September 21...

Spring is here!!

We got out this weekend. It was B-E-A-YOOTIFUL. I even got sunburned... Big surprise, there.  We worked in the yard as Petrea directed us to where the most work was needed. I grew up in a rural town where most of the orders were given from someone sitting on the tractor. This day was no different.

We also got into the flower beds. Petrea saw that there were worms wiggling around in there but didn't know what to think. Once they disappeared back into the ground, she decided she wanted them back so she started digging for them. I thought that was pretty intuitive, but I am impressed with the little things. She struck gold and did a good job holding on to the slimy little sucker!

On a side note, we had the Lausanne Auction Saturday night. It was a good time and the LPA made the gym look like, well, not a gym. I was completely impressed by all their hard work and that they were nice enough to not charge for liquor...

Sunday was spectacular, too! Again, we spent the day outside. Petrea got some finger paint and bubbles. She completed her first work of art and it is on the refrigerator (where else would it be until it is framed and hung on the wall in a very prominent place).

18 Months...

We passed the 18 month mark on March 14th! Two weeks later, we get the pictures up... She wasn't too happy to have Mr. Bear in the seat with her at first - but warmed up to him fast enough!

Here are some other shots of the last few days...
I got her out of the car from the LOOOONG trip back up from LA and she had two words for me, "It's Daddeeee!" I think my heart stopped...

Kara gave her a sucker the other day and it got EVERYWHERE. It was obviously blu and she looked like someone dipper her in a vat of varnish. She was all shiny and hilariously sticky. She got the sucker in her hair, which stuck to her eyelid and held it open - while she fell asleep in the car! Looks like she is auditioning for "autopsy girl on the gurney" in a CSI episode...

There was some tub action after that, so we played and splashed and had a good ole time getting dad wet. I didn't mind, especially since she is just so darn cute!

You just thought...

As I mentioned in the previous post, I was sans family for a few days last week. I sort of got some sleep and I sort of didn't enjoy being away from my "three" girls for that long. While they were gone, Petrea grew so much and she just looks different, read cuter, than she did when she left. Although I don't have all the pictures of the weekend, I did get some respite from my loneliness because of our good friend Technology and those amazing and so very important camera cell phones...

First, Petrea enjoyed the Mardi Gras type celebration of the Arts Festival. She danced with the Southern Belles, collected beads... WHAT? I don't know many dads that would be proud of that, but she was only showing people her bellybutton. She shows everyone her bellybutton and goes as far as to try and lift up complete stranger's shirts to check out their giggle button, too. Sometimes that is good for dad, other times, I guess it could get me into trouble. (On a side note, I am not great with punctuation. I realize that I am from Arkansas and my home state has caused a ruckus in most grammar circles with their actually adopting the new "apostrophe s" law. I had a hard time with "complete stranger's shirts" and still don't know if it is correct. Feel free to comment or correct.)

The girls stopped by a open air cafe to eat some lunch and soak up some of the great spring weather. As evidenced by the following, Petrea was certainly in her element. Although you can't see, or hear him, there was a man playing the banjo (imagine that in Alabama!), paninis and a place to relax the "dogs." You can just imagine, "Life is good.", coming out of her tiny little mouth right about now!

I took some pictures last night - mainly her 18 month picture with Mr. Bear. I also got some funny pictures of her in the bathtub. Hopefully, I will be able to embarrass her with those at a high school graduation, rehearsal dinner or even show them to her children for fun! (A dad can pray and dream, right?) I will get those up soon, I promise. Thanks for reading and keeping up with Petrea - or even showing an interest in her. To me, she is a perfect little creature - I just hope I can be the dad she needs and deserves. And to think there is another little girl on the way...

Fairhope Arts Festival...

Petrea and Autumn are going to Fairhope this weekend to see everyone and check out the arts festival they have down there every year. Hopefully Autumn will take some pictures of the event. I, on the other hand, am not going to Fairhope... I am going over to spend the weekend at Cloud 9. That would be the cabin. I think my dad and I are going to mess around - maybe go to the horse races, fish a little bit, maybe even *gasp* have a cold beer. I am not taking a camera. Besides, I know you would rather see the girl and not us!

In an update, Autumn had a checkup Monday. All is well. Mom and baby girl are doing very well - or as well as can be expected. Autumn is ready to not be pregnant anymore. I think she appreciates the blessing it is to be pregnant, but it does take its daily toll.

Just because there is no point in a post without a picture of the girl, here you go.

Dora... She's here...

In case you haven't heard, Petrea LOVES Dora. If it isn't every other word out of her mouth, she must be asleep. It was an absolute surprise, honestly. I took her to Lowe's with me one afternoon. We were walking through the paint section and they have this big display of paint colors for kid rooms. There is a big picture of Jimmy Neutron, SpongeBob, and, of course, Dora. Now, we were 10 yards away from that display and Petrea stands up in the basket and very clearly points at the picture and yells, "DORA!" It had begun. Now, when she comes downstairs, she points at the tv and starts repeating, "Dora, Dora, Dora." We walk through the grocery store and she will find the tiny yogurt box with a Dora picture on it and go crazy. Same thing at Target... So, we started getting some Dora paraphernalia. Here are some pics of the Dora stuff at our house - and a further excuse to give you more pictures of the girl!

Here is the Dora soccer ball:

Here is the Dora box that the Dora tent came in (it's in the background) - and you can see the Dora car that Margarita got her for Christmas in the picture.

And, one more of the big blue eyes!

Dad's post

Well, Petrea has had the "floor" for a while here at the blog so we have to get things back on track and get some of the parental POV. And, throw in some more fun pictures, because we know that is why you are really here.

I couldn't resist this one. I am a sucker for the little things. Little pajamas, little seats, little kisses, little shoes... I know one day we won't have little things like this around the house anymore so I have tried to make sure there is a record of them somewhere.

Speaking of shoes, I have already introduced her to one of my favorite magazines.

She never stops. Barely enough to even go to sleep. I love this picture bcause she is so happy but she is hardly ever still enough to catch it!

We spend a lot of time outside in the backyard since the weather is warming up. Petrea loves her swing and I like watching her!

All this playing makes for a hungry Petrea. A very hungry Petrea. She eats well, much better than her father and lots of it. Although, I think she has Papi's tapeworm - she eats and eats but still has this tiny little butt... I don't get it. Anyway, she thinks that mom's grilled cheese ROCKS!

She also likes to point out that the Runner's World magazine that she was carrying around in the first picture says dark chocolate is very important to a healthy diet and we should continue with the dark chocolate M&Ms.  How can you argue with that face?

The last two don't need a lot of narrative. One, she got some new kicks and is really happy with them. Apparently, they go with anything... The other, was just a nice picure of those big baby blues.

Part Too...

As I mentioned before, I have pictures of Ms. Ava Grace Glotzer. Born December 14th at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She arrived at 5:15 am, weighed in at 6lbs and 15 oz and measured 20 inches. Here are a few pictures of my sweet cousin -

The picture of Ava on the frog is her one month picture. Isn't she so darn cute? Tia B and Tio D are awesome parents and I can't wait to meet Ava real soon!

Some sad news, Mom and Dad had to take Cash to the vet early on Sunday, January 28th. He was having seizures and couldn't get up to walk at all. His hind legs just weren't working. After two or three hours in the emergency vet's office, Cash had to be put to sleep. He was a really sweet and beautiful dog. I wish I would have had some time to get to know him better - I know we would have been the best of friends. Mom and Dad were pretty upset and it took them almost a month to move his kennel out to the garage. Here are some pictures that Dad thought I should share...

I also have my 15 month picture to put up. Yes, I am almost 18 months old, Dad is just a little slow getting the pictures in a format where I can put them on the blog. So, here is the 15 month pic. Also, I updated the Growin' Up timeline over on the right hand side of the blog. Can you believe how much Mr. Bear is shrinking?

Last but not least, pictures of my little sister! She should be here in mid-June. I am so excited... I have been helping Mom and Dad with suggestions on what to name her but they haven't decided on anything, yet.

AND, dad has started training for the Ironman. He is going to race Ironman Florida in November. Check it out HERE! Mom and Dad are joining a gym and dad pushes me all over the place when he runs. About an hour is all I can stand right now. Maybe when it warms up it won't be so bad... I will keep you posted. Oh yeah, Dad also started a blog about training for his Ironman. Hopefully he keeps it up as good as this blog. Whatever... You can read about that at http://chastain.blogs.com/2007_ironman_florida or just click HERE!

I know, you can't believe it...

Yes, after more than two months - at last I'MBACK!!!

Mom and Dad are too busy so I hijacked the computer and took it to Mother's Day Out with me so I could let you know what has been happening "out in the county!" In a word, LOTS.

Where to begin...
Let's start with Christmas. I had a blast! Christmas Eve, Mom and Dad had some of their close friends over for Christmas dinner. Me and Papi had a good time getting into the Christmas tree, I mean Christmas spirit...
  Thanks to Mr. Kevin for the great pics! If you want to see some really great ones, you can go to Kevin's Photography website HERE and see more of my cuteness. He also took some of me trying out the Key Lime Pie - I like to share!

After dinner, I went to bed and the next morning - PRESENTS! Santa had already come by and already had coffee and chocolate covered donuts ready for me. I didn't take to the coffee, but boy, those chocoloate covered donuts are worth every penny!

 

Then, we loaded up the car and drove to Gran and Pops' house to see Ashton and Lainey and Bubba and Bailey. And, open more PRESENTS! The grown ups were so funny to watch. They really get into the Christmas spirit...

I also got a Dora car from Margarita. It talks and sings and plays music. I love Dora and Margarita - they are trying to teach me spanish...

After Christmas calmed down, it was time to enjoy some New Year's Day football with a big ole bowl of black eyed peas and ham and rice and cornbread. Whew, it was really good. By the way, I have retired the McFadden jersey. I wore it three times, three L's by the Hogs. Luckily Santa brought me a UT T-shirt. We will see what happens to the Vols when I wear it next year!

In other news, my buddy Nealy turned one! It was a long story that involves busted pipes, the city, and really slow drains, but we had the celebration at my house. It was so fun.

Momma had a birthday, too! I talked dad into sneaking me to the mall and getting some of her favorite pajamas for her. I think she liked it. Oh yeah, she wouldn't tell me what she wished for! What is that about?

I have more pics for another post but this one is getting too long. Plus, dad should be here any minute to pick me up. I don't want him to know I posted, yet. I will post the  rest of the pictures tonight. Plus, some great pics of my cousin Ava Grace!

Whatchyou talkin bout, Willis...