Summer is here!

Yay! I have been LONGING for this season-and it is finally here!
My summer "teaser" was Memorial day weekend when my family came in town for some fun at the park and our first dip into the springs. This is me- taking all precautions..lean back, legs cross, and the ol-pinch of the nose. My sister Kate and I thought the kiddos would really enjoy getting in the baby pool version themselves- not so. They froze and cried the second they got in. Not even worth whipping out the camera :(

And alas, it was time to say goodbye to our beloved Nanny Fay. She was Rhett's nanny while I concluded my days as a School Psych. and a working mom. It was so sad to say goodbye. My first day back of work when I was not happy with our childcare arrangements-I sobbed and pleaded with God to bring us someone wonderful while I finished out my job- and HE DID! "Nanny Fay" loved our little Rhett as he were her own little grand baby. She was his one-on-one caretaker- could not have asked for a better arrangemnt. Thank you God! It was a bitter sweet goodbye-sad to end our time with her- but I am so happy to finally be home full time with our little one and the ones to follow, (no I am not expecting...) .

And here is a wedding for the books. We were in Florida last week to watch my cousin Laurel walk down the aisle- a ceremony that literally took less than 60 seconds due to the inevitable rain and lightening (outdoor ceremony). The wedding went something like this "David do you take Laurel as your wife, to have and hold, in sickness and health, from this day forward?" David: "I do!" Laurel: "I do too" Priest: "Ok, exchange rings- kiss your bride- your married!" You'll see in the pictures to follow why.

That weekend was also a weekend of firsts for Rhett- first boat ride, beach trip...It's funny, those things did not occur to us until they were actually taking place. Porter and I had a few of these exchanges over the weekend: "Is this Rhett's first boat ride / beach trip? It is! Get the camera!"

Porter and Rhett loading on my Aunt's boat Little cousins Ella and Savannah and I - while Rhett is just hating life in his lifejacket. And this is Rhett loving life after the girls asked to take him into the cabin of the boat: After taking that picture- I paused, and had an image of Spring Breaks to come for him, which made me kinda nervous.

Our boat captains..my cousin Shawn and his first-mate Porter. My aunt was calling in the dolpins and it really worked--this was so neat!
We were very impressed! Rhett was such a trooper with all the attention from his little cousins. Ella (not be confused with "Ellie"), really took to him: She would help prep a bottle, rinse his passy, and even sang a lullaby to help him nap!She was also very concerned about the amount of drool he would put out. So sweet. So the morning of the wedding- we made a quick stop for Rhett's first beach trip-I was dying to take a dip in the ocean- you can't go to Fl. without getting in the water! Rhett agreed. Although, next time we won't take him when he's hungry- the poor child started eating sand and he went from a happy beach goer- to completely miserable! So now for the wedding- Rhett and I pose at the site of the ceremony- just in case it was gonna rain- I wanted a couple shots for Laurel if we had to relocate. "Tut-tut, it looks like rain..." After this, lightening struck- and I took Rhett for a mad dash inside as the vows were being exchanged. And right behind me came the bride and guests- hysterical! Safe and sound in the arms of the flower girl The bride and groom!

Cousin Ross and Sarah pose with the bride Jenny and TyNeedless to say, Laurel and David had a memorable wedding and we had a wonderful time!

Trying to entice my child to crawl...

Is like trying to get me to post on our blog... I start to, and get sidetracked and then poof, I'm spent. No really, why is my child not into crawling? Porter reminded me it is because my specific prayer was that Rhett would remain immoblie until my last day of work, which happens to be this Thursday- Yay! More to come!

Our First Mother's Day Weekend....

...was filled with our first swim in the pool, a place I frequented this time last year with Rhett in tow...

You'll notice Rhett is really into his tongue these days
Porter lecturing Rhett about pool safety <My cousin Laurel sent us this swim outfit for Rhett when I was pregnant- Such a Florida girl to think of such a cute gift-Thanks Laurel!


We also got to see Porter sing downtown at a wine store. He loves this sort of thing and it makes me happy to see him so happy and in his element!

Check out this sign outside of the venue- aside from my college land-lord's son, and my friend Sarah's cousin, we rarely have a "Rhett" sighting. Too perfect!
The Baylesses and Stockers were some of our friends that came by- Rhett loves the attention!

He even played to some Jack O' Pierce tunes and my very favorite tune that he sings, "Blue Canoe." I was in heaven!

We also got a visit from my Mom and Papa Mike.

Bouncing baby boy

But today I was treated to breakfast in bed, a very special gift from Porter, and an extra hour of sleep (still can't decide which I enjoyed most)! After church, Rhett and I took a very special mommy & me stroll. It was our first improv. stroll down the steep hill from our neighborhood to the park. On our way back home, I took Rhett out of the stroller to give him a better view of the ducks in the pond. We just sat there quietly watching them swim and banter about. It was his first experience with those little ones and a special moment for me, too. It was the first time all weekend that I slowed down and really relished in what a privilege it is to be a mom. I got to see his face and expression when the male duck, with his red head and colorful body, took a little bath in front of us and fluffed his head feathers into a mohawk! I got to watch Rhett become so enthralled with the little ducks swimming in unison behind their mama and the pair of geese standing beside us (at this point in my 'moment' though, I got a little freaked out over being out-numbered by the growing bounty of our new feathery friends, we hopped back in the stroller and headed home!). It was such a sweet experience for the both of us. What a privilege it is to be a mom!

Why you should never turn your head...

...not even for a second.
So despite all efforts to avoid touching ANYTHING at the doctor's office during Rhett's 6 month well-visit appointment on Monday (re: swine flu outbreak), my little munchkin thought it would be funny to roll his little body all around the examining room table. Oh well!

Not bad for a camera phone, eh?

So how many cable guys does it take to install cable?

Apparantly three. And just about three hours to get our "new" house wired for the internet, t.v., and phone is still to come! I'd like to report that I have had a peaceful 2 weeks without being plugged into the world, but I hate to say I have missed my Good Morning America and internet access!

Not to say that I have had time to engage in anything other than our recent happenings. First off, my big brother Tommy got married last weekend! We had a great visit in McAllen- Monica (new sister in law) and Tommy got hitched right down the water from South Padre! Monica and I actually went to Middle School and High school together, and at one point in our little 7th grade gym class- she confided how she had a crush on my brother! So 17 years later (I had to do the math on that one..gee whiz I feel old!) here we are at their beautiful wedding on such a beautiful day. Needless to say, with the closing of our house, packing and moving, I left my camera at home...to a new mom, that is like leaving your right arm behind. But luckily I managed to snag some pics from others:
Tommy and Monica Davis...
Ellie the flower girl...
Kate and Emily
A Mariachi Band serenade!
Los Robinsons...Coleman- the Best Man
Daddy of the night...
Last but not least, it's over. House closed, and we are in our new one. It all happened in a blink of an eye, but maybe it was better that way. Like ripping a bandaid off- the quicker you do it the better.

Porter was the real trooper in this whole moving saga. Since closing came so quickly, after our friends helped us move some furniture, he made countless trips to and from the old house bringing over boxes. I know we should have bit the bullet on movers, but somehow I felt like paying our housekeeper to pack us would do the trick ( $65 got her as far as a few boxes with glassware PILED on eachother and garbage bags full of our belongings. Lovely.).

And throughout all of this, our little pumpkin has encountered two stomach bugs in two weeks. His little sick bouts lasted only a couple hours each time- but it's awful watching you little baby get so sick. To my relief, he just smiled right through it. What would I do without our happy baby boy and our orange flavored pedialite? And what would our pediatrician do without the Robinsons? Sometimes I feel as if we alone support her practice!
Now that we are settled and healthy, the wheels are constantly turning in my head- on how we are going to re-do and update. If I were an artist, a dated house would be my canvas. I LOVE planning for this kinda thing. But I think we are going to enjoy a peaceful summer without anymore changes. Porter made me promise that we would not make a move or lift a hair for a couple of months. And somehow, I have no objections to that one.

Happy Easter!

Proof that I did not act alone on this one...

Just thinking about that first Easter Sunday and what it what is was like for Mary Magdalene and co. ...

Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

I just can't even imagine!

Matthew 28-10
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Happy Easter!

Recent Doings

Began with baby's first food- loves the banana! Thought I would hold out to six-months but I could not resist.

One thing I think I can resist - keeping up with countless jars of baby food. Me and the blender are becoming good friends. This should be interesting. Solids have made the cloth diapering very interesting (I will spare you that pic).

Take-out with my girlfriends Jan and Elenna - and a visit from my brother Coleman



The occasional pre-bath pose...


And some preliminary packing:I know my child well. Place a box underneath him, and within no time all his toys are packed!

Raising money for children's cancer charity:

And alas, one last walk to Huisache grill- while we can: note the cup holder- apparently Porter thought a bottle of Shiner Bock should replace the baby bottle.

And if you think that I didn't spend the majority of tonight taking dozens of pictures of every crook and crevice of our house, you're sorely mistaken. I will post those soon-as the saga of saying goodbye and moving starts this weekend!