He's on the move......

We had yet another busy busy week! Not surprising and with Van starting to show his independence and his want to move (he has become quite the wiggle worm) I have a feeling I am in for some TROUBLE when he really starts going.........

We have started going over to Nana & Colonel's house almost every Sunday for an early dinner. Early because Van likes to go to bed around 6 pm - so like his dad. I truly think Derek would if he could! Anyhoo, it was just me and Van last Sunday because Derek was at the house tearing a wall down. (We are moving back to our house in Dilworth - that is a whole other post that I will get to soon!)

Uncle Clay put Van up on his shoulders so Van could see everything and......

Van was only interested in chewing on Uncle Clay's Bobcats hat (think he even got a little spit-up on it! Ooops!

When Van tired of being held he spent some time pushing himself around the deck in his MoMo (Elmo exersaucer).

I can't wait until he starts trying to chase the dogs around in this thing!

Papa Utz was out of town for a few days attending Sun n' Fun and he sent this picture to Van. I just know Van's going to be VERY interested in planes!

Our mornings and evenings just got a little bit messier now that Van is trying to feed himself:

I must confess that I encourage him and his messy behavior. He gets so excited trying to feed himself and everything is so new to him, the taste when I mix his rice cereal with something different (tonight we tried Pear Nectar) and the texture. He is so curious about it all. We both end up in giggles by the end!

Van got to meet my best friend Angie's little boy Matthew (he turned 3 December 1st) this week. We have been trying to get them together for months now and it was so adorable to see them interacting. Matthew is the first little one of all my friend's that I have watched grow from birth. He's the sweetest little man and I know he will be a great friend and role model for Van. Just like Ang is my great friend and role model!

Hello there!

Matty let Van grab all over his face without a flinch!

Best buds watching cartoons. I foresee a lot of Saturdays spent like this!

And I can't believe I caught this on camera.............

Derek looking so happy (and handsome) with his son on his shoulders.....little does he know what is coming his way..........

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha! Derek - "Melissa - get him! OH MY GOSH he just spit-up all over my face!" me - laughing so hard I am on the ground and I almost peed my pants!!!

I think we'll both be glad when he quits spitting up so much!!! ; )

Happy 4 month Birthday sweet Van

On April 11th, Van turned 4 months old. Thank goodness that was the day Derek and I were flying back to our precious little boy! I don't think he realized until the next day that we were home because he was so sleepy when we arrived but we had a wonderful day of catching up on Monday.

Tuesday, April 13th was Van's 4 month well check-up with his pediatrician. The appointment could not have gone better! He passed all his tests/games with flying colors, weighed in at a healthy 17.3 lbs and measured 26 inches (I think he's longer than that but the little stinker would not straighten out his leg for the nurse!)

He was as happy as a clam during the whole appointment, blowing raspberries at Jan and trying to grab all her instruments. She asked me how long he has been blowing those raspberries and I guessed a couple of days......she was amazed and said that he was advanced since normally babies don't get the hang of that until 6 months!

He even did ok taking his shots. That is the worst part for me but this time I came armed with a bottle and tried my best to distract him from the pain. We took a nice, long nap snuggled together when we got home. I do really baby him on shot day but needles are not fun and he deserves some extra lovin'!

I love seeing Jan because she really gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling about being a great mom. She said we're right on track with our feeding schedule and nap schedule. She was like I bet he's a really easy baby. And I couldn't agree more. Now, he does have his moments but for the most part he makes being his mom and dad a little slice of heaven.

We love him to bits and pieces and can't get enough of his sweet disposition.

He is sticking everything in his mouth these days and a new thing he just did that I've been trying to capture on film - he's been reaching for Baxter & Hurley!

Here is another exersaucer Martha & Cole gave Van. This one he is able to move around in with his feet. He hasn't gotten the hang of going forward yet but he has mastered the art of reverse!!!

Here is my sweet boy waiting on mommy to get ready so we could go to playgroup! Doesn't he look comfy! Oh I just want to eat those cheeks!

Thank you Libby!

So I was going through my saved voicemail today and I came upon the "pep talk" my dear, sweet friend Libby left me last Friday morning as I was getting ready to walk out the door with Van and take him to his Mimi's house.

I was so upset, in tears and wondering how I was ever going to do this gracefully and there was Libby with the kindest words of understanding and encouragement. She had been in a similar situation, hopping on a plane when her daughter, Betsy Grace, was 4 months old so she knew EXACTLY how I was feeling.

Libby, thank you for your "pep talk" and for talking me through one of the hardest things I've had to do yet. Your words were so true and sincere and as always you made me feel better by being such a wonderful friend. I am blessed to have you in my life. You are truly an inspiration to me, as a mother and a friend.

*hugs*

Uncle Blair & Robin's Wedding Weekend

This past weekend Derek's best friend from high school got married in Baltimore. It was our first overnight trip away from Van and it was really hard at first. I cried the whole way to Mama Utsey's. (Ok, so it was more like bawling!) Mama Utsey watched him all day Friday until Aunt Candace and Uncle Clay got off work. Then they picked up Van and watched him at our condo for the weekend.

Derek and I had so much fun with each other and all our friends, especially Blair who we don't get to see very often since he lives in Denver, CO. We even got to sleep through the whole night - two nights in a row!!!!

Here are some pictures of one of the most beautiful weddings we've been to:

Friends we don't get to see as much as we'd like to: Philmo, Katie, Blair, Robin, Bo & Beth*

*Bo & Beth are expecting a little boy August 31st!!!

The Caves Valley Club - what an amazing view

Derek, Blair & Philmo

PG (for Pretty Good - Blair's grandfather), Blair & Derek

The Beautiful Bride and me

Blair and all his Charlotte friends

T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

The guys hanging out before the wedding

The church was built in 1727 - it was incredible!

My favorite picture from the weekend. I stuck my camera out the party bus door and snapped it just in time to capture their kiss!

The wedding party

My handsome hubby

Great times!

Now while we were gone, Van was having a grand ole time with Mimi, Papa Utz, Aunt Candace & Uncle Clay. They were so kind to send us a ton of pictures of all their fun times. It helped me get through the weekend, getting those little doses of sweet Van.

Going for a walk with Mimi and Papa Utz

Messy times eating rice cereal with Aunt Skittles & Uncle Clay

This one made waking up Saturday morning sweeter with a message of I miss you mommy & daddy!

Wearing Derek's baby hat from Hawaii

Uncle Josh bought Van a new paci. McDrooly is no longer with us.

Walking to Starbucks with C&C. Can't wait for mommy & daddy to get home!

An attempt to catch up.......

Always smiling & giggling!

Van has become so active. We spend more time playing these days and trying to figure out his nap schedule that I have not had any time to sit down and update you all on the many things that have been going on with us. So this will be A LOT of pictures with little blurbs. Hope you enjoy!

On April 2nd, Van turned 16 weeks so I thought it would be a great time to try rice cereal AGAIN. (The first two attempts were too early & a total disaster - think a pool of spit up in my lap - YUM!)

He is a wonderful eater and very ready to try solids. He leans forward with his mouth open and attempts to feed himself, grabbing the spoon and almost getting it into his mouth. Needless to say it is very messy. I take all his clothes off and only leave his diaper. After he finishes we always sit him in the bathroom sink and rinse him off.

Got Milk?

What? Do I have something on my face?

The weather has been amazing here in Charlotte. So Brooke and I brought our babes to Freedom Park for a walk and some blanket time. Van and Hudson had a grand time lying in the shade on the quilt Papa Utz made for Van.

My Aunt says I'm PRICELESS

I was trying to get a picture of them holding hands and Van stuck his big foot in the camera!

Sweet!

April playgroup with Rylan and Hudson!

Showing off the new quilt Nana Pennell made for him. He's so happy!

Getting stronger everyday. He really holds his head up well now and moves it from side to side. He's very observant!

Van made his first trip to Charleston to watch Daddy run in the Cooper River Bridge Run the last weekend of March. It was a little cooler than I expected it to be but we had a fun time.

Van and I met Aunt Candace and Erica at Pewter Rose for lunch one day a couple weeks ago. It was the first time Van ever sat in a high chair!!!!

I'm a big boy now!

Aunt Candace, Erica, me & mommy

Love my Godmother.

Here are a couple pictures of my Future Superhero & two new toys he LOVES playing with:

He can't get enough of his exersaucer and his frog chair!