Sorry, still no pics and a cheap post!

We are spending our days BUSY, filling every moment as if the off-season might suddenly end and baseball will decide to start again next week!  :)  I promise I'll slow down soon and get back to this...lots of fun today.  Great workout, LJ playing like a big kid with his baseball tee, leaving everything from the truck that came from Baltimore in the garage for another day, and making a great dinner with fun Halloween cookies.  Ahhh...what a day!  Do we really have months of this ahead?!  

Hope you are great!!

Love,

Jamie

It's official: 2008 Baseball Season is over!

What a neat year!  We got to live in 3 cities we have never even visited before:  Fort Lauderdale, Norfolk and Baltimore.  I have to say, they were all three great, but Norfolk for sure ranks #3.  Fort Lauderdale and Baltimore are both so great, but I think I like Baltimore best.  With these 3 moves, this year was our most stable one.  Lance is in the midst of the 4th move of the year...our move back home!!  He's driving till he gets tired, stopping at a hotel and then finishing up in the morning.  Let the off-season begin!!!  

Hope you had a great weekend!!!

Love,

Jamie

Rolllllllllll Tide, Roll!

Is this home or what?  Sitting in the driveway after dinner enjoying a push-up, (in your bama jersey, no less)!

...although it's a twist on the original - it's cotton candy flavored!

Maybe a future Bama player?  He throws the ball to you then wants you to throw it back so he can catch it.  When he catches a really good one, he says, "touchdown, people!"  Just like when he shakes his shaker, he says, "roll tide, people!"  I think he got it from when I was driving a long time ago - the person in front of me didn't see the green light, and I said, "go, people!".  He thought I was saying, "throw, people"...so, now he yells any sports statements at "people".  A simple reminder:  they're always listening!  :)

Playing with his tool box while watching the game

All clean -- didn't want to go right to bed.  I gave him the choice:  "Do you want to go nite-nite or watch football with Mommy?"  He said, "football wi mommy"... :)

Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Words can't describe how wonderful it is to be home!!!!!!!!!  I could just write that, and that would be the whole blog.  It's so great!  I had to fight tears when I was in Publix and saw the little candy corn pumpkins -- somebody pinch me!  It's time for the off-season!  Those little pumpkins are in the candy dish in my kitchen as I type :)

LJ has had a blast!  The awesome thing about being home is that he has lots of room to run and be occupied.  The only downside is that that leaves more rooms to clean, but that's not really a downside...at this point, I'm not sure there is one!  (Maybe that Lance isn't home yet?)  

Other than that, life is great.  LJ didn't sleep much last night, but the transition to another bed is always a bit rough.  I bet even tonight will be better.  

As I finish up, he's running around in nothing but a bama football t-shirt, (his undies got a bit wet, so I need to grab some clean ones!)  When I remember where I put the camera, there will be lots of pictures - home, home, home!  

Gotta go pick up my Benkei garlic steak and shrimp.  As my dad would say, I'm enjoying one of the best "sauces of Tuscaloosa".  :)  Lance, are you jealous?  Hurry home!

Love,

Jamie

A great picture

Here's a great picture of Lance and Brian Bruney before the last game at Yankee Stadium.  They met in South Bend, Indiana six years ago when they played on the Single A team for the Diamondbacks.  Next, they played in AA El Paso together, maybe in AAA Tucson (?), then in Phoenix with the Diamondbacks. A couple of years ago, they played against each other in AAA when Lance was with in Richmond and Brian played in Scranton, (AAA).  Now they play against each other on such an historic day at Yankee Stadium in New York. From the Single A Midwest League playing for the Silverhawks, to National League West, to American League East with a stop in the AAA International league.  How cool!

LJ and I are heading out tomorrow...ETA in Birmingham:  2 p.m.!!!  Can't wait!!!!!  :)

Last game in '08 at Camden Yards!

Here are some pics from LJ and I's last night at an '08 Orioles' Home Game!

LJ and Bailey playing by the outfield fence after we all ate dinner at the nearby picnic table.  LJ loves Bailey - her dad is Lance's bullpen coach.  She, her brother, Davis, her father and sweet mother live in Huntsville and are huge Bama fans as well.  We plan to see them a few times during the offseason.

This is LJ sliding down the slide at Camden Yards.  There is a great little playground at the ballpark.  I took LJ and Bailey to play one last time, and they had a blast!

We got to the game a little bit early, and LJ loved to stand by the outfield and watch the players warm up.

This is over by the bullpen.  If you look closely to LJ's lower right, you'll see Lance through the fence.  We wanted to get there early enough to see him because he'd be home so late after tonight's double-header.  I yelled to Lance to get his attention, so all night long, LJ was yelling, "Lance!" at the field.  He'd wave ecstatically and then yell his name again.  It was hilarious!

This is LJ saying, "All done", after an inning is over.  He does this every time as the players leave the field after the 3rd out.

LJ wearing mom's "Cool dudes"

What a fun night!  Bailey took this picture :)

Some NY Pictures!

Here are some pictures from our trip to NY.  They aren't in great order because of the way they uploaded, but they are a good representation of all the fun we had!  Goodnight!

LJ sleeping in his "big boy bed" with "Hot Dog"...he did so well!!

Lance warming up, (see the screen).  He pitched Friday and also in the last game on Sunday.  After playing in the last game, he took the dirt from his cleats, put it in a powerade bottle and also had a ball he pitched with authenticated.  What a cool opportunity!!!

A picture of us after the game

...LJ didn't quite make it home.

OK, so you tell me...the 12 dollar sundae for adults or the 3 dollar one for kids...his is SO much cooler than the adult version.  Check out the hat and M&M face!  (This is not the same night he fell asleep...actually the night before we left).  We didn't wake him up to sugar him up!  :)

Shelby and LJ playing on the Big Piano at FAO Schwarz in NY.  This is the same piano featured in the movie, "Big".  They had a blast!

Just having fun!

We left early to enjoy the "energy" at Yankee Stadium before Friday's game.  LJ and I stopped at the Mc Donald's right by the field and ate outside with TONS of other excited fans.

Lance pitching to A-Rod :)

Lance with his Nanny and Cousins:  from left to right (Lance, LJ, Lindsey, Brandi, Wilder and "Nanny")

Sorry, no pics!

Sorry I haven't posted the pics from NY yet.  I will try to tomorrow -- we packed a bit today and LJ had a hard time going down before I got to chat on the phone for a bit with a friend tonight.  Hope you had a great day!!  We are in our last week here in Baltimore and enjoying it a lot -- what a great place.  I am so excited to go home on Thurdsay, but there will be a trace of sadness, (if I can call it that?) to leave such a cool place.  I don't think it's really sadness, maybe just thankfulness to have been here and hopes to return.  We may be back here next year, and I'd love that!

I'm going to go unload the dishes and get the house ready for bed.  Goodnight!!  :)

New York, New York!

Wow, what a trip.  

Well, it all started with our fun ride on Amtrak.  The trip to NY is about 2 1/2 hours, and it is a GREAT way to travel with a toddler.  Maybe not for a 20 hour trip, but for about 5 hours and under, you can't beat it.  You can walk around, sit in the snack car and eat pretzels, plug in your laptop or portable DVD player...it is great.  We had NO problem.  

Upon arrival, we took a cab ride to our hotel.  The traffic was crazy, as expected, but we got there just fine.  When we got there, Shelby and Stacey Bruney had made the long drive in so we could take the kids to FAO Schwartz.  They had a BLAST.  I think the big piano was the favorite, but for LJ, the cute little stroller with a baby doll in it was a close 2nd.  After the fun, we bought the kids a toy each and ate at McDonalds for dinner.  We navigated our way back to the hotel, and it was bedtime.

It was about 3 a.m. before Lance got in that night, but LJ slept in his big boy bed until after 7 with no problem!  With our combined before and after sleep, Lance and I were ok...LJ was great.  We ordered a delicious, although expensive, breakfast in before hitting the streets to go to Robert Graham.  

Robert Graham is a clothes, (mostly shirts?) brand, and LJ has made friends with one of the founders.  He's given Lance a few shirts in exchange for tickets, and they have become buddies through this exchange.  Lance goes to see them every NY trip, but I had never been.  They had the stuff out from their latest runway show, and the designers were in the back on their computers working on future catalogs.  It was really cool, and the people were so kind!  

After our fun trip to Robert Graham, we took LJ to get another Happy Meal :) while Lance and I grabbed something from a street vendor.  I got a falafel sandwich - it was awesome.  We walked back to the hotel and got LJ ready for naptime before Lance had to leave.  

That night, LJ and I took the train to Yankee Stadium.  Packed with just a fleece, the camera, some money and a straw, (for a water bottle), we hit the metro with the rest of New York City.  There was not enough room to nod your head, so I'm glad we did it without a stroller or big bag.  We left early enough to grab food at, you guessed it, McDonalds!  We hadn't had Micky D's in months, but got our fill this weekend.  LJ and and I shared a burger by the field then found our way to our tickets.  We were there about an hour before the game and stayed the whole time!  LJ was awesome!

Lance's Godmother and her 3 daughters, (Wilder, Brandi, and Lindsey), were at the game too.  It was awesome to see them, and we got some great pictures with the field in the background after the game.  We got to see Lance pitch, but the O's didn't win..it was still a great night, though.  We all took the train back together, (LJ fell asleep) and we headed to bed when we got home.

Saturday morning, we woke up and ordered the same thing for breakfast.  It is so much fun and so easy to sit on the bed and eat together.  The room's so small you can't go anywhere else, so you're forced to have a fun breakfast in bed.  Lance left for the field after breakfast, and LJ and I set out to explore Grand Central Station.  It's attached to our hotel, and is slammed with travelers and shoppers alike.  The ceiling, (which I failed to get a picture of), is AMAZING, but it's hard to stop and look.  People are rushing all around you, so you have to find a quiet corner to enjoy the view.  

After a little running around, LJ and I found some pasta and cupcakes and headed back to the room for a late lunch before his nap.  After eating another meal on the bed together and tackling the cupcakes, I got him ready for his nap.  When we woke up, we headed down to the lobby to wait on Lance.  

When he got home, we met our friends Wyatt and Rachel Allen and Lance's Nanny and cousins for a tour through China Town.  LJ was ready to run, so I didn't shop, but I think everyone came out with something they liked.  They guys got some "Lacoste" shirts, the girls some scarves and purses.  

After that, we parted ways -- Lance's family headed to Little Italy while Rachel and Wyatt headed to Central Park before their late 9pm dinner reservations.  LJ, Lance and I headed back to the hotel.  We stopped at a little Mexican restaurant and almost ordered before deciding that LJ needed to able to run.  Instead, we got another meal from a street vendor and let LJ run around in his undies, playing ball, while we all watched football and ate.  It was a nice night.

This morning, we woke up and ate breakfast with family one last time before heading to the amtrak station.  It was an awesome, easy trip home...LJ was SHOCKINGLY FANTASTIC all weekend.  I just wish I could reward him in a way he could understand.  What a good boy~!

Lance has the honor of being at the last game in Yankee Stadium History tonight.  We will be watching it on t.v., (or I will - it starts after 8 p.m.), and it's so cool for him to be involved in fun stuff like that.  He will get home early tomorrow morning, and we'll have 3 days together to pack before LJ and I head home to Alabama.  

I have tons of pictures from this weekend - Lance has the camera now, so I'll post them tomorrow.  I know he'll take some great pics today of the last day in "the house that Ruth built".  I'll post those, too.  

I hope your weekend was great!  Ours was - I think LJ and I are headed to the pool before dinner time :)  I wonder what we'll eat...I know for sure it won't be McDonalds!

Ready for the train!

It's rare I have LJ out of play clothes and a hat, so I wanted to take some pics before we headed out on the Amtrak!  Headed to New York - call me with any China Town orders!  :)

The reason I do laundry while LJ sleeps...

If this doesn't make you laugh, you better check yourself :)

Throw it around, lay on it...at least it's clean! ...or it was when it came out of the dryer!

A piece of clean laundry escaped an became a hat...this is LJ talking to Lance in bed :)

Taking the clean towel, unfolding it and putting it in the colander :)

Well, we're headed to New York tomorrow, so I had to clean all of LJ's undies and some cooler clothes we might need for the fall weather!  He has a BALL with laundry - maybe he'll like to do it like his dad?  :) 

Goodnight!

Early night

Well, it's 8:30 p.m. and I just put LJ to bed.  I love it when he's tired enough to go to bed this early because  I know he'll get enough rest by his 6:30 wake-up.  I do, however, wish I could just hold him and snuggle for about 30 more minutes or so.  Who am I to steal sleep from a toddler, though?  I guess I'll cuddle with Rookie :)

I am looking around and have a lot of picking up to do.  There are toys everywhere, our coasters scattered all over the floor, shoes in the kitchen, socks at the foot of the chair, a soaking wet bathroom....all from that sweet boy.  Such a little body leaves such a big mark!  :)  I'll keep this one short so I can get this stuff up and start some laundry before settling in myself.

We had a good day -- early morning but a nice one.  We fed the ducks, walked Rookie and came in to play and eat breakfast before heading to the gym.  I worked out for about an hour before bringing LJ home for lunch and playing before nap time.  After naptime, we had some neighbors over for hot tea and cookies before going to the pool for a while.  After swimming, we came home, ate dinner, played some more and took a bath before finally giving in to the day's end.  

So, that's a recap of our day.  Tomorrow, I may bring Rookie to his boarding facility. Before the cab rides and train ride on Thursday, I'd like to keep life as simple as possible.  I'm still undecided though - we just love our Rookie dog!  

I hope your day was great!!!!!  I'm gonna go clean up and get some laundry clean to pack in those suitcases!!!

Goodnight!

Just a short trip...

Well, Lance is away again, but it will be just a short one.  LJ woke up from his nap today and was SO upset that Lance wasn't here anymore.  I think he is beginning to understand that, "Daddy is away for a few days", means he isn't coming back after bedtime.  Because of that, I am thinking of moving up our NY trip to Thursday.  Lance won't get there until the wee hours of Friday morning, but we can all wake up together and LJ will be SO happy!  LJ's friend, Shelby, is there, so we may have to schedule a play date, if possible!  :)

Aside from Lance leaving, our day was great.  Lance, being the amazing man he is ;) , let me rest some more this morning.  I have told him recently, "If you give me a little rest here and there, your life will be GOOD."  To prove that, I got up after some rest the other morning and made him breakfast in bed!  With LJ's EARLY mornings and Lance's LATE nights, I sometimes burn the candle at both ends.  Why mince words -- not sometimes...All season!  :)  An hour or two in the morning can make the ultimate difference for me, and I am SO thankful!  I, for some odd reason, am unable to nap, so this makes my day fantastic!  Thanks again, Lance!!

Anyway, after I got my lazy head out of bed :), we headed to the harbor.  We packed up our bikes and rode the dragon paddle boats!!!!!  I had my camera all ready, but the battery was dead.  Above is a picture of the dragons.  We somehow bypassed the "age requirement " for LJ - he's a big boy, and enjoyed a paddle in the harbor.  Lance and I stopped pedaling and joked, "there's nothing like sitting in a boat and soaking up the sun".  : )  We both LOVE sitting in a boat, but rarely get to do it, so our little dragon was a great glimpse of that joy.  Pretty quickly, though, we had to start pedaling again so that we wouldn't drift pass the "white cone" that was supposed to be our boundary!  You know I'm all about the rules and don't want someone coming out from the dock to yell at us for going too far!  What a cool city, huh!?

Anyway, we went and ate at UNO pizzeria again ...had the dessert, AGAIN.  It wasn't quite as gooey, though, and they topped it with cinnamon ice cream?  I guess I'm all about cinnamon, but I'm really more of a vanilla or chocolate girl when it comes to my pizzookie.  Anyhow, we came home, put LJ to bed and pretty soon it was time for Lance to leave.  

So, after nap time, with Lance gone, LJ and I headed to the gym for a bit.  After a short workout for me, LJ and I swam for a LONG time.  For almost 2 hours, we played in the pool, then headed home, gave him milk, took Rookie out, got in our PJ's and now it's bedtime!  I have clothes laid out, (long sleeves - the high is 74!) for the morning.  We are going to the park and maybe even to breakfast before going to the gym at 11 a.m.  With LJ, I stay busy because he's got a lot of energy!  I look up sometimes, amazed at how late in the day it is...he passes it by quickly.

I hope your day was fantastic...ours was, and home is just around the corner.  I can't believe it!!!!  

We miss and love you, Lance!!!  

Goodnight!

Good day!

LJ still was warm this morning, but nothing some bath water and a popsicle couldn't help!  I felt a tooth under his gum...who knows?

Lance had a charity even tonight at the ESPN Zone.  It was for the fans to come and play with the players, benefiting the local children's hospital.  Even the Oriole Bird got in on the action!!

Cheering as we got 3rd in our group in the basketball contest!

Sometimes you need a little boost...even on the Super Dunk, Jr.

Whooo!!! He made one!!

All in all, it was a pretty good day!  LJ was a little weary of the mayhem at the zone, but it was a neat night!!  I hope you had a great night, too!!!  Lance has the day off before leaving tomorrow afternoon for Canada.  Not many plans, but we are going to enjoy our time with him before he heads out one last time!

Love,

Jamie

Ahhhh...

Well, we just got home from the first game of a double-header.  LJ had a great time in the stands for the bit that we stayed, and it was a great outing for us.  He has run a low-grade fever all day, (a few baths while eating a popsicle made him feel better), but he was ready to get out.  He wore his Bama jersey and his bama hat, ready for the game.  We can't watch it or listen to it, but we are Bama fans and we know it's going on!  

I have been thinking about going to New York next week while Lance is there.  It's just a two-hour train ride, and it would give us a chance to let LJ sleep in a "big boy bed".  Also, we just found out that Lance's aunt will be there with her daughters while Lance is there!  How cool is that?  If we can find tickets, maybe they can accompany me to a game.  I don't really plan on going to a game because it's the last series at Yankee Stadium, and it would be crazy!!!  Besides, we already gave away our tickets, but if I could go with a group, I would be interested in going.  I've never seen Yankee Stadium, and this is the last chance before they bulldoze it to the ground.  To commemorate it, Lance actually bought a previously used base from the field.  I'm sure they are selling everything from squares of carpet in the clubhouse to the seatbacks of season ticket holders' chairs.  With the profits alone, they could probably build a brand new stadium!  :)

Well, I'm praying our little boy sleeps tonight and stays cool.  I don't know where the fever is coming from (the lack of clues leads me to believe it's molars), but we'll see.  He is just loving being held and loved on, so I guess I could stand a day or two more of that.  ;)  I hope you are well!!!!

Love,

Jamie

Rain out!!

I bought this hydrangea at Whole Foods tonight.  I should have taken an "above view picture" because it is literally larger than my head.  Amazing!!!!  My favorite flower in JUMBO size!

Here's what happens when I get lost in Whole Foods - I get flowers and cute magnets!  How fun!!

There are more like these...too cute!  I am taking orders :)

Lance got rained out tonight, so I kept LJ up for a bit.  He cuddled with his dad...

..by candlelight :)

Goodnight!! 

Good night!

Well, my sweet boy is in bed!  This morning, I went and looked at some local apartments in case we were here again next year.  A small increase in size = a large increase in rent! LJ is totally over the tiny apartment, so I was searching for something with a little more running room :) I looked at other two bedrooms with a little more room, and the rent is huge.  I say that, though, and realize what a wonderful location this is.  People pay a lot to live in this area, near all the neat restaurants, shops, Whole Foods, a bike ride to anywhere you want to go.  I'll keep my eye on Craigslist if it seems we will be heading back.  God always provides...I know something wonderful awaits us!  I just wanted some mental pictures with the numbers should I need them this off-season.  I know that I can be as prepared as can be, and plans change, so I'm not concerned.

This afternoon, LJ and I went swimming until he was done, then I took him to childcare and worked out.  He had a blast, (and stayed dry!) in his hour of playtime, then we went to Whole Foods.  We got some milk, LJ a cookie, (almost becoming a tradition), a banana and a salad for me for dinner.  I did grab a chocolate croissant for me and a cookie for Lance when he comes home.  Their cookies are UNREAL.  Chocolate chip is our favorite, but snickerdoodles are good, too.  I better never stop working out.  I just can't do without!  :)

 The countdown has begun...I get home on September 25th at 2 p.m.  Lance will follow me with Rookie on the 28th.  We all wish he wouldn't, but we know he will drive the 12 hours home after his day game...without a break.  He'll crank up Sweet Home Alabama and "I'm coming Home" and drink Red Bulls until he gets there.  Gosh, I can't even imagine...at home, together, every day.  How great will that be!?!  I need to get some rest...my little one will be up before the sun and his momma is not good in the mornings :)

Hope you are great!!!

Love,

Jamie

MMMMM...

I had to post some pictures of lunch, or rather, our dessert from today.  After playing at the field, (see pictures below this post), we biked to the harbor and ate at UNO pizzeria.  Y'all, LJ NEVER takes off his Oriole hat, but after one bite of dessert, he took it off, deciding to get down to business.  I guess it was in his way!

The dessert reminds me of the pizookie we used to get in Arizona at Oregano's.  It's a soooooft chocolate chip cookie with ice cream and hot fudge on top...all in a skillet.  When it arrived, the conversation stopped and it was every man for himself.  We were all fighting to eat our side so we could tackle the others.  Had to share...Go to an Uno's pizzeria if you can!!

mmmmmmm...

now that's a happy face!

I think we finished it all :)

mmmm...it was so good!

Washing it down with some apple-carrot juice :)

Don't forget to look below...my camera has been busy!  I have to other posts from today :)

Hope you are great!!!!!

What a day!!

We had the greatest day!!!!  This morning, we went out to the field to let LJ run.  He hit off the tee in the cage, ran around the field, played in the dugout and hung out in the clubhouse.  These are just a few of the pictures I took...I was snapping away!

Checking out the field

Lord, all good things, even baseball, come from You!

...speaking of good things...

Playing in the sunlight on the steps of the dugout

standing up at the top of the dugout like Daddy likes to do...

LJ and his momma

Gently placing the ball on the tee...

...then swinging with all his might!!

The rosin bag Lance uses so often on the mound :)

Ready for the pitch!