One Year Old!

Alex is a year old! In some ways, that's hard to believe. In others, it really isn't. We've had such a busy year-- interviewing for jobs, buying/building a house in Orlando, leaving P'cola, moving into the new house, adjusting to a new job, adjusting to being a stay-at-home mom, etc.-- that it seems like a long time.

I feel really blessed that Alex has continued to thrive throughout all these changes. He is quite a fun little guy these days. He is walking pretty well, even turning and spinning today. He has a really remarkable vocabulary of one syllable words. I'd say there are 40 and he adds at least one new one everyday. (Mom is still not one, by the way. I guess I'm not as important as cheese or balloons.) And, he has quite a funny little personality. He's very loving and likes to give hugs and kisses. But, he's also a product of his parents; so, when he makes up his mind about something he wants, watch out!

Before Alex's birthday, Dennis and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary with a getaway to The Dunes, off the coast of Charleston, SC. It was lovely! The place is great and we really enjoyed all the resort amenities. For me, though, the most relaxing part was sleeping late in the mornings and napping every afternoon on my own schedule. We were able to do the trip because Mom and Dad were good enough to keep Alex 4 nights. He had a ball, of course, playing with Grandma, Grandpa and Abuelita. He even came back with some improved manners! I'm thinking of sending him to stay with them once a month for a refresher course. :)

The pix here are Alex on the day he turned one, playing with balloons sent by Grandma Mi Mi. What a hit! Oh, and one of the face Alex makes when he's "asking" me for something.

Better Late . . .

I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted to this blog! Man, how time flies when you're chasing a 10-month old.

Here's the low-down on what's up with us:

We've had visitors galore and loved having them all, especially cousin Sarah. The kids played together a ton. Sarah still pushes Alex around, but it's all in good fun. And, it's teaching Alex to grow a thicker skin. We figure that one day, HE'LL be bigger than HER; and, turnabout is fair play.

The Bean is a little chatterbox, if you can decode his language. He has sounds that approximate words for "dad, dog, duck, hi, bye, book and truck." He asks for books all the time, both by saying, "boo" and by physically forcing them on us. He can tell us that the sheep says "bah" and the cow says "moo." "Mom" does not seem to be in the vocabulary. But, he does clap when I come into a room; and he points at me from his high chair like he's some kind of rock star, and I'm a special fan. I'll take it!

Alex has grown up so much, just this week. We're done with the bottles now, as he's drinking his milk (and all other liquids) from a cup. I'm thrilled, as this liberates me a little.

Dennis is still happy at his new practice, and we're spending our weekends doing fun Orlando stuff-- the farmers' market, a garden tour, eating out (last week was brunch at a snooty French restaurant that didn't have high chairs and Alex showed them why they should-- food all over the sidewalk), and taking walks and bike rides.

Pix are of the Drurys' visit, including Sarah's first birthday, and His Highness in his chariots.

Live and Learn

We're figuring some things out around here. Alex is learning that he can (sometimes) get himself out of the predicaments he creates. Tilt your head left and see the video.



I am learning that peanut butter sandwiches can provide sufficient nutrition and will satisfy Alex (and, hence, Mommy) at every meal. See the photo.

Bonnie & Clyde have nothing on him!

Alex has taken to stealing things.

Armed only with a devilish grin, he has used his walker as a get away car after stealing spoons out of the dishwasher, the remote control off of the coffee table, and Lili's toy right out of her mouth. This afternoon, after his nap, I found a ball point pen in his crib-- pickpocketed from his father's scrubs, no doubt!

He usually brandishes his prize high in the air. But, even when he's hiding it (as he always does with the remote control), he gives himself away. He can't stop laughing once he's absconded with the item!

What a rascal!

The New Toy

Alex is having a big time playing on his new fire engine that his babysitter Patricia brought him. He thinks it is just great-- almost as good as a phone or a remote control. :)

Uh, Mom, can I get a little help here?

Alex has been finding himself stuck in the most inconvenient places lately.

I love the picture of him getting a toy out of the basket. It reminds me of a scene in Winnie the Pooh, the one where Pooh is stuck 1/2 in and 1/2 out of his den.

Can this really be the same boy?!

Food Fight!

This picture shows how both Alex and I felt this evening after his dinner. Apparently, we have different points of view on whether a boy can live on sweet potatoes alone. I think he should try some other things. He disagrees.

After dinner this evening, he looked worse than I did; but both our egos were challenged.

Who do you think will win this little war? I'd recommend that you consider buying futures in sweet potatoes. I am.

And, We're Back ...

I know you've been wondering where we've been. Anywhere and everywhere is the answer.

The movers packed us out of Pensacola Jan. 2-5. Dennis started work the next Monday in Orlando. Alex, Lili and I hit the road-- we visited Aunt Kathy, Uncle Dan and Sarah and spent 3 full weeks at the Garcia Grandparents' rental house in SC. During that time, we also visited Dennis in Orlando for a long weekend. At the end of the three weeks, when our house was finally ready, the three of us made the drive from SC to Orlando, stopping along the way to visit our cousin Hilary and her dog Lily.

We've been in the house now almost three weeks. We made incredible progress unpacking during the first week, due much to a week-long visit by Grandma Garcia. She washed every glass, china or ceramic object in the house. Those of you who know me know that's quite a feat! And, she held a baby a good part of the day everyday too. Thanks, Mom! Since Mom left, though, things have kind of stalled out. It's hard to get much done between bottles, meals, diaper changes & chasing a crawler.

We have made progress on the social front-- we're attending church and have met some really nice neighbors. Alex and I are regulars at the playground a block from our house. And, we start swim lessons this evening.

I'm attaching a few pictures of the last two months. The first is of our last day in Pensacola. The second of Alex's reaction on moving day, when the movers unloaded his Exersaucer. The last two are of what we're doing these days-- going to the park and playing with Lili.

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?!