"I've gotta get outta the house"

So, the remainder of August, basically the last 3 weeks, John came down with a nasty head cold, which kept his nose running and head congested the whole time, causing horrible nights of sleep, and not very good naps, primarily because his "security blanket" is his pacifier. I thought for a while we were going to be giving it up, b/c he couldn't breathe when he was sucking on it, so he had to learn how to soothe himself to sleep. It caused more work on us, but I was hoping it would culminate in the loss of need for a pacifier. Well, no such luck. Once he started being able to breathe, he promptly picked up the habit with a vengeance. He is still only limited to using it at naps and bedtime though, but that's beside the point, and that's not what this post is about.
So, b/c I hadn't gotten out of the house most of August, b/c his sleep cycle/schedule was all outta whack, I was going stir crazy. Chris ended up having a 4 day weekend, the first weekend in September (Labor Day), so on a whim we decided to pack up and go to San Antonio. We only planned a few get togethers, as we wanted to hang low and rest and let John recover, but also we (I) needed other people time!!
One of the get togethers was with the staff at Chris's ROTC unit. The last time we stopped by was a year before, almost to the day. Col Moore, had told Chris that we needed to do lunch/dinner, the next time we were in town, so we met him in San Marcos on the way down. It was fun catching up with him and his wife, and Mrs. Adams. She just loves John, and has people we don't even know praying for us and asking about us, particularly since we went through the miscarriage.

Col Moore feeding his son
John & Mrs. Adams

We then drove to Dave & Sarah's, and spent the rest of the evening with them. They had some friends over who were moving back to the area. Mike had been one of Dave's groomsmen, and he's in the Air Force, so it was fun to talk military talk with his wife. I don't know what we did that evening, other than watch a rather ridiculous movie about Thumbville, or something. Basically it's this talking thumb playing Batman. I think I fell asleep. I actually did go to bed around 10, but Chris ended up getting "kicked out" and sleeping on the couch, b/c I required too many pillows, and he "just couldn't fit on that full size bed!" It was rather wierd sleeping without him, but I managed!!


The thought processes of a 13 month old checking out his uncle's set of remotes 1.) Hmmmm, I've found a treasure trove 2.)Is anyone watching? Is this ok? 3.)Hmm, what does this one do? 4.)Ok, that was fun, onto more exploration!


To Penny:"I see you under there"
Playing with Penny



Just a really cool picture Chris took. Notice John has discovered climbing!
And of course, we have to beg from Uncle Dave, cuz he's got food!


The next morning, Chris finally got some guy time, the first he's had in a long time (since we moved to Killeen) when he went out biking with Dave & James. Sarah, John, & I stayed back, and then once the boys returned (around lunch) we ate and then headed out to a park in Schertz, to meet Jenny Jackson and the triplets she was watching & James & Galyn and their brood to play. We had a lot of fun, although it was ridiculously hot. John also was able to put another notch on his belt in this journey toward boyhood. He got his first busted lip. He was crawling towards Chris, and even though he had checked out the step previously, got all excited and fell down it, busting his lip. He screamed for a couple of minutes, but once mommy started feeding him ice, he was a happy camper. Too bad my ice was mostly melted and he couldn't get very much, but it didn't seem to phase him, as he promptly went to playing with Noah & Bryant. Crazy kid! Such a boy we have!

I love the transformation of facial expressions 1.) "Is this thing safe?" 2.) "Uh guys, this is kinda wierd." 3.)"Wow, this is fun!"


John, a wee bit terrified after going down the twisty slide with his daddy!


I look humongous, and exhausted!! Well, the exhausted part is true, and I'll have you know, my belly has been that size for 3 going on 4 months. Apparently I gained all the weight I'm going to gain during my 2nd trimester, b/c I'm now 4 1/2 weeks out, and I'm the same weight (and same belly size) I was at 25 weeks.

This is the step of doom that John eventually fell off of. You'd think that the orange cone woulda tipped him off, "Warning, step here," but alas no.


Bryant & his daddy


John & Noah discussing their findings


This is the walk, or crawl rather, of doom. Notice Noah tentatively watching in the background. I think he knows what's coming at the other end.


The first busted lip. Unfortunately we took the picture after it was "cleaned up" so you missed all the blood, and it doesn't look all that horrible
Eating mommy's ice

Playing in woodchips with your friends is always a great remedy for alleviating pain.


That evening, we enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Addingtons. Laura kept trying to get John to play with her, and just couldn't understand that he wasn't completely comprehending all the things she was saying to him. She kept trying to get him to climb up on the bed, or play tea party with her. It was rather cute! I enjoyed catching up with Jo & Jana, some much needed girl time, and some good encouragement on being a mom. We stayed entirely too late there, but thankfully John transferred well.

Laura dressed John in this hula necklace. John thought it was great!
1st, the sweet pic
Then the silly one!


Sunday was different. Sarah & Dave go to the 11 o'clock service, which is right during John's naptime. We've been going to the 9:00 service back home, and then coming home to put John down. I'm still not sure what we are going to do when we have both elementary school age kids needing to go to Sunday School and babies needing naps. Hmmm, I guess we'll cross that bridge when it happens. So, Chris decided to stay back with John while he napped, and I went to church with Sarah & Dave, only they had to go early to practice as they are on the praise team. That was a little awkward, walking in to the practice (late) and watching everyone practice, while attempting to sit inconspicuosly out of the way.
John helping Aunt Sarah practice before she went to church

John ended up sleeping really well, and so Chris missed all of the service, but made it in time to meet up with some people. We had a great time at lunch, at a new place we'd never tried Freddy's Frozen Custard. Their burgers were alright, but their custard was yummy!!!
All in all, it was a great weekend, and much needed! We realized it will probably be the last weekend to San Antonio until after Baby arrives, and then it will get interesting traveling down there!! Wow!


Oh, and I realized as I was looking through my pictures, that I didn't post a picture of the gorgeous flowers Chris gave me for our anniversary so here they are: