Bitten by the June bug

Our latest photos from June are available by clicking on this photo of us with Mark and Sarah at Viader (a winery in Deer Park, CA where Connor occasionally pours).

Daddy Day Camping

We did it! We celebrated our wonderful Man of the Day while enjoying the wild outdoors. I'm thinking Richard Carey might have enjoyed himself!

Bateman just pondering how much he enjoys playing with his Daddy.

Here's our friend Anthony climbing in the wind caves!

On the way back to our campsite, we caught this amazing view.

We made yummy s'mores by the campfire! oooo... melted chocolate!

It was pretty chilly, so Auntie Anne Marie and Richard Carey are all bundled up!

And so is Mr. Bateman. What a champ! He just really enjoyed being in that tent.

Happy Father's Day!

Bateman really likes getting attention from Anthony. When he would walk away, Bateman would whine. Come back my little friend!

So that was our trial run one-nighter. We have a 3 day coming in August. We are so ready!

a macy's lesson

When we registered at Macy's for our wedding, I got a Macy's Star Rewards card to rack up points from all our gift purchases. Although I actually never used my accrued points, I still use the card to make my make-up purchases. When I would use the card, I was always sure to pay it in full so I didn't get any of those nice interest charges... until March. The billing cycle after I had Bateman, I forgot to pay the Macy's bill. Then a whopping $19 charge was added the next month. I tried dodging the charge, only paying the balance before the charge, but the next month, I received a bill for $21. My late charge was now gaining interest! My hopes that the charge would disappear were not looking so hot, but I was a little afraid to call and ask about the charge! I don't know why. I mean, what was the worst that could happen? They'd tell me no. Surely they couldn't add another $2, right? I really almost just payed it so I could stop thinking about it. When sharing this dilemma with my mom, she advised me to pray about it before I called... pray for the words I needed to speak and pray for the service representative to have open ears. I knew she was right. So I prayed and I called. I nervously spoke about always paying on time, then having a baby, then wanting the charge removed, if possible. The man's voice says, "First of all, congratulations on having a baby! Aren't they just a blessing from God?" Um... hello? Who did I call? Delightfully confused, I agreed with him. Then he said, "Is it a baby boy or a baby princess?" I could not believe that this man was investing in me over the phone! He gladly took away the charge, announced my $0 balance, then proceeded to ask me how the baby was doing. So I walked away renewed, thanking God for my $21 and for walking with me through all of life's little dilemmas.

Baby Boot Camp

Have I purchased some new boots for Bateman for our camping trip this weekend??

No, no. I'm talking about a workout that tied my calves (and all the other muscles standing in the way) in knots. Baby Bootcamp.

It was amazing! Bateman and I attended our second session of boot camp (www.babybootcamp.com) this morning. I must say that I could actually keep up today, which is way more than I could say last Monday when I thought for a moment there was a chance I was passing out! This class definitely doesn't mess around which is probably why there are moms that have been attending for over 2 years now. We met at a park with the instructor and about 10 other mom/baby combos and did a little routine up and down the running trail. Bateman was awake for the full hour-and-a-half just hanging out and enjoying the trail. The workout concludes with core strengthening which can use your baby for added weight. Since Bateman was playing so nicely in his stroller, I decided I would wait for another session to add weight. :) So I didn't buy any baby boots for Bate, but we will be going on our first overnight family camping adventure this Saturday!

Big Head-er

I'm trying to update our header, but am failing to remember how to size it... so for now, you'll have to look at our huge heads!!

Living Large,

Richard Carey, Valerie, and Bateman

If you haven't seen the June 1 post....

...you gotta see the lil' man sitting in his Bumbo seat. I think Val and I laugh at that picture everyday. Is he posing? Is he thinking about how his outfit matches his chair? Is he soiling himself? Who knows? As a matter of fact, I think I will re-post the pic. Can't get enough of this one:

Art and Wind Festival

Early Memorial Day morning (we're talking 4:50 a.m.), we started preparing for our first venture to the San Ramon Art and Wind Festival. The hot air balloon launch was scheduled to start between 6:30 and 7:30. When we arrived, we were told the balloons hadn't actually taken flight in years because the weather conditions were usually too windy in the Bay Area.

Fortunately, Richard Carey had packed a special picnic breakfast! Richard McMuffins, Smoothies, and coffee! Ok, I'll take it!

We watched the sun rise as the balloons got inflated.

Then up, up, up, and away!

Our little bear definitely enjoyed the outing.

Grrr!

Mr. Three Month Old

Our darling boy is pictured here at one month of age... all swaddled up for his fourth trimester...

Those fourth trimester days are over!

Bateman is now an active little three month old.

Kicking around his foot rattles...

Spinning like a propeller in his crib (dangling his legs out)...

Sitting up in his Bumbo seat...

and posing for his three month photo!