"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.