Hey ya’all. I am writing this blog piece to share the story of the awesomely awkward adventure that went wrong this weekend. Katie and I went camping thinking it would be a good getaway since I have been unemployed for six weeks and life has been on the stressful side. Unfortunately when I booked our camp site I thought the weather would drop down a bit but I was wrong with my hopeful assumption, it was bloody hot! It was around 106 when we got to Lake Pleasant, AZ (North of PHX) and the temp dropped to a whopping 93 at night just the right formula for an awful night’s sleep. Some unfortunate things happened like a skunk spraying our dog KC after he and I tried to defend our territory for over an hour in the dark, the wind picked up at 1 am and woke up Chasers, KC stunk up the tent so we all were hot boxing skunk-weed, our air mattress had a slow leak and I stuck to it since it had a suede top but since Katie was sporting her silk garments she was all good but my cotton was stuck in its tracks so no matter the movement it was tight and bunched. The good news is the next morning KC learned how to swim, he has always loved water but would never fully submerse himself. I was such a proud father of our first born. haha. I seriously got happy tears when he did a lap around a tree in the lake. He got good in a matter of an hour and decide to not only show off his two doggy style strokes but also was able to pull me on an inner tube! Good times! I also found out on this wonderful day that I was hired as an adolescent trauma therapist; which has been a dream of mine since I was 22 and has been a long time coming!

Chase is rockin' his sleeveless shirt and has his camping treats with him!

The picture of the lake was taken at 530 am from our campsite. I only was up since it was so hot and stunk in our tent. On the website it showed the lake being about 600 ft higher so it was a good little trek to go swimming and fishing. I had envisioned the water being only 25 ft from our camp site. If only we would of arrived 3 years earlier. lol. So Katie was just starting to warm up to camping after 2 years and now I'll probably have to prep her for another 2 years before we go again! JK. She is a trooper and we are going again on October 7th!!! Yeah!

Better late then never, right?

I know, I know. I have been VERY absent from the blogging world. SO much has happened since I last posted. Chase turns 8 months old next week. I love having an 8 month old- he is SO funny! He's got such spunk. He DOES NOT like to play by himself anymore and will let me know (very loud screams) when he sees me watching TV or doing something on the computer and I am not paying attention to him.

He is getting more teeth on the top (it's all white and swollen) so I think he'll get some more teeth soon. He whines all day. Poor little guy. He likes his food cold because it feels good on his teethers and hey, I don't have to warm anything up! Yay!

He now puts consonants in front of his babblings so it sounds like he's saying "gaga" and "dada" (yes, Chad was VERY proud of this one.) He loves being swung around high and then low in his Daddy's arms and squeals with delight. He absolutely loves KC's wet slobbery kisses and adores his dog book. When I read books to him, he lets me know if he likes it or not. When he likes a book, he'll slam his pudgy little hands on the book with delight and if not, he will reach to his bookshelf and give a squeal as if to say, "not this one, THAT one, mom.." So cute. We went to a gently used children's store and I showed him lots of toys but the one he reached for and wanted was a little electronic book! My little boy loves books! My job here is done. :)

Let's see...what else is new with Chasers...he sleeps on his tummy now and loves his dinosaur blankie from his Auntie Marnie. He eats solids 3 times a day and liquid feedings for the rest. He goes to bed at 6--I know, super early but I guess I'll keep counting my blessings because he sleeps through the night and doesn't get up till 7. He rolls all over the floor and reaches for all sorts of toys. He likes to sit sometimes but would rather roll. He LOVES baths, especially his rubber duckie toys (he has FOUR. Sheesh.). He is still pretty small but now fits into 6-9 month clothes and I kinda like it because he gets to wear his outfits for a long time before I have to pack them up. I also packed away his baby vibrator chair and swing.. sniff sniff. Super sad!

Today we went for a walk and he loved it. He gets SUPER quiet and looks around at everything. He really loves to be outside! (Just like his Daddy)

Here are some pictures but I am too lazy to put them in order. Sorry....

Summer Adventures

Well, I only have one more week until I begin "school". I say "school" because the students don't arrive until August 10th, but I have to report for duting on August 3rd. Lots of long, boring meetings to attend to!! I really love the fact that all of my bulletin boards are already up and I don't have to do a lot of work to my classroom. This is the first time that's happened! I have been at 3 previous schools and each year had to set up and take down all of my decorations. Yay for staying in one place! I really do love the start of school...the paper, pencils, back-to-school clothes, all of it (I'm such a nerd!). BUT, I sure will miss my little Chase. We have had a FANTASTIC summer together and here's some recent pictures of our very first family vacation together!

Chase with his beautiful blue eyes!

Chase and his Grandpa Metz
Anyone recognize this? (Full House, baby!)

Chase was "Property of Alcatraz"

Chase loved hearing his Great-Grandpa Green sing to him

And here's one more just cuz it's the cutest thing in the whole world:

Five Things

THIS little man turned 5 months old today....

I love his mischievous face in this picture.
This was taken a month ago (obviously) but I just love his little smile in it!

He looks so pensive in his picture...he usually looks like his concentrating or worried about something.

Here's FIVE things about this FIVE month old:

1) SLEEP- Chase has been sleeping through the night for a while now which is fabulous! He sleeps in his own crib, too, which makes me nervous (still) and I check on him multiple times in the night. When I was working, he woke up at 630. Now that it's summer, he sleeps in till 830 (just like his mommy!)

2) EATS- Chase still breastfeeds and loves rice cereal. He ate carrots for the first time today and ate the whole thing in one sitting! I guess those are a HIT!

3) LOVES- Chase loves his toys, especially his bouncer/saucer chair that Aunt Megan lets us use! He is getting better at holding his head up to play in it...I usually have to prop him up with towels!

4) TALENTS- Chase recently has become a pro at rolling from front to back. He also "scoots" a little when he's on his tummy.

5) OUTINGS- Chase went swimming for the first time on Memorial Day with Daddy. He was pretty indifferent about the whole thing. Unfortunately, the chlorine made his eczema worse for a few days :(

Well, there you go! Chase is crying for me right now, so I better go. I sure love being Chase's mommy!!

Private?

Ever since Chase was born, I have been thinking about going private. Any comments or suggests why/why not I should/shouldn't go private? I do have a fear that if I do, NO ONE will email me and watch my blog!! Anyone's comments would be great!!