Colin's First Soccer Game

Colin started PeeWee soccer right before we left for Germany. He had his first game while we were gone, so the team's second game was really Colin's first. He took his job of defense very seriously and did a fantastic job of following the ball and stopping it. But then instead of kicking it back the other direction he would just stop and run off, like "OK I stopped it, I did my job now!" LOL He'll get the hang of it.

One thing he did have down pat was intimidation! This series of pictures just kills me. He and teammate Lundyn are ready to kick from midfield.

He must be explaining something very serious to her.

Maybe she wasn't getting it, he might need to show her?

Now that they are ready to go it's time to give the other team a little something to fear. 

And then, when I thought it couldn't get any better he gets a meaner look on his face.

Looks must not have been doing the trick, now he's got to show off some muscle! LOL

Oh boy that kid!

Deutschland meine Liebe

Germany in September

Shelby had a medical TDY coming up to go to Germany for a week for his back. I had resolved to just stay home since Colin was in school and had just started. Then I started thinking about Germany in the fall. And I started thinking about the shopping I needed to do for the baby that could be done there. And dreaming up all the food I could eat if I went. Then I found out two of my favorite festivals were going on while Shelby would be there. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I couldn't do it. Exactly one week before he was supposed to leave I went online and booked tickets for Colin and I to tag along. I mean, the kid is not going to Harvard next year, a few days out of kindergarten won't kill him.

Our trip was awesome. Too short, but awesome. I got to see a few colors of fall, it was still early but a few leaves had begun to turn. I didn't realize how much I missed food! I ate, and thoroughly enjoyed, everything from Italian, to McDonald's to Taco Bell, to Greek and plenty of German. We didn't get to see everyone we would have liked to, but we were glad to meet up with those we were able to see. It was so hard going back, we love it there and I pray one day we can back there for good. It's always great to go back and get a taste of home, but at the same time it just makes you that much more homesick when it's time to leave.

22 Weeks

Here I am in all my pregnant glory at 22 weeks. Just over halfway there!

Quatro Ribieras Camping Trip

Quatro Ribieras Camping

Colin and Daddy have been camping in the backyard numerous times, but never a real overnighter away from home. We finally decided to take him. I was back and forth on going because a pregnant camper is kind of a nuisance. Having to get up to pee (in the woods) five times in the middle of the night would rain on anyone's camping parade. Then I was a little concerned about comfort. I find it hard to get comfortable in my pillowtop bed, I can't imagine an air mattress at this stage of the game. However I did not want to miss Colin's first camp out, so off I went! It turned out to not be so bad, we had the place all to ourselves, which was great. The only problem was the brand new air mattress I had just bought an hour prior to leaving on the camping trip did not hold air. Nope, not a bit. I was worried about sleeping on an air mattress, ha! Little did I know that would have been a luxury compared to where I was actually sleeping...which was on the ground! LOL Aside from not getting much sleep it was a success and Colin had a blast.

Deserted Island

Most of the time it feels like we are so isolated out here in the middle of the ocean. Our house has a great ocean view of the eastern edge of the island. But off the western coast there are a few islands that can be seen on a clear day. I've rarely been to the other side of the island when it was clear enough to see them. Today it was perfect. There is life out there!

Island of Sao Jorge.

Another island, Graciosa could be seen as well. I've never seen this island prior to today!

Closer shot of Graciosa.

Pink or Blue???

FINALLY the wait is over and we had an ultrasound to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. I have been convinced all along that the baby is a girl. Only because this pregnancy has been so opposite from my experience with Colin. I've been super sick for months this time, I could count on one hand the times I got sick with Colin. Colin was an IVF baby and this one a natural surprise. I was constantly hungry with Colin and this time I've not wanted to eat much at all. I felt great with Colin and I have all kinds of aches and pains with this one. The heart beat with Colin was always in the 130's and this baby is always in the high 140's -150's. Yep, gotta be a girl!

We were very pleasantly surprised to see it was a boy! We had been hoping for another boy, but I honestly did not think it would be. Well it was ALL boy, he was very proud of his boy parts and was excited to show them off throughout the entire ultrasound. There was no doubt about it being a boy! Let the shopping begin!

We Have a Kindergartener!

Today was Colin's first day of Kindergarten. KINDERGARTEN! Where does the time go? He was over the moon to go to big kid school. He'd been asking to go since we moved to the island and have to drive past it every day to take him to preschool. Today's your day little man, have fun!

On our walk to school we met up with friend and classmate Isaac. 

Listening to the principal talk in the cafeteria. 

Off to the classroom now!

Standing in front of his cubby shelf.