August 20 -August 28th

Hi Pumpkin!
I have a lot of catching up to do since we were so BUSY this week with vacation!! I will write it all up and I may have to do a photo catch up later as I am trying to get all of our photos organized!

Friday - August 20
Daddy took you to the allergist today and thought it would take just a short time. I couldn't get a hold of him and then I called Mary to see if you were there. We were worried about you! Turns out that you just have so many darn allergies that it took that long. When Daddy called me, I wasn't surprised that you have environmental allergies. I was ready to cry when he said you were allergic to milk, wheat and corn. I was ready to hang up on him when he finished up with your allergy to dogs. We have new meds for you and they want to do an Xray of your sinuses. They also want us to do a 2 week food challenge with you to see what changes the foods make. We are still tossing around that idea but we think you may have a minor intolerance to those foods rather than a full out allergy.

When you left Mary's, you got extra smooches from her and extra goodbyes from your friends - everyone is going to miss you next week! We visited Great Gramma for a bit. I ran to Walmart while you two shared a bottle and a nap. Afterwards, it was all about getting the dogs over Gramma Ruth's, packing, getting you in bed and just getting ready for our VACATION.

Saturday
WOOHOO - vacation time! We picked up Great Gramma, loaded up the truck and started our trek down to Branson. Gramma played with you in the car and you were in pretty good spirits. As long as you had some food in your mouth, you were happy. But, food in your mouth makes Gramma nervous that you were going to choke :) We ended up running into your Auntie's in Clinton Missouri. You got to see Auntie Val, Auntie Kim and Brandon early! We had lunch together where you had your first experience with rice - Auntie Val dumped a bunch on the table for you. Yeah, that doesn't work so much for me... I hate those families that go into restaurants and make a big mess. I am sure it won't be our last mess but I gave your Auntie Val a stern look. Our family time started off right - great dinner, lots of fun and games. You poor thing were trying to sleep and us Lang's were just too darn loud for you. Everyone was in a super happy mood (that you will recognize later as being drunk) and just plain loud. But, eventually, we quieted down and you were able to sleep!

Sunday
You hung out with daddy today while I went out on the boat with the family! I got my first experience on a tube and your Uncle Jeff was super nice to me when he was captaining me! We were all a lot quieter tonight as we were all recovering from the night before!

Monday
Today, daddy went golfing with your cousins and we went out on the boat. You did great on the boat - you just slept and let the breeze run through your hair. When I put you in the water, you were a bit fussy because you were tired. So, you got in the lake and experienced the boat but then you took a nap! I think your cousin Kylie liked hanging out with you, feeding you your bottle and letting you sleep on her.

At night, we did family photos. We got some great ones of you and Jake. You guys are starting to notice each other - you even "talked" to each other. Jake likes to smile at you and talk to you. You want to eat him. I am not sure how you are going to make any friends when all you want to do is eat people. I know you get excited and that is how you show love but it doesn't feel so loving when your teeth grab on to some skin :) We are going to have to train Baby Jake some defensive moves to block all that love you want to give. I hope that you and Baby Jake are able to forge some really fond memories together and you guys love each other as much as I love my cousins!

Tuesday
Oh baby - we were SICK. Your allergies were in full force and I got some cooties. We just hung around the house and did nothing. We are getting you some new medicine that we hope helps. Sleeping was tough as you were in a foreign place, you were sick and just fussy. We lost cousin Jeremy today - he was off back to the real world!

Wednesday
Another day of rest for us. We had great plans to get on the boat and go shopping. We did end up going out for lunch and we hit the outlet malls. I went into a few shops while you stayed in the car with dad. You really liked my chocolate malt!! Today, we lost Brandi & Jeff back to the real world. I don't know what day it was but you were in your play pen crying. You had woken up and started crying. Then, we heard on the monitor that the crying stopped. We thought you fell back asleep but it turns out that Jeff went in our room and picked you up to help you stop crying. While that doesn't sound like a big deal, it is a huge thing! Jeff used to be so scared of babies. Now, he loves to play with you & Jake and love you both up. It warmed my heart that he took the initiative to pick you up and watching his face light up when you smile at him!

Another deep thought for you. Tonight, you were laying in our bed between us. You were looking up at me and your daddy and just had a happy look on your face. It seemed like you were looking at us both and thinking how great we are. You are so young and innocent. You think that me and your dad hang the moon. You smile just looking at us. We feel the same way about you and we always will. However, even the best of parents turn out not to be perfect. Someday, you are going to look at us and we will not have hung the moon anymore. I dread that day when you realize that we are human and not superheroes. I envy your innocence and trust in everyone. I envy what little you need in life to be happy - some food, a dry bum and to feel loved! I wish I could capture that love in your eyes to remember when you are mad at me.

Thursday
We slept in like we have all week. You have had some bad sleeping habits this week - up at all hours, eating several times a night then sleeping in until 9:30! Today, we lost your Auntie Val, Auntie Kim and Brandon. You want to know something I don't want to forget? Your Auntie's are silly for you. They make all sorts of funny faces and voices just to see you smile. I came into the bedroom and they were both on their knees around the bed. They were bopping up and down going "peek a boo." I haven't seen something so funny in ages! Women in their 50s bopping up and down screaming "peek a boo" at a little boy!

Daddy & grampa went out on the zip lines today! What an adventure for those two! We hung out together and played with Baby Jake for awhile but you just want to eat him.

Friday
It was time to call our vacation over. We had to pack up and leave our beautiful home! We headed up North and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. It is one of your mommy & daddy's favorite places. We got you a onesie. We even ordered you a meal there. You love fish sticks at Mary's so we got you some fish and chips. It was funny because your meal came with one more fish stick than my adult one did! You liked all the lights and the shark at the restaurant. You liked the lemonade. But, you know what your favorite part was? The applesauce that came with your kids meal. Yep, the same sauce we give you at home for like $.50.

When we got to the hotel, your daddy was picking on us. He kept saying what a Momma's boy you were. You kept reaching for me and wanting to hang out with me. I didn't see any shame in this. I don't see anything wrong with you loving me more than anyone else :) I told him to quit picking on my baby!

We went to the Chiefs game and it was a lot of fun. It was so exciting to see you in your Chiefs jersey. I am not a huge football fan but you know what was fun for me? It was fun for me to know how proud your daddy was. He was at an NFL game of his favorite team with his son. He finally has a son to share his love of the Chiefs with. Yes, son, they may not be a good team. They may never make the playoffs. They may only win a couple of games a season. However, he will now form fond memories of hanging out at Arrowhead with his boy - his boy that he waited for 12 years to arrive. There is not much that compare to that buddy! You did great at the game. You people watched and looked around. You took a nap and you were good to go for another few hours. I was so proud of you for how well you behaved!

After our big game, we stopped for dinner and I got dessert. I shared my frosty with you and you flipped out. You were making big noises and attacking me for more. It was so funny and I can't describe it well enough. I think your dad may have even snorted. You slept with us again and it was a bit smoother than our Missouri nights. We are hoping that when we get home, you will be back to normal!

Saturday
Well, it was time to finally come back home buddy! Our vacation is officially over. We had a great time hanging out with our family. With so much family, we were concerned that it would be a horrible time. haha! We knew you would have fun because you would be so spoiled. Some of the best times were the simple times - talking with my Aunts & Gramma, playing cards, laughing big belly laughs over silly things. Those simple things that won't make it in a scrapbook - laughs that won't show up in pictures, intimate conversations that don't appear in photos and silly inside jokes that won't make sense to anyone outside our family!

After our long drive, we went over Gramma Debbie's for the party. Gramma Debbie's birthday was yesterday & Gramma Debi D is moving to Florida. You got to be spoiled by a whole new set of people - Aunt Betty, Great Gramma Dorothy and lots of others!

When we got home, you did like a million laps on your walker. You were jonesing for it after a long absence. Then, it was two bottles (yes, piggy, 2) and you were out at 8:20. Gotta have some calm and some sleep before our lives are back to normal!!