Tristan on Crab Island

Ill try to get a better viedo next time, Tristan was crying a little at the end of this video, but I promise he wasnt hurt...just a little cranky---

Another amazing weekend, makes for a very Tired Monday

This past weekend, we spent pretty much all day on Crab Island!  The water and weather was amazing on both days!  Tristan even took a nap for a little over an hour on Saturday!  Tristan is a hit on crab island, and dont be fooled he loves the attention.

Just another day in Paradise....

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that we live in such a beautiful place and that Tristan seems to enjoy it every second of it.  Lately, this oil spill mess is taking up too much of my time.  Normally at this time of the year I check the National Hurricane Center website every morning to see if there are any potential storms brewing out there (which there is).  But lately my morning routine has changes to read about the oil spill.  Pensacola beaches are getting pretty nasty, a dolphin washed up on shore there today and later died when being transported to an aquarium in Panama City. The pictures below are from Pensacola beaches today.

Our beaches have not yet been affected yet.  There have been tar balls in Ft Walton, tar balls in Miramar Beach (just east of Destin), but we have not seen anything yet on the beach in Destin.  However there have been oil skimmers in front of Destin non stop and oil has been looming offshore in front of Destin, but so far our beaches have been spared.  Count us lucky due to the tides, currents, and winds, but reality is we can wake up tomorrow and our beaches may look like those above.  Kind of scary, and it really irks me that there is no one out there that is able to come up with a way to stop the oil from spilling into the gulf.  You would think that with all the technology that is out there, someone would be able to do something.  The damage has been done, what is in the gulf is in the gulf, but geez figure out a way to stop thousands of gallons gushing into the gulf on a daily basis.  They (BP) are saying that it will be mid August before the relief wells are drilled (which in translation most likely means September and if we have some major storms come through the Gulf, will it be after hurricane season that they can get this well plugged??  I wish everyone would stop playing the blame game and focus all energy and efforts on plugging that well.  I also have a hard time believing that anyone is telling the full truth in this situation, first BP says its 1000 barrels leaking each day, then 5000, then at most 25000, now the number is around 60000, and maybe even more than 100000 barrels each day...which is more than 2 million gallons of oil every day. So even if they do get this well plugged by mid August, that means roughly another 100 million gallons (most likely more) will be spilled into the Gulf Waters.  I'm not even going to get started on the marine life impact, but the health concerns for humans, especially young children (aka, monst), which could take years to unfold.  Last thing about the oil mess, it is so sad to see how it effecting the daily  lives of so many individuals just in this area (and we haven't even had much of anything here), its sad to go down to the docks, which are normally busy with people and full of fish, and charter boats coming in with their catches.  I went down to the docks yesterday, there was ONE charter boat that was showing signs of activity, there was maybe 15 people in total around the docks--I honestly find it doubtful that this men and women who have spent their lives fishing, their families who have invested so much into the business will ever be fully compensated for the losses that they are incurring. Okay enough of that.

Tristan went to Noah's Ark again today, he still cried when I dropped him off, but it wasn't nearly as gut wrenching--he even gave me a hug and kiss good bye.  I picked him up about 30 minutes early today, in time to see him enjoying his afternoon treat of Popsicles.  His teacher said that she has never in her life seen a kid get so excited about Popsicles like he does.  He puts so much emotion and displays such enjoyment in something so simple.  Needless to say I will be going to the store tomorrow to buy some icee pops ( i think that's what they are called, they are the kind that you buy liquid and then freeze).  He said his goodbyes and made sure to make one last visit around all of the things in his classroom before we left, I think he is really starting to enjoy "school," even though he makes such a dramatic scene when I drop him off.  But I happened to see 2 of his classmates be dropped off today, and they did the same thing.

Yesterday we went to the beach to watch Corey shark fish (his new hobby), and Tristan absolutely LOVES the beach.  He lays down rolls around in the sand, runs into the waves, lays down in the water and rolls around (trying to ignore that voice in the back of my mind, that is telling me who knows if this water is even safe to  play in) but for now Ill let him play.  The funny part about going to the beach with him, is that he gets a little uncomfortable in his britches and demands to take them off...so yes I'm that person who lets their kid run around naked sometimes (I checked and there aren't any sex offenders on holiday isle), so far no one has said anything to me about this, they just think its funny and cute....next summer he is going to have to learn to keep his swim trunk on though.  Next time we go, I am making Corey take a video of how crazy he gets around the waves, I need to invest in a real video camera because I'm sure that the money that I spend on that will be well worth it when we watch the videos in the future.

The last two pictures are from last night after he got a bath in the sink of the Sandpiper Cove bathrooms (I even brought soap).  He was trying his best to get me to let him go back in the sand and water and play, but I did not give in!  I really hope that we can continue playing on our beaches, but as soon as there is oil, we wont be going.  There is no way that Tristan will stay out of that mess, fortunately we have friends with pools, so I guess worse case scenario we will be playing there.  Which to him, where ever there is water he is happy (sink, bathtub, sprinkler, pool, whatever) the kid loves water.

Two Posts in ONE day...I must be procrastinating

Actually Im just doing laundry, lots of it, and there happens to be a lot of down time during laundry marathons.  Tristan has been napping for about 3 hours, basically since we got home from swim lessons.  Swim lessons went well again today, the instructor at the lessons, has given Tristan the nick name "Bam Bam" because he is so blonde and strong and never still.
On a completly different note the cutest thing happened at swim lessons today.  There is a 3 year old boy and his 6 month old sister that are in Tristan's class.  The kids in the class break up into 3 groups and we all rotate into stations, different stations focus on different things.  One of the stations focuses on floating on your back, the 6 month old little girl, FELL ASLEEEP while floating on her back, and STAYED ASLEEP for the rest of the class---maybe girls really are calmer!!!!
Today Tristans first station was on the steps...there are 4 steps leading out of the pool, Tristan can hold his head out of the water easily on the first 2, and barely on the 3rd.  The station was structured to get the kids to go under water and put the rings into buckets at the top of the stairs. Tristan (BAM BAM) loved this, he would go under water and hesitanly throw his ring into the bucket.  Well when it was time to leave this "FUN" station he threw a FIT.  I mean Id be pretty upset too if I was having a grand old time collecting rings only to be forced to go float on my back for the next 10 minutes.  But he got over it and we continued with the swim lesson.  I think that if I was ever teaching swim lessons to children under 3, all toys would be put away, because the second Tristan sees a toy he wants to go play.  The child does not focus well when he sees something he wants.  But in the swim schools defense, the other kids did not get upset when having to leave the toys.
In the beginning of June, Tristan started attending Noah's Ark preschool 3 days a week, from 9-3:30.  The first day was rough for him, he cried and asked about his mama (which has now turned into mo-me, because of his school), but overall he loved it.  I was not so sure they could teach him to take a nap on a mat, but guess what he slept for TWO hours on his mat yesterday (the first day it was only 15 minutes and his naps have gradually gotten longer since starting).  He does say "school" now, we talk about it a lot when we are at the house.  Tristan has complete utter MELT DOWNS when we drop him off, cling to your leg, open his mouth, cant breathe MELT DOWNS!  But the teacher says that he does great shortly after we leave, and does very well the rest of the day.  There is nothing sweeter than when you go to pick him up and his face lights up and he runs to give you a hug ( I LOVE IT).  Yesterday when he went, Corey took him, Corey said that as soon as they pulled up to the school, Tristan started his meltdown.  Im kind of jealous that Corey got the first "gift" that Tristan made at school, Tristan painted a brick for Corey for Father's Day.  Id take a picture and post it, but the Brick is on Corey's desk at work (ill try ot remember to take a picture some day soon).  Tristan was on the waiting list FOREVER at Noah;s Ark, and I am glad that he finally got in.  The preschool seems to be very well organized and educationed focused and I love that they are structured and keep to a tight schedule on everything.  For those of you who dont know, one of the main reasons Tristan started going to "school" was so that I could have a couple of hours to myself to get thigns done and I have also started working again.  I have always been interested in Real Estate and an opportunity presented itself and I decided to go for it, so I am now a working mom (part time, but still). 
There is probably a lot more that i could write about, but I just heard the laundry machine beep at me, so its back to chores for now.

Its been a while...

Last week was Tristan's first swim lesson, he loved it!  The program that I am doing with him is 2 months long, so hopefully in August he will be swimming!  He is taking a nap right now so that he will be ready and rested for his lesson today!  The pool is right by Corey's office, so he came by to take a video, which Ive posted below:

Day on Crab Island

Just wanted to share a quick video of Tristan and Corey.  We finally spent some time out on Crab Island this past weekend.  Tristan seemed to love it, he is our little water baby!!!

We are so lucky to live here!

Water Babies

Its been a while, and if I even tried to write about what all has been going on the past few weeks (the ups and a little bit of downs)....I would have to write a novel. 
Just briefly, nothing bad has happened, all good.  We did have one down which was Tristan getting his 6th tooth...we have never had any signs of teething pain until last weekend...he got a fever, was Mr. Cranky/Whiny Man for 3 days...its sucked...we didnt give him away, so all is still good, and he is back to his happy little cute self.
Today we started the day off with my good friend Jackie coming over with her cutie little man Roland, I wasnt on my A-game, so I have no pictures from that adventure.
Then he took a less than perfect nap, but whatever.
So we strolled over to my friend Erin's house for some play time with her son Tyndal.  These two boys are bound to be beach bums/water babies, whatever you want to call it.  I for one am a little jealous of the childhood that they are experiencing.  We played for about 5 hours, and I dont think either of the boys took a break unless they were taking a break for some snacks.  They were kind of acting like gold fish in a tank, when you put food into the tank, all the gold fish come after it...when you got food in sight, both boys would stop what they were doing and go to the source. 
Tristan also rode on a jetski for the first time today.  Not going to lie, I was a little nervous about this.  I was sure that he was going to be squirming around, trying to get down, etc, etc.  But as soon as we got on the jetski...all movement stopped.  He did not move or cry or do anything but look as we putted around the harbor for a few minutes.  It was kind of nice to have the calm baby for a couple of minutes!!!! 
Here are some pictures from our day, and Ill try to slow down just a little bit, so that I can write a little more on here. 

Beach bum

Yesterday was an all around awesome day!  Corey took the day off of work and went fishing in the bay for a couple of hours.  He caught nothing.

Once he got in we all decided to head out to the beach for some pompano fishing (we caught one).  Tristan is enjoying the beach more and more.  He is getting to the point now where he is "exploring" everything.  He has no fear of the water, which is a good and bad thing. 

Also, just a few weeks ago, Tristan hated his stroller.  He would whine and cry and what is supposed to be relaxing was anything but.  Then one day, something must have clicked for him.  He actually begs to get in his stroller.  I am thinking that he is understanding that the stroller takes him to fun places (the beach or the park), so he should just sit back in enjoy the ride.  Which is exactly what he does 95% of the time now!!!

After the beach, Tristan took one of those good naps!  One of those 3 hour naps!  He seriously never stops moving when we are outside!

We met up with some friends on Norriego Point to watch the sunset.  Unfortunatly the sun was hidden by all

the clouds, maybe next time we will actually get to see the sunset! 

I love that Tristan's hair is finally starting to get longer, thicker, and CURLIER!!!!

All in all, it was a wonderfule Friday, spent with wonderful people, in one of the most beautiful places!  I am so thankful to be able to call Destin home!!

Now its Saturday, we already went to an Easter Egg hunt with Tristan (no pictures b/c i left my memory card at home).  Corey is already at the beach trying again to catch some Pompano, while I patiently wait for Tristan to wake up from his nap.  The stroller is packed, his lunch is prepared, and just as soon as he wakes up (and gets lathered with sunscreen) we will be joining Corey and our friends Daniel and Maureen out on the beach to again have another awesome day!

Cant believe its almost APRIL

I mean really, before I know it, Tristan is going to be going to college (hopefully).   Time seems to be going by so fast, and it seems as if I cant get anything done.  My "to-do" for things around the house is annoyingly LONG.  I often make plans that are way too large for the day, and seem to half complete the things that I want to get done.  My attention is easily diverted. 

I mean who wants to clean when you have such a sweet little boy to play with and a beach across the street???  Or the park down the road??  Or we can go to Target and "browse" while Tristan says "ball...ball...ball..ball" at anything that remotly resembles a ball!!  Today we went to Target to buy milk, it took us an hour because we bounced a gigantic bouncy ball around the store for a while.  No, we did not break anything, and Yes we put it back where we found it.  WE have no need for a $9 glittery bouncy ball.  But for that hour we had fun with the bouncy ball....and he said ball ball ball with a gigantic smile the entire time.

The beach is a ton of fun with little man, but I am looking forward to one day being able to just lounge and read on the beach again!  Tristan is all over the place, and doesnt exactly have a fear of the water (which is Freezing right now by the way).  I dont even know why I bring a blanket to the beach, because its not like I get to lay down and Tristan doesnt lay down.  If I do lay down, Tristan lays down on me, and when he is covered in sand---this is not exactly comfortable.  So I usually choose to stand.

Tristan is such a joy to be around!  He loves water.  He loves bananas.  He loves Pringles.  Those are the three things that he never seems to tuen down no matter how tired he is.  He also likes anything with wheels.  He seems to have an obsession with putting straws into the straw holes.  He likes his sippy cup but still drinks milk out of bottles.  He will eat most of anything.  But sometimes doesnt want to eat at all.  He gets 3 meals and 2 snacks every day.  If he chooses not to eat his meal at the given time, his loss, I dont try to squeeze it in later.  I figure this way he will learn meal times and hopefully will put him on the road to a lifetime of normalcy when it comes to food.  Because I personally think that one reason why our country has such a high obesity rate in people, is beacause they (the people) never had a normal routine of food when younger, not in all cases, but I think this is a contributing factor. 

Ha, I love this face below.  If you look closely youll see that Tristan got a new tooth...top left...

And some exciting news for all of us..we recently bought a lot that we are going to build on.  We are thinking it will be about 2-3 years before we will be out there.  But we will be putting in a dock this spring, so we went out to take a look, to start thinking about placement of that last weekend.  Below are some pictures from the weekend trip out there (Santa Rosa Beach, about 20 minutes East of where we live now)

After we went out to the lot, we came back to the house, we went to the beach and then finished out the day letting Tristan play in his new baby pool out on the deck!

He loved it!

We cooked dinner, Tristan went to bed around 7, and we went to bed around 9....jealous??

Sunday morning Corey went to work on his boat that he is building, and we went to the park with my good friend Jackie and her cutie son Roland.  All was well at the park until the sprinklers came on in the adjacent baseball fields.  Tristan ran out of that playground straight for the 100 something sprinklers that were going off.  He manged to get a little wet before i got him out.  Roland followed and we decided to ditch the park since both kids were a little wet.  Jackie needed to go to Target, so we tagged along.  I wish I had a picture of the boys sharing a cart, maybe next time.  I will say that we went to Target and bought nothing just went to hang out with a friend.

By the way, Tristan followed the sidewalk and went straight into the playground while I was getting our stuff out of the car.

TRISTAN learns that fire is hot!!!

So on Tristan's actual first birthday, not his first birthday party day, he had a little expeirence with fire.  WE gave him his birthday cupcake and I was doing my best too keep his hand away from the flame.  It didnt work out for me

Now let me just say, I am not the type who gets upset when Tristan cries.  Sure I would be in a panic if he really got hurt, but there has not "yet" been a time that I truly needed to go into this panic mode.  Also I cant help but laugh when Tristan cries, really cries, not the fake cry, his face looks EXACTLY the same as when he was a newborn.  Although this video may not show it, I do make him feel better when he cries, I just dont freak out.


and the next one

Life is a Beach

It was so great to see 70 degrees  today.  When Corey came home for lunch, I went straight to Target to buy some sunscreen (last years was all expired) and some new swim shirts (all outgrown) and some swim trunks (he has one pair that fits them, and they happened to be in the wash....and his Speedo needs to be ordered). 

Sand and One Year Old is an interesting combination!  The mess is worth the smiles on his face, and the AWESOME naps he takes afterwards.  He was so excited to be on the beach!  He was laughing, playing in the sand, throwing sand at me, and wave/people watching.  He is brave, he went straight for the water--> I think he only cried because the water is still Freezing (56 degrees).  So its really the combination of water and sand that is so messy. 

I think if I let him, he would spend the whole day out there.  After about 2 hours when his eyes were closing, and when he tried to walk he would fall, I packed up everything and we headed home.  The stroller is a sandy mess (I am so thankful that I dont have to drive to the beach/Id hate to have to clean all the sand out of the car!)....                         

We came home and hopped in the Bath, I think he fell asleep before I even got him dressed.  Now time to go clean up all the mess we made going to the beach. 

Tristan was having so much fun, I called Corey and made him drive over to see the mess of his son.  Im glad he came because now I have a picture of the 2 of us!