Grief

There are no words that work right now. The Mildrews, LaRivieres and countless other people have lost a daughter, a friend, a sister, a mom, a cousin, a niece, an aunt, and a wife. I'm so sorry.

Happy Birthday Mom

While Grandma's real birthday is next Thursday, we pretended and celebrated it today.

Oh boy did Amy have a blast this weekend. Uncle Mike (aka "boyfriend"), Linda and Mom came down for a visit, and she got mega-attention. She turned on the cuteness and laughed and giggled all weekend. She was so over-joyed, she wouldn't settle down for a nap AT ALL yesterday, even though her little ever-ready batteries were worn down. I don't know what it is about Grandmas, but there is a special magic about them to a child.

It was very nice to have a Happy Hour visit from Margarita, Ben, Sheri, Kim, HALEY (the sweet and gorgeous 3 year old in the pictures), and Kim's mom. It was spontaneous and special.

Thanks Linda and Mike for going around the beltway to get Mom, then making the long trek down here, only to do the beltway circuit again before going back to your loaded schedule. We love the added laughter when you two are around.

Photography by Alicia

Alicia, How sweet you continue to be. Thanks for sending this photo of the Magnificent Maddy and Adorable Amy.
You are the bomb.

Our heart felt thoughts and prayers go to the Lariviere family at this time. We love you.

Gem show, Amy's first ice cream and belated birthday celebration and beach

We had dinner at Macaroni Grill, and they offered complimentary ice cream for children. Amy has never had ice cream and we went with it. Well she certainly enjoyed this new taste treat. We decided it was the right time to sing happy birthday to her for the birthday we missed in December. Several groups who were dining al fresco, joined us in singing Happy Birthday, and she beamed in joy of ice cream and attention.

We had coffee, walked the boardwalk, went swimming and ate lunch with dad at the beach today.

The big blue stone is Larimar. Amy and I went to the fabulous Gem and Mineral Show at the Pavilion last weekend. She was a trooper. She napped nicely in the stroller so I could leisurely browse the lovely rocks from the earth. My latest passion is Larimar. It is one of few single-mine gems. The only mine it is found in is on the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. It is the color of the sea. Well the color of the sea in the Caribbean, not here. Our sea is more like slate.

Amy is napping now, and then we are off to MacArthur Mall. Yippeeeeeee!

Got Yogurt????

This is for you Uncle Dave!

I wasn't going to publish this, because the photographer did a terrible job, but here 'tis at Dave's request. And about that sales clerk comment, how many Families with Children from China members live in St. Mary's? Ha Ha! And Linda, I'm so sorry I didn't capture the Amester playing WARSHERBOARD. I promise I'll make it up to you!

I'm crazy about you Amy

Amy, I hoped you'd be a momma's girl. You are. Today was the millionth time you've been to the beach, but it was the first time mommy brought the "swimmer" diapers. I pulled your regular diaper off, and slipped on the silly, nemo miracle diaper, and the magic began. We went to the shorebreak and you had an ear to ear grin. I held your hands as we stood in the break. It was up to my knees at times, which meant it was up to your belly and higher. You did your awesome, funny (happy) scream every time the wave passed. It is the same scream you do when you are on a swing. I'm sure you are saying, "Mommy I love this", because you grin so impishly every time you make that sound. You kept walking away from the break, only to run back in for another chance to feel the waves. You could not be any more fun than you are.

Family Reunion in Glen Hazel, PA

Amy met so many relatives this weekend, and thrived on the lavish attention which was paid to her by each and every one. Thank you universe for giving me such a sweet and fun baby. She was quiet and content on 3 of 4 airplane legs. She ate like a charm, despite if she was in an airport, at a picnic table or on an airplane. She took a 2 hour nap on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, outside in the elements but covered by a large canopy (beside a running stream), and slept both nights in the hotel. What more could I ask for?

Pictured in blonde hair and snappy glasses is the Alluring Alicia, who is my special, special cousin and Amy's super-special cousin. I'm sorry I don't have a picture of Captivating Karli, Amy's and MY new friend. Alicia (and Karli) were a delight this weekend. They stepped in to hold Amy, watch Amy, feed Amy and gave me lots of moments to attend to myself when I needed to. I sure wish they lived in Va Beach.

Also pictured is special Uncle Dave. Whenever I lost sight of Amy this weekend, Uncle Dave was with Amy somewhere. I think he misses his little girls. Beautiful Becca is pictured. She's the one who gave Amy that adorable t-shirt from Harvard. She was on an indoor swing in her bedroom one of the first times I met her, and now she is a Harvard Grad and a high tech medical device product manager. Also pictured are Aunt Julie, Uncle Frank, Uncle Ron, and Cousin Maddie.