THings are good.

For those of you that have been following our weaning story. Thigs were really, really hard on me emotionally last week. I wasnt ready to wean Liam. Well, I was ready, my head was ready, but my heart was no where ready. My heart kept telling me it shouldnt me this hard. I kept crying about it. It just hurt too bad. I was ok with the weaning part, what I wasn't okay with was how we did it. Cold Turkey. I talked to my mom one night, on a friday (we weaned on tues)when I got home from work and told her I was thinking about nursing Liam again. She advised well if he doesnt ask, don't do it. I agreed. Later that night I was holding liam and he pulled at my shirt. I nursed him in the hopes that it would be the last time. Kind of like my way of saying goodbye. It was so sweet. My sister asked me if I cried. I didn't. I kissed his sweet head and rubbed his little arms and that was it. I haven't cried since that night, and we haven't nursed since. It's a thing of the past for both of us. While it was one of the things I enjoyed most about motherhood, I know that there will be soooo many memories to be made. He's such a big boy. I got so many praises from my family, friends, doctors and strangers for nursing Liam as long as I did. 15 months. I know I havent talked much on here about nursing, to me, it's private. But I wanted to journal all this here for me. For Liam. So we can look back on it all one day on know what we did and how it made me feel. Now Im dealing with engorgement issues but hopefully that will all resolve itself soon enough. Thanks for all the words of encouragement from friends and family. I did it. FINALLY. We did it. :)




Instead of nursing Liam to sleep at night, this is our new "special" place. I rock him here, in this chair for naps and at bed time. It's such a special place now.

This is Liam on day two of weaning. He's great. I cried while taking this picture. Seriously, Im not even kidding.

walking at my mom's.

This kid LOVES being outside.

woops! :)

A New Chapter

Where to begin. Even before I became pregnant, I knew I was going to try my best to breastfeed our baby. I have not really discussed, in length my experiences with breastfeeding because I am one of "those" moms who was fanatic about nursing her baby. I am a member of La Leche League International but fully support any one's decision to either breastfeed or not breastfeed their baby. Liam will be 16 months old in a couple of weeks and although I knew our nursing days were coming to a close, I didnt realize out last day would be yesterday. My personal goal was to nurse Liam for 12 months and although we went past that, It wasnt really planned that way. Weaning him has been very long and difficult for us both (especailly me). I have cried more in the last 24 hours than I have since I lost my dad last year. I NEVER thought in a million years, it would be this hard on me emtionally. Thank you Bill, Jen and Amy for your ears and your help thru this. I am praying that I can make it thru this transition as painfree as possible. I love you little man, and I thank you for allowing me so many priceless, moments with you! I will forever cherish those moments in my heart. (typing thru my tears)

Love, Mommy

**Update**

well, it took over an hour to rock/sway Liam to sleep tonight. Surprisingly, no tears from him, just me. He lays peacefully asleep next to me as I type this. I found comfort in something tonight as I was putting him to sleep. I rocked him in my rocking chair that is in his nursery and it felt "good" something I wasnt expecting to feel so soon. I told my sister I am making a new routine in place of that time I would otherwise nurse Liam to sleep. I am going to sit him in my lap, as we both sit in my rocking chair and I will read to him. That will be "our" special time together before bed. (gosh can I get thru typing ANY of this without tears rolling down my face)? I have prayed all day for strength and courage and our gracious, giving god has given me what I asked for. I am grateful for that. I need more stregth as I finish this difficult task. Day two down. How many more to go?

Happy New Year

Life is good. I get to kiss my sweetie tonight at midnight as I got a sweet surprise that he will actaully be home. I've got a great dinner planned (braised short ribs) for a nice, quiet night at home with my guys! I've got photos to post later. Hope everyone is safe, and healthy for a new 2010!
Love, Us

We're still here

Well, Thanksgiving is over, in ways I'm GLAD! :) The holidays are always hectic and although I don't consider myself a scrooge, sometimes I just like to be home relaxing with nowhere to go. This year, I got just that. Bill had to work so Liam and I stayed behind and spent time with my family here. While that part was nice, it was awful not having Bill here. That was a FIRST since we've been together.
Christmas is upon us, sooner that I realize I think. My mom has been talking about going away because it will be very painful not having dad around this year. Bill will be working again so not sure what Liam and I will be doing quite yet.
The Florida Gators Lost thier SEC Champion title to Alabama this past weekend. While I would have LOVED to see them win it again, I was more upset that Tim Tebow was so disappointed in himself. That was tough to witness! Poor guy.
Bill has some "things" going on at work. As of Jan. 2010, he will be upgraded to Capt. flying the CRJ 700. It is the 70 passenger jet opposed to the 50 passenger one he is currently flying, while it will more than likely be very temporary, it will be a good thing in the mean time. More studying for him to prepare for the change right now. Poor guy, does he ever get a break???? Liam is growing so fast. He hasn't had an interest in his pacifier for months now. For about four months to be exact. Thank goodness for that, just one less thing I have to worry about. He loves flying and has taken a HUGE interest in airplanes, Pointing up at the sky everytime he sees or hears one fly by. He has been around them a LOT so maybe, just maybe we have a baby pilot in the making. God help us. :)
Looking forward to 2010. 2009 was a ROUGH one for sure. Bill has some possible BIG changes with his job coming up in May. Keep us in your thoughts, that things work out for the best. Not real sure how things could get any worse in the airline industry anyway. :)
That's it for now. Til next time, here are some pics of "us".


Everytime Bill comes home from a trip, I always TRY to make him a "goodie". Not always possible with Liam, but here is my recent one I made for him this past weekend. A chocolate-peanut butter pie. :)

Hands down, one of my FAVORITE times with Liam. Cuddling, a sleepy baby is the best!

At the in-law's in Atlanta.

Liam, on Thanksgiving Day, wearing his "fat-tie" shirt! :)

helping Lola, prep the Turkey.

playing in Grandma Mary's bath tub.

Food court, Atlanta airport.

yup, still loving the dishwasher. :)

yup, and still loving ice cream.

Bill and Liam at Mary and Bob's.

Being a silly boy, waiting in the train in Atlanta.

Reading the passenger information card on his 25th flight.

headed to go see Daddy. Flight #24.

watching the yard guys down below do yard work. He kept waving to them but ofcourse they never saw him. :(

Goooooo Gators,,, we're still Gator Fans, even when they loose.

Liam with Grandma Mary.

Handsome daddy in his "monkey suit" as he calls it. hahaha!

My FAVORITE two guys in the whole wide wolrd!! Love you two so much!

I miss you Daddy!!!

This year, things aren't going to be the same for Thanksgiving. It was Dad's favorite holiday and it has been really hard on us all lately. We miss him very much and it seems like crying is the only way to get thru the tough times. I have had my share of crying this week and last for sure. Nothing will make us miss dad any less but having family around will make things a little easier. Thank you Rayana, and Ria for bringing your families here to be with us and Im sure we will all do our share of crying on thursday. Love you all! and We all love you Daddy!!!!

JoJo

I will never tire of looking at these pics!

a HUGE thanks to my sister who got these pics the day Liam was born. I was going thru her phone the other night and found them and ofcourse I had to steal them. I had never seem some of them and it melted my heart!!! Bill looks so fascinated doesnt he? ALmost "studying" the new little guy!

and THIS right here is the feeling you will never be able to describe to anyone, no matter how hard you try, the words dont exist, only that feeling in your heart!!

We're still here!

We have been so busy and I feel so bad that I have neglected the blog so much. Bill's schedule is really tough these days so Liam and I spend a lot of time traveling to Atlanta to allow us more time with him. THanksgiving is this week and to be honest, im not even excited like I normally am. Daddy isnt with us this year and I've cried more than I care to mention. So has my mom, my sister and Im sure my brother too! ALso, this is the FIRST year Bill wont be home for thanksgiving. Im so sad about it but, tis the life of a pilot wife right? Uhhh!!!! :( If Bill dosnt get called for a trip, Liam and I will take an afternoon flight to Atltanta to eat Turkey with him Thursday night. Dont want him to miss out spending the holiday with his little guy! (and me too).
Other than that, things are good. Bill was home this weekend for the first time in months. We went to a filipino dinner party at my mom's house Saturday night. Good fun, met some really nice people!
Below are some recent pics of our reason for living! He's is growing up so fast. I often want to push the "pause" button on life so he stays little just a while longer. I love this little guy soooo much!


he cried when we had to go....... :(

Silly, silly boy!!!!

The Festival of Nations

This past weekend, Panama City attempted to bring a little culture into our community by hosting the "Festival of Nations". It was a picture perfect day this past Saturday so my mom and I decided to take the clan! Liam was the only boy in tow. Poor thing! :) But he sure does love his cousins!!

Liam's 12 month wellness visit

Liam had his 12 month wellness visit and here are his stats:

23 pounds (50th percentile)
31 inches (95th percentile)
48cm head circum. (95th percentile)

Liam is doing very well. Doing all the things he needs and should be doing. :)

Birthday Pics

These are a few pics from Liams birthday party this past saturday night. Ofcourse we didnt get any of the cake cause we were so busy helping him. My sister got a few of the cake action and you can see them on her blog at http://www.jenandbrandonsblog.blogspot.com/ I have a 12 minute video but it is too long to post here.


opening his gifts.

after we cleaned him all up from having icing all over his hands.

trying out one of his new gifts. A feeding set from Boon Inc. If you have a baby and are not familar with this company check them out at http://www.booninc.com/. I LOVE THEM!!

Riding in his new wagon from his Pa and Dede Adams! Thank you again so much! He LOVES this wagon! :)

Ofcourse, Willow wanted to ride in it too. :)

Daddy, Liam and Uncle Matt.

Saying goodbye to his Uncle Matt Sunday morning. He LOVES his uncle Matt.

Mommy and Liam enjoying that BEAUTIFUL weather we had on Sunday.

Thank you so much to everyone who came to Liam's party. We had about 28 people there and he got so many great gifts!

And to our sweet little boy. How amazing it's been this past year to care for you and to LOVE you. You are the most perfect gift we could ever ask for. You contine to amaze everyone around you. I hope one day, you will be able to see this journal that we are doing for you as a reminder of how much you are loved. Words will never be able to explain it, but hopefully these pictures will serve as a reminder. Happy Birthday again. Can't wait to spend our lives with you!!!

Love Forever, Momma and Daddy

Random Pics

passed out on the couch!

opening his very first bday gift on his actual bday. 10/13/09

enjoying his very FIRST ice cream cone. 10/15/09

At Red Robin. 10/16/09

Enjoying his wagon he got for his bday from Pa and Dede Adams. 10/18/09

Bill's New Truck

For those of you that know Bill, know that he has been LONG overdue for a new vehicle. He has been looking for quite sometime for the right deal to come along and he finally found it. He has been driving that pathfinder for way too long! A funny story about the pathfinder: When he was in the car business (before he started flying) he sold it to a good friend, Nick in 1992. Nick drove it for quite sometime and when Bill decided to get out of the car business and to go to flight school he was in need of a vehicle (since he always drove something off the lot as the finance manager). Well, Nick was getting rid of the Pathfinder (that Bill originally sold to him) and Bill bought it back from him in 1999. Funny huh? So, here it is,,, 10 years later and Bill has gotten a new truck! We still have the Pathfinder for now. It makes me sad to get rid of it... it picked me up on our very first date. Saw us get engaged and married... our first baby and so on. We may just wind up donating it to good will or something if he cant sell it......As for now, Bill is really enjoying his new ride! :) Maybe I should say, I am really enjoying MY new ride,, I have been driving it more than BIll!

A nice treat

We knew that October was going to be a really slow month for Bill at work and now that his hectic summer is over,,, Liam and I are getting some opportunities to go to work with Bill. Since he is on reserve and crashes at his Mom and Bob's it's a perfect chance to kill two birds with one stone. For Liam to see his grandparents and for Me, Bill and Liam to spend a little more time together. This weekend was perfect. We were there the whole weekend and Bill never got called to Fly! What a treat. Here a few pics from my iphone.


Bob made a cranberry apple upside down french toast for breakfast.... yummy!!!

A family pic with Liam's first pumpkin,,, (beleive it or not,, that pumpkin is actually a candle)

Bill and I got a date night on Saturday night. We went to the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Buckhead and it was great cause Liam slept in my lap the whole time!!! :)

Liam finds pleasure in the simplest of things.... an empty milk carton!

Bathtime fun in Grandma Mary's sink!

BAthtime

THis little guy was sooo tired from staying up late from watching the game that I didnt have the heart to change his clothes,, so he went to bed in his gator gear! :)