Workin' for the weekend

I missed a couple of weeks, but we've been trying to have a little fun on our weekends. Bryson is now 29 weeks-old - almost seven months.

Here's the 28 week photo since I skipped last week......

Last weekend we went to Sanibel to hang out on the beach for a bit. Bryson loved being in the water. He wanted to splash. a lot.

Last Friday was his six-month appointment at the doctor's office. He weighed 18 lbs. 7.5 oz and measured 26.5 inches tall. He is very healthy! He's so squirmy now that I couldn't get a decent picture of him on the table. We pretty much have to change his diaper on the floor because he won't hold still for ANYTHING.

He's eating quite well and actually getting a little in his mouth by himself. He seems to really like frozen avocado and bananas the best. He also likes butternut squash, sweet potato and green beans. He's not too sure about broccoli yet.....

This is him eating his avocado and carrots. He still gets a little frustrated, but he keeps on trying. Darn slippery avocado.



We also made a visit to Scott's parents' pool, which has become a weekly thing for Scott and Bryson. I was lucky enough to make it this time.

 

And he's really on the move now. He loves throwing or pushing his balls around then chasing them down. Just the other day he also went from crawling to sitting for the first time. He's also starting to pull up to standing on the couch and up onto us. We're in trouble.....

27 weeks

27 weeks. What more can I say?

He's sitting up reliably, though I still put a pillow behind him in case he flies backward in a fit of excitement. He is also coming along on the crawling and will chase his ball from the living room into his bedroom or the dining room.

As for sleeping- we tried to get him to sleep more in his crib overnight, but instead he woke up every two hours. So I happily moved him back into the pack-n-play when I go to bed and he's sleeping for longer stretches again from about 11pm-4:30 am. We're all happier when we get more sleep, so we'll try the crib again next month. He sleeps in the crib from 8 pm - 11pm and that's enough for now.

He's enjoying hitting and drumming on things now. He's also trying to throw his balls to Scott and me. And he loved playing with this box.......

Washington, DC trip

I'm finishing up a great trip to Washington, DC, with reporter Janine Zeitlin. We came to interview PFC Corey Kent who is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from severe injuries after stepping on an IED while serving in Afghanistan in July. It's been a long road for Corey since he lost both legs and the fingers on his left hand. He's finally gotten to the point in his recovery where he can begin the process of learning to walk again. He just got one of his new legs and hopes to get the other next week. It was all I could do to hold back the tears while he was talking. He is so brave and thoughtful and smart. He's seen more in his 22 years that any person should ever have to see. You can read the short version of Janine's story here and in The News-Press tomorrow.

Here's my video:






And here's the link to my photo gallery.
I just want to say thank you to Corey and all the other soldiers and marines recovering at Walter Reed. You are appreciated and have done something I would never have the guts to do. Good luck in your recovery. Thank you for the opportunity to share your story!

Here's a couple shots from DC. It's cold and icy here. Unfortunately we didn't get to see many sites, but we did get on the Metro to go to Dupont Circle for breakfast.

Dupont Circle

Janine on the way down to the metro

icy tree

Visit from Dad and Judy

Last Thursday, Dad and Judy came to visit for their annual winter beach pilgrimage. We're always happy to have them. It's fun to play tourist in your own town sometimes, and this year did not disappoint. On Monday we went to Sanibel to Lighthouse Beach and as soon as we stepped out onto the beach we saw a line of people with cameras. As we got closer we saw tons of dolphins playing or mating in the water right off the beach. Here is a little video with my camera. Unfortunately I didn't have a long lens....

On Monday night we went to see the Edison & Ford Winter Estates for their Holiday nights tour with the Christmas lights. It's nice to just take pretty photos once in a while....

old Ford pickup and car

Merry Christmas everybody!

Friday hodgepodge

Today I'm doing a linky Friday post inspired by several of my favorite blogs and Oprah's Favorite Things (which was on today, and I can't wait to watch!). I'll give you a little garden update tomorrow. Everything is growing like crazy except for the flowers.

I'll begin with something I saw online that I LOVE. New York Times Crossword Dinnerware! It's from Fishs Eddy, a super-awesome kitchen store in NYC. I went there the last time I visited because it was near our hotel on the upper west side and instantly loved the store. The only thing I bought then was a mug with the NY skyline, but I loved the store.

I'll now share a little Etsy awesomeness since we're on the subject.......

I love this papercut artwork from Doodlage's Etsy shop.

If you like papercuts and fingerprints, you'll love this.....

From Lori Danelle's Etsy shop.

I also just ordered a ring bearer bowl from Paloma's Nest. (I'll photograph that along with my wedding bling I got this week when it comes in the mail.) They have a store on Etsy, too. They have some really beautiful keepsakes, including this Christmas ornament. Ya'll probably know my ornaments were stolen shortly after I moved to Fort Myers, so I've been trying to grow my collection with ornaments that mean something. How cute are these?

And how awesome are these hand-painted signs?

You may have seen this store on YHL. Love this print.

Sadly, I did not win these Frye "Jane" Boots from The Pioneer Woman, but I love 'em anyway.

Love these earrings, too.

And here's my latest video from the Fort Myers Beach SandSculpting Championships last week. I shot it with my Canon 7D.

My first videos for the News-Press

o, today I googled myself and stumbled upon some old videos from when I went to Andros Island in the Bahamas in May 2008 with reporter Kevin Lollar. The rotary club of Cape Coral was building a playground for the children of Red Bays, a very poor community on the north end of the island. We tagged along to document the weekend. It was a beautiful place, and I met some amazing people including a little boy who I will never forget.....

Here are some videos that were edited by Jackie Winchester of our online department, because I did not know how to edit then. I know that probably nobody will watch these. I just wanted to have them here so they wouldn't get lost in cyberspace. It is such a magical place. I hope to return someday. The children are all polite and well dressed even though they may live in a house with no running water or electricity.

This is a demo of how to make their famous baskets. And, yes, I bought one.

This guy is great!

and here's Hank of Hank's place.