Happy 6th Birthday to Robert

My baby boy isn't a baby anymore. Today he turned six! SIX! I remember bringing him home from the hospital like it was yesterday. I remember having him like it was yesterday. Every year, I tell him my labor story. I obviously leave out all of the grossness that labor and delivery brings, but I start at the night before, and the excitement Eric and I felt, heading to the hospital. I always tell him that I asked Eric to run into Wawa and grab me bubble gum and mints. And Eric walked out of the store with bubblemint gum, because he was in such a rush! I tell Robert about the nurses, and how Eric fell asleep when I had my pitocin drip started. And I always get a giggle out of the fact that he swallowed a bit of meconium. "Ewww! I ate poo??" Yes, sweetheart, you did.

My entire life changed for the better that day. My world made sense. My heart grew bigger than I knew it could. I was in love...and still am.

Dear Robert,
Happy Birthday, buddy! I can not believe that you are six years old already! Thank you for making Mommy smile everyday. From the moment I found out you were in my belly, I talked to you, I dreamed of you. We have been through a lot together, you and I. It was just us for awhile through two deployments and endless schools and training that Daddy did. But, with you by my side, it was hard for me to ever feel lonely. Your smile always lifted me up...made me laugh when I wanted to cry. You have always been more than a child to me, you have been my best friend. I enjoy nothing more than watching a movie with you, taking walks with you, and just talking together. You are so smart, so kind to your friends. You are a wonderful big brother to Carissa. Nothing makes her happier, than when she plays with her "Bob."
Mommy and Daddy love you very, very much. We are so blessed to be your parents. Thank you for picking us! Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

moon and back,
Mommy

thoughts throughout the week(s)

I think it is safe to say that I am officially a terrible blogger. I forget about it all of the time. And for some reason, I feel like I can only blog at night. Not the case. I am pretty sure I could blog in the morning and the world wouldn't end. With that being said, let me catch you up...

1.    Robert started First Grade!!!!

So far, he loves it. He really enjoys school. He comes home everyday with new stories to tell me. I hope that never changes.

2.    Eric will be home in ONE month! WooHoo! I can not believe how fast the past six months have gone. It's crazy. I can't wait for him to see the kids. They have grown so much. They miss their daddy, and I miss my best friend!

3.    Robert will be 6 years old on Tuesday. Carissa will be one in two weeks. I will be 28 in a week. EEK!

4.    Have you ever seen a more beautiful baby??

5.    I decorated for fall. This is our Scarecrow Family.

6.    I have been shopping for fall and winter clothes for Carissa. o.m.g. It is SO fun. Winter clothes for a soon to be 1 year old may just be the cutest things ever. You know what Winter means? Uggs. Carissa in Uggs. 'Nuff said.

7.    The best photographer on Earth is taking "Cake Smash" pics next week for Carissa's first birthday pictures. This is her hair flair for the shoot.

She's a fancy little girl...what can I say?

8.    Robert is still LOVING football. He'll be bummed when it's over


So, that's about all that is happening. I promise to get better at the blogging. (I say that in every post, don't I?)

Labor Day weekend

Holiday weekends are SO much fun. I used to dread them when Eric was gone, but I'm so over that. I need to make them fun for the kids...and me, too! So, this weekend has been great so far. Yesterday was pretty low-key. Football game in the morning. (Don't ask, Robert is NOT happy...26-0, the other team. Shhhh! Don't tell him I told you!!) And then we went to the pool in the afternoon. Last night, I let Robert stay up late to wait for Eric to call, so we made this concoction.

It was caramelized bananas, almond slivers and chocolate chips inside a puff pastry shell. omg. Delicious. As you can see, they didn't last long.

Today, we went to the beach in the morning! It was great. Sunny, blue skies, high waves. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and the water. Carissa ate some sand. A seagull ate Roberts lunchable...good times had by all.

This afternoon, we ventured out once again...this time to Mission Trails Regional Park. It is about three minutes from our house, and beautiful. We did an easy hike.

And the BIGGEST news of all today....

Carissa Grace is 11 months old!!!

Our sweet baby is now FULLY walking...saying a bunch of words "mama, dada, bob, duck, hi," signing "milk" "all done" and "eat," still nursing, but eating three full meals a day as well as snacks. Her favorite foods right now are watermelon, broccoli and ground turkey. I can not believe that she will be a year old next month. Where has the time gone?

Robert starts first grade on Tuesday. Tomorrow is Labor Day. We are hoping to relax and spend our last day of summer vacation having fun! Maybe back to the beach??

Look out for a special 'First Day of School' post on Tuesday!!!