Williams Family Beach House 2011

*family photoshoot by my talented sister, Nessa!

*"OUR" lifeguard tower, #17

*The grandkids: Harvey, Wendy, Ruby, Landon, Charlie

Almost every summer of Ryan's life, he has spent a week with his family at the same beach house. So, for the past 9 years (the length of our dating & married life) I've got to benefit from this family tradition as well. Every summer at the beach house has been wonderful, and this summer was no exception. Some highlights:

• having the help of my MIL, SIL, aunt-in-laws, teenage girl cousin-in-laws... I was actually able to have some time to myself and do things like take showers and make dinner without worrying about the kids!
• sitting out on the beach all day. Wendy played in the sand with her cousins and Harvey professionally kicked it in our hand-me-down baby tent (thanks aunt Ruth- that thing is awesome!)
• games at night! (This is always my favorite part. We put the kids to bed, cover the table with treats and play games til we can't keep our eyes open anymore. Love it.)
• family bike rides along the boardwalk and to the ice cream shop
• the time I accidentally locked us out. We didn't mind being stuck on the beach. The land lord came within an hour or two to unlock the door. Apparently during that time, all the other beach front rentals were broken into and all the vacationers' electronics were stolen. Good thing I'm so scatter brained!
• finding out that my sister-in-law is pregnant! Everyone thought they were done. I'm SO excited that Harvey won't be the odd man out, trailing behind all the older cousins. Can't wait to meet my new niece/nephew!

4 months

Harvey at 4 Months:

• weight: 19 lbs. 10 oz
• has been wearing size 6-12 month clothes since he was about 3 1/2 months old
• cooing all the time. loves to have long "conversations" with me after he eats and it's my FAVORITE time with him. he gazes up into my eyes like i'm the most wonderful thing on earth and just sighs over and over again. i melt.
• loves to gnaw on his fists & fingers
• easiest way to get him to laugh: stand him up and bounce him on my lap and say "Har-Vee-Jay!" as he bounces (Wendy likes to "help me" do this and changes the words to "CHUB-EE-JAY!" Harvey's laughs turn into nervous smiles, but he still loves it).
• loves the mirror... will smile big and coo to himself then gets embarassed and burrows his face into my shoulder, he totally flirts with himself
• SO laid back. I feel like it's because I neglect him (compared to Wendy who NEVER got put down as a newborn, he spends some time in his swing & bouncy chair so I can take care of both of them). It's like he's learned not to expect much. But then again, I really think it could be his personality.

*thanks to my talented sister nessa for taking these adorable photos

Tiny Tots

* 9/6/2011 - Wendy's 1st Day of Preschool

Dear Wendy,

Yesterday was your first day of preschool. You were SO excited. You kept asking me and your dad a million questions like, "What's my teacher's name? What does she look like? What kind of hair does she have? Is it brown, or white, or red, or blue, or green? Will there be a playground there? Will it have swings? Will I have any friends there? What about Harper? What kind of backpack can I get? How about a Giselle one?" You could hardly sleep the night before.

I know it's only preschool, but I have such mixed emotions about all this. I'm so excited to watch you grow, progress and learn new things. You are so smart and I know it will be wonderful for you to be in an environment that will allow you to begin to develop to your potential and intellect. But part of me wouldn't mind keeping you just the way you are now for a little longer. I keep thinking things like,"If we get to preschool and she skips in without looking back, I'm gonna cry. But if she goes into her classroom runs back to me crying, I'm gonna cry." I didn't cry, but it was a little hard for me to walk away from you. Your teacher, Miss Lisa, could sense my hesitation and told me that it's usually harder for the parents than the children. I hope she's right.

I hope that as you begin your schooling you remember to reach out to the other kids who seem to need a friend. I hope that when you're away from me and surrounded by your tiny peers that you are not too intimated to let your adorable personality shine. I yearn for your teacher, your schoolmates, and especially for you to appreciate how smart, fun and clever you are. I hope going to school doesn't mute your personality, you know, the one that lights up my day, every day. I've heard it said that everyone always thinks their first child is a genius, and I'm no exception. You are brilliant and I know it.

Thank you for the joy you bring into my life.

I love you sweetheart.

Love,

Mommy