A different kind of trip to OC

How fast can one year fly by... 365 days, 52 weeks, 12 months.... it's time for our annual vacation to Ocean City, MD. It's a trip we make almost every year for the past 7-10 years. And every year it is different with new people... some people return and others don't. And every year we have new vacationers join us (Rick & Janie and family and of course Evan) But the core folks who have always made this trip for the past 7-10 years have been my brothers. My parents didn't make it in 2003; I didn't go in 1997 or 1999; but Joseph & Joel have always made the trip. Except this year.... this year Joseph and his wife Tanya were unable to make it... what does that mean... Dan and I can not help but wonder how Joseph's absence will be felt.... off the top of my head: who will make the 'tee' times; who will shuck the crabs for me so I don't have to work for the meat; and most importantly.... WHO will dominate in Lazer Tag? We'll miss you Joe.... the trip will not be the same.

It's time to pack... but I first want to remind you all to vote for the QTest (cutest ) baby--- Evan = qtest282..... Here's a reminder how cute he is and to vote for him. We'll be away when they announce the winner next Saturday... but you have until midnight on Thursday Aug 23 to email your vote (feel free to vote more than once).

Vote for Evan !!!

Is Evan the cutest baby in Southeastern CT? I think so... do you? Dan and I have entered him into a local contest the radio station and mall are sponsoring. And you can vote!! Read below or Click Here to see the rules on voting. Voting ends August 23rd at midnight!!

Voting for the Q-Test Baby Contest will take place from August 13 to August 23 at midnight.

Vote for the baby that you think is the cutest by sending an email to: photos@q105.fm . (Please read directions below)

The email subject line should contain only the number of the photo from the photo gallery (Evan = qtest282). A number sign or any other info in the subject line besides the number may cause your vote to not be counted.

In the body of the email please include your name, address and daytime phone number.

But essentially you need to compose and email to photos@q105.fm. In the subject line, you'll put Evan's contestant # : Qtest282 . In the body of the email, you put your name, address and daytime phone. I do not know why they need your daytime phone. Maybe this is there way to ensure folks don't stack the voted. There are about 300 babies to choose from... so make sure you vote for Evan (aka qtest282 ).

I hope you all vote b/c even though this photo may not capture Evan's total cuteness, you know there are plenty of cute photos that prove Evan deserves to win :)

You can help him win!!!

VOTE once
VOTE twice
VOTE as many times as you like

Teething

Pregnant, I always worried about "how" will I know why my baby is crying. Everyone told me that you just learn. Evan came home and that first night was a rough one for all. But then I watched Oprah and Priscilla Dunstan was demonstrating the 5 universal cries a baby makes. It was fascinating and educational and true. So I felt less nervous. And yes, I learned Evan's cries. But this theory is only for the first 3 months. So when he started crying inconsolably when he was 4.5 months... we didn't know what was wrong... he wouldn't eat or anything... so we decided he was "teething".... and he was... A month and a half later, he cut his first tooth on May 16.

So this week, when the crying and fussiness began, we knew the teething was full blown. Sure, for the past couple months he had a rash on his face and biting down hard on anything you gave him. And the time is here... Evan is rapidly getting his next 2 teeth (the top canine) and it's tough. Waking at night and just screams. He loves this teething ring and the baby orajel.

And just as these teeth are cutting through, he has swollen gums for his 2 front teeth... meaning the next 2 are just around the corner....

Just can't believe he went from zero teeth to his 2 bottom teeth and soon 6!!! Well, it was a rough night, so it's time for my nap :)

New Things

It's been a busy several weeks.... and not enough energy to tell all... so here's a quick highlight... We finally traded in Dan's car and bought a 2007 Honda Pilot.... It's a great SUV. Aberdeen Metallic Green with the Olive leather interior..


And a year-end clearance that sold us... sure it's poor gas mileage but a great car for those long road trips to Maine and Maryland.

The day after we bought it, we in fact took it to Maine for the Marr-Pierce Family Reunion. It was a great turnout for Dan's Paternal Grandmother's side (confusing huh??). About 21 family members flew in from Nebraska for the weekend. And Evan was the youngest attendee by 2 months.... Luke was a couple months older... and Luke is the grandchild of Dan's cousin. Can you believe that???

There are some photos from our trip available to see here. I didn't put all but just enough to get the idea. Dan's father comes from a family of Lighthouse keepers... and in this case we visited the lighthouse in which Frank was born--- Hendricks Head. There's a museum dedicated to this quaint little lighthouse (a non round lighthouse). But during our visit we toured Boothbay Harbor as well.

So in Evan's life of 8.5 months, he has visited RI, CT, NJ, FL, Toronto, ME and soon he'll be visiting Ocean City, MD and then Washington DC (with a trip to PA in between???). So you have to beg the question... Where have you been in the past 8.5 months of your life...