Our Birthday Boy

In the middle of our crazy July, our sweet, silly Simon turned three years old!  As seems to have become a family tradition, we celebrated the event a few times over the course of a few weeks.  Grandparents Greer were down at the end of June, so we did a little cake and present event while they were here.  We were up at my parents' house for his actual bday, so we did it up with a trip to the spray grounds and a great big, gooey, red-dye laced, CARS-themed birthday cake and lots of fun gifts.  Christopher was on the ship, so we waited for him to come home and then made the much-anticipated trip to see CARS 2 in the theater.

This little boy blows my mind.  Christopher and I both just sit back and watch him and laugh much more than maybe we should (he could certainly use some 'gentle correction' from time to time!).  He's an entertainer and an instigator.  He's a fierce negotiator and the biggest snuggler in the world.  For example, he knows a good snuggle and an "I love you mom" will get him out of a lot of hot water.  He often tells Millie and me that we look "so bwutiful", and you can hear his squeals and "oh wows" echo all over the house when he is opening gifts.  Our new friends across the street have a 4 1/2 year old girl (perfect playmate for Mils) and a 6 1/2 year old boy.  Simon assumes this is his assigned playmate...it really does not occur to him that he's only three years old!  Of course, I am absolutely loving this age with him, but his vibrant personality makes me so excited to see the person he will become.  We are just so blessed.

We got a surprise birthday call from Daddy from the ship!  Simon, the little chatterbox, had TONS to report to him.  Millie wanted to get her two cents in, too.

Sweet dreams my babies.

Flashback: Graduation

Because I believe that there is never a bad time to post pictures of Christopher in his choker-white uniform, here are a few photos from his graduation from the JAG school in Charlottesville (yes, way back in May).  As a bonus, I give you a couple of rare shots of the belly (friends this was almost two months ago...she's already huge!).

A quick shot of the 'overflow' viewing room for the graduation.  This place was awesome.  All the graduates and their guests were in the main auditorium.  Most of the spouses and kids were in this classroom with a live-feed going.  The front area down there by the screen turned into a kind of mosh-pit for the kids.  Volume was high,  lollipops and fruit snacks were abundant, stress level was nearly zero.  Perfection.

Sweet Reunion

Friday was the awaited and celebrated return of the Enterprise, the aircraft carrier Christopher reported to when we moved to Norfolk.  Christopher flew onto the carrier two weeks ago so he could get some on-board training from the JAG he will replace while the carrier steamed home across the Med and Atlantic.  So this homecoming, while very exciting for us to be a part of (and such a great reunion with Dad after two long weeks), felt like a trial-run for us.  I watched with awe and emotion as families came together after six months apart...can I do it?  Will I find the grace and positive attitude to carry three kids along for the adventure?  Our own test will come soon enough.

Christopher had a great experience.  His parting advice to me regarding the homecoming festivities: "Whatever you do, DON'T get yourself interviewed on camera."  I'm sure we were tempting targets (hugely pregnant spouse with two small kids), but I understood the reasoning.

Quick baby update: two weeks left.  Nursery completed; clothes washed and stashed; kids fully excited about Cookie's arrival.  In fact, Simon, our little chatter-box/never-met-a stranger, told his Sunday school teacher at a new church we visited on Sunday that "Cookie will come out of my mom's belly".  I really can only imagine what she was thinking about our family!

My dad was along to help with the logistics/wrangling.

Millie made sure she had on her fancy jewelry for Daddy!

Settling In

We've been in the house in Norfolk about two weeks. Boxes are unpacked, curtains are hung, meals made at home have resumed.  Beyond that, there is not one glimmer of a normal routine on the horizon. But what is most important is that we are all healthy, the kids are happy, and it seems as though we have chosen EXACTLY the right neighborhood to move into.  A quick update on the craziness of the last month and the potential excitement in the month to come:

*  Our week at the Outer Banks was awesome.  Both brothers flew in from Colorado, Jules was in from LA plus my parents and two dogs joined the fun.  A few photos are below.

*  Baby cookie and I are doing really, really well.  I've found a doctor here that I like and trust, and we took a family tour of the hospital where I will deliver.  The doctor even thinks I will be able to make it into my 39th week, so we're shooting for early early August for delivery.  I am clearly carrying a future triathlete, or at least a strong swimmer.  Two months ago she was in normal, head down position.  Two weeks ago she was breech.  This morning she was back to head-down.  PLEASE girl!  We are in our ninth month here and you are HUGE.  How in the world are you spinning back flips in there?

*  The neighborhood, as I mentioned above, is a dream.  Within three days of our arrival, two neighbors had delivered plates of cookies and a new friend just dropped off a hot loaf of banana bread tonight; we had met about 1/3 of all the neighbors on the block along with their dogs and kids; Mils and Si were letting themselves into our new friends' house across the street (they have two kids and really awesome parents who have just adopted our family); we spent hours at a spur of the moment cupcake party on our neighbors' lawn while Mils and Si disappeared into a pack of 15 kids running wild around us; and it goes on.  A new friends' son mowed our lawn; we've been invited to barbecues and book clubs.  I guess I continue to be surprised when kind, kind strangers choose to invest their time and friendship in us, knowing we'll be moving on in a few years.  It's just touching, really.

*  All of the above gives me encouragement for our journey over the next year when Christopher will eventually deploy.  He left tonight join the carrier for a few weeks of training while it's underway.  My parents are down to help with the wild ones, so we'll make an adventure out of it.  (Not to fear...it's looking like he'll be home in plenty of time for baby's arrival)  Big plans for the holiday weekend include staying in the air conditioning as much as possible and maybe catching a movie or two.  Gotta dream big!

And the trashy tradition continues: Some quality time with Uncle Monkey and US Magazine.

We loved this little private patch of beach on the Sound.

Casey got to come with us and LOVED every minute!

Exhausted.

Wait...did someone say ice cream?

A fun night at "pirate golf" -- putt putt golf.