McBride Family

McBride Family

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Water Baby

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM LYONS!

Clyde and Kona kept the house in order throughout Hurricane Irene.  Though power and cell phone service are still intermittent and cable and internet remain down, things are getting cleaned up in Richlands, North Carolina.  We are grateful that everything is alright (relatively speaking).

Aiden and I are happy to be here to celebrate Mom's birthday, which we marked by Aiden's first swim. The pool water was nice and warm, and Aiden loved it. He likes to kick his legs and make splashes with his hands.
Aiden and Grandma get their feet wet.

Aiden and Meg get ready for a dip.

Aiden enjoys the water...

Swimming this way...

...And that way.

And splashing everyone!


Friday, August 26, 2011

Hurricane Season

It isn’t often that the threat of a hurricane has me traveling TO Florida.  Hurricane Irene's potential path inspired an impromptu visit to Florida for Aiden and me.  Clyde and Kona stayed home in North Carolina to prepare the house as Mom and Dad Lyons (and the cats!) welcomed Aiden and me upon our arrival in Tampa.  We hope that the storm heads west, out to sea, and that damages are minimal.

Aiden and I left Wednesday afternoon on Aiden’s first travel experience.  Managing baby and baggage was made much easier with Clyde dropping us off, Dad picking us up, and suitcase and carseat checked for the flights.  Aiden made fast friends with flight attendants and fellow passengers, passing out smiles freely.

UPDATE: I was on the phone with Clyde on Friday at 12:48 pm, when the area lost power.  He is alright, well-supplied, and prepared.  Our house is further inland, and at less risk than much of the base and surrounding areas.  We hope the storm passes quickly and that everyone is safe.

Master of the speedy low-crawl, Aiden pauses (ever so briefly) for a photo.

Clyde has never seen me with the baby carrier on--he thinks I look hilarious, as if preparing for an expedition.  He snapped this one just before we headed off to the airport.

Clyde boarded up the doors that lead from the kitchen to the back patio.  Kona is confused by this--she loves to look through the back doors.

Aiden gets up on hands and knees, preparing to crawl.  I have the camera ready in case he gets the full crawl down while Clyde is gone (which he probably will). 

Dad and I played with Aiden until he tuckered out--passing out on the family room floor surrounded by toys.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Catching up on Summer Slack

Things have been extremely busy lately, though when I try to identify the things keeping us occupied, it is difficult to pinpoint the source most responsible for our happy chaos! We thoroughly enjoyed the girls' lively, loving spirits in the house this summer, and miss them very much now that they're back in school in South Carolina. Aiden is low-crawling faster and more stealthily which seems to keep the accomplishment of my daily tasks at 20-second intervals. As Clyde says, he doesn’t yet understand gravity, but he heartily embraces grab-it-y.  Work keeps Clyde quite busy.  He is out at Onslow Beach now, so he has a nicer view during the workday, but must endure a much longer, more traffic-congested commute.  I am enjoying the challenges of keeping up with Aiden and grateful for the helping hands of Clyde, Ciala and Lauren. I look forward to picking up the slack on several unfinished projects.

Here are some pictures that I neglected to post in a timely manner…


Taken in late June, Aiden's unfortunate expression has only recently become easier to coax into a smile (if you're fast enough to capture it on camera).  Ciala and Lauren, of course, are pros!

Partners in crime.

Ciala's popcicle is color-coordinated with her outfit.

Popcicle lips.

Team Clyde surveys its cards, carefully contemplating their prediction in the Who-Dun-It mystery.

Middle children lounge together...

And book-end children do, too!

Aiden's ready to hit the road in his new wheels!