August 2008 Archives

All eyes on Gustav here. Our plan here in Bush is about the same as it was for Katrina. I surely hope public officials and essential service providers are better prepared this time, though. There is still time (And quiet hope) for it to weaken or veer off elsewhere.

Sorry for the new look, folks. The upgrade this morning, which should have affected all of the blogs here equally, apparently only thinks this one should have trouble. Everything seems to be functioning and I hope to have it back to the familiar look soon.

Sorry if you got extra response emails today, Carol. I was receiving an error message on your entry. I deleted it, discovered it wasn't the problem, and then restored it and its responses.

Update (2:45PM): I'm having second thoughts. There are some features in this template that I like. The ability to add the author's picture to their entry and/or their comment might be something I'd like to keep. What do you think?

Update (3PM): "Comment anonymously" just means enter your name and email address like you always do. Signing in will allow you to add a picture of yourself.

As a comic strip in our area said "Ya gotta love August". I spent 17 days up on the boat and loved every minute. We started out with the annual "Bye picnic" at my Mom and Dad's the first weekend in August. We had a good time and the weather was perfect. I was having such a good time I didn't really take any photos. From there Dan and I went to the boat for a week's vacation. We were able to spend some time with Ashley as she had a couple days off from work. She lived on the boat and worked at the marina where we keep our boat. Nice commute, walk three dock lengths to her job. From there we went to a cool place called Black River Harbor. There are a lot of trails that lead to some awesome waterfalls. Then we had Dan's mom, niece (from CA) up for a weekend. I stayed at the boat for another week by myself (well with Ashley but she worked every day). It was so nice and peaceful. I actually read two books! Then Dan, Nicole and our niece came up for last weekend. The weather was perfect and we were able to go swimming a lot. Now back at home to get ready to move Ashley back to college, Gary's son Patrick's wedding and Nicole starting school on Sept. 2. Oh, and I'm taking a photography class starting Monday. All in all a good month!

Okay, Barrett was 6 months almost a month ago but Stephen got a new program on his Mac and it made it more difficult to send pictures. I really don't understand it all I just know I was unable to attach pictures to an email so that Uncle Robbie could upload them for me. He is so good!

We were in Myrtle Beach when Barrett turned 6 months so we decided to take his picture on the beach. We had a lot of cute ones from the trip though so it was hard to pick just one...I hope y'all feel the same way I do. The whole family went and we had a lot of fun. Barrett seemed to love his naps on the beach. The waves lulled him to sleep and he would go for hours. He didn't love the ocean water but the place we stayed had a lazy river and he seemed to really enjoy just floating around. He is a laid back kind of guy.

Since the trip, Barrett has displayed on a lot of new talents. He can sit up unsupported, give kisses (he grabs your face and pulls you toward him), babble on and on, and he is scooting all over! I love it! Tonight, Stephen was trying to dress Barrett for bed and he took off before Stephen could get his diaper on. I guess he is going to be a streaker like his Uncle David. He was all over the room exploring everything. We got it on video so hopefully Stephen can get that uploaded so that you all can see it. I say he is officially crawling but Stephen doesn't think so yet. Oh, he is in love with the newspaper and if we want to get him moving all we have to do is lay it out and he is off. He likes to crinkle it and eat it! I don't think it is good for babies to eat newsprint so I have to take it from him immediately after he attacks it and he gets so mad. Flick is not too excited about his new found mobility, especially because he has taken great interest in her tail.

Since we are back in school, Barrett is with his babysitter, Miss Beverly, during the day and is doing very well. I think he is learning a lot from his new friends. It makes it so much easier to drop him off and leave. I was so worried about it but he always has a smile on his face when I drop him off and when I pick him up.

I am loving this time in our lives!
Kellie

Barrett

The boys started school today, just a half day though. They came home with oodles of paperwork and books for me to cover with contact paper. I dread this task each year. I breathed a sigh of relief as I left them in their classrooms. It has been a long summer and I have been counting down the days for them to go back to school. Normally, we are off and running in the summer with not much down time. This summer however, we have been home mostly, because of the baby. It's not easy going anywhere with an infant! Needless to say, the boredom set in quickly. So, hurray for school...especially since I'm staying home!! We're going to dinner tonight for our annual first day of school dinner, a tradition Sue started with her family that I have mimicked. Sue used to visit the same restaurant each year, a Mexican one, until it closed and now I believe they still do Mexican but at a different restaurant. We do a different restaurant each year. But as Elizabeth pointed out when I told her about it, it's not exactly a special treat when you go out to eat as often as we do! Back in the day, Sue didn't eat out much so it was a treat for them. I wish I could say the same. Still, the boys enjoy it and we do too. We're undecided on where to go. All of us have a different opinion. We'll see who wins.

Jude was 3 months old yesterday. He had his monthly check up today and was 9 pounds, 10 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. His doctor is wowed by his growth, she must have said how great he was doing 5 times. He's still not on the regular growth chart though. She tried to show me the graph but it all looks like gibberish to me. I could not figure out what it meant. There's a preemie growth chart, which is what Jude is still on, but she didn't give me his statistics. I assume by our 4 month check up we'll be on the 'normal' chart since she said we were so close this time. He got one vaccine this time, the HIB vaccine and the doctor assured me he didn't need tylenol as it was such a mild vaccine with no side effects. He's in the baby bjorn(papoose) as I write and has been unwilling to be put down since we got home. I'm determined to get this posted though!

1st day of school, Aug. 13, 2008

Jude

Jude

Happy, Happy, Katie.

Have a day.

Maybe Mom can regale us with that story (Hint, hint).

On this day - August 9

1948 Peggy and I made a cake. Took care of Thiel boys - earned $1.
1949 Saw movie, "Sorrowful Jones."
1950 Shower for Catherine.
1952 Katie O'Malley spent evening.
1957 Bought high chair. $11.99.
1958 Sue turned from back to stomach.
1959 Sam had abscessed tooth pulled.
1960 Went to Beach with R & S. Janine sat alone first time.
Sam bought suits for himself. Dress, shoes, purse for me.
1985 Bought girls Swatch watches and school shoes and sox.
1987 Took Angela and Christina to doctor. Blood pressure 74/44
for each.
1988 Car trouble. Distributor cap, rotor, plugs, timing, need
new carburetor.
1989 Katie took care of Brianne and Stephen.
1990 Long weekend in Fort Walton Beach for five daughters.

Disclaimer: The above historic events took place on various dates in August, not necessarily the 9th.

Five years ago today.

Time's fun when you're having flies ... or something like that.