Welcome Fall.

The weather is cooling down and all the leaves are beginning to fall. Just 1 day away from Serif turning 11 months old and only 1 month away from Halloween! All of these changes in the air got me in the spirit of fall this morning, so I photographed my feelings through the outdoors and Serif's newest fall outfit. Welcome Fall.

Bye Bye 10 Months

This was taken at dinner time Sunday night. He started waving while he was eating, so what else is a mother to do besides grab a camera?

2 Things

There are only 2 things I remember asking for growing up and those were my mother's wedding ring and this stereo.I got my mom's ring 10 years ago when she passed away (way too soon - I could have waiting MUCH longer for that). Then my dad brought me this stereo last year when he was re-situating the house. He just decided it was time to pass it down to me. It's a piece that he bought when he was stationed in Germany in the 1960's. It's the one piece that he's managed to hang on to over the years.

I've always LOVED this peice of furniture. My sister, brother and I would play so many records (& 8-track tapes) from this thing. We'd sit for hours with this being center of our entertainment. Even growing up, I admired the look of this peice and how cool it always looked to me. There's something about the 1930's to 1960's era that is just inherent in me. I often say I was born a little late for my time. It's all worked out though of course.

I caught Serif finding interest in the stereo just this past week. It's amazing how much I feel inside when I see him over there playing with it. It's just weird that that's my son over there playing with something that I've always admired so much. I can't look at this stereo without the recollection of all the times we'd sit there and play with it. My head just spins with all the thoughts and memories this thing holds for me.

Serif: 10 months, Stereo: 50+ years

Thank you Dad for remembering me with this piece of furniture. I will always take good care of it and will treasure it a lifetime! Maybe one day Serif will get to take it with him. How cool that would be if he could write about it as I have. I'm sure we'll build many more memories with it . . . together. I love you too!

2009 Pre-Season Predators

Jeff took Serif to the morning practice game Saturday and met up with his brother Don, Shannon, Corbin, Anelia and Annie. I took the opportunity to get out and do a little shopping but had the chance to meet up with them for lunch. Jeff called me after the game and said that Serif got a new teether. When I asked what it was he said he got a hockey puck from the #24 off the ice! How awesome!!!

#24 Ben Guite. (Photo of Serif and his puck still to come.)

After the game they saw that you could get free tickets to the pre-season game that night by donating blood. So, we all ate lunch at Jack's barbque and then went back to give blood. We were shocked when they gave us tickets that were only 5 rows off the ice!
Jeff dropped me and the boy off at the front of the Sommet while he went to park the car. As we got out of the car, the downtown horse and buggy was passing by. Serif just watched it until it was out of sight (no photo sorry). When that was gone, he focused straight up to the sky where he was even more amazed by the swarm of birds flying around the buildings spire. He wouldn't look anywhere but up. He was glued to these birds.

Let's Go Predators!

We got to see a great fight, by Tootoo. He ended up knocking the guy out cold by knocking him down and busting his head on the ice. Ouch! It put a pause in the game for them to clean it all up and to get the guy off the ice. Wow, they get pretty rough out there (coming from a hockey new-be).

What a great game. Serif got to spend a little time with everyone. He did really well the entire day. He just loves his Uncle Don and Aunt Shannon. They certainly take care of him. Uncle Don even shares his hat with him!

Uncle Don, Aunt Shannon, Serif, Annie (hidden behind Serif), Anelia and Corbin (Serif's cousins)

Thank you Uncle Don for sharing your hat!

Aunt Shannon and Serif playing with their hats.

After the game Serif got to get his picture with the ice girls. He really liked their pom-poms!

My First Sock Monkey!

My best friend at work, Ruby, got Serif this little sock monkey for his birthday. Birthday you say? Yes, I know, it's still a month and half away. She gave it to me early because she couldn't wait. I was suppose to wait to give it to him, but I couldn't resist last night! We're both bad. He LOVES it! He went straight for the eye! THANK YOU RUBY!!!!

Look what I can do!

Seaside to Nashville

Our last morning at Seaside. We had to check out of the cottage by 10am so we packed last night and loaded the car this morning. We did one final walk along the beach and then headed for breakfast at the Red Bar Restaurant. We then hit the road for the long trip home. Here are a few photos from our day.

This was the portal at the end of our street that led us to the beach everyday. When you get to the top of the steps the view opens up to a beautiful view and stairway down to the beach.

Serif loving his daddy's shoulders as we walk along the beach.

Soaking up our last moments on the beach.

The boys and the bird. (Serif was fascinated with these and the seagulls the entire trip!)

One last time of getting Serif's feet in the sand . . . and yep still the same pose.

One last family photo of the Godby Florida Vacation 2009.

Walking back to the cottage.

Bye bye sweet cottage. We will miss you!

The boy's eating breakfast at the Red Bar.

Serif fell asleep within the first 5 minutes in the car and slept for 2 hours! He did really great on the trip home with minimal fussiness. Thanks to a friend of ours, we had a dvd player with Baby Einstein videos for him. In general he didn't only focus on that, but it helped with the breaks of boredom between toys.

Watching 'Baby Noah' and chewing on his foot.

We got home around 4:30 this afternoon and unloaded the car. Serif was glad to be out of his seat and able to stretch out but seemed pretty bored. I made the comment of our house being boring to him because he was in to everything while we were down there. i guess having all new surroundings made him more curious and made his atmosphere more fun. He would play in short spurts then want one of us to pick him up. (He did not do this at the cottage). So Jeff took him out on the deck while he took down his pool and swept. He always loves it outside.

Jeff went on to his dad's and brothers to pick up the pets and I stayed home finish unpacking and to put Serif to bed. As I was in the kitchen I suddenly heard the splashing of water. I walked around the counter and here's what I found. I guess our house isn't boring after all. This is first that he's actually decided to explore the dog bowl!

Seaside - Day 4

We've had a wonderful vacation but we are pooped out tonight and are going to bed. We have about an 8-1/2 hour drive back home tomorrow and need to call it a day. A brief note about our last day is: sun, beach, naps, showers, eats and lots of last minute soaking it all in.

Our happy family enjoying the ocean.

The super fun float.

My two handsome boys.

Going for the camera.

An attempt at wearing sunglasses, at least for a photo.

Who needs sunglasses, besides Mommy?

The new found toy, travel tissues.

Sandy hands.

Feeling a little in the mood for a cuddle.

Nap time.

A stroll along the beach.

Our little flamingo.

A footprint to remember our flamingo's first beach vacation.

Capturing the end of a spectacular day.

The little so-called 'flamingo' would strike this pose any time we'd try to put him down in the sand or water. He even started doing it in the house when we'd come back from the beach. I think there was lots of newness and discovery for him this trip. He's done SO well and we're so proud of him.

Some personal notes (more for me and my record keeping): His coughing and breathing has gotten worse over the trip and his nose has been crazy! We're hoping it's not a big deal and perhaps due to the fact that he lapsed his Singular for a week before deciding to put him back on it to get him through the vacation (doctor approved). He also has had a bit of an upset tummy, a bit of a mess for the diaper, but his mood has been fantastic! His tummy did seem to do better this afternoon and evening. Hopefully we're at the end of that deal. He's been trying lots of new grown-up foods along with his regular meals of babyfood. We're thinking his tummy just can't handle it all yet, so we've slowed it down a bit to allow the sensitivity to calm down.

Seaside - Day 3

Today we decided to have breakfast and walk 'Watercolor' (a neighboring community to Seaside). There's a lake, lots of amazing houses and small little pausing places that makes you stop and enjoy the moment. We totally missed this area last year when we came and are glad that we had the chance to roam and explore this year. A very beautiful place. Serif took his morning nap as we strolled the paths and bridges that abounded the area.

When we got back to the house we all lathered up and went to the pool where we all had lots of fun. We got to watch the local school kids take their P.E. class that consisted of swim lessons. Pretty cool to see. We then went back to the house where enjoyed a little down time and Serif took another morning nap (we're wearing him out). When Serif woke up we went and had lunch at 'Pickles', a great local hamburger joint, and then strolled the local shops surrounding the beachfront. Later, we went to dinner at Bud and Alley's and then watched the sunset from the beach. We then grabbed dessert at the local ice cream shop and took a stroll back to Watercolor where we wanted to see how things looked at night. Here are our photos of the day.

Morning Walk on the beach.

Exploring 'Watercolor' (the neighboring community next to Seaside).
Amazing hand-blown glass cattails lined this bridge; absolutely beautiful and so inspiring.

Lathering up for our morning swim. We went to the pool today.

A loving kiss from Mom.

Serif making monkey noises at Bud and Alley's, where we ate dinner.

Mom and Serif at dinner.

The boy trying out the lawn chairs as we watch the sun set.

Dad joining the boy in the chair to watch the sun set.

The cattails at night at the Watercolor bridge.

Coming in from our nightly walk.

Our super tired and exhausted boy that skipped his afternoon nap and is very ready for bed.