What a Difference One Year Makes!

This Memorial Day weekend was much different than 2007. One year ago, I deployed with my squadron on the night before Memorial Day. At that point, I had felt Tatum kick once or twice and Lindsey was just starting to show!

This year, our friend Melissa came up from D.C. to visit. After picking her up we walked around Old Port in Portland and then drove down to Cape Elizabeth in order to see Portland Head Light. This is the most photographed lighthouse in the world!

On Sunday we drove North on Route 1 to the picturesque town of Camden where we had lunch and did some sightseeing.

Tatum's New Friends!

After 7 months of living together, it appears that Tatum and the dogs are finally aware of each other. Tatum is especially interested in their paws. Sadie and Eli are interested in anyone who will pet them!

Milestones!

With advancing age comes new milestones and Tatum has had "her" milestones and "our" milestones in the past couple of weeks. Once the teeth set in and she started solid foods it was time to learn how to brush teeth (with Fluoride Free Toothpaste of course). We received this "finger brush" as a gift and it introduces Tatum to the concept of brushing her teeth. We can't say that she loved it, but we can certainly say that she'll get used to it.



While in Quebec City Tatum started army crawling. Unfortunately, we were unable to record it at the time, but we've included some new videos of her crawling at home. We thought it was cute at first, but we aren't so sure now. She is interested in everything, but her things! Televisions, DVD Players, and Electrical Oulets beware!

Mother's Day Weekend in Quebec City

This past weekend we traveled North to Quebec City in order to celebrate Lindsey's first Mother's Day. We had a great time and managed to squeeze in many sights over the course of our 2 1/2 day stay. Tatum is an excellent little travel companion as displayed by her willingness to be in her stroller/Baby Bjorn carrier for almost 12 hours on Saturday in addition to 5 1/2 hours in the car on both the way to Quebec City and back home to Brunswick. She also had her first sample of "real" food here, which was Poutine. Here are a few highlights from our trip:

As you can see, this is as close as it gets to being in Europe while in North America. This also happens to be the city's 400th anniversary, and they are starting to celebrate it as the weather warms up. The heart of the city is Vieux-Quebec (Old Quebec), which is divided between Haute-Ville (Upper Town) and Basse-Ville (Lower Town). Because of its immaculate preservation and historical significance, Old Quebec has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you watched the slide show, then you likely noticed many pictures of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Not only is this the most photographed hotel in the world, but FDR and Winston Churchill met here twice in 1943 and 1944 and planned D-Day. This is a place we plan to visit again in the future.

Tatum goes to California

Playing in the bouncy seat at Grandpa's

Although it has been two weeks since we returned from our trip to California, I wanted to post a few of pictures of Tatum enjoying the trip. Unfortunately however, while we were able to enjoy the sun and the warm weather my dad fell ill the day after we arrived and he spent the duration of our trip in the hospital. I know that my dad would have much preferred to be at home spending time with Tatum, however I was glad that we were able to be there to visit him in the hospital and to lend a helping hand around the house. Luckily, my mom made the trip West with Tatum and I so we had some company while my dad was in the hospital.

Hanging out in Palm Desert, CA

Shopping on El Paseo Drive - the Rodeo Drive of the Desert!

Tatum's Baptism

Today was a special day for us as Tatum received the Sacrament of Baptism at the Chapel on base. This day was all the more special as Tatum wore her great grandfather's baptism gown, which is nearly 100 years old! Additionally, Tatum was the 5th child to be baptized in the official VP-10 Squadron bell - a military tradition. Her name will be inscribed on the inside of the bell along with the names of the other children who have been baptized in the bell. When, and if, the squadron is decommissioned in the future, Tatum's name, along with the bell will be forever preserved in this piece of our country's military history.

Tatum getting ready for the big day.

Mom and Tatum

After the ceremony with Karen Rueda (the proxy) and the squadron bell.