Tybee, Like a Boss

It has been far too long since I have posted here. It's far too easy to just type out a few sentences for a Facebook status update than it is to actually gather my thoughts and sit down and write something. However, sometimes I have these thoughts swirling around in my mind and I have to get them out. Lately if I ignore them long enough they just go away but tonight I felt like I needed to write them out.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how Lucas is almost double digits and our job raising him (at least while he is under our roof) is about half way done, if not more. Time just goes by too fast as cliché as it sounds, it is so very true. Far too fast he will be graduating from high school and one day out on his own.  I'm just trying to enjoy the time we do have now and I am in such awe of the person he is growing into everyday. Friday I woke up and he was sitting at the table already dressed for school and he had his science book out and was writing something. He looked up at me for a second and said, "So I forgot I did have homework after all. Don't worry, I'm almost done. It's about gravity and velocity and things like that. Oh and today is NUT day (No Uniform Today) and I already have a $1 in my pocket. I got it covered." And I just stood there for a moment amazed and wondered who this mature kid was sitting at my kitchen table.

I've been consciously trying to not be attached to devices (at least when Lucas is home) so we can spend quality time together as a family. So when my husband made plans to go deep sea fishing with his Dad and brother today, Lucas and I made beach plans to go to Tybee after church.

The drive to Tybee always brings up so many memories for me. It holds this special place in my heart.  So many firsts have happened there and I've spent time there were so many people I hold near and dear.

It's the first place I felt like a "grown up." My cousin Davia and her family came to visit when I was 15. Davia is one year old and had her license. My parents gave her the car keys and we headed to the beach with my friend Shannon with out any adults. I remember Davia didn't want to go near the water at first because she was used to the Pacific Ocean being cold.

It's the place my Mom took me for my 17th birthday. I was heart broken because the boy I liked came to my birthday party and fell for one of my friends. My Mom and I went to dinner by the Lighthouse, stayed in a hotel, and went for a midnight walk on the beach.

It's where I went after the Junior prom with my best friend Katie before having to go home and then go to the hospital to see my Grandfather who was dying from cancer. It's the place I went with my friend Ashlee the day after senior prom with my hair still up in an updo. We had to fend off seagulls when they tried to steal our sandwiches.

It's the place Curt and I went on our first date.  We had this really bad cup of coffee at the Sugar shack and then walked along the boardwalk. He asked me for permission to kiss me for the first time. It's the place where we went to wish my friend Gretchen Bon voyage before she studied abroad in London.  We had planned to be roommates when she returned. I remember her sending me a picture of Curtis and I on the beach and she told me she knew I would end up emailing her while she was gone telling me plans had changed. She knew more than Curt and I did and we ended up getting married before she came back from London.

It's the first place Lucas ever experienced the beach. He was just 11 months old when I met my friends Candi and Shannon for lunch on Tybee and we took him down to the beach. He instantly loved it. He hated the way grass felt on his skin at the park but he loved the wet sand on his skin. Ever since then the beach has become our thing. He had his PreK graduation there and it's just become a special mother son place.

The two of us venture out there whenever we can. We always try to meet my friend Shannon and her family there when she is in town from Alabama. We still have a blast even if nobody else is free and it just ends up being the two of us.

So back to today.... we practically ran out of church straight to the car. We only made one stop (Chipotle for burritos) and then headed straight to the beach. As soon as we got near Tybee we hit traffic. I was expecting it to be busy because it was a gorgeous day after a pretty bad rainstorm the day before. When we had been sitting in traffic for a while I saw a place we could have turned around and I remember asking him if he was sure he wanted to go to the beach or we could go do something else. He said that he really wanted to go to the beach ( and so did I) So we sat through an hour of traffic. When we got to the beach we spent another hour trying to find a parking place. I was getting a little frustrated, and so was he so he said "if we don't find a parking place after we try one more place, lets just go home and try another day" and I agreed. We tried for another 30 minutes and decided to give up. We headed for home and hit more traffic. This time things were not moving at all. It took us another hour and a half to get home. We basically took a 4 hour scenic route home from church!

At first I was frustrated that we had wasted the whole afternoon in the car but then I thought about it. We might not have made it to the sand and water but we certainly had another memorable trip to the beach. It's not often that we spend four hours together just talking and being together. I'm pretty sure the next time I drive out to Tybee this is going to be another memory that pops up and makes me smile.

I hope I will remember how when he got his burrito he said "whoa, this thing should be on man versus food. This thing is huge! Take a picture so I can show Dad." And after eating on it several times over 4 hours he finally handed it to me to put in the cooler with our drinks. He just had a couple of bites left but he said, "I'm done. The food won THIS time,"

I hope I will remember how he panicked for a moment because he had to pee and we were parked on the highway going nowhere fast on Highway 80. Before I knew what was happening he had used an empty water bottle to alleviate his problem.  He proudly help up the water bottle and asked "where should I put this" while I freaked out and yelled something about the top needing to be on very tightly! And I might have taken a picture of him holding up his bottle and texted it to his uncle and Dad who knew we were stuck in traffic. And when they asked me about the contents of the bottle I might have responded with "well it's NOT water."

I hope I always remember how we talked about the book we are reading at bedtime, TREASURE ISLAND, and how we both want to go to the Pirates House after we finish.

I hope I remember how he kept telling me he had "swag" and kept saying he did things "like a boss" and how I tried not to laugh but couldn't help it.... because he has these hand motions he does when he says "like a boss." And I hope I remember how me laughing made him laugh too when I was worried it might hurt his feelings.

I hope I will remember how we fought over the radio and how I would change the station when any song came on that had a bad word in it or mentioned adult situations. And if I changed it to a country station he would say "Mom!!! Not the Texas music again!"  And if he said something to me I would turn the radio down to here him better and he would instantly say "can you please turn the music back up." So I don't even know if we listened to a whole song the whole four hours because I was constantly changing the station and turning the radio up and down. About 20 minutes from home I was kicking myself for not remembering he had an Adventures of Odyssey CD in the car. We listened to that on the rest of the way home.

It's true what they say that a bad day at the beach is still better than a good day anywhere else.

 

Beach Birthday & Lucas meets Caden

This morning Lucas and I headed out to Butter Bean Beach.

We were meeting my friend Katie, to celebrate her birthday (27 yesterday) with a picnic.

It was pretty windy so after Lucas sang the Happy birthday song, Katie just pretended to blow out the candles.

When we were finished at the beach we decided to swing by Lucas' Aunt Sam's house. We were greeted by a monkey in the tree.

Lucas and Caden meeting for the first time.

Lucas explaining all the cool stuff he wants to teach Caden.

Caden will be two weeks old on Sunday.

He seems to be such an easy going little guy.

When we got home Lucas told me, "I hope my baby cousin grows up to be my friend."

The Summer 8 Years Ago

The summer after I graduated high school I went to Jacksonville, FL to visit Katie. She thought it would be hilarious to have my picture taken next to one of Jax's finest. This was also back before I stopped dying my hair. Now when I run into anyone from high school they think I dye my hair brown. They don't believe my that my hair now is my natural color.

Happy 25th Birthday Katie

Lucas is 19 Months Old!

Today's meet up was at the Jacksonville Zoo. This is his second trip to a zoo and he loved it even more the second time. It was a little warm outside so to encourage Lucas to drink his water I added a little juice to sweeten it. He drank his water pretty quickly so I wasn't worried about him getting dehydrated.

Right after he finished drinking his sippy we stopped at these giant statues of Elephants. All the other kids were excited to see them and wanted to climb all over them. Lucas was acting clingy so I thought he was was just scared of the giant fake elephants (which I thought was a little strange for him since he has never been afraid of ANYTHING before.)

When we left the elephants we went by a giant fish tank which was part of a Jaguar exhibit. Lucas loved seeing the "fiSHHH's. He still was acting a little funny so I thought it must be because it was around his nap time.

When we saw that you could see a Jaguar napping from inside of a restaurant we decided to stop for lunch. Lucas was still acting tired so after he finished eating lunch (which was just a few bites of rice and beans because he didn't seem hungry) I took him back to the Jaguar window. While we were standing and looking at the Jaguar, Lucas turned his head and just started throwing up. Luckily, he didn't get anything on me and I had brought him a change of clothes. The staff was really nice and mopped up his mess for me. I laid Lucas in his crib and he just kicked back. All he threw up was liquid and I realized it must have been the juice I added to his water. I checked the label before I bought it to make sure it didn't include peaches, but I didn't even think about the apricots in it because he has never had it before.

Lucas rested in his stroller while we looked at a few exhibits and while everyone else rode the carousel. He started to come back to life just before he got to the petting zoo where you could pet and brush pygmy goats.

He had a fun time watching the goats eat and started to imitate the way they eat with their mouth open.

We took a train ride around the zoo and I think the vibrations from the train slowly put Lucas to sleep.



The train ride gave us a mini behind the scenes tour. We got to see some of the animals pretty close up.

It was neat to see the Giraffes and elephants as we went by.

After his short nap on the train Lucas was ready to check out more animals.



My friend Katie went with us too. (Well, I guess we went with her since we took her car.) All the kids loved her and she did her share of holding little hands, and hauling kids around. Lucas actually went to her over me (except when he wasn't feeling good) and Lucas' friend Nicole also loved Katie holding her as well.

See more pictures Here

Geese and Ducks and Fish, Oh My!

This morning Lucas and I met Katie and her mom for breakfast. We went to the Original Pancake House and I had the best pancakes I have ever eaten before!

After breakfast we took Lucas to Lake Mayer to see the birds. Since we didn't have bread we tried to feed the ducks and geese Cheerios (which they ate.) When I handed Lucas Cheerios to throw to the birds he would eat the Cheerios himself and then wave at them. We didn't stay that long because of how hot it was (yes I know it is January but the weather doesn't seem to know that)

On the way home we stopped by Lori and Tony's house and Lucas loved seeing their "shhh" (fish.)

October 1996

10 Years ago I was a freshman in High School. (Click on the picture for more details.)

Sunday at the Park

After Church Lucas and I met Katie at the park in between our houses to walk around the lake.

It was such a nice day and it was nice to get some exercise in the fresh air.

Lucas was fine in his stroller because we were constantly moving and the scenery kept changing.

Right before we left he did get out to stretch his legs for a little bit.

Have lap? Will Snuggle!

The car Curt drives the most is on its last legs (or wheels I should say) since we live only a mile from his work he drives there and back and that is it. On the weekends we share the Geo which is usually fine except on Saturdays. Curt goes to his Grandparents house every Saturday night. They live about 20 minutes away from us. We have dealt with the one car thing before and it wasn't a big deal. Before we had Lucas it wasn't really even a problem because I could drop him off and pick him up when he is done while I hung out with family or friends. However, If I did this now I would have to wake Lucas up at night to go pick up Curt around midnight.

Tonight my friend Katie wanted me to come hang out with her. Curt dropped Lucas and I off at her house (she brought us home.) We had dinner, played cards, talked and just hung out. I was amazed by how friendly Lucas was. He really wanted nothing to do with me but kept climbing in Katie's and Robbie's (Katie's brother) laps to snuggle and cuddle with them. I would understand if it was my sister Lori or my mom because he sees them quite a bit. He isn't around Katie all that much and he has only seen Robbie maybe 3 times before tonight. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since Lucas has never gone through that "shy around strangers" phase.

Lucas already has the sharing thing down

Tonight Curt, Lucas, and I went over to my friend Katie's house for dinner. Katie moved here right after Christmas and I really haven't spent any time with her since she first got here. Katie's brother Robbie was also there a little while before he had to go to work(he is a security guard) and her Grandpa Bar-b-qued for us even though it was raining! It is amazing how much she has changed(in a good way) these last two months and how much happier she seems... of course I think some of it has to do with her new/old "friend" David. (I caught them off guard by snapping a picture so shh don't tell them they might kill me for posting this ha ha) David is a really good guy and it was really cool to hang out with them.

Lucas loved being the center of attention and he got to hang out with Kujo (Jadie's big brother) again. He kept offered Kujo licks of his biter biscuit and licks of his finger. When he wasn't offering to share with Kujo he was busy flirting with Katie or "talking" to everyone.

Friday he started to really babble and said "da da" for the first time... which Curt is thrilled about. I keep trying to get him to say "ma ma" but he just laughs at me like it is a game and just says "da da da da" even more. It is so cute... Curt is thrilled. We know he isn't referring to Curt specifically just trying out some new sounds but it is still precious.

An apple a day keeps the Dr away, so what keeps the dentist away?

I've never been one of those people that feared going to the dentist. Actually I can remember countless times when I would fall sleep while the dentist was cleaning my teeth because I would feel so relazed reclined in the chair staring into the overhead light.

Well, those days might be over. My mouth hurts! Today I had what is called a full mouth debridement... which is like a cleaning only deeper... they dig into the gums to really make sure all the plaque is out of there and they use this high powered stream of water and it feels like a knife cutting around your teeth. My gums are all sore and bleeding. This is normal. I'm not complaining, I am happy with the dentist I went to... very happy. It needed to be done it just hurts like hell! Besides it can be one of those things I say when Lucas is doing something "do you know what I went through while I was pregnant with you..." I had tears coming out of my eyes and I was trying to concentrate on something else so I just kept repeating the alphabet over and over and over. So please go to your dentist regularly!!! You don't want to deal with this at all!!!

Also so far I have eaten 3 Popsicles today because the cold feels good. So that is a plus.

Oh today I got a letter from my Grandmother in Cali. I had told her I was a little sad that we weren't naming Lucas after anyone in our family. Well it turns out we did, we just didn't know. My Dad's grandfather (so my great grandfather) was named LeRoy and everyone called him Luke. She told me what a wonderful man and father-in-law he was. Every Friday he would bring home flowers to his wife and they would have everyone over to play cards and he would clean up after everyone. I know it may seem like a little thing but that made me very happy to know that! I think I will call him Luke... that way when he does something I can yell "Lucas!" before going to the "Lucas Owen Hunter"...

Tomorrow is my sisters birthday... she will be 20. I can't believe that. In a few days it will also be my best friend Katie's birthday and I have to think of something to send to her. I miss her so much and wish she was here! We have both been busy with our own lives lately and haven't really talked... but we keep up with emails back and forth. Well I think I am going to eat yet another ice cream then maybe go to bed. I just listed a bunch of things on eBay. I need to start making some money again.

My Mood : in pain Now Playing : watching the Tonight Show. I love me some Jay Leno!

I'm home alone on a Sat night

So I am home again on a Saturday night like a loser! I was supposed to do something with my sister Lori, we had plans to hang out but nothing specific. She called me to ask me if I wanted to go to a Hockey Game with some people from her church. I told her I don't like hockey and didn't want to pay money to watch it and for her to call me when she was done. (They were supposed to meet at 4:30 or something) So I called her at 6:30 to see if maybe she wanted to go to dinner after she was done, and she told me she wasn't at the hockey game, she didn't go, instead she was going to dinner with one of the girl's she was going to meet up with, and that she would just talk to me later...

So does that mean I am the backup unless something better comes along? I know I know she doesn't realize she does stuff like this but whatever! I have talked to her about making an effort to hang out, and she promised she would, then she got married and Tony was leaving so I expected her to spend all her free time with him, (which I totally understand) but now we're back to this... it makes me mad! I want to be friends with my sister, you know, not just hang out cause we are related... but whatever.

Ted and Lisa (where I usually hang out on Saturday nights are at their friend's house for dinner) they told me I could come over later, but sometimes I feel like such a loser only hanging out over there along... they don't make me feel like that, I always feel welcome... but it is just hard to explain. I miss Katie that is for sure! I need some more Gal pals. Curt is hanging out with his friends tonight like always. So I am hanging out with Jadie... I love her but she is a dog. I'm hungry and there is nothing to eat, and nobody to eat with.

So I'm having a pity party for one!

At least my auctions are doing good. Oh well I am going to go call Curt maybe he'll feel sorry for me and come home. (doubt it I'm just his hormone raging pregnant wife that will cry at the drop of the hat) not his words, mine.

I took a "Me" Day

Well, I guess I jinxed myself by declaring my morning sickness appeared to be gone. Nope! I threw up this morning as soon as I woke up (just like I have been doing) so I messed around the house for about 3 hours, got dressed, got in the car to go to Bluffton, SC to do some shopping and I just started to gag, thank goodness I had an empty plastic cup in one of my cup holders! (Sorry to gross anyone out!) It could have been nasty. It's not like I am puking up food, its just usually spit. It still stinks, I feel like a cat in a constant state of hacking up hairballs! Okay Okay enough about that!

So I was on my way and went to Goody's, Target, and Old Navy (All stores we have in Savannah, but the ones in Bluffton have much better deals!). At Goody's I got some good Ebay deals to sell, Target I bought some cute clearance undies, and birthday presents for my niece Kaliegh and 2 nephews. (Even though their birthday's aren't for a while), but everything was on clearance so I couldn't resist. Then at Old Navy there were more clearance clothes to sell on Ebay... plus I got the cutest "Baby's First Christmas" outfit (a onsie, booties, bib, and hat) all for less than $2.00! If for some reason our Baby can't wear it there is always Ebay!

Ya'll just don't know how many baby clothes I have bought so far and people have bought me and we won't know the sex for about 6 more weeks (and yep the clothes are all pink!) Also I love the Bluffton Old Navy because unlike ours it sells Maternity, and Women's Plus size clothes (all of which sell great on Ebay)!

Tonight we are having unhealthy, yummy, cheesey nachos for dinner. Thinking about Katie made me think about making nachos, (i know random) because she always wanted me to make them. They are quite good also I might add.

Yesterday I talked to my friend Jenn who I haven't talked to in a LONG TIME of course it was online but it was still nice. Jenn, Jack, and I used to be like the three amigos and they both live in PA now and I never hear from them! We had some crazy times! Jenn was a good gal pal also. Well my hubby Curt just got home and I think I should get off because he walked in and said "Hello my wife who is always on the computer"

2nd Trimester Finally! I am 14 weeks!

So I have reached my second Trimester today which is exciting and scary all at the same time. Today I just feel all weepy! I called Lori (my sister) today to see how school is going and how she is doing since Tony has been gone. I almost burst into tears, and that was just leaving a message on the answering machine!

Today I feel like I got some things done even though you can't tell! I started to wash some dishes, go through are old filing cabinet and throw copies of our old bills away, and I did some more laundry! I also started dinner. I posted a couple more things on eBay today and sold my psych book from last semester for $50! I am really enjoying this whole eBay thing! I need to tell my midwife that I'm not going to work formally I'm going to stay home the next time she asks me how the job search is going.

However, I think I am getting a little stir crazy, I REALLY MISS SCHOOL! I need to come up with something that can take up some of my time and give me some me time. Maybe I'll go eBay shopping tomorrow in Hilton Head, SC.

Curt's cellphone is turned off and it is annoying! I wish I knew when he was going to be home so I can finish dinner. I worry sometimes that he thinks I am a slack wife! I am trying to get things done and also listen to Jill and take things easy. I've also tried to eat a little bit better. (more fruits and veggies). For lunch I have a Lean Cuisine (because its a balanced hot meal I don't have to create a big production to make).

We were supposed to go out with Curt's mom, Andrea for dinner last night and I was excited but it fell through. I just need to go out and talk and hang out with someone different then Curt (he can be there, that is fine) it is just fun when there is someone else to join the conversation. Also we have spent a lot of time with my family lately (because of them coming from out of town) and we really haven't seen Curt's, which is a big change from usual. Normally it is the reverse.

I am really craving some girl time! I miss my best friend Katie so much! I haven't really talked to her lately. We have known each other since High School! Man we got in so much trouble together Those were the good old days! I love my sister-in-laws to death, especially Lisa but they all have kids and they can't just drop everything to hang out.