31 May 2011

Our Little Indy Star

In this video, Liam is paying homage to two great works.  Can you can guess which two movies he has honored here with his own interpretive dance?



27 May 2011

Any Day Now...

Liam is thisclose to taking his first steps unassisted.  I'm not in any rush, for two reasons:  (1) I know he is strong enough and coordinated enough to do it -- he just finds it easier to get around by other means, and (2) life as I know it will never be the same once he strikes out on his own.  Plus it would be oh-so-perfect if Liam waited to take his first steps until Daddy comes home for the July 4th weekend.

But, as this video reveals, 4JUL can't come soon enough.  Any day now, I might be telling the world, "Liam läuft!!"  He can bend down and straighten back up again, and whenever he's standing around against furniture or windows, he practices balancing on one leg at a time -- a developmental trick that kids don't typically care about until they're around at least 2 years old.  So it looks like Liam is being Liam:  he'll wait to walk until he knows he has got a pretty good mastery of the skills needed to do it well.

Oh, and as you'll also see in the video, this guy loves his dog Miles.  Enjoy!


19 May 2011

Mr. Destructo


Ladies!  Ladies!  Don't be fooled by Liam's smashing good looks and his intoxicating personality.  Those dimples are there only to suck you in to his Reign of Destruction.  (Not to be confused with the Reign of Terror, though I'm sure this young man will cause a frenzy in France in his own right soon enough.)  I should know, as I have been his first, primary, and continuous victim for the past fifteen months.  I have witnessed his carnage as he tested his jaw strength on anything that would fit in his mouth (and my shoulders, knees, thighs, and nose have the occasional teeth imprints to prove it).   The wake Liam leaves rivals that of the greatest sea storms this world has experienced.

But don't let me tell you what you should think of our sweet little Mr. Destructo... judge for yourself:




























Who, me?

10 May 2011

It's A Rugby Thing

I get a text from my brother at 0630.  He's heading to Houston, but not before he gets the chance to play some rugby in the annual UNC-W alumni match.  After a few phone calls and contemplation (along with some tears from Liam since Mommy had the nerve to be on the phone when she should have been paying undivided attention to Sir Cuteness), Grandpa Marty, Grandma Bobbey, Liam and I piled into the Jeep and made our way down for a daytrip in Dubtown.

The weather was perfect, the field was in the best condition I've seen, and the folks attending were some of the best people on God's green Earth.  Liam got the chance to see lots of "uncles" -- Fungus, Lopez, Rick, Rooster, and Bulldog -- and he got to enjoy some amazing rugby.  I have no clue what the final score was (does anyone know?  I'm sure the alums won because THEY'RE THE BEST), but I do know that Liam was mesmerized and we loved being able to see Air Force, aka Uncle Ken, in action again.

As you can see in the pictures below, Ken's hair (both head and facial) is reaching some unchartered lengths, and he is rocking the Ken Style like no one else can:  Camouflage bucket hat with a chin cord; the understated Crayola green alumni T-shirt; dusty, torn navyish rugby shorts; shiny spandex black undershorts; the subtle gold/navy striped rugby knee socks (one pulled up, the other casually drifting around calf-height); and Alabama slide-on sandals.  When he sauntered into the Cracker Barrel after the match to join us for some grub, he received an interesting welcome.  The waiters and hostesses at the welcome stand all abruptly stopped talking as he approached, and then after he gave them the typical Ken smile and nod, he heard one say under his breath, "Ohhhhkay."  What did Ken want to say to them?  "It's a rugby thing."


Jesse Force, Air Force, and Sister Force



And seriously, folks, this IS Wilmington.  I can't hear "Wilmington" without thinking "rugby" in my next cognitive moment.  Why all the shock?  Okay, so Ken is a bit Australian-meets-Nordic in his presence, and rugby shorts are incredibly tiny (if only you could see THOSE in the pictures), but come on!

It's Cracker Barrel!  Don't most of their menu items have apostrophes in the names?  I thought you were encouraged to come as you are, play checkers, and enjoy the country fried steak and corn muffins.  Sheesh.

02 May 2011

Zeke's Home Away From Home

A few incredibly long days ago, Zeke left Sanford for Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he will be for the next 17 weeks.  Although it's exciting because he will be learning the tricks of his new trade as an Engineer, the separation is never fun.  He wanted to share some pics of his humble abode:







What's pretty fabulous is that he has maid service every day and shouldn't have anything to worry about besides his job -- just like home, right?  :)  His cell phone is still active and he has relatively good access to email, so you can still stay in touch with him in the usual ways.

Meanwhile, Liam, Miles, and I will be here in good old Sanford, doing whatever we need to do to prepare for our big move overseas.  We'll have no more than two weeks after Zeke gets back before we hop on the plane, so the next few months will be busy for both of us!

The night before Zeke left, he looked out into the garage and back into the house and said, "Wow, this is the last time I will see this house as our home."  By the time he completes his training, our belongings will be on cargo ships and airplanes; our furniture shipped, sold, or stored; our walls bare and impersonal.  But trust me, it won't take long at all for us to make our home in Bamberg.  After all, like I've said since I was 5, when life hands you lemons, make lemon meringue pie.  (That one's for you, Mom!)

Also from Zeke's last few nights here -- we had sushi for dinner and gave Liam the chance to test the waters:

STEP 1:  "Liam, I'd like you to meet Seaweed Salad.  Seaweed salad, Liam."
STEP 2:  Study the ways of The Professional 


STEP 3:  "Keep your eye on the fruit...  Keep your eye on the fruit..." 
STEP 4: Mission accomplished!  (Cheerios count as sushi, you know)





HOPPY Easter!


Now, anyone who knows me knows I say pink and purple just aren't necessary for dudes, but I couldn't resist this awesome little shirt for Liam.  He can rock it -- even with no pants on!


The learned fellow enjoying his board books

Performing some advanced refrigerator design with cousins Jesse and Abi

Last, but certainly not least, a little Easter montage of Liam for you -- enjoy!  We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.