We're Back!!

Travis and I just returned from a much needed solo cruise to the Mexican Riviera. It was great to get away but after around day 5 of the 7 day cruise we were very much over our childless lifestyle and ready to get back to the hustle and bustle of parenthood.

Our stops included Cozumel, Mexico (twice - our second stop was cancelled due to bad weather), Roatan, Honduras and finally Progresso, Mexico. Inspired by our friends Luke and Holly (who just got back from a trip to Italy) we divided up our highlights...

Travis' Highlights:
- Meagan sans laptop - pretty rare!
- Dressing up and seeing Meagan wear beautiful gowns
- climbing the rock wall 16 stories above the ocean
- hearing the waitstaff sing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" in 35 different - accents
- 2 appetizers + 2 entrees + 2 desserts = 1 very happy man
- pool-side barbeque
- towel animals - the monkey rocks!
- turquoise water and white beaches
- fresh grilled fish served on the beach
- 24/7 flipflops
- watching a caribbean sunset from our bedroom
- Hearing Meagan laugh, seeing her smile and watching her relax
- Meagan's undivided attention








Meagan's Highlights:
- no computer, no phone and no way to get a hold of me
- my name was Ms. Block instead of "hey, um my computer..." or "hey I was looking at the website..."
- 10 hours of sleep each night with a 3 hour nap each afternoon
- dessert with every meal (yes, you can have dessert with breakfast!)
- hanging upside down on a cable 100 feet above the Roatan jungle
- strolling 3 miles along the beach front in between cities on Cozumel
- bartering for homemade hammocks
- coconut shrimp and ceviche from Le Saint Bonnet in Progresso
- the smell of the ocean and the feel of the salty air
- dressing up for dinner dates
- digging for seashells on the sandy white beaches
- sombrero wearing horses
- spending more than 48 consecutive hours with Trav

We had a wonderful time and are glad to be back home on solid ground within arms reach of our little guy and both agree that the best part of going away was coming home to our little munckin. This trip was extra special though because while we were away, my family schemed together to replace the huge shaded porch that we enclosed by building a beautiful covered deck for our birthdays. It was an unbelievably generous surprise, one that neither of us is likely to ever forget - you guys are the best!

Adventures in Babysitting...Part II

Ashlie and Little Man enjoy the rain!

Little Man's mom provided a box of fun, whereby he could open a new toy each day she and dad are gone on vacation. He has become quite the golf pro! (Mom might want to prepare herself for all of the other things he likes to hit with his new golf club)

Nana and Little Man being entertained by Pop!

On Wednesday, Little Man woke up with fever and the doctor identified a sore throat. Pop, Nana, and Ashlie "tag teamed" to entertain him; basically he just wanted to be held. Within 24 hours, his fever broke and he out-ate us all!

He is practicing new words every day. Last night, Jordan rocked him to sleep. After he carried him to his bed and closed the door, Little Man ended his game of "Playing Opossum" and they heard him on the baby monitor practicing naming all the people he loves. Momma and Daddy (and Daisy) were at the top of the list.

Adventures in Babysitting...

Uncle Jordan and Little Man clean the floor the fun way!

While Mom and Dad are on a week-long cruise, I (Aunt Ash) get to keep Little Man and play pretend “mommy”. It has been a very busy week so far with a few surprises along the way.

It all started the first morning when I arrived at 6:00 a.m. so that mom and dad could leave. Later, I heard him crying via the baby monitor. As I approached the closed door of his room, the crying got noticeably louder. I turned the knob to slowly open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. I pressed on the door a little more, only to realize that he was prostrate on the floor with his lips pressed under the door so that his crying could be heard and he could be rescued from his room.

As I opened the door, he cried out, “Momma” while getting up. I scooped him into my arms as he giggled with delight then pulled back in alarm when he realized I was, in fact, not Momma. He recovered quickly, though, and we had a good morning.

Later in the day, as we were grocery shopping, I noticed that he was sneezing quite a bit. I was concerned that he might be getting sick on my watch. However, at one point, I sneezed, which caused a shopper nearby to say, “Bless you.” He giggled and then sneezed himself. I realized that all along, he had been “fake sneezing”. This became our new game. I would fake sneeze and he would throw his head back and giggle, then follow mine with a few fake sneezes of his own, complete with forward head-throw, a stream of spit, and a gurgle of giggling.

We now play this every day (his initiation). Needless to say, this is a game I tire of long before he does. It is worth it, though, to hear that giggle!

Lollipop Kids

Little Man had a really fun playdate with all of his friends today. Aren't they all adorable?

Oh Baseball!

So, it turns out the obsession isn't with Mommy's shoes but shoes in general or as he says, "Shaw". This afternoon I found him in his closet trying on all of his shoes; my personal favorites are the water galoshes that look like turnout boots.

Despite constant coaching by dad, Little Man has no interest in playing with the soccer ball. His current favorite phrase is "Oh Baseball!". I woke him up this morning and the first thing he said was, "Baseball".

Walking in another's shoes...

I think Little Man is in need of some good ol' fashion boy time...what do you think?

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeew

It has been a busy couple of weeks that ended with the whole family flying up to watch my sister receive her doctoral degree in physical therapy. Yay! Here are the picture highlights...

I love playing in the sand!


My favorite spot in the house


I love flying!


All dressed up in my handsome suit


Congrats Auntie!!!