Unfortunately, it doesn't necessarily work. Lately, Caden sleeps restlessly, wakes up with bad dreams, and is up for the day before 7. Yikes! Then when Brian returns, he sleeps like a rock. I hope it's just a phase or deployments will truly be miserable. I typically don't sleep well when Brian is gone either, so we'll just be sleep-deprived together.
My latest and greatest activity was the March for Babies 5K walk last weekend. We walked for all babies of course, but in special recognition of Brandee and her daughter Sarah.
Take careful note of Angel's t-shirt
The event resembled a race, but without the jitters and long lines at the Port-A-Potties. I could get used to that...especially the part where you aren't drained at the end. However, I will sadly admit that I was tired by the end of the walk. A trip to Dunkin Donuts afterwards restored my energy. Thanks for a great day, Angel and Brandee. It was truly an honor. AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for your fantastic support. The three of us combined had about $1300 in donations.
Speaking of babies, our baby is growing. I'm at 26 weeks and am feeling huge (see above photo). I am beginning to realize we're having another kid soon and I might want to start preparing. So I tackled the new furniture refinishing project, a tall dresser for Caden. Same deal as last time; I sand and Brian stains. I will expect him to have it completed by our return from Iowa at the end of May...okay, Brian?!
Rain has been abundant, so spring is alive in Virginia and I suddenly don't mind living here again. In between storms, we enjoyed several play dates outside this past week. I'm acquiring a farmer's tan. (Great...that will make me look even BETTER in my maternity swimsuit. It's official...I'm wearing a parka to the pool.) He loves mud puddles. He races through them and watches the water splash as he goes. Then he pulls the wagon through and watches the tires. This is extremely reflective of Uncle Jeff behavior.
Always running
Tour de Caden
He decided to just sit in it
Ahhh Mom, my eyes!
He's such an outdoorsy kid that I waited for nice weather to take his 2-year photos outside. My friend Nicole Benitez has a business called Perfectly Posh Photography and was thrilled when I asked her to shoot Caden. We took him Lunga Park and just basically let him play and run around. I cannot believe some of the neat moments she caught. You can check out more of her work at her sites:
http://www.perfectlyposhphotography.blogspot.com/ and http://www.perfectlyposhphotography.com/.
She might be the most patient photographer I've ever met and although she claims she doesn't like getting dirty, she is certainly willing to make that sacrafice if it means a good shot. I love them all and I think I'll be purchasing A LOT of photos. It's nice to know that photo shoots don't have to be stressful...thanks Nicole! Here's a few of the shots.
When we're inside, lately he's drawn to the "TB" and specifically requests Curious George. I try to limit it since there's better things to do, not to mention he zones me out just like his Dad (BIG PET PEEVE). Landen gave Caden his old kitchen so that's been the recent highlight. For whatever reason, he took our can of coins and filled every nook and cranny with money yesterday, which was a pain to clean up!
Curious George
He recently started offering his own prayers at bedtime. He prays mostly for the baby, his friends, and grandparents...but also his toys, trucks, frog, and pacifier. Tonite, he wanted to pray for "tiny oranges." (He loves mandarin oranges, and I figured "tiny" would be easier to say, so that's what we call them. SO cute.) Anyway, I told him I'm not sure we should be praying for tiny oranges...but it's hard to discourage him when he's just starting to get it. So I guess we'll add tiny oranges to the list.
Did he just eat a tiny orange?!
While we're discussing oranges, any time I mention Jeff's girlfriend Tina, he pipes up, tiny oranges! So I hope we kick that before our trip to Iowa in 2 weeks. Otherwise Tina will be puzzled as to why she's being referred to as tropical fruit.
Speaking of tropical, Brian was in Hawaii last week and Florida this week. He relished in being on his old stomping grounds in Hawaii and brought back a Hawaiian shirt for Caden and chocolates for me. He was not thrilled with his race performance, and that's an understatement. Placing 7th out of 350 is awesome in my book, but he was focused on his terrible swim and bike times. It was just a practice race anyway.
Today, he competed in the St. Anthony's Triathlon, a HUGE event that attracts thousands of triathletes, including pros from the US and abroad. Almost the entire Marine Corps Tri Team flew in and competed. The swim was cancelled due to rough waters, so they were disappointed. Brian placed 22nd in the elite amateur category. He never fails to amaze me. He finished first on the team and felt good about his performance, which was a refreshing (and somewhat rare) positive response.
Some of the 2009 Marine triathletes
Now he's bumming for the week with his pal Ethan Copping until Ethan's graduation commissioning ceremony on Saturday. He deployed with Brian in 2003 and asked Brian to be his first salute as Naval officer. Brian will still have to do some work while he's there, but I know Brian...he'll get bored. He doesn't like being too busy, nor does he like too much down-time. Luckily, Ethan has planned some long bike rides and movie outings, so I'm sure they'll have a good time.
Have a GREAT week!!!
