Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!

This past weekend, Robert, Nicklas and I made our annual trip to Ringgold, GA to visit Robert's extended family for the 4th of July. It's was only Nicklas' second trip to Ringgold, which was really fun because the last time most of his family have seen us Nicklas was only 4 months old. We had a good time visiting with Robert's Grandmother (we call her GiGi for Great-Grandmother) and Aunt Alice, along with cousins Jeff, Cindy and Beth and all their families. Robert's parents also made the long drive up from Waycross and are spending ten days there.

Nicklas, however, was in rare form. To start, he's just cut another tooth (I discovered it in the car on the way to Ringgold) and it's partner on top was trying to come through all weekend. Second, we are in full-out stranger anxiety mode, which meant any new face he met came with total panic mode. I'm talking full-on tears! Robert and I could not leave him alone with anyone else in a room for two seconds before he'd start bawling. By Sunday morning he was starting to warm up to most everyone, but he would not go near Robert's dad, Ron, for any reason. As long as Ron kept his distance and he could still see one of us, he was OK. He wouldn't even sit in Robert's lap on the couch NEXT to Ron. (I think it was kind of hurting Robert's dad's feelings, but what can I do? He's not old enough to reason with. I'm hoping this is just a faze...)

Nicklas' younger cousins was another story. He was totally infatuated with them! I think there's something about other children that just draws him like a magnet. Here he is playing with Robert's cousin, Maria (age 8).

The only lap he was content to sit in.

Nicklas is staring down his cousin, Jeremiah (age 7). Nicklas would follow Jeremiah everywhere. Jeremiah started a mohawk trend on his baseball team, and now everyone on the team has to have one. His team is playing for the opportunity to go to the Little League World Series, I think. Like baseball, much?


I got this one as we got ready for bed one night. Silly boy.

My next task is finding a baby-sitter for two days a week for when Robert goes back to work the end of this month. My mom is still going to keep him two days, and I'm off one day, but the other two days are the challenge. I'm not crazy about the idea of day care, but I'm going to meet next week with a lady who keeps kids at her home. She comes highly recommended from more than one friend of mine, so hopefully it will work out. I'm mainly nervous because N is so scared of strangers right now that I couldn't bear to leave him if he's screaming his head off! Again, I'm hoping this is only a faze, and he will outgrow it. I really have no back-up other than this one lady, so if she doesn't work out I'm back to square one. Any suggestions are welcome!