Hello everybody!

Hi friends–Long time, no talk.  It’s been a little crazy around here and I’ve been busy shooting some more flicks for you guys (and of course travelling, but my mom already told you all about that).  I have been having tons of fun with my mom.  She really is the coolest.  She let’s me play in the yard and even eat grass.  My dad tells me that I’m turnin’ into a country boy, but who knows.

Mom took me to the zoo last week, which was great.  I love the zoo and can’t wait for the temperature to cool down because mom says we can go more often once that happens.  She and I really hate the hot weather and especially the humidity.  Mom taught me that word, humidity, but she says it’s a bad word, so I guess I better watch my mouth.

I have not heard much about this Halloween thing, but mom and dad are really into it.  They drove me all over town (and nuts!) on Saturday looking for a costume.  Of course, after all that, we didn’t find anything, but I’ve been checking ebay and have my eye on something.  I’ll keep you up-to-date.

My Grandad is coming to see me in a couple of weeks and has promised to take me to my first college football game.  Should be a blast!  My dad told me that his Grandad took him to his first college football game, so its kind of a family tradition thing…you know?

I have included a couple of excerpts from the documentary I am working on for you guys.  Hope you enjoy it!

Go Frogs! Go Gamecocks!

Ford

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWsN4DZK_JI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fm14iN9ktM

Staying busy (and cute)!

Our week has gone by quickly and has been a fun and pretty busy one.  Fall is officially here and it feels more like fall in Columbia, finally!  The beginning of the week was warmer and very sunny, hence the summer clothes Ford is sporting, but it turned cloudy and cooler yesterday.  Either way, I am just happy it is not hot and humid any more! 

Monday afternoon Karin and Kat came over to play with Ford so I could go to a meeting!  He of course loved seeing them!

On Tuesday Ford and I sat in the yard and played for a bit.  He enjoyed the breeze, listening to the birds, and his time chewing on blades of grass (or weeds).

Once we were back inside he had a blast playing with his new drum/tambourine toy and his new pianos (all of which we bought used at the Tot Trade on Monday!). 

Wednesday our friend Kim came over to play and eat dinner with us.  Ford loved playing with her and her pretty, long hair! 

Thursday we hit the zoo!  It was slightly chilly out and Ford looked so cute in his long sleeve onesie, jeans, and socks!  When we got home I took his jeans off (I think they are getting slightly too tight around his tummy and it is time to buy a bigger pair) and he took his socks off a few times so I finally learned my lesson and just left them off.  Ford ate Sweet Potato Puff snacks for the first time and with a little help started to get the hang of how to keep them in his mouth to “chew.”

Today we went to our music class.  They are every Friday morning at 10:00 for 30 minutes.  Our first one was last week and he seems to really enjoy them.  Both weeks there have been 4 kiddos and a parent with each.  Today he and the little girl who is 2 months older really seemed interested in each other.  They were very cute as opposed to last week when they were both pretty oblivious of the other.  The other two kiddos are 18 months and 3 years old.  This afternoon he continued the music theme with some major piano playing.  The tough thing was deciding which one to play with.

Check out my cool cowboy boot socks from my Grandma!

Another great week down, and another weekend ahead to look forward to with Jeff!

Travelin’ man (and his mom too)

Ford and I had a wonderful, long trip together right after labor day!  We first flew to Colorado Springs on September 2.  Ford did a great job travelling and the only time he was fussy was right before falling asleep for his naps.  He of course loved putting on the charm for the flight attendantsand passengers.  We were really lucky on both flights and had an empty seat next to us to spread out his toys, or for him to sit in like a big boy!  We were only in Colorado Springs for one full day after we arrived, but were able to see my Grandma for a bit.  She couldn’t believe how he had grown and got such a kick out of watching him roll on her floor, and listening to him talk and squeal.  The weather was cool and we actually had to wear pants and long sleeve shirts!  I was in heaven! 

On Thursday we flew with my parents to Portland, Oregon, to see our family and go to my cousin Jon’s wedding (on Saturday the 6th).  Our flight was late leaving Colorado Springs so when we reached Denver we were almost running from gate 94 to 22 to catch our flight!  To say we were all exhaustedonce we reached the plane and settled in is an understatement.  Quite a workout for all of us.  Ford, however, enjoyed his super fast ride in his stroller.  Ford continued his streak of being a great traveler on the longer flight from Denver to Portland and was able to have his “own seat” in between my mom and I (my dad sat on another row to give Ford his “seat”).  He loved sitting up and playing, and of course enjoyed being on his back with his feet up against the back of the seat too.  He definitely made himself at home on the flight.

Enjoying his own seat on the airplane 

Kickin’ back on the plane, feet up against the back of the seat

We made it to Portland smoothly and headed to my aunt’s house.  I love Portland.  I always have.  We usually go in the summer (the best time there) so everything is so green and lush, the flowers amazing and so vibrant, and the weather cool and awesome to be out in.  It really is fabulous.  My aunt’s yard and decks are amazing and she has incredible flowers!  We definitely spent quite a bit of time outdoors during our stay. 

Admiring the huge, beautiful pink hydrangea

Lovin’ the cool weather and playing on the deck!

  Saturday September 6

Sunday, September 7

Thursday night my cousin Jon and his daughter Carmen came over for dinner, as well as my cousin Derek (unfortunately his wife Jenn had to stay home withLuke and Dane as Luke had a fever).  Derek grilled his famous cedar plank salmon and we had a feast!  I always look forward to Derek’s salmon- it truly melts in your mouth!  It was great to introduce my cousins and Uncle Bob to Ford and to spend time together.  Later in the evening we were able to meet Amy, Jon’s new wife (then fiancee)!  She is a great addition to our family.

Friday night one of my aunt’s friends came over to babysit Ford so that we could all go to the rehearsal dinner.  It was fun to be a part of it.

With Carmen, Auntie Sheryl and Mom

Saturday morning we headed to the farmer’s market which was awesome.  They had so many fruit and vegetable stands, as well as amazing flowers and cute craft type stands as well.  We picked up some fresh blackberries to munch on and also had lunch while we were there.  Ford was able to sit next to pumpkins for the first time and enjoyed checking them out.  They were “Cinderella Pumpkins” and really cute!

Very interested in these orange things. . .

 

Hanging out at Auntie Sheryl’s house with cousin Carmen (the maid of honor) before the wedding 

Jon and Amy were married outside at 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 6, and it was beautiful.  It was a clear sunny day and not too hot.  Ford was very quiet during the ceremony and enjoyed his time sitting at my feet in the soft grass, chewing on his alligator toy. 

 

The reception was outside under a tent and the whole night was wonderful.  Ford was a trooper during the reception and lasted longer than I expected.  He wasn’t his usual outgoing self (hence the lack of pictures with him actually smiling), but I was not expecting that once he hit his tired state.  Overall it was a beautiful night and I am very thankful Ford and I were able to be there to help celebrate! 

After the ceremony:  Auntie Sheryl and Uncle Bob, Amy and Jon and Carmen, Derek and Jenn and Luke (with Dane asleep in his sling)

Ford with Uncle Bob (who he absolutely loved and thought was hilarious- which he is)

Sunday morning my dad had to leave to go to a conference in Kentucky.  The rest of us took it easy during the day, and again, enjoyed the weather.  Relaxing in the lounge chair on the deck in the sun is one of my favorite things to do at my aunt’s house and although I didn’t have as much time to do it with Ford around, I was still able to get a little bit of time in here and there and it was amazing.

Sitting next to some of the beautiful flowers from the wedding

Enjoying the beautiful weather out on the deck

That evening for dinner we went to Derek and Jenn’s new beautiful house that they finished building earlier this summer.  It was fun to spend more time with both of them and Luke (2 years old) and Dane (not even 3 months old yet).

Ford lovin’ cousin Luke

The cutest cheeks ever!!

Spending some time outside after dinner

Monday we went shopping for a bit and spent time at home playing outside.

Ford, obviously relaxed, and talking up a storm during lunch outside

 

While we were gone Ford was going through a stage of playing with his lips.  The outcome?  The “Popeye” look as my aunt called it.  He has done this before (playing with pulling his lips under), and often looks like a man without his dentures in.  However, this was a totally new one and one that he did literally all the time.  

Tuesday was a shorter day as we left that afternoon.  But, we were able to meet Jennifer, Luke, and Dane, for lunch before having to head to the airport. 

My mom, Ford and I flew back to Colorado Springs and got home really late.  Ford was a trooper on our flights again and I am thankful he has done such a great job travelling so far. 

Back in Colorado Springs Ford and I were able to see my Grandma a couple more times and even made a trip to the zoo.  

When we got back home to Columbia Ford was so excited to see Jeff and got a huge smile on his face and “squeezed” into him when Jeff picked him up.  He definitely missed his dad while we were gone.  Every day I held the phone up to Ford’s ear so Jeff could talk to him.  Each time he would stop what he was doing, listen, smile, and then try to turn towards the phone.  It was very cute.   Overall, we had a wonderful time on our trip!  It was fun to be able to see my family, go to Jon’s wedding, and to be in the cool weather.  Ford was a fun travel partner and I hope he and I can do it again! 

A Sunday Walk

Yesterday we had a pretty laid back day.  We didn’t do much except go to the river and talk a nice walk on the trail.  It was great to get out and enjoy the cloudy and cooler day.  The weather has finally started cooling off so Ford and I have been able to take a walk almost every day.  Yesterday was the first time to take Ford down by the river and it was fun to have Jeff with us too. 

COOKIES!!!

This week Ford tried cookies (arrowroot) for the first time!  I am not sure he has figured them out 100%, but none the less he has seemed to enjoy them.  Chicken on the other hand is a different story.  He has not enjoyed chicken at all.  In fact, the three times I have tried to give it to him he has gagged.  Dramatic gags.  And then spits it out.  Tonight we are trying turkey- let’s hope it goes a little smoother than the chicken has.

Taking the moment

This afternoon Ford woke up after a very short nap, crying.  I decided to let him cry for a bit, hoping that perhaps he would fall back asleep (fat change I know, but I had to try).  After waiting to see if he would calm down and fall asleep, I gave up on plan A and headed upstairs.  I kept the lights off and the ocean waves on.  After feeding Ford I laid him with his head on my shoulder and we just sat in the glider together.  It was wonderful.  Rather than going back downstairs to the project I was working on, I decided to “take the moment” and enjoy it.  Ford has already grown up so much and so quickly that I realize times like we had today are fleeting.  So, I took full advantage of it, and enjoyed it.  I loved our time of just resting together, listening to and feeling him breathe, and enjoying the feel of him on my chest, fingers around my neck and in my hair.  I don’t think he ever truly was fast asleep, but dozing in and out, just relaxing.  I was thinking how there are always so many things “to do.”  The laundry, the ironing, cleaning,  cooking, not to mention the projects I want to start, but haven’t.  For instance, I hope to organize and print (novel concept) pictures of Ford that for now are just on our computer and hope to make him a scrapbook of his first year (I will be lucky if I start/finish this before he goes to Kindergarten at the rate I am going now).  All of those things are great, but I realize that the time I have now to play with him, hold him, and just enjoy being with him, isn’t always going to be there  So, rather than trying to finish my long “to-do” list (and getting frustrated that I am always “behind”) I am going to try and just enjoy him and the wonderful opportunity I have to be with him every day.  And one day, perhaps he will have some printed pictures of himself, and maybe even a scrapbook.  More importantly though, I hope when he is older he will have memories of us spending time together and know that his Momma loves him more than she can put into words.

Sunday Happenings

Ford and I got back from our (awesome) trip to Colorado and Oregon on Saturday evening (will write about it soon).  Jeff’s cousin Daniel and his wife, Sally, drove down from Winston-Salem, NC, where Daniel is in his 2nd year of medical school.  They went to the football game and joined us for the night after it was over.  On Sunday we all went out for a great breakfast before they had to head home.  It was fun being able to spend some time with them, and Ford loved playing with them both.

Later in the afternoon when Ford was playing on the floor he discovered the dining room!  He is much more mobile now (Jeff said he really notices a difference from when we left).  In fact, he has started to “creep” and we feel like he isn’t too far from really taking off crawling.  So, he was on the family room floor and started rolling, and rolling, and before we knew it, he had made it to the dining room.  Before yesterday he had never rolled there.  He was pretty proud of himself and enjoyed putting his feet up on the dining room chairs and buffet station. 

 

Ford also had a fun time playing with (and being tickled by) his dad.  He missed Jeff a lot and it was obvious he was so happy to be with him yesterday. 

Girls, girls, girls

This summer Ford was able to hang out with some fun girls in Columbia!  I have had this draft for quite some time (I started it at the end of June and have added a picture here and there with the last picture being taken in August) and have never published it, so the pictures are not the most recent of him, but you can tell he loves his girls!

Ford with Katerine, Jennifer and Caroline after lunch at our house.  He skipped his nap so he could hang with the girls (shouldn’t surprise you).

Playing with Karin and enjoying his “no clothes” look since it was hot.

Ford wondered why he had to go to bed and miss out on all the fun with Kat, Sara and Karin 

Spending some time with his girl pal, Alex (exactly 2 months younger than Ford), who lives a few houses down.

Where were you?

Last night as I was trying to fall asleep my thoughts turned to today’s date.  September 11th.  I started thinking back to that day 7 years ago and relived my experience, still pretty clear.  I guess it is like those who lived through President JFK’s assassination- you remember where you were, what you were doing, etc.  Seven years ago on the morning of 9/11/2001 I was sleeping at my aunt and uncle’s house in Portland, Oregon, getting ready to get up as my parents and I were flying back home to San Antonio later that morning.  I remember hearing my aunt call down to my parents that Jon (my cousin) had just called and told her a plane crashed into the World Trade Center Tower (although I think we thought it was bombed at that point).  Jon’s friend had been in New York City, scheduled to be on a tour of the World Trade Center, but thankfully, had overslept.  He was obviously pretty shaken up and had called my cousin.  We all raced into the den to watch the TV and the horror that unfolded.  We sat in silence as we watched the replays of the first tower being hit, then watched live as the second tower hit, the first tower crumble, the second tower crumble, and the news of the other crashes into the Pentagon and in the field.  We, like the rest of America, were stunned, horrified, and saddened.  I don’t know how long we sat in front of the TV, or when we actually got dressed that day, but I do distinctly remember that morning.  I remember talking to Jeff who was in Fort Worth, and updating him on our travel plans.  I also remember the next few days my dad calling and or driving to the Portland Airport to see about flying out, making various plane reservations, only for them to be cancelled as planes weren’t yet flying.  Then on Friday, he came home to my aunt’s and announced we were driving back and had a car waiting for us at the airport.  So, my mom, dad, and I drove from Portland, Oregon, to San Antonio, Texas.  Actually, my dad drove, and my mom and I rode.  We all had to get back home to leave again.  My mom was going somewhere and I was leaving to go back to Northwestern to begin classes (with a short stop in Fort Worth) and my dad was meeting me in Fort Worth to drive with me to Chicago.  We had to get home.  Leaving any later would mean major kinks in our plans.  I remember what a strange, but neat, feeling it was as we drove home.  At each gas station we met and talked to other people in the same situation we were.  How often do you talk to people at the gas station?  For me, rarely.  So, it was a special thing.  We would find out where they were headed to, and from.  As we drove through Colorado I remember the beautiful aspen trees with their amazing yellow fall leaves.  We made it home late on Sunday night.  Tired, but thankful to be back and in time for us to all leave for our next destinations.  My dad and I made it to Chicago and within a week had driven from Oregon to Texas and then Texas to Illinois.  

Last night I also got to wondering what major history/life events will happen during Ford’s life.  He will grow up hearing about September 11th, but I wonder what things he will actually live through and remember.  I hope that somehow, there won’t be anything like September 11th in his life time.

Today I am thankful that my family is still here.  I pray for the families who lost loved ones 7 years ago, and I have hugged my little Ford even harder and longer today, knowing that life can change in a split instant, just as it did for our nation and the world, seven years ago today.

Print pickin’

In the last couple of weeks Ford has become fascinated with prints.  He concentrates hard as he “picks” at the pattern on his chair, pillows, our carpets, etc.  Doesn’t seem to get frustrated that he never is able to get anything up.

If you don’t get anything up after using your fingers, it helps to try and “eat” it

Freddie the Frog’s print on his ribbon is also fun to try and pick