Summer trip to OBX

It’s time to start catching up the blog from the long-lost summer, and the months since having Fielding, which have been delightful, but which have flown by and remained unrecorded. SO: our major summer trip this year was to Outer Banks, NC, a beautiful and out of the way vacation destination chosen by Chris’ extended family for their reunion. They rented two amazing houses near the beach. We divvied up the meals, and whoever was in charge of cooking had the honor of wearing the coveted zebra print aprons. This was the ladies night—we made gourmet hamburgers and the usual accoutrements and sides.

 

 

Somehow I thought that the waters of the Atlantic would be warm, but no… So I didn’t get in the water much, but people who are impervious to cold water, like boys, enjoyed many a dip. This was Sawyer’s second trip to the ocean—the first being Mexico in Sept of last year—but he still needed time to acclimate to the idea of open water, waves, salt, sand, etc.

 

 

We did some serious digging and sand castle building.

 

 

Two pregnant vixens, enjoying the ocean breeze.

 

 

 

One of the houses had a pool in the backyard, and many happy hours were spent there.

 

Opposite the ocean side is the Currituck Sound, the water between the Outer Banks and the rest of NC. It was a good place to do some canoeing.

 

 

The larger house, seen from the back.

 

Boys out in the canoe. I think it’s Chris and Sean…

 

And boys cooking dinner in the saucy aprons—I believe it was bruschetta and gnocchi that night.

 

 

The three grandsons (soon to be five) posing in their matching shirts.

 

  

 

Lots of games were played each night.

 

 

And one day we took an excursion to the sand dunes near Kittyhawk.

 

 

 

Not far from the sand dunes is the Wright Brothers memorial and museum, commemorating the first flight that took place there.

 

 

 

 

The adorable aunts had put together dueling baby showers for me and Carrie.

 

 

On one of the last mornings uncle Steve took us crabbing. Turns out you need a big net and a turkey neck. I never would have guessed this.

 

 

Lazy days on the dock, waiting for the crabs to bite.

 

 

Got one! Mmm, fresh turkey neck!

 

 

 

And some family pics taken on the porch of the main house.

 

 

A wonderful and relaxing trip, and another state to check off the list! Maybe next time it will be SC?

Fielding is one month

Our little guy is one month old already—it’s happening very fast. Although there are parts of me that want to race through this period as quickly as possible, in order to sleep better at night, have more freedom, a more predictable schedule, and to not have to lug this nugget around everywhere (ok, that’s a long way off…), he’s just so precious and sweet, I’m trying not to take him for granted or accidentally miss out on all of the precious little traits of the newborn, from inadvertently living in an imaginary and much easier future.

One month into this adventure, Sawyer remains as enthusiastic about his little brother as before. You can get a sense of his very sincere love in this vid.

Number two!

At long last, I’ve been delivered of my pelvic burden, in the form of the handsomest, sweetest little 8lb wonder ever. Fielding Christopher Gray left the oven a few days ahead of schedule, on Sunday Aug. 1. What a great birthday that is. Here are a few shots of his first few days.

Daddy setting him down for the big weigh-in (8lbs 1.5oz):

 

That’s one proud papa.

I think everyone has gotten a glimpse of this curly mop by now. That was right after his bath—I don’t think it will look like that all the time. Right now he’s got sort of a 1940’s film star wave going on.

Relaxing evening at the hospital after making his big debut.

We came home yesterday and Stella was so eager to make his acquaintance; they’re pals already.

Thanks to everyone for the emails, calls, well wishes, etc.