Faith, Hope, and Love: Return of the Vamp

Okay, so jet lag is SO officially over and I'm back to my normal pattern of not being able to fall asleep before midnight (a stark contrast to the nights when we first returned when I crashed before 9 pm). Those years of working evenings & nights (the "vamp" shift as I like to call it) have created this Vamp you all (hmmp...I mean y'all) know and love so well.

Having a toddler who wakes up during the night to sobs and/or wails, only to immediately quieten when Ba or Mama pick him up is fascinating. It's amazing to see this little guy blossom. He's quite the resilient little fellow (and a natural born charmer, as many of my Charlotte Mommies friends will attest).

Last Friday, C had his sutures (stitches) removed & his first flu shot (for which he was rewarded w/ a sticker...C absolutely LOVES stickers of any shape or form). That afternoon, the Heb clan headed off to see the fabulous "Auntie" Donamari for our first family photo session at a nearby park. Guess because Mama was the baddie who helped the mean ole' people give him a 'boo-boo' on his leg, the afternoon photo session began as a "Ba day." Fortunately for Mama, C quickly forgot about the boo-boos when allowed to run about the park. He was a man on a mission to have fun and, oh boy, was the mission accomplished! C even found a friend to play w/ at the park...another little boy who shared his Matchbox-sized toy car & bus w/ the "Di Man." C returned the favor by sharing his blue "bom" that he received from family friends in PA.
We had a chance to see proofs of the photo shoot & can I say again how "fabulous" Donamari is? She is one of my favorite people. "C's Crazy Italian Aunt," as she calls herself. She began her family through adoption and has a special place in her heart for adoptive families. Many of you will soon be able to see the beauty of her work in the holiday/adoption announcement card that will be heading out via Snail Mail. http://www.capturefotography.com/ (little shout out to ya' d.)
This week has been quite fun for the Heb clan but overwhelming at times for C, especially when 60+ of my nursing students (okay, okay...technically former students since they finished NURS 228, practicum, and graduate tomorrow - CONGRATS btw, December Class of 2007 & good luck w/ boards) were sitting in the student commons area & greeted him w/ lots of oohs and aahs when we stopped by my campus to visit my coworkers. But, like the trooper he is, he didn't cry...simply uttered one of his favorite toddler words, "NO."

E had finals this week, so has been busily grading papers (one of those profs who give essays exams...guffaw - me, personally I've been the multiple choice queen). But not so busy that he doesn't find time for C. Just the opposite, in fact. E always has time for C if C is in a "Ba mood." You know, nothing beats having a toddler come to you, give you a hug, then pucker up those "pouty lips that would make Angelina Jolie jealous" and plop a big wet one on you. Ah, the joys of Motherhood (the rewards far outweight the mini-meltdowns that sometime occur). Although my niece H may want her "two front teeth" for Christmas, Santa came early to our home this year & gave us a wonderful gift that keeps on giving!

So, we had some more playdates this week. I find it interesting that b/c of C, I now know more of my neighbors than I ever did BC (Before Colin) and definitely more of the neighborhood kids. C is well-loved by the J's (3 adorable siblings who's first names all start w/ the letter J). The older two J's stopped by after being dropped off by the school bus (which C finds really fascinating btw) and brought two additional friends (S & P....very cute girls, not of the stock market variety) to meet C. Of course, C played the "shy boy" role...which resulted in the girls agreeing that he was definitely cute (hmm...has C already learned the fine art of wooing the ladies - I am so in trouble come preschool).

Well, C is waking up (one of several tonight), so we'll bring this entry to an end. Enjoy the most recent photos of your favorite Little Dude and ours...the Di Man!