St. Simons 2012

We had an amazing week in St. Simons Island, Georgia.  The island is very special for our family because my parents used to have a condo there and Chris and I chose it as our wedding location.  The beaches may not be as beautiful as the gulf, but we love the island lifestyle and history.

We were so happy that both sets of grandparents joined us for a few days.  They were a HUGE help with the boys and allowed Chris and I to spend plenty of time playing with Mason at the beach and pool. We also had a few much appreciated date nights! Obviously, it was Matthew's first trip to the beach.  He spent most of his time indoors snuggling with his Mimi and Nana, but he made a few trips to the sand.  It was Mason's second beach trip and he is finally getting used to the beach and ocean, although his favorite is still the 'pool' which he requested constantly the whole trip.

It was a perfect week and I hope we can make it an annual trip.  I have very fond memories of our annual beach trip to Gulf Shores with my grandmother and cousins and I hope we can do the same as the boys get older.

Warning:  picture overload!  I'm finally learning how to use my fancy new camera!

Mason was brave when the surf was calm

He preferred daddy carrying him in the ocean

Mommy and daddy with their big boy

Playing in the sand (he didn't quite get the sand castle thing yet)

He was happiest 'jumping' in the pool

My tired boy after an afternoon of swimming

The beautiful sunrise I saw every morning (thanks Matthew)

Mason did not like Matthew getting in 'his pool' (he called the ocean the 'big pool')

Another successful family photo!

Playing in the surf

Attempted family photo on the beach.  The sun was very bright.

Mommy and her precious boys

This melts my heart.  Mason was so excited to hold baby Matthew

Baby Matthew putting his feet in the surf

Close-up of Matthew - 3 1/2 months

When it rains at the beach - you blow bubbles!!

Bye Bye Beach - we'll miss you

If you want to see more (and I mean A LOT MORE), here is the link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/chenretty/StSimons2012#

3 months old and new boo-boos

My little chunk is 3 months old!  The summer is flying by and I am enjoying every minute at home with him.  He is sleeping much better (even sleeping through the night sometimes) and I have him on a decent napping schedule.  His unofficial 3 month weight is about 15 lbs.  He likes to eat!  If you'll notice from the side pictures, Mason weighed that at 6 mos.  I think Matthew is going to outgrow his 'big' brother very soon.

I love the dimples in this picture!  He is definitely smiling and interacting with us more and he loves watching his big brother play.

And we had our first trip to Children's Healthcare with Mason on Saturday.  He was playing outside and fell off of a small retaining wall into the driveway.  He had a deep cut on his forehead, so we went to get it stitched up.  We were very impressed with Children's.  They had us home in less than an hour and everyone was extremely nice.  He got 3 stitches and some surgical glue and we hope it won't leave too much of a scar.  The funniest part was the 'happy juice' they gave him to calm him down before his stitches.  It made him really loopy and it lasted for a few hours.  He couldn't stand up and just talked jibberish all night.  Here he is sporting his bandage and having dinner while still 'intoxicated'.

Right before his dive into the driveway, he bravely jumped off of the diving board at his friend Annelise's pool birthday party.  He was so proud of himself and wanted to jump over and over again.  Sunday night, we happened to be watching the Olympics while the diving competition was on.  He was SOOOO excited and screamed 'I jump off dat!' every time an athlete dove into the pool.  It was hilarious!  Maybe we have a future Olympian?  Of course, he calls it a 'water board' and 'water jumping', but close enough!