Sweet Duke

This has been a very tough week for our family. There have been a lot of tears shed and a lot of chocolate consumed. Sunday we started noticing that Duke was not himself. He wasn't eating and was very lethargic. There was no change Monday morning so I made him an appointment at the vet's office. I was praying it was just a virus, but deep down I knew it was probably worse. After some blood work, a call from the vet, and a diagnosis (ketoacidosis) my fears were confirmed. I called Matt, and he immediately came home. We had to make a really tough decision. That afternoon we had to go to the vet and put Duke to sleep. It was heart breaking.

Duke was such an amazing cat. He always knew when you needed snuggles. He wasn't clingy like Daisy, but he liked to be near. He was always rubbing up against our legs in the kitchen, hanging out in the bathroom during Will's baths, and sitting outside the gate to Will's room during story time at night. We miss him so much. I always called him my protector. If he heard a weird noise he would perk up and even let out a low growl sometimes. When Will came along he continued to be our brave protector.  We love you Dukers.

The day we brought Duke home.

7.7.14

Happy Fourth!

This 4th of July is a little bittersweet! Last year we had our sweet friends over to celebrate. We sure are missing them this year!

7.4.13

It's crazy to think these three tiny friends now live in three different states! Also, C and P are now big sisters, and Will is going to be a big brother in a little over a month. My how time flies!!

Wishing all of our friends, family, and service members a Happy 4th!! 

Photo Credit: Parker

Beach Trip 2014: Part Two

Near the end of the week Nonna came back to visit, and she brought Grandpa Geordie with her this time! One rainy morning we decided to head downtown and go to the Children's museum.

He LOVED these goggles. 

30 weeks

Hunting for sea shells like Dada and Nonna

Saying goodbye…

Heading home with baby.

We had such a great trip and made so many wonderful memories!! It was so nice to just chill for a whole week. This needs to be a yearly tradition!

In case you missed it: Beach Trip 2014: Part One

Beach Trip 2014: Part One

Matt and I have always wanted to go on vacation for our 5 year anniversary. Since I'm cut off from traveling in July we decided to celebrate a little early! We decided to plan a trip to Charleston which was pretty perfect since we started dating in Charleston when I lived there. Nonna and Geordie were able to visit us while we were there which was great and meant we got a date night! We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was perfect! Will LOVED the beach. I did some research before we went about hitting the beach with a toddler. It seems our little guy is no ordinary toddler. Thank goodness I didn't invest in a tent for him, because he was playing in the sand or in the water hunting for Nemo any chance he got!

First day at the beach…it was really windy…hints Matt's hair! 

(29weeks, 3days preggo)

Date Night at Old Village Post House!

                       

 Pirates Cove Playground

Looking for Nemo at the Pier

Aquarium trip with the lovely Ervin ladies…Will was in love!

I can't believe how grown up they are!

 Well we attempted a family picture…

I melt…

More Beach fun to come soon!!

Forever on the Road

Oops! Seems I haven't done a blog post in quite some time! It is so tough living so far from family. We are so blessed that Matt has a great job here…I just wish it was in South Carolina. We have been traveling like crazy and still have more traveling to do before I'm cut off from traveling.

In mid-May Matt had to go back to Switzerland for work with very short notice. Luckily Mimi and GGL were able to save the day and come stay with Will and me. Running around after a toddler with terrible back pain while growing a human is no joke! We are so so so lucky that Mimi can work from almost anywhere!

A few days after Matt got back Will and I were off the SC. I had a shower to help with in SC and Matt had a bachelor party in New Orleans. While in SC we got to visit with Kristen and the Slaton family!! Parker did a post on that short but sweet visit here. I really can't put into words how much we miss our Smith's and Slaton's. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wish we were all still here together. A few days later Matt met us in SC to start our (early) FIVE year anniversary beach trip! I'll do a separate post on our beach trip…in the near future.

But for now here are some pictures from our adventures at home and in SC:

 Mimi got to come to Muffins for Moms 

Will loves Daisy SO much

 Zoo babies with Mimi

 Lots of outside/water time with GGL

Duke…

 Alix's Bridal Shower

Will and his cousin Riley are best buds

 These two would not stay still! 

 Pool time!! Uncle Daniel was Will's pool buddy!

Will and Nonna…I don't even know!

Sorry for the picture overload!! 

Eighteen Months

How is it even possible that Will turned eighteen months old Sunday?

11.04.12

We can't believe how quickly time is flying. Though Will still calls himself Baby instead of Will he does not act like a baby anymore. He's such a big boy. He spends his days talking, running, laughing, eating, and playing. He is ALL boy. We are loving this time in his life. Everything is so new to him.

He has some new words he's been working on:
ack-a-da: basketball
bubble
cookie
BOO
Ma: Matt (he knows this means tickles from Matt…EVERY time)
Agoo: Daggoo (a sailor from Moby Dick)
cool car
bye
uh huh
toot toot
ew we
Bobby (our neighbor)
nono: Nemo
tickle tickle

I'm sure I'm missing some!

"No" still seems to be his favorite word. He uses it quite frequently. My favorite is when he says "no" right before he pulls the plug out of the wall…if only I could run faster.

He has also been giving us a lot of kisses lately. He doesn't like to kiss Matt's scratchy face so he usually opts for his nose. Mommy gets the longest, sweetest kisses though. Matt isn't jealous at all…

On Sunday we took him out for ice cream to celebrate. Reminder: Ice cream and smocked outfits are not a good idea.

Will takes his ice cream eating very seriously…

Happy "Half" Birthday Sweet Boy!

Touch a Truck

Saturday morning we went to a local library for an event called Touch a Truck. As soon as I read about it I knew we had to go since someone is currently obsessed with anything on wheels! Will had a blast running from truck to truck. He even got to sit in the front of a police car. When Matt asked him if he wanted to sit in the back he said "NO". Smart boy! We all had a blast.

His hands did not leave that wheel!

Chillin' in the back of the SWAT car.

Working on his breaking news stories.

Riding in the semi truck.

So excited to be in the back of that fire truck!

Who is having more fun??