Simon and the park

This weekend I took Simon to charleston to visit my parents. We left daddy behind. 

One of the things we did was go to the park. He went down some slides (with help), rode a metal dolphin rocker and played on the swings.

Here are some pictures of him on the swings:

Such a big boy!

There was another boy who sat in the swing next to Simon. From that moment on Simon wanted nothing to do with me.

Proof:

Simon Swimming!

Over Labor Day we took Simon swimming in Gamma's pool! We transitioned him slowly and he actually went in the water for more then a moment on Monday. Brian was going to take him but he had a really bad headache so he was resting before he had to drive us home. So it was just Gamma, Simon and I.  Since I am the one who takes the videos/pictures there is no video of that.

However, I do have videos of us testing the water with Simon so to speak :)

What Simon was doing in August:

Like father like son....

Go Blue!

Brian has been DYING to get him in this outfit since we got it from Aunt Blair...still too big but wearable

on his way to Charleston to see Gamma and Grampa!!!

Getting kisses by the cutest basset puppy Tides

I apparently did not take enough pictures. I will keep that in mind for September :)

Charleston Weekend

This weekend we went to charleston to visit my parents and to get the second long awaited picture of Simon and Benjamin. We left Friday for Charleston and came back Sunday. Simon did great! 

Friday was really hard for him but he is a trooper. He had to put up with a two hour dentist appointment and then the two hour drive. He woke up furious in Mt Pleasant but once at Gamma's and Grampa's house he was fed and then fine. Friday night was fantastic! I got to sleep in a bed without Simon! He spent some time in their bassinet and the rest in his car seat.

Saturday was much more relaxed. He realized he did like the Moby wrap, took bailey for a walk and ran a few errands. Saturday night we had will over for dinner. Simon's sleep schedule was again unchanged and this was night #2 where I got to sleep in a bed without him. I might actually be able to move into the master before I go back to work!

Sunday we just hung out until it was time to go. My parents new friend Susan came over to visit which was a lot of fun!. Simon handled the car ride well again and then we just chilled at home. Sunday night was night #3 of sleeping in a bed without Simon!

Here are some pictures of Simon and the dogs. I have not picked which picture of Simon and Benjamin I'm going to use so this one is going to be one of the choices.

1st Wedding Anniversary

On March 3, 2013 Brian and I have been married for a year. Man time flies!

We spent it with my parents in Charleston. Charleston was having their annual Food and Wine Festival and my parents were having their friends over and we were invited to join them! Most of their guests were also at our wedding so it was a lot of fun!

On Friday, March 1, Brian and I left from work and got down to Charleston around 7:30pm. We ended up arriving at the same time as most of the other guests which was great. Friday night was low key which we all needed but a lot of fun. Mom and Dad made gumbo for the guests and Mac and Cheese for me and we had appetizers before hand while we talked and hung out. Dad got pedi cabs for our guests to leave in at the end of the night, I think that was a really big hit. Betsy, my Aunt, stayed with us :)

I got an amazing scarf, belt and some money for the baby from Tammy and three handmade Penguins from Suzie as an anniversary gift. I love them both and mention them because they came with ribbon. I, in true Rachel fashion, dressed up Benjamin! He looks really handsome in pink :)

On Saturday was the festival. We met at 11am walked around. It was definitely fun. I obviously couldn't drink much but I was surprised that I was able to find enough to eat given my limitations. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. There were two big tents...the tent labeled The Piggly Wiggly tent had more to offer. We did meet some extremely nice vendors.

One was serving prime rib sandwiches and offered to make one custom for me (cook the meet more, take stuff out, whatever I wanted) which I did not take him up on as it was fabulous the way he had it and baby liked it. I was very impressed that with all the people there that they were willing and happy to accommodate me. I did not ask this chef to do this, I just mentioned that the baby does not let me eat good food to explain why I was hesitating on trying it. (I typically made Brian eat something first). This vendor was from a big fancy and nice restaurant...one we would love to visit if we ever felt rich enough. And one that we will visit if only to repay them for their kindness. I so wish I could remember their name :-\ Mommy brain is kicking in.

The next was Arizona tea company. Given that this was a Food and Wine I was going in knowing that I wasn't going to be able to drink much if anything. I was hoping that some cocktail vendors mixed the alcohol in when ordered or after a bit so I could have a "mocktail" as Sandra Lee calls it from Food Network but everyone had the alcohol already mixed in. Then we saw Arizona tea company and I was so excited because I knew I could have that. I mentioned to them how excited I was able to see them and got my sample. We walked around and came back and Brian asked if he could buy a can of tea. (most of the other vendors were selling things as well as giving samples away). The clerk just smiled and handed him a full, unopened can and wouldn't take any money for it. I have always liked Arizona iced tea and I now like them even more and will make more of an effort to buy their product. I am so glad they were there (they even had one of the more popular booths).

The third extremely nice vendor was from a company that was selling candles in old beer bottles and was giving mimosa's away as their drink. We had walked by them before but right before we left to go home we noticed that they were making more of the mimosa's and had orange juice without the alcohol. So Brian and I went up and asked if it was okay if I just got some orange juice. I was thinking I was just going to get the same amount as he was giving to other guests just without the alcohol. Nope! He took my wine glass (the one and only time it was used) and filled it up! I remember the company's name began with an Re.....like Renew or something. Mom is going to know. I am doing so bad at this.

And of course there are some pictures from the actual wine festival. Jet Blue was the other main sponsor and they were showing off their new seats and had props and would take your picture. Mom and the girls, in their true fashion, jumped in and had a blast!

It was about that time that we headed outside where Betsy, Brian, Dad and I went out and watched a burger display. The demonstration was okay but we were really there for the burger. They brought out 6 at a time (there were at least 50 of us) and kept giving them to the front row. If there was a steady stream of them it would have been fine however it was 10 minutes before each tray came out. Finally we got our burgers (I may have used the pregnancy card and grabbed three off a tray as they were entering the area). They were okay.

After that we headed home. I lay on the couch for a while and dad napped and Brian did something...not sure what. Mom and I went for another walk (I am trying to be as active as I can) and when we got back it was time to get ready for dinner.

We went to Poogan's Porch for dinner and had a good time. We were a party of 11 and our reservation was a little delayed because one of the tables they were counting on using was taking longer for desert then expected but we had fun hanging out in the bar-ish area. The food was okay. Everyone liked their choices much better then I did. I got the seafood pasta and the pasta wasn't cooked right at all...I had to cut it with a knife as it was all stuck together. And the sauce was bland. But they have some fabulous biscuits, their fried green tomatoes were excellent and I did enjoy my salad. So I ate the shrimp and scallops for dinner. Brian and I chose to share the bread pudding. That was okay. The best thing about that was that it was hot. By this time I was so tired and disappointed by my main meal that it would have taken a lot for me to like the bread pudding. We definitely had worse bread pudding but their chocolate peanut butter mouse pie thing was MUCH better. Someone in the group had that and let us try it. One interesting thing Brian and I noticed is that we were the only couple that was sitting together. Every other couple was sitting apart. It isn't a bad thing it was just interesting. We are chalking it up to us being newly weds.

Sunday was very low key. We got up, ate breakfast. Ate frozen year old cake where Brian decided he was going to take the four extra pieces and freeze them again so that for the next four years Brian and I will eat a slice on our anniversary. Sad goodbye to Betsy :( and then the gang :( and headed off home.

We still haven't done gifts....lol

This is getting real!!!

Our first carseat (we may be getting another hand me down)! My baby doll from my childhood is testing it out.

I will be bringing both Baby and the carseat with me to Charleston to see how Benjamin and Bailey react. I fully expect them to ignore it and not care. It would completely shock our family if there were any negative reactions. Both dogs are great with kids. I just want to make sure they refamiliarize themselves with infant things.

I am also bringing Baby down so I can get a picture of Baby with Benjamin. I fully expect Benjamin to be around infour months but he is 14 and getting old. I really want a picture of my baby lying on Benjamin and if I have to photoshop it oh well. Plus, even if I do get #1 with Benjamin I could photoshop #2 instead because Benjamin will not make it to #2.

Basset Hound Waddle 2012

After Trans Siberian Brian and I headed down to Charleston to spend the weekend with my parents. We saw the lights on James Island which was fantastic but the best thing was the Basset Hound Waddle!

Every year during the Christmas parade the Carolina Basset Hound Rescue group invites Bassets from all over to participate in the parade! If you don't know bassets ....walking without sniffing and walking fast when not chasing something like a rabbit is not their fortay!

All of the out of town bassets were staying at a hotel in Folley Beach so Saturday my parents, Brian our friend Will and I went down to see if we could catch any on the beach. I was too excited to pet and play with the Bassets to take pictures but it is hilarious to see Bassets try to walk in sand when their bellies touch the sand and even try to go swimming.

Sunday was the parade and to our surprise the bassets were one of the first groups! The bassets start out walking but for those that are too old or tire out there is two wagons following behind to carry the rest across the finish line. SO much fun and definitely a new Christmas tradition.

They had the right idea!

So good letting Santa ride on her!

Poop Mobile or what I call the winners!

I want a basset!

Drayton Hall

This past weekend, the 9th, I decided that I would ditch Brian and go hang out with Mom and Dad. I disguised it as a birthday present since Brian became one year older on the 8th :)

While I was there Mom, Dad and I went to Drayton hall. It was very cool and we are going to go back because there were other activities we wanted to do but couldn't because it was way past lunch time. Biggest surprise, this house only had 3 bedrooms!!!!!! Where did company sleep? It had two flank houses that no one is sure what they were used for but we have decided the guests stayed there.

Awww they like each other!

Benjamin and Bailey lead two very independent lives. They rarely interact with each other. Bailey also is learning how to be more basset and less Beagle.

Look what we found!

They are cuddling in the sun together!!!!