The Past Month...

So, I didn't really know what to title this. The past month has been good, bad, crazy...you name it. There was a visit with grandparents, a trip to Savannah, ongoing doctor appointments for Sam, James and I both took turns getting sick, plans for our next duty station changed as well as James' first time going away to play Army since Sam was born, and best of all...LOTS of time off for James, which meant TONS of family time! That last one was definitely welcomed with open arms! Oh, and how can I forget...Samuel took his first steps yesterday! (And now he won't stop!)

So to say the least, it's been a wild ride. I keep saying I want to get better at staying caught up on the blog, email, etc. but it never seems to happen. I seem to primarily get online with my phone these days and I hate to type on that thing, so I seem to quickly get behind. And since the office is most definitely not Sam-proof, it's an experience every time I decide to come in here. Ha. I love it though. While I may not be caught up, I'm enjoying my time with a crazy boy that won't sit still. He's into anything and everything and if it spells out dangerous, he's racing to it. Sweet Sam...

So to go into more detail on a few of the experiences of the past month...Samuel had a month-long ear infection that started when he visited the ER in early March. After 4 different medications (two of which had horrible side effects), I'm incredibly relieved to know that it's now GONE! To put it nicely, one of those medications is now on my hate list and I will ban it from ever being given to Sam again. I think we went through a month worth of diapers in less than a week during that ordeal. James was away playing Army while all of this happened, but thankfully, my parents were in town and my mom was INCREDIBLY helpful! I happened to get sick (too!) while they were here, so it was even more appreciated when I could barely get out of bed myself -- let alone give Sam 4-5 baths a day after each incident thanks to that medication. Can I just say how thankful I am that he's healthy again?! I hated seeing him like that. After the last medication, I think he officially loathes his pediatrician's office. Just calling his name from the waiting room resulted in a meltdown during his very last visit. Poor Sam! Here's hoping he doesn't have to go back until his 1 year well visit!

So with mentioning James being away...James went and played Army for two weeks at Ft. Bragg for the Civil Affairs selection. It was my little trial run for how life will be once we're back in a normal unit. I've been so spoiled having him home for an entire year that it was hard adjusting to what I once knew as normal. Seriously...until we moved here, he had been away more than he had been home in the 8 years we had been married. If he wasn't away training, he was deployed...or so it felt. So for him to be home every single night since moving here, it was a bit of a reality check with him leaving. Unfortunately, the selection process didn't work out as we had hoped. We're not really that bummed about it, but timing couldn't have been worse. James caught a really nasty virus right before he was supposed to leave and while the steroid shot at the ER helped, he wasn't able to really get back to the shape he was in before it hit in time for selection. Oh well. As long as James is happy, I'm happy...and he seems pretty happy about going back to Armor. Soooooo...now we wait. We've been waiting...for two weeks now. We still don't have orders and have absolutely no idea where we're going to get stationed, but I HOPE we'll find out soon! It's about to drive me batty! I'm a planner and I need/want to plan out where we'll live, etc. Oh, the life of a military family, right? Constant changes and too many unknowns to count. Good times...

Aside from all that madness, we decided to take a last minute getaway to Savannah last weekend. It was fabulous! Samuel experienced the ocean for the first time, which was priceless! That handsome boy enjoyed it so much! After we went, we agreed that we'd like to take him down to Destin, FL before we move. However, I'm not so sure whether or not that'll work out. We'll see. Either way, it was a great family trip!

I've now lost my train of thought and after seeing the clock, I know I need to head to bed. So...I'll leave you with pictures -- first from the iPhone and then the good camera...

Samuel with his Grandpa Grant...

6 teeth, and I think #7 is on its way...

(taken a couple weeks ago)

His reaction to, "Ouch!!!! No, you don't bite mommy!!!!"

PS. He thinks it's hilarious when I bite him back, so that clearly doesn't work. I feel like I have Jaws in the house. He surfs by the couch and if I have a foot hanging off, he takes a bite out of it -- crazy child!

Anyways...

James let him try his 100% fruit Popsicle...

After a hard day at work...

Bummed he didn't get offered any ice cream at Leopold's in Savannah...

Paula Deen's cooking? No thanks, I'll take a bite out of this place mat instead...

Yo Gabba Gabba coming to the rescue on our drive back to Columbus...

The nurse felt so bad for him after receiving his first of 3 antibiotic shots that he received his first sugar-free sucker...

Poor Sam felt so sick (102.1 temp) from the shot that all we did was cuddle and watch Yo Gabba Gabba -- yes, it was the only thing to comfort him while he whimpered in pain. Poor baby...

(notice, he cuddled with Olivia's gift from Afghanistan -- the pink stuffed camel)

After shot #2. Glad daddy was there to help soothe him!

Just before shot #3, but after receiving the good news that his ears were no longer infected! Yayyyy!!!!

After proudly dumping his storage cube of toys out...

Researching the Gordon Biersch rewards program...

Now, if you're still reading, here are a few of our Savannah pics...

Can you believe August 9th will be 10 YEARS of marriage for us?! Oh, how I love this man...

While the trees are beautiful, all I could think about were chiggers -- freaks me out!

Hi, beautiful blue-eyed boy!

Sam looks like he got drunk off of puffs while at the brewery...

Love these two...

Girl Scout lemon sandwich cookie ice cream at Leopold's. Does it get any better than that?!

As usual, we loved just walking the streets. The historic district is beautiful!

Is it just me, or does the location of the Forrest Gump bench make you want to hum the intro song, too?

Okay, now I want to watch the movie again...

For anyone wanting to try Paula Deen's cuisine, it's good, but not worth waiting in line all day! Luckily, we hit it at just the right time and had no wait, but that's not the norm...

Someone loves playing with mommy's phone...

And cuddling with daddy...

A first for Sam...

He LOVED it!

Remembering his older siblings -- Jacob, Jordan, and Olivia...

A family shot...

I could sit in the shade and listen to the waves all day long...

Mmmm....leather...

Vincent Van Gogh and pizza...perfect combination!

Savannah's such a beautiful place...