Update

It has been a while since we have updated the blog. Things are going well. I am home from work now on a permanent basis. My employer is keeping me on with the company on retainer. If there is some work I would like to do they will throw it my way.

I will soon be starting school again to beef up on my web development skills. Meanwhile I am home with Leia half the day while Nina takes the latter shift. Together time is usually around 2-5 PM where the whole family does something like going to the pool or a hike. At night I am still teaching Jiu-Jitsu classes in Fredericksburg.

Being a stay-at-home Dad has been great so far. I can really appreciate the changes that Leia has made over the last 3 months. When we got her she could not walk yet, did not speak much, and was insecure about leaving our side.

Now she sits confidently in the same room with us playing by herself if need be. She is still always seeking our attention especially if we are on the computer. She wants to play with the keyboard too! She loves to play with us both and I keep coming up with new games to keep her busy. Like lifting her up in the air with my two feet while holding her hands as she 'flies' over Dada.

She is running all over the place now and is always trying to talk. I bought some flashcards online from a teacher's supply store that shows a letter of the alphabet and a related picture of an object with the first letter. She may not be able to say 'elephant' but she can differentiate the correct object when asked.

She also is a great fan of dogs. It is probably her favorite word. Nina and I will have to get a nice little dog for her when she gets older. My vote is for a Jack Russell.

Well that is about it for now. I will try to post some pictures next time.

Jesse

Weekend In Ocean City New Jersey

This week the three of us went back to my old stopping grounds in South Jersey. We spent the weekend on a hotel on the board walk. Right outside were the dark green waves of the Atlantic gently rolling across the sandy shell ridden beach. The smell of funnel cake and pop corn gently wafted across the air with the shrill sounds of 50,000 children begging their parents for a quarter for the arcade. Brings back memories. Leia had a great time playing in the surf. The sand itself was a minor barrier for her. She felt safest on our lap while she let the sand pour through her little hands.

While playing feed Dada sand I accidentally bit one of her fingers. Not hard enough to bleed or leave a mark but enough for her to bawl up with the most mournful cry a parent could ever hear. I quickly whisked her away into the ocean where she quickly forgot the sharp bite and began laughing as we jumped the breakers.

We also visited with the other half of my family. They were thrilled to see her. We all shared in a BBQ. My brother and grown up sister was there. Boy time sure flies when you are away.

Pictures are attached for all to see.