Caught One Way

She did it! Both ways. From her back to her tummy. From her tummy to her back! Solon was 7 months before he was able to roll...but he was also pretty fat.

On A Roll

She is trying! Tudor-B wants to roll over so badly!

Here We Go Again

So funny to be back in this spot again! Tudor-Beach sat in the high chair for the first time, and we tried out some rice cereal:)  She took about two bites, so we will work on it this week.

Wrestle Party

Jay and Solon playing Friday night.

Look A Like

My friend, Casey, saw this picture of me on my fridge and couldn't believe how much Solon and I look alike...

Sprouting Like A Weed

Tudor-B's cuteness factor is growing by the day, so as a result she is getting a lot more action with the camera:)

Off To The Library

Solon and Nana go to the library every Tuesday to do story hour with Ms. White, and this week Tudor-Beach and I tagged along so we could see Solon add another sticker to his name tag.  You get a sticker for every 10 books you read, and he has already done 30:) 

From Out of Nowhere

Sometimes it hits you, and you didn't even see it coming.  Solon and I were driving home from the library yesterday, and he spotted a Uhaul and asked if it was Uncle Jason.  It gave me a sad feeling immediately realizing that Solon associates moving trucks with his family and all the sad things we have had to deal with over the years.  I braced myself for his next question. 

"Where is MeMomma?"  I had to fight back a wave of sadness and try to answer him.  What should I say?  He is old enough to realize he hasn't seen her in a very long time.  But I still talk about her to him like she is still here with us.  So, I told him she was in heaven.  I didn't want to say that out loud because it just made it so concrete.  He asked me where heaven was, and I told him way up in the sky above the clouds. I looked back in the rear view mirror and saw his pretty eyes looking out the window up into the sky and trying to make sense of what I told him.  He asked me if he could get in a plane to go see her.  And I just hit a roadblock.  I didn't know what else to say, and I was so afraid of crying.  I didn't want him to think it was a sad or scary thing.  So I just told him that MeMomma loves him, and he can just look up in the sky and talk to her whenever he would like to.

My mom has been gone over a year.  The "day" was spent down at the beach with lots of family & friends, and I think I did a decent job at keeping all my feelings at bay.  Until right now.  How has a year gone by without her?  It just hurts my heart so much to realize so many things.  Namely, that Solon and Tudor-Beach will never know her except through me. 

Anyway, I made a quick video for her birthday.  I just wanted to post it so one day Solon/Tudor-Beach can find it if they want to see her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhqXTTX-vxg

Sweetness

Solon got a package in the mail from Aunt Sally.  She picked up a yummy sucker on her/Jason's trip to NYC last week.  And Tudor-B got a cute little doll that she already loves on.

Sweet Peach

Liam Collins thought Tudor-Beach was actually Tudor-Peach when he heard her name.  I thought it was pretty cute:)  Anyway, here she is lifting her head like a pro!  And yes.  Those are 4 big mosquito bites on her forehead.  She woke up Friday morning with them, and I couldn't figure out where/when she got bitten.  Found out there were a bunch of them hanging out in the car.  Poor thing was getting tagged, and I didn't even know.

Four Months Old (yesterday)

I took a quick picture of Tudor-Beach yesterday to mark her 4th month being around this place:)  She is getting so big, it is hard to believe how quick it has gone by.  She is about the sweetest thing ever.  Hardly a peep from her except the past week where she has come down with a cold.   The antibiotics are hopefully going to erase the couch quickly, and she will be back to 100 percent. 

The best way to get her smiling. Sing "Barbara Ann" by the Beach Boys to her.  That is our song of choice around the house now...and it gets her going!

Visitors from NC

Casey and her two kids, Eli and Rachel, came through town and stayed with us for a night.  Solon found another bestie with Rachel.  Those two would disappear for hours and play 'pretend.'  And Casey couldn't get enough of holding Tudor-Beach:)

So Cute

Seeing all the kiddos sitting down to eat dinner is pretty cute..and a lot of work.  All of them wanting to talk and try and sneak off and play..and us convincing them broccoli is delicious.

My camera went on the fritz towards the end of the trip.  Too bad because we had a blast going out to the beach, going to dinner at Grand Marlin and hanging out through the week at the pool.

Miscellaneous

Beware

What happens when you fall asleep around a bunch of guys who are still awake.  You get your fingernails and toenails painted. 

Mass Murderer

There was a swarm of flies who descended on the remains of our feast, so Jason broke out the shop vac and entertained Luke and Solon with trying to suck them all up.

Fun And Relaxing

Yummo

Tim and Jason spearheaded a shrimp boil.  Perfect. 

Her First Dip

Tudor-Beach isn't like Solon.  She actually likes water.  Jay put her in a bathing suit and took her in.  She didn't smile..but she didn't cry.