Happy Day(s)

This picture is a bit deceptive. And funny. It looks like I am returing from a deployment and Will was there to greet me! However, I assure you, it was Will returning with 1/75. No women Rangers :). I came straight from work and didn't bring a change of clothes, therefor he was able to change before I was...

These have certainly been some happy days. Will is home, and has been home for a little under a week now. Reintegrating is going very smoothly, much to my (pleasant) surprise. Days have been pretty lazy and filled with activities like taking Quint man to the pool, playing in his sandbox, playing tennis, going to the beach, grilling and working out. Disney World is soon to follow, which I will definitely blog about :). I bought 2 Disney CD's, which Quint and I listen to daily to and from work to prepare and familiarize ourself. I offered Will one, but he (politely?...) refused.
Quint hammer (nickname from my dad) pretty much loves anything outside. The oppressive heat and humidity don't seem to bother him in the slightest. On the weekends, about 10-15 minutes after waking, he is pointing at the door to go outside. I sometimes eat my breakfast in the car or on the ground outside so he can play. This past weekend we even took him to the rec center to play tennis and he LOVED it. It always makes me happy to expose him to new things. At first he just had a lot of fun throwing the tennis balls and running after them. He was so funny, he would throw a tennis ball with all his might, achieving about a 1ft. throw (it bounces farther than he throws it of course), and then flap his arms (elbow down)/hands up and down several times. I don't really know why he does it, but it is very cute and impossibly endearing. During this time, Will and I were able to hit a few balls and get a few volleys going (as much as he could with me-I wasn't exposed to much tennis as a child). However, once Quint tired of his activities, I actually picked him up and actually played a bit with him. We stayed very short range, but again we were able to get a few volleys going and he LOVED it. Giggled almost every time the ball hit the racket. Well, I soon tired from this activity and then Will and I spent about 15 minutes showing him how to hold the racket, hit a ball with the racket and what that felt like. It was great. Not sure how much Quint learned, but he loved it. Again, anything we can do to expose him to positive activities are always so rewarding. You never know, I think I see the makings of a pro! Just look at the happy fella :)

One of Quint's favorite places, of course, is the pool. He is very cautious at the pool, which is nice. He will skirt the edges, but doesn't really come close enough to fall in. He likes to come into the pool with me sometimes, but more often than not he likes to run around, watch the other kids, play in the water spigots and faucets, and pull up the white filter covers all around the pool. That is probably his favorite thing. I try to teach him to put them back, but haven't had much luck yet. He is happy to watch me put them back for him :). I'm the one that likes to get him in the water for more of that kind of exposure. I want him to be comfortable in the water and able to swim as soon as possible! He is ok going under water when he "jumps" in from the ledge, but doesn't really like it when I submerge him when we are "swimming." He actually does really well with Will in the pool too! I thought he would be more apprehensive, but he was happy and felt secure with both of us.

We had friends over a few times, relaxed by the pool and grilled. It's been pretty nice.
Quint is responding very well to Will being home. I usually have to be lingering somewhere in the background, but Quint smiles at Will, giggles at Will and even tries to take his weights when he is working out. It is pretty hilarious. Will will set up his Cross Fit mat and kettle bells and Quint just ambles over and tries to move the kettle bells. When Will actuall starts the work out Quint giggles a lot when Will grunts and breathes heavy and what not. It's crazy because Will will be swinging the kettle bell or lifting a very heavy weight and Quint will walk right between his legs. Or right up to him to the point where he's practically underneath Will. It's a little nerve racking, but Will handles it well and is able to side-step him. I try to distract Quint, but sometimes it is futile. At that age, they want to investigate what they are interested and I would never want to discourage his curiosity :).

I don't know if I like this!

Ok, I really like this

The above 2 photos were actually taken at Hilton Head, SC (when our friend Rebecca Flake came to visit!) and it was crazy, at first Quint was really scared of the waves, but before long he just crawled right in from the beach and was totally unfased when the waves were crashing all around him. Even I was a little nervous, but he was really enjoying himself, and Rebecca and I were really close by.

It's just all around great to have daddy man back. Will is always the impetus for going out and doing fun new things with Hammer. I never would have thought to take him to play tennis. Or let him watch someone grill. I mean I did fun things with Q, like take him to the pool, the park, on runs etc. but when it's a one woman show, it becomes more about the daily grind and making it through and inserting activities where you can. Life is better now, in general, and the activities just sort of flow or evolve. I don't feel like I have to fight to fit in developmental activities or quality time.   

This is Quint Man "helping" me clean. I grew concerned with the chemicals contained in cleaning products, so I turned super hippy and started making my own out of baking soda, vinegar, lemon and water. Now Quint can help me. You can't see it, but he even has his own little spray bottle :). It's pretty darn cute. I disinfect when he is sleeping sometimes, but pretty much just stick to the basics. It gets things cleaner than you would think! It's really neat. Who knew!