Anderson's Big Day!

Sunday (February 8) was Anderson's baby dedication at church! We are so blessed to have such a sweet boy and he did better than we could have ever expected! I, of course, had the normal anxiety about him crying through the whole dedication, him spitting up on his nice outfit, having a dirty diaper right before we are to stand in front of the entire congregation---things that do not matter at all in the grand scheme but I still could not help but think about. I am happy to report that none of that happened and it all went flawlessly. Unfortunately for me, I woke up early Sunday morning with a sore throat and I felt as if I had been hit by a bus. This came on so sudden and I felt just terrible. What was worse, was that I could not be 100% as much as I tried for Anderson's special time. Brad and the rest of our family made up for my shortcoming and all turned out great. My momma and daddy, my sister, and my grandmother Meme all came for the service. Brad's parents were unable to make it down due to Brad's grandmother's health. We were sad about that and they were missed. Charlie is in Alabama for training--he was missed as well!


We did not know Pastor Keller was going to have the whole family join us up front! From left to right: Daddy, Momma, Meme, Paige, Me, Brad w/ Anderson, and Pastor Keller.

Anderson w/ Pastor Keller. He took Anderson up and down the aisle allow the congregation to get a close look.

After church, we came back to our house and had BBQ from Jim and Nick's and a delicious cake from Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery!

Poor little guy was worn out! I put him down for a few minutes after we took some pictures and this is what I came back to! He did not get a morning nap and was so tired. I thought he would be cranky, but he held it together to stay up a couple of more hours to visit with everyone.

Paige came on Saturday from Columbia and babysat Anderson while Brad and I went to the American Heart Association Heart Ball at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saturday night. Thanks so much Paige! That was the last ball for us for the season and we can retire Brad's tuxedo until Paige and Charlie's wedding!

Designer Flaw.

Wedding planning has its bumps along the way--that goes without saying. However, and some of you may disagree, when your gown is the glitch it has to be one of the worst things that could go wrong. My poor sister (Paige), went for her fitting last Saturday in Savannah and she could not even get the dress on at all---it was way too small. The bridal shop was mortified and after some measuring it was determined that the bridal shop ordered the correct size and the gown designer did not make it to the measurements! WHAT! I cannot even begin to think how that happened. Did they not put it on the form to make it? Was the dressmaker drunk? Per reports, my momma had smoke blowing out of her ears--is there enough time to get another, get it altered, and have her portrait done?? Now, she is concerned for good reason as the dress comes from Spain made from the designer Pronovias (fantastic designer if I do say so myself, but since my gown was made by them I might be a bit partial!). Well, to get to the point, the dress is being rushed and sent directly from Spain instead of going through New York. I have no idea why it would go to New York, but I am sure there are good reasons. Nonetheless, it should be here in a few weeks--thankfully!

Momma picked out her MOB dress recently. Thanks to my Aunt Fran Sanders for going with her to Charleston and sealing the deal! Momma tried this dress on shortly after Christmas and kept coming back to it. This is the actual color she is going to wear..... ice blue.

This is a much better picture of the bridesmaid dress than an earlier posting that showed it in black (and we could not get it zipped up!). This is not the color we are going to be wearing--Paige picked out a sage green.

Let's hope that these dresses come made to the correct sizes!!

All Work and Some Play!

Anderson and I enjoyed our stay in Charleston and are are so grateful that my meme took such good care of him while I went to my continuing education class! There is no debating that he was spoiled to death :) I felt like the trip was over in a flash. We left HHI about 7pm Thursday night and arrived at meme and papa's house about 9pm. It was easier to leave after Anderson was bathed, fed, and in his pj's ready for bed. I think he was asleep before we got out of the neighborhood! Friday morning it was off to downtown Charleston for day one of the conference. I think almost every school-based OT was there and it was great to see some of the therapists I worked with in Charleston County Schools and others I knew from other districts and also other practice areas. Unfortunately, I would rather socialize than pay attention--but I refrained for the most part. The material was a bit dry, but it was helpful and worth the time (and money) to go. The class was from 8:30 to 4:30 and really made me remember how glad I was to not have to sit in class anymore! I have recently toyed with the idea of going the additional 2 semesters that I would need to get my PhD if MUSC ever offers the extension of the program, but if requires sitting in class I believe I will pass on that. Friday night after I put Anderson to bed, I headed back downtown to meet up with some of my girlfriends from Mt. Pleasant! We went to a bar/restaurant called Pearlz on East Bay Street---it was evidently a very happening place b/c there were a ton of people there. A few cocktails were consumed and extremely interesting conversations were had--let's just say I learned quite a few things! I tell you what, getting up the next morning for class from 8:30 to 4:30 again was quite the challenge. I was exhausted! I just can't hack it anymore! I hope I come back alive from my sister's bachelorette cruise next month!

Charlotte, Mary Catherine, Me, and Ginny

We got home about 9pm Saturday night and I was like a zombie! I did not want to unpack a thing. Lucky for me, Brad unloaded the car like the sweet husband he is! I tried to recover some sleep today--after church I napped while Anderson did.

My happy boy! This was taken a few weeks ago while at my parents house. He is sitting on Paige's lap. I did not take a single picture at meme's house. I never thought to bring the camera out of my purse. But I know all of you faithful blog readers don't really want to see pictures of me, so I included this one of him :)

Update.

Thank you to everyone for all the sweet and encouraging emails/phone calls! It is much appreciated. There is not much more to report at this time about Brad's Grandmother (she is known as Tam). Tam is still in the hospital, but according to reports from family members who are there she is doing much better and may be turning a corner! Her physicians are still working on a "reason" for the sharp decline, but there has been no conclusions just yet. Keep those prayers coming!

Anderson and I are leaving this afternoon for Charleston. I am going to a continuing medical education class on Friday and Saturday. Lucky for me, my grandmother (meme) and grandfather (papa) live in Ravenel and meme has graciously agreed to let us stay with her and she is going to watch Anderson while I am in class! Now, of course, there will be some time for a little play---I am looking forward to meeting up with some of my old friends from the Mt. Pleasant days!

Roast on the May River!

Over the weekend we went to our first oyster roast of the year! Brad and I LOVE oysters and have not been able to go to a roast this season for one reason or another. That all changed on Saturday night when we went to the Bluffton Rotary Club oyster roast held at the Old Oyster Factory on the May River. We were invited and generously given tickets to the event by the some of the nicest people we know--Darla and Walter Nester. If you ever need a good lawyer, look Walter up! The weather was ify from the start. We knew this earlier in the day as we attempted to go to the Snow Day at Shelter Cove and the minute we parked it started to rain. We should have gone earlier with our friends Lauren and David!! Nonetheless, the rain did hold off until Brad and I were stuffed with oysters! This was of course Anderson's first roast--he so much enjoys being social and was an angel the entire time. Flirting, talking, and laughing at anyone who would pay him attention. Now, usually I shuck my own oysters--as my daddy believed that all true lowcountry girls should be proficient in---but this time Brad shucked them for me since I had Anderson in the Bjorn. Shucking my own would have been quite the safety hazard. I have to admit that it was nice to enjoy the prize without any of the work!



Brad & Anderson with Elizabeth (Brad's boss lady) and Daniel (Anderson's buddy--Walter and Darla's little boy!

Anderson and Brad. I had a much better shot of the two of them, but Anderson's eyes were closed. I had my small digital camera w/me. If I would have had my D40, I would have caught the shot for certain! It is hard to switch back and forth--that D40 is FAST! We had such a fun time at the roast and I hope that we can make it to at least one more before the season ends!

On a more serious note, we were woken this morning by a phone call from Brad's mom. It was the type of phone call that was so early that you know it is not going to be a good one. She called to let us know that Brad's grandmother is in the hospital and not doing well at all. She has been sick since about Thanksgiving time and her physicians could never give a real reason. It has been a snowball effect and her poor body is just shutting down. Her doctor told Brad's grandfather this morning that she does not have much more time. Please keep her and Brad's grandfather in your prayers.

All about Anderson!

Anderson just has so many things to share, I don't even know where to start! I have been meaning to do this post all week, but time kept getting away from me and as I sit here while sweet baby takes a nap I think about all the things I really need to do, but that is the age old dilemma I think. I would like to brag on my husband for a second----we now have a wonderful lady who comes and cleans our house every other week! Exciting!! Brad did not want me to have to spend my days off and evenings cleaning the house and wanted me to be able to go and do things (like playgroup and yoga) and spend time with Anderson without worrying about the house constantly. It has been GREAT and I am so thankful for the extra time I have---like to do my blogging!!! This post is a bit lengthy.....

So about Anderson! He has been rolling over like a champ and can go from his back to belly and belly to back pretty quick. He started out bringing his arm over his head and sort of flinging himself, in a way, over. His arm would get caught under his chest and would sometimes take a while to get it out. Oh, not anymore. He is stronger and just flips in one fluid movement.

Now when he gets on his belly his newest trick is to try and grab toys to eat and he is beginning to pull his knees under his belly and propel himself forward (I might have been tutoring him on that!) He has started to "talk" a lot and I really am starting to think that he likes to hear himself. He jabbers all the time, and it seems that if he thinks you are not listening he just gets louder and louder. He has really started to laugh quite a bit and I have a hilarious video of him laughing up a storm around Christmas time. I was so tickled tears were streaming down my face!

He eats solid foods 3 times a day now and has had rice cereal, oatmeal, barley, sweet peas, and green beans. Thankfully, he has put on some weight and is now up to a stunning 13 lb, 7 oz as of this past Monday. This is up from 11 lb, 12 oz that he weighed on New Year's Eve I can't say that he loves the vegetables, but he doesn't dislike them enough to spit them out. He has graduated and now takes the food from the spoon with his tongue instead of sucking it off the spoon! This is going to impress some of you, but I actually made his baby food. Yes, you read it correct! I made his peas and green beans! I was so easy and must admit that I was right proud of myself :)

The Baby Einstein stationary entertainer has become a favorite. Since he is really reaching and grabbing things now, he can interact with the toys that are all around! He does not have enough trunk control to sit up for extended periods, but he sure does enjoy it until he gets tired out.

Before the cold snap, we went for a stroll and instead of being in his infant carrier, he rode facing forward all strapped in! He really loved that and I think enjoys looking ahead instead of at my face all the time! He was in a good mood, but it was a little gloomy out so thus the glum expression.


That about sums it up! His daddy and I are so proud of him and he sure is the love of my life!

Almost Famous.

This picture is from the front page of Sunday's edition of the Island Packet. On Saturday night, Brad and I attended the HHI Chamber Ball and if the photog had been 1 table up towards the front when this picture was taken we would have been on the front page of the Island Packet! We were literally the next table outside the pic! Perhaps it was for the best, because for some unknown reason Brad and I had the champagne stand right between us and about 4 bottles of wine in front of us. I have no idea how that happened and be rest assured that we did not drink all of those bottles alone! I guess we were saved from a lot of misperceptions! It was a nice affair and Brad had to dust off the tux for the second time in 6 weeks. The dinner was excellent, filet mignon is never a bad choice, and folks had their boogie shoes on Saturday night. The band was The Fabulous Classics, who played at my friend Christie's wedding 7 years ago, almost to the day actually!

On a side note, Brad went up to Beaufort during the day to relic hunt (one of the MANY hobbies that he has) with Dr. Jack and actually found some really neat things including a confederate South Carolina uniform button, Yankee Eagle coat button, and some other relics. If your interested check out Brad's blog for more details.

Sunday we headed up to Beaufort to attend a baby shower for my friend Hunter who is going to have twins very soon! My mom was one of the hosts and they did a great job and put on such a nice shower. Great job Momma (and Aunt Kathy, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Deb, and Jenny B.)--we had a fantastic time :) For some photos of the event, go to Christie's blog. Christie, you sure are getting a lot of shout outs in this posting!



Today, we got a visit from Silvia! We were able to go to lunch and catch up for a while. She comes down our way from time to time to shop and usually stops by to see us--thanks for making the time to visit us Silvia and come again soon!

Silvia and Anderson