Big Day

Wow, I've not written in a while. Having David home for the summer is great, since we've been able to spend so much time together. Unfortunately, I've had a major flare-up with fibro since our beach trip, along with a couple of migraines that kept me in the bed all day.

So, today is David's birthday and our four-year anniversary! It's so awesome that we can be together today. He turned the big 3-0 this year, which makes me think of (or dread) my 40th in December. But I'd like to stay in denial about that, thankyouverymuch.

We celebrated David's birthday with his parents and brother last night; we went to Arizona's, a place we wouldn't normally go (many $$$$, if you know what I mean). Here we are before we went:





Audrey was very well-behaved. The waitress gave her two crayons, so she sat there and colored for a while, then she proceeded to stick both crayons in each ear at the same time. She's very talented. Then, one went up her nose.
It was bye-bye crayons after that.

For our anniversary, David gave me a new chain for my diamond heart pendant. That piece of jewelry was the first gift he ever gave me, but a couple of years ago, I broke the chain. We kept meaning to replace it, but it hadn't exactly been at the top of our list of priorities. I'm really excited that I get to wear it again.

This pic doesn't do it justice, but here it is:



I love it! For his "annibirthday", as we call it, I'm giving him a class in concealed weapons. That's what he wanted, so that's what he's getting.

David's brother is a cook at a really nice restaurant downtown, and he gave us $100 gift certificate for Christmas so we could eat there. I can't believe we haven't used it yet, but now I'm glad, because we're planning to go on Saturday night. Mom and Jimmy will babysit the Bug, and Mom even said we could go to a movie, too! I can't remember the last time we saw a movie in the theater. David really wants to see Hangover II (and I have to admit that I do, too).

Fun plans ahead! I'm crossing my fingers for decent health for at least the next few days.

Vacation

So, we're back from our trip to the beach. Unfortunately, I was feeling bad (an understatement) most of the time, which really ticked me off. But ultimately, it was a good trip because Audrey had a great time.

From our balcony, you could see all the pools and the lazy river outside. Audrey loved being out there and looking at all the people. She's a people-watcher like me!





Don't you love her little bear chair?

I was thrilled to get this pic so I could show it to Mom, since she doesn't think Audrey looks like me. After she got the pic, several of her co-workers said we looked alike. Take that, Mom!



Audrey "rediscovered" the ocean and beach, since I'm thinking she doesn't remember much from our trip a year ago. She LOVED the sand and water, which made me so happy. She would pull wet sand up her legs and just rub it in. Nature's exfoliator, right?

We went to the aquarium, where she came face-to-face with a mini crocodile



and Daddy went "swimming" in a fish tank.



That's the best pic I could get because there was a terrible glare. And I was laughing so hard, I couldn't figure out how to get rid of it! He really had to manuever to get up there!

Even though fibro totally kicked my butt while we were there, I'm glad we got a chance to go, especially for Audrey. Here's to hoping I feel good for our next trip in August!

(Sorry for the huge pics, but I don't have the energy to resize them).

My girl and me

What could be better?

Ah...summertime

Okay, it's hot as Hades here, but I'm still pretty pumped. David's out of school for the summer. That means not only do we get to spend more time with him, but we'll also be able to get out of the house more.

And we're going to the beach soon, and it's going to be the bomb diggety (does anyone say that anymore?)

Our condo for the beach is right on the ocean....ahhhhh. I absolutely love the beach. Not a specific beach per se, but just in general. Or I should say, I love a beach where you can see for miles and miles and walk just as far, if you feel like it.



How could you not love the beach? Oh, I guess some people get annoyed with the sand and whatnot, but to me, it's the most peaceful place in the world. And how anyone can stand on a beach, dwarfed by the power and beauty of the ocean, and not believe that God exists is incomprehensible to me.

I have to admit, I chose my college partly based on its being close to the water. Granted, I fell in love with College of Charleston when I was in 8th grade, but the ocean certainly played a part in my decision.

I used to live on James Island, a full 5 minutes from Folly Beach. Folly is a classic surfer beach, populated with modest houses and year-round residents. It was wonderful to live so close to it. And looking back, I think fall, winter, and spring were really my favorite times there. For one, you don't really have to worry about sunscreen (and that's a biggie for me, since my skin is as white as the proverbial vampire's).

But it's not crowded then, except for the brave surfers who wade out into the cold. I can't tell you how many times I sat on the beach, huddled up in blankets, watching my then-boyfriend and his friends in their wetsuits, having the time of their lives.

I went there when I felt sad, when I felt happy, just anytime. I went there to study; my friends used to laugh and say there was probably sand in my textbooks. There probably was.

I've always felt that I was born in the wrong place, that I was meant to be near the water. I never intended on leaving Charleston, but sometimes life gets in the way. Sure, I could move there now, but being near my family is so important to me.

So I treasure these moments when I get to visit. It's not the same as living there, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

Can't they stay out of the ER?

Oh good grief. It's not even summer yet (though you wouldn't know that, seeing as how it's going to be in the 90s all week), and my nieces can't stop getting hurt. They're kicking off the summer with a bang, that's for sure.

Gracie broke her arm a couple of months ago. She got her cast off recently, and a couple of days later, BAM. Katie gets hurt. She was at school, and her class was walking "punishment laps" around the track because some kids were misbehaving. Don't even get me started about the stupidity of punishing an entire class for a few kids' misbehavior...not the best classroom management technique.

Anyway, she was walking along, probably talking a mile a minute to her friends, wasn't paying attention, and slammed right into a stage they'd set up on the track. I think they were having some ceremony celebrating the building of their new school, but I'm not sure.

The point is, she had to get seven stitches on her forehead!



I'm not even going to post the pic of the gash on her head before it was stitched. Holy cow. They took the stitches out just a few days later, which I thought was very soon, but the doctor said it would leave "railroad tracks" on her head if they didn't.

Audrey and I spent the day after it happened with Katie and my mom, who took off work to take care of her. She described what happened, pointing out that one of the little girls in her class was the first to get to her. I can't remember her name, so I'll call her Ashton. Actually, I think that was her name.

So Katie ran into the stage, fell down, and blacked out for a few seconds. Ashton said, "Katie, we've got to get you to the nurse." Katie asked why, and Ashton said, "Because you're bleeding." I can only imagine what the little girl was thinking, seeing that gash on her head. Katie said, "I'm not bleeding", reaching up to feel the side of her forehead. Ashton said, "The other side", and Katie reached her hand up and came back with lots of blood. Wow.

So, Katie had been jealous of all the attention Gracie was getting about her arm, and now she's got it all. I think she's realizing it's so not worth it.

Little Things

I'm just overwhelmed lately by the miracle that is Audrey. She's just unbelievable, and she learns something new every day. Her vocabulary is off the charts. She's such a sweet, giving, loving little girl. I thought I'd list some of the sweet things she's been doing lately.



That picture is from yesterday, when we spent some time outside in the morning. My in-laws have spent a lot of money and time beautifying our yard, so it's much more pleasant to be outside now. Okay, here's some of the things that have been melting my heart lately.

1. She brings things to me, such as her stuffed animals, and says "Peas" until I take it. If I don't take it, she shoves it at me. I end up covered in stuff. I may have mentioned this one before, but it bears repeating because she's so polite:) She's also started saying "Thanks".

2. Every time we get to a picture of a panda bear in one of her books, she leans over and kisses it. My heart immediately melts...

3. She's obsessed with shoes, especially David's. She brought a pair of his flip-flops to me yesterday. I said, "Honey, please put those in the closet." She immediately turned around and put them in our closet. Oh, how I hope she's so obedient when she gets older!

4. I guess I call her honey a lot because she says it all the time. Now, I don't like to see her upset, but when she's really tired or hurt she'll say, "Honeeeeeey" in a pleading way, like she's begging me to take care of whatever's bothering her. So sweet.

5. She's finally starting to warm up to Papa Jimmy. She sat on his lap last Sunday and he read several books to her. He's not much for reading, which made it all the more adorable.



6. She said, "Wuv you" the other day. She hasn't said it since, but oh...it took my breath away.

7. She gives great kisses. If she's in the mood, we'll ask, "Can Mommy (or Daddy) have a kiss?" She'll lean right over and kiss us on the mouth. Best thing ever.

8. When I get her up in the morning, she usually hugs me really hard. She'll say "Huggy" and pat my back.

9. We've had a case of bottled water next to the kitchen table for the last week. While I'm eating breakfast or lunch, she'll sit on it, just to be close to me. She also admires herself in the stainless steel trash can there, saying, "Baby" while pointing at herself.

10. She dances. I'll put the TV on a channel with music for toddlers, and she'll sway and dance to the music. She's even started saying "Dance" when she wants to listen to that channel.

There are so many more things, but I can't remember it all. I'm just so grateful for this little Bug.

This day is...

...rough, to say the least. I was awakened by David around the usual time, just as he was getting ready to leave for work (or so I thought). He said, "Do you know how to work the coffeemaker?"

To be fair, he is not an idiot. My old coffeemaker died on Sunday morning, so my mom brought over an extra one. Since she keeps everything, I figured she might have one.
I said no, I didn't. I mean, I don't know anything that early, not even my shoe size.

Then I heard Audrey. I looked at him, and he said, "I went to close the door to her room and she stood up and said, 'Hey, Daddy'". So she's in the highchair." Aaarrrggghhh.

Two things are going through my head. Number one, I'm not getting any time to myself this morning. I usually get up when David leaves, and I normally have time for a cup of coffee and some time on the Internet before Audrey wakes up.

Number two, THERE'S NO COFFEE. I am not a morning person. To say the least. I really don't want to talk to anyone unless I've had a cup of coffee. Part of it is genetic, since I remember being that way in high school. A big part of it is the fibro, though. People with fibro wake up feeling stiff and sore, and it can last for 1-3 hours or more.

Anyway, even though David was seriously late to work (and a class of high school kids waits for no one), he quickly figured out the coffeemaker and started it for me. You see, he knows me very well.




Thankfully, Audrey was in a great mood, grinning like the cat who ate the canary because her daddy was home. She's been really good all day. She's such a sweetheart when she wants to be:)



I've just been feeling awful for the last few days. REALLY awful. I even had to call my mom for help with Audrey yesterday, because I seriously felt like I couldn't move, like I had the flu. I hate having to ask for her help, since she has my nieces every other weekend and works full-time, but I had to. David is going to school full-time for his Masters degree, and he had tons of work to do yesterday.

Thankfully, I'm getting a therapeutic massage tonight. I cannot wait. If I can only find the strength to drive an hour round-trip to get it.