Myrtle Beach

Bobby was an absolute angel for our car ride down to the beach.  He slept most of the way. 

At sunrise we had the most amazing breakfast at Cracker Barrel and continued on our way.


We arrived in Myrtle Beach around noon (a lot later than planned, due to the emergency trip to the hospital) and unpacked, made a grocery list and ran a few errands.

 

That evening, Bobby walked on the beach for the first time....

He even put his toesies in the Atlantic, though it was pretty chilly.

 

We spent Monday shopping and we had lunch with an old friend.

Of course, Bobby loves the pool, so we got our fill of that during the week.

And, on the not-so-great weather days, we spent our time (& money) at the Tanger outlet malls.

He was NOT diggin' Snoopy.

"Bob, meet Bob..."

Daddy just had to put Bobby in the "Batcave"

CW and I took Bobby to Treasure Island mini golf, which is our tradition.  We usually only play one round, but we are quite competitive.  Every trip, CW insists I get this picture of him, inside the skull cave. 



Aunt Carol & Uncle Bob arrived on Wednesday, and we just love spending time with them.  They are always fun to be with, and we honestly wouldn't have as much fun without them there. 

When Carol and Bob come to the condo, there is always some condo repair required.  Here is Uncle Bob getting some unsolicited "help" from Bobby....

We went to the best miniature golf place on the strand, as is tradition....

Bobby was such a good boy while we putted around the course!



I even got a hole-in-one!  I made C.W. document this momentous occasion.

Did you know that lizards liked to play miniature golf?  Us either.



We were all set for our much anticipated outing to the Cane Patch par 3, when we were stopped at the entrance; apparently kiddos under the age of 4 or 5 are not permitted on the course because the course is chock full of beginning golfers who don't know how to drive their ball accurately.  So, in a compromise, Aunt Carol graciously stayed at the condo with Bobby so we could golf with Bob.

And, there it is.  Another AMAZING Myrtle Beach trip in the Donahue family album. 



Scary start to "vacation"....

So, as we were getting ready for our big family vacation to Myrtle Beach, we hit a little snag.

We're getting ready to leave, and, per Mom's wishes, she wanted to be awakened so that she could say goodbye to us and spend a little snuggle time with her Bobby.  C.W., Bobby and I are in our bedroom getting shoes on, etc., and we hear the loudest BOOM from inside the house, seemingly just outside our bedroom door.  C.W. leaps up and yells "Oh my God, Mom!!!", and rushes out our bedroom door where he discovers my Mom in the hallway between our room and Bobby's nursery.  I rush out with Bobby and discover this, right above where Mom is sitting:

She insists that she is fine, just a little sore, and SO proud of herself for throwing her arms up when she fell as not to sprain them.  A little while later she turns to me and announces that she thinks she may have done something to her elbow.  I take a look and notice that her elbow is black and blue and very swollen.  I call C.W. over and tell him to take a peek.  He looks right at Mom and tells her to get her shoes on, they're going to the ER.  She refuses and C.W. insists again that they are going, and she backs down. 

About an hour later, they return from the hospital, Mom sporting a stylish sling.  She insists that her pride is hurt more than anything else, and we reluctantly embark for South Carolina....

Backtrack to April....

So, obviously I haven't been blogging lately.  The reason why will be explained in my blog post which will be  entitled "The Worst Day of My Life". 

Anyhow, for the moment I'd like to visit a happier time in the Donahue family's life.

April....

Easter came.  Just in time for the holiday festivities, our A/C decided that we needed to experience the 90 degree (and higher) temperatures without central air.  Nevertheless, I cooked Easter dinner, and the Easter bunny still came.....

This was Bobby's last 1st holiday.  It made me a bit emotional. 

We went to church, and when we got back, Grammy was kind enough to take a few pics of us....

And, as a nice surprise, Grammy even got in a picture!

Two days after Easter Bobby celebrated his first birthday!

How did we celebrate?

Like any loving parents, we took Bobby to the doctor's office to get his one year shots.  Aren't we AWESOME???

Of course, he was a perfect angel, and we tried to let him ride the carousel outside of the doc's office, but they were both broken. 

Of course, we opened presents later, and Bobby discovered what Mommy and Daddy already knew.  Grammy spoiled him with his very own "Clip-Clop".  He was unsure at first, but I can tell you now with certainty, he LOVES it. 

After his Birthday, we were planning (and packing) for Bobby's first birthday party and for our long anticipated vacation to Myrtle Beach.

Bobby's birthday party couldn't have gone better....really.  We had the most beautiful weather, and Bobby was so blessed to have so many people show up to celebrate his life.   We held his party at Robert Marshall Recreation Area, which was named for Bobby's great Gramps (and namesake).  We had intended to serve hot dogs, pasta and potato salad and cake, but the grill decided to go kaput and C.W. ran to KFC to avoid disaster.

No surprise here, but Bobby made out like a bandit.

His favorite present by far???

Tissue paper.  Seriously.

His birthday cake was AMAZING......

We snapped a few pics post party.  Here are my two favorites.

One of Bobby with his Grammy.....



And one of Bob with his parents:



Next up:  May.

I once was lost...

But now I've found my blog again.  It's been SO long since I blogged, I almost forgot my password.  Seriously.

I should've said that I gave up blogging for lent.  Then I wouldn't look like such a slacker.

Subconciously I think I thought if I didn't blog, Bobby wouldn't age.  I was wrong.

He's really "cruising" now.  He walks all the way around the coffee table in the basement.  He stands alone for a few seconds, and we've even had a couple of mildly assisted steps.

We've celebrated  Easter and now are focused on Bobby's birthday.  We had picture day last Tuesday.  I probably drive the photographers nutso.  I show up to the studio with at least 3 different outfits every time, and I demand at least 5 different poses.  Yeah, I'm that Mom.

Bobby's got 6 teeth fully through the surface and we just noticed #7 and #8 erupting.  Is it just my kid that gets teeth two at a time?

We've been enjoying some pretty nice weather the past week or so.  We've been to the driving range 3 times in one week.  Christian's going to do quite well when we go golfing at the beach.  I'm starting to re-think my plans of golfing.  My showing was pretty pathetic.

Bobby experienced the playground for the first time.  A couple of weeks ago, we had a 80 degree day, quite uncharacteristic of early April.  He was indifferent to the swing and the slide, clearly displayed in the following pictures:

Bobby did like playing "peek-a-boo" over the climbing wall:

And, he got lovin' from his two biggest admirers:

Bobby's been on 3 playdates this month!  Unfortunately I only have pictures of one of the playdates.  Bobby had playdates with Samantha, Caden and Megan.  He was a good boy at all of them, especially his date with little Caden.  Here's a picture of him with Samantha:

And, just because I can, here are some pics of us kissing on our 50 week old:

We're going on vacation next week!  Who's excited?  This family:

Long Time No Blog...Part 1

Obviously since it's been more than a month since my last blog (slaps hand), it's about time I fill everyone in on what's been going on with Mr. Bobby (and us).

So, the main thing that happened in February and March is Bobby single-handedly decided to pay his doc's salary. 

"Charge it!"

He's been to the doctor's office 5 times since late February.  The first diagnosis was an ear infection.  Then Bob was diagnosed with Fifth disease.  Following that was the diaper yeast infection due to the antibiotics he was put on with the ear infection.  Then he broke out in another head to toe rash and was given some ointment for that, and finally he was brought back for his diaper rash again and tested for strep, which it wasn't.  Would you believe that the diaper rash that sprung up on March 1 was STILL around on April 2?  Needless to say, this totally thwarted my cloth diapering efforts.  Even more irritating, I actually had to go out and buy disposable diapers. 

Fifth disease is also known as "slapped cheek" syndrome....see why?

Bobby's become a champ at "cruising" around the furniture at the house.  He's also reached record speeds when crawling.  I can hardly keep track of him anymore!

I'm pleased to announce that Bobby's babble of choice is no longer "da-da-da".  He's moved onto "ma-ma".  Sometimes he even says "mom".  He gets whatever he wants when he does that. 

He's still not sleeping in his crib.  That's all I really have to say on the matter.  I'm not devastated, neither is Daddy.  Grammy is.  Would I like Bobby to sleep in his crib?  Absolutely.  Am I willing to give up my sleep or listen to my child cry for hours on end to accomplish this goal?  Not yet.

We've also started trying out solid foods.  So far we've tried: carrots, peas, asparagus, sweet potatoes and squash.  We also tried a little bit of roll at the Mount Vernon Inn a few weeks ago.  All attempts have been the same....terrible.  I'm not giving up. 

Our long anticipated family vacation was postponed until May.  We're very excited for Bobby to visit the beach for the first time, and we're so appreciative to our dearest family friends, Bobby's Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob for loaning us their condo so we can escape for a bit.