Voyages in Parenthood

Brock and I spent an interesting evening last month when the power went out because of a storm. We were only without power for 10 hours - it was hot and uncomfortable, but we had a roof over our heads, no loss of life, limb or any of our stuff... We couldn't BEGIN to imagine what the people who live in the Gulf coast areas that were hit by Katrina are enduring. And, hope we never have to. So, we are asking you to join us in helping out...spend a week bagging your lunch from home and give the money you will save to the Red Cross - and count your blessings.... The American Red Cross: 1-800-435-7669 or www.redcross.org (Other relief agencies are listed in this article at MSNBC.com)

Click the picture to see a few others...Leda actually sat without assistance for a few seconds! Wooo hooo!

We went to see Jimmy Buffett (4th year in a row) this past Saturday night. He, instead of playing the Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ, played the new ball park, Citizen's Bank Park, in Philly. This was the first ever concert at the ball park....well, actually, Saturday night was the 2nd concert - he played Thursday night too! So, we met up with Bob and Linda, Kayla, Gary and Rich for a little tailgating in the rain (luckily it didn't rain the whole time, and it cleared up for the concert) and Tom and Karen met up with us just before the concert. We had okay seats (GREAT seats for a ball game, not so great seats for Buffett) - they were quite some ways away from the stage, which was in center field. And, Jimmy came out shortly after 8pm...and he was great - the acoustics, they sucked! And, unfortunatly, for a short while, the video and audio didn't match up! Jimmy WAS great - I mean, if you know your Buffett, the audio can suck, it don't matter, you still sing along with i...

My family members have become quite accustom to receiving their birthday cards from me late...several days late! In fact, so used to this practice of mine they were, that last year, when I actually sent the card so it arrived BEFORE the special event, they all thought something was wrong with me (it was, I was pregnant!). I DO, however, ALWAYS remember to call on the special day to wish them a Happy Birthday and inform them that the "cards are in the mail!" Now, I always (and, knowing what you already know from the first paragraph, you probably will not believe this) purchase the birthday cards AT LEAST 3 weeks ahead of said birthday with EVERY intention of having them signed, sealed and delivered by the special day! I have even purchased cards MONTHS ahead of birthdays that I forgot and purchased a second card!! So, 4 weeks ago - YES, FOUR WEEKS AGO - Leda and I are out at Target. I think forward into August and figure I'd better purchase birthday cards for my brother-in...

Wow! We've reached 4 months without any serious mishaps! Great! Leda's growing and becoming more of a little person than a newborn baby now! She's definitely developing a personality, and so far, it looks pretty good! She is quite happy, which bodes well for us. We had our 4 month doctor visit yesterday. We are officially 16lbs, 7oz (Mommy was off by quite a bit! I thought for sure she'd be 18 pounds!) and 25 inches (I still think she's closer to 26, but oh well!). The doctor said she's a perfectly healthy little girl who will stop sleeping through the night at 8 months! I said, What?!?!? He said, I just want you to come back in here and tell me I was wrong! Let me tell ya, I was sweating it there for a moment. Actually, we were all sweating...we apparently were put in the one exam room that had a broken air conditioning system, so it was HOT in there! Leda smiled and did a little belly laugh for Dr. and he told us that we can expect her to start "scooting...

This is going pretty darn well. We'll have to see if the doctor yells at us for starting this earlier than I think he would have liked, but Leda is taking to being fed cereal REALLY WELL...she opens WIDE for each spoonful! Sometimes, before she swallows the previous one! Anyway, here's a picture from her first meal. It did go MUCH better than she's letting on! And, here's a Happy Baby...a few days after her first meal! Couldn't let her grow up without getting one of those toothless grins! She's so cute! 4 month Doctor Appointment tomorrow! We get to find out how much we weigh (which is probably about 18 pounds!!!) We also get another round of shots (4 this time, I think) NOT looking forward to that.) Will be sure to post an update!!

Books in vending machines!!! "Can't Wait for a Book? Paris Can Help" How cool is that?? Now, getting a book is as easy as getting a soda! Now, I am not exactly sure why you might want to get toilet paper from a vending machine, but I am pretty sure I don't WANT to know! ;-)

Well, sorta. Leda had cereal this weekend! (Pictures to be posted later) We liked it, we didn't like it, we liked it. We got it everywhere we could reach! By last night, the third time we tried, she was opening her mouth and excited about receiving the spoon...not so excited about what was on the spoon, but hey, that's a start! Today: just give us the bottle, Dad...none of that spoon thing! Give us the real stuff! We'll practice a few more times and see how we do. Check back for updates! ;-)

*A part of this area's history is going away...Strawbridge’s will be no longer after next year. I don't know whether or not to be depressed or just get over it. Strawbridge’s is the last connection we have to Strawbridge and Clothier, and John Wanamaker’s! That means that the old John Wanamaker’s building in Philly will end up a Macy's! Yuck! (I don't do much shopping at Strawbridge’s...but it is just soothing to know that it's there. Now, it just feels like my childhood is fading away to nothing!) ;-( *TO is the biggest, whiniest, pain in the you know what, athlete EVER! The Eagles need to sit him out this year - let him ponder how to use the 7+ mil he made last season to "feed his family" - give me a freaking break...and now, he heads off to the Bahamas during his suspension from camp - yeah, dude, first of all, there's a hurricane coming and second of all, which family member doesn't eat this week so you can go "work on your tan?"??? ...

What a great week! We went to the seashore this past week (for five days, actually) and boy, did we have fun! We arrived at the beach house on Saturday late morning - boy was it HOT! We usually go down around the beginning of July, so this was a different weather feeling for us! Thank goodness for air conditioning! Anyway, we unpacked and hung out, tried to stay cool. My MO at the beach is a bit different than anywhere else...this is the only place I wake up early - without prompting! (of course, I wake up early all the time now! ;-) I usually head down the beach early in the morning, even before Brock wakes! Well, not this year! I have Leda to thank for that (and I really don't mind!) So, Sunday morning, up early, feed Leda and then I head off to Kohlers to sit outside to hope I get a good number for KOHLER DONUTS!!!! Woo Hoo! I am back by quarter after 8! And Leda goes down for a nap, so I finally get to go for my walk on the beach around 9ish...a little late, as high tide is ...

Working on the "story" of Leda's FIRST EVER trip to the seashore...definitely not the last! To hold you over until then.... Leda out on the ocean on the Durham's boat....

Happy Happy, Joy Joy! Doing the happy dance...it's Friday and we are goin' to the shore! Leda meets the Ocean this weekend! Woooo Hooo! She's quite excited! ;-) And the dog is waiting by the front door! Hasn't been much to post about this week. And there won't be much posting until late next week. So, have a look at Duff on the beach - last year's trip to Avalon. Taken at sunrise on our last day at the beach...took Duff down to the beach very early to avoid being caught! He loves the beach! Back next week with LOTS of baby pictures!

Don't know if anyone who stops here has heard, but there is awful things happening in Africa. I remember years and years ago...if I didn't finish my dinner...my mother would say to me, "there are starving children in Africa." There still are starving children in Africa. I hope to NEVER have to tell Leda that when she hasn't finished her meal. Help, Now! Go donate a few bucks, and bag your lunch for a week. UNICEF Save the Children Oxfam International There's lots of others out there taking donations. We've donated to UNICEF and Save the Children. Do it to save a child's life. If for nothing else, do it for the tax deduction.