mirror. He tried this out at Aunt Kathy's house and HAD to have one. I initially resisted, because of the price, but I'm now convinced it was the second best $100 we ever spent. (What's the best $100 we ever spent, you ask? It is part of the best $1,000 we ever spent-- to hire a lawyer to demonstrate to the Navy that Dennis's obligated service was up.)

2. The "Pink Pig And Friends," animals attached to a brightly colored vibrating chair. The Bean likes to swat at the pig and make it rattle. This was a gift from Connie Thompson, who said on the card that it should allow me to get a shower. She was right, as per usual.

3. The Stroller-- really any stroller-- he loves the motion. And, since I've added El Pato Pasqualito as something for him to stare at while we move, it's practically heaven. Pasqualito, by the way, speaks only Spanish (thank you, Kathy, for the idea.).

4. Swimming. He loves the feel of the water on his skin and is practicing kicking his legs while I drag him toward me. He smiles big and laughs (no sound) until he's exhausted and has to go back in the stroller for a nap.

Come to think of it, Alex's favorites and my favorites are the same-- Gee, I wonder why?!

The Shower

We've had a big week since we've been home. Grandma Szurkus visited us for the weekend, and we had a FABULOUS time. We didn't DO much of anything-- we just spent the days with Grandma fawning over Alex. Alex did a lot of smiling and laughing at her. Apparently, they have a mutual admiration society.

We've done a lot of "swimming" this week. We like to go to the pool in the early evening, after it has cooled down (from the 98 degrees that it is in the day). Alex is really enjoying it. Yesterday, he let me hold him facing me while I dragged him through the water for about 10 minutes. He kicked and made little silent laughs. Lots of fun!

I'm starting to feel like a normal person again. Today, while Alex took his midday nap, I actually showered without rushing. I even removed the chipping polish from my toenails and shaved my legs! Then I lathered on some good smelling moisturizer and brushed my teeth. I felt like a new woman! Makeup and hair were accomplished after The Bean awoke but while he entertained himself in his bouncy chair (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, CONNIE!).

We're expecting another visitor this afternoon-- my cousin Hilary is coming to spend a couple of days. Should be fun!

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jog

Alex and I are just home from a week's visit with my family in Atlanta and South Carolina. We had a GREAT time. It was Alex's first time seeing his Aunt Kathy, Uncle Dan and cousin Sarah (who is just 2 months older than him). After a few days at their house having a wonderful time doing pretty much what we do here (playing, strolling, and swimming), we drove up to see Grandma, Grandpa and Abuelita in their rental house in South Carolina. Alex loved the nonstop attention he got from his grandparents and great grandmother. And, I loved having all the extra helping hands around.

Other than the travel through Atlanta airport (which gets worse every time I go there), it was a really relaxing and fun trip. Next time (which we hope isn't too long from now), we're going to drive and miss out on the baggage and security snafus of air travel.

Go Baby

Another week has passed-- I'm sure some significant things have happened in the world, but here the world has shrunk. We're excited because Alex is asleep IN HIS CRIB tonight. As you can tell from previous posts and photos, he's resisted the crib sleeping pretty effectively up until this week. I feel like we've rounded a bend though-- he's eating better and sleeping better and fighting for only about 45 minutes after he's put down for the night. Sigh.

We had lots of fun this week. We went to the concert in the park in downtown Pensacola, took a swim in the pool, and ate out at the Fish House. Dennis was on call Sat., so Alex and I spent the day with a girlfriend, going out to lunch and doing some shopping.

I attach photos of the concert (of D and mini-D), swimming, and portraits of the most beautiful six-week-old in the world (at least to me).

The Rotation

Well, we've finally settled into a routine after our return from the trip.

Alex and I are pretty boring. We just rotate 4 activities all day long. We start with nursing. Then, short play and diaper changing. After that, it's time for Mommy to try to convince Alex to sleep. That takes about an hour. Finally, he succumbs and dozes off-- for 20 minutes! And then we start it all over again. In the evening, we throw in a walk and bath. It breaks up the monotony, and he likes both things.

Thank goodness for Dennis. He provides distraction from the routine as the social planner for the family. This weekend, he was on call. But, the reward for that was that he was free yesterday. So, we enjoyed a nice lunch on the porch of a restaurant downtown.

As you can tell, the adjustment from lawyer to Mommy is not easy for me. I'm grateful for all the friends & family who check in on us, invite us to activities, and offer advice. We need it all. Please keep it coming.

The photos are of bath time and nap time. Note the lengths to which I will go to get the little dude to sleep!

Well, for some reason, I can't make this entry have a title. It was to be, "A Traveling Man."

We've just returned from a 10-day trip. What kind of Szurkus would Alex be, after all, if he didn't travel?! We've been in Orlando, FL, Lynchburg, VA, and Tampa, FL. Dennis had interviews in the first two places. Then, Alex and I visited Grandma Hill in the last. We drove long distances and flew (with two connections). It was a great trip-- Alex was a total doll, sleeping through most of the actual travel, until the second to the last day at Grandma's when he melted down. But what can you expect of a 1-month old?

Dennis's interviews went well, and we are getting close to knowing where we'll be settling for the long haul. It feels strange, having been on the move our entire married lives, to make a long term decision like where to live for the next 20 years. But, it also feels good. We're looking forward to it.

Well, the laundry and bills call. I'll be in touch. Attached are some pix from the trip-- Alex's first smile (at G'ma Hill), first airplane ride and sleeping in the hotels.

Thank You Mr. Bjorn!

We've had a challenging but rewarding week. We're learning what Alex likes (to be held, to ride in the stroller, to be outside, and to have baths) and what he doesn't (to lie down by himself, to have his diaper changed, and generally everything else, so far). We're both happier since I decided that, even if he isn't 8lbs. yet, he's riding in the Baby Bjorn. He thinks he's being held, and I get two hands to do things with.

An aside-- Those damn lawyers will put safety labels on anything! Instead, they should have Moms write the labels-- only real safety concerns would be identified. And labels would identify things you CAN do, not just things you SHOULDN'T. For example, pacifiers would come with a label that says, "If you blow on this after it falls on the floor, you can put it back in your child's mouth." And, the portable swing would say, "If you decide to move this swing while your child is sleeping in it (forbidden by the lawyers), use both hands."

I must brag that the child is a good night sleeper. In fact, I've decided he's just like his father-- won't go to bed until 10:30 but wants to sleep all morning. I had to wake him at 8:30 a.m. to nurse!

We had some good tummy time this morning. I'm attaching photos.

We Emerge (In More Ways than One)!

It's been a while since the last post, and I hope that most of you have heard or assumed by now that is because The Bean was born.

Alexander Peyton Szurkus made his arrival on his due date, June 9, at 10:57 a.m. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. He has a lot of curly black hair and huge blue eyes (Dennis's friends at the hospital are calling him Mini Me because he looks so much like D). And, he started proving right away that he has a healthy pair of lungs!

We had a very nice (and short) hospital stay. All the gang at Naval Hospital Pensacola was super to us, but we wanted to be home. So, we packed up the next day and were home in time for lunch.

Kristina's mom, dad and Abuelita arrived while Alex and Kristina were still in the hospital. Grandpa and Great Grandma stayed for just a couple of days; but Grandma is still here, helping with the rocking, cooking, laundry, etc.

It's hard to believe it's been a whole week. But, it's easy to see that our lives have been changed by this beautiful baby boy.

Photos attached. More later . . .