our week with the marine- part 2.

We spent the rest of our time with Uncle Marine pretty much heading out to some of our favorite places with some of our favorite people.

And U.M. did a lot of this..



We went and ate sushi with our "sister", Aunt Red, where of course we laughed our heads off and were ridiculously inappropriate. It's what Aunt Red is best at. It's kind of why we love her.

It's also why she's not allowed alone with my child..

I went back to work during the week he was here. Mr. Perfect took this picture to show U.M. how upset I was the morning I went back to work.

Obviously they were more impressed with the picture than I was.

That night we headed out for Mexican with some of our faves. We met up with KP, Katie, and our pal Joe for cheap food and cheap drinks. I could eat Mexican every night. My hips currently look like I do anyway..

Somebody slept through dinner..

Some of my favorite people.

I pink puffy heart these girls..


We managed to get pretty much our entire old crew together one night for a fish fry and low country boil. It's a completely different kind of get together now being as how there were 4 little girls around. Most of the party was spent back in Baby Girls room! I never thought I'd see the day..

Two of my closest friends and our girls; there's 3 months between each of them. The one in blue is 8 months, Katie in the middle is 5 months, and Baby Girl is 2 months. Although BG and Katie are almost exactly the same size!


Best friends since elementary school..


The night before U.M. left, we got the family together at one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. Good food and U.M got to hit on our waitress, so pretty successful night. It sucks he had to leave, but we had such a good time!

The Marine and our grands.


Short two weeks, but I'm pretty sure this face will bring him back soon!

our week with the marine. pt. 1- memorial day wknd

We had such a good time visiting with the Marine when he finally returned home. He made his way down to Coastal Town the day after he got back in the States. We managed to cram plenty of activity into out (2) weeks with the Uncle.

On 5-29, we celebrated my Aunt's birthday as well as the Marines homecoming with a dinner at my grandparents. Of course we were late getting over there but since it was because of this..



...I was perfectly okay with not rushing. I love these two together!

We finally made it to the g-parents for dinner and cake.

Baby Girl had grabbed this card on her own and could not figure out why we all were going nuts about it. She's just so cute!

Yes, that's my Dad cheesing in the background. =)

After dinner we went out to play with the Marine's new toy...

I did not okay this.. and it will not happen again!


The next day we headed to church for the Memorial Day service. Guess who made us late?!?

Not BG and I. We were ready in plenty of time, but the boys... way late. There's a problem when the two girls are ready first. Just sayin'...

It was a great, very emotional service. They pulled all of the retired and active military up on stage and not going to lie, I choked up a bit when my parents and the Marine headed up to the stage. So stinking proud of my family.

After church we headed back to the g-parents for pictures. It didn't last long because BG slipped into meltdown mode since she hadn't napped in the nursery at church.





The boys spent the rest of their day doing this..


Baby Girl spent the rest of the day playing with Pops and Nonny.


We headed back over to the g-parents the next day for a Memorial Day low country boil.

The Marine getting ready to change his first (and only) diaper of the trip. Or probably ever!



We pulled out some old pictures to see if we could see any of me in Baby Girl.

We couldn't. Boo.

We ate our weight in low country and then headed back to the house. My bff, KP, and her family came over. Uncle Marine hadn't met KP's little girl Katie yet, so of course she had to come over. Which BG was happy about because it's her bestie.

It's funny because when Uncle met, there were no babies here. And two years ago, none of us girls were in the "family mindset" quite yet. It's such a drastic change and he remarked about how cool it was seeing us as Mom's. I bet it's weird, but I love this new dynamic of all of our lives.

Katie & U.M.

KP and her family with U.M.

It was such a great Memorial Day weekend spent with family and amazing friends. And of course it was a bit sweeter this year since Uncle Marine had just returned home.

welcome home uncle marine!

Two weeks ago, we packed up everything we thought we would need for a baby going on a 6 hour road trip and staying 4 days in a hotel. We got up at 6 am that morning to get the truck packed, get everyone ready, and get on the road by 9 am. Our truck very closely resembled a moving van. Not kidding. We had that much stuff.

Good thing I am a Facebook stalkeraddict occasional checker. I just happened to jump on real quick to see what was going on in the world and saw a message from the Marine telling us not to leave just yet. His flight had gotten delayed (again) and he wasn't scheduled to get home til that Monday now.

Grrr.

That was a Thursday. We stayed packed as best we could until we finally left on Saturday. Mr. Perfect was super happy about having to unpack all that and then repack it on Saturday. Like giddy.

On Saturday morning, the 22nd, we gave it another go. We got the car all packed, met up with my grandparents, and hit the road. We stopped for lunch in Small Town, SC, to eat with Mr. P's family. Then Mr. P, Baby Girl, and I stayed for the night while my grandparents continued on to North Carolina.

That night we got the call that he had been delayed again. He was supposed to be coming in on Sunday (the next day), but now it looked like Monday possibly Tuesday. We decided to head on up there and see what happened.

We got up bright and early (oh how I miss sleeping in), and hit the road to finish the trip to N.C. BG was not feeling it. The day before she had done awesome in the car. She slept the whole way, but not that morning. She was restless and cranky and though we tried our best to stick to her schedule (traveling during stops for feeding time), she was still all thrown off. We got about 20 minutes down the road and had to stop.

*Side note: I can't tell you how many places we stopped that did not have changing tables in the rest room. Seriously?! Off the interstate and no changing tables? I swear I saw those things everywhere when I didn't have a child. Now? Never.

End rant.

After giving her a small feeding (not at feeding time, I was trying to be flexible!), we got back on the road. For an hour and a half. Then she slipped back into meltdown mode. We stopped at ate and then she was good until we pulled into Marine Town. I honestly think she was just over being in the carseat. I know I would be.

We checked in to the hotel and then met the grands for dinner. After dinner my parents came over to our hotel and gave us the glorious news that the boys had been delayed again.

Are you kidding me.

I'll save some time and tell you that we got that information MANY more times while we were there. But we tried to enjoy ourselves as best we could. Marine Town is not a resort town by any means, so basically we ate out a lot and played on the beach.

Good times.

BG was of course the center of attention most of the time. We just can't stop loving on her!

Mr. P and BG chilling out in the hotel. He thinks this is funny.


We rode out to my parents RV one day since they were staying at the beach. BG enjoyed the beach.. until we put her feet in the sand. She freaked out! She's going to have to get over that. I kind of love the beach.

Her new sunhat. Cute!

Dad, BG, & I out on the beach.

Trying to calm her down after putting her feet in the sand... Drama queen.

The fam out on the beach.

On Tuesday, my parents and I attended a memorial service for the guys that were killed during this tour. My brothers company lost 9 men while they were over there. Nine. Most of them were about 19 years old. I thank God everyday He brought my brother home..



After the service, I met back up with Mr. P and BG to get some lunch. This is how she gets so chunky...


On Wednesday we got word that the boys were back in the States. They landed in Maine, then flew to Charleston where they got stuck again. Finally, Thursday morning we headed to the base for the Homecoming.

Mr. P and the grands.

Baby Girl in her Homecoming outfit.

Welcome home Uncle Marine!!!

Me and my best friend and my best girl. Yes. I was crying. Sometimes it happens.


Finally meeting his niece. I think he loves her...


Needless to say we are all BEYOND excited to have him home. We went to eat lunch before the three of us had to head home and when we went to leave I saw this..

She wouldn't let go of his finger! Cue heart melting...

Fortunately he headed down to Coastal Town the next day and we've been having a blast with him since. I think BG and her Uncle are going to be the best of friends.

Welcome Home Uncle Marine! We are so proud of you!