Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Goodbye Kimmy & Casey




I moved to Fayetteville over a year ago now to be with Kim and Casey. While here on a weekend trip for Ben's Military ball I noticed they needed something that I was going to try my best to give them. Not knowing then how much in turn they would be giving me. I made the decision to move here to help them. And bonus, I would get to spend time with a cute guy I was quickly falling for. All of our lives changed in a matter of a few weeks here. We found out about Cash and moved into a big money pit house.
I will always believe I was asked here for a reason in January and not just to be Ben's date and wear a pretty dress. We all needed each other and we didn't know it then.
I hope Kim and Casey feel the same way Ben, Cash and I do. We all grew so much in this last year. Especially Cash. Have you seen that kid? He's huge!!

I watched Kim grow in so many different ways. She's in Kansas now with her family. Casey should be joining them tomorrow. Ultimately that is what I hoped for them the whole time.

Kim and I became great friends. She has done so much for my new family.
I texted Kim at about 3:30am on the 7th of November telling her I thought I was in labor. After a long night of her own, not getting to sleep until late. She was up again starting a fire, a pot of coffee for Ben, and began writing down the time of every contraction I had. She was there for every hour of my labor.
Kim did dishes way more than I did (Kimmy, my sink is full..come back for a quick visit?) She put up with our cats, even though I know she hated them. ;) She gave us everything we needed for our new home.. a couch, a table, a broom.. and so much more. She was wonderful with Cash, he got so much extra love with her around.
Kimmy, you will forever be a part of our little Bartlett family.

Casey and I never got as close as I hoped. I think as she continues to grow up that will change. We will always have this time to look back on. Even if it didn't make us the best of friends now I know some day it will. Casey could always make me laugh. I texted her after midnight about a week ago because I wasn't able to sleep after finding out Ben was deploying. She texted me back saying "sorry Meg, but now you have more time to grow your hair out for a wedding" (she knew how badly I wanted long hair at our wedding) I laughed when I didn't even know I could. She was always up for a fast food run with me and gave up her bedroom many times for us and our families. Cash looovves Casey, he smiles every time he sees her. Casey has the ability to make people smile as she enters a room. She knows this. =)
You are a very special girl Casey and I believe your big move to Kansas will show you who you really are.

Kimmy & Casey, thank you for all you have done for us. We will miss you everyday. I love you both so much and can't wait till we are all in Maine together.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sleepy Teether




No teeth yet, but they are on their way for sure! Cash will chew anything these days. He is chewing on my hand in these pictures and falling asleep while chewing.

"I have an idea"


Johny Jump Up

Just two weeks ago Cash could hardly hold his head up in the Jump up. We had to stick his stuffed grinch behind him. Now he's doing fine on his own and had even started to bounce a little. He loves being in it, but it really tires him out. If you don't take him out of it when he's all done, he starts to screach.



Zoo
















After our camping trip we went to the zoo in Asheboro. It is the largest natural habbitat zoo in the US. We only saw half of it this time, but plan to visit it again soon.

Baby Milestones Part 1


Cash has learned to roll over!
Enjoy the show!

Happy Camper




















We went camping in a small farm town, called Troy about 2 hours from here this past weekend. This was Cash's first camping trip, excluding the times he came along while in my belly. The campground was right off a small lake that we got to drop the canoe into for a bit. Our friends Kyle and Stephanie joined us on the outing. It was a great trip. We got little sleep though. Cash has got plenty of rest in the car, so when night time came he was ready to set some traps. Too bad Grampa wasn't there to show him how it's done.

Friday, February 18, 2011

A Little Snack For A Big Boy



Ben and I told Cash if he behaved himself in Target we would get him a treat. He picked out food, of course! The little chunker had his health in mind though. He wanted something organic, with ingredients we all understood. This one was filled will organic peas, broccoli, pears and lemon juice.


He made a mess eating it, as expected. But he definitely loved it. He even licked his bib clean to get any leftovers.

Look Who's Standing





With very little help, Cash is standing up now. He really only needs our help for balance. He doesn't quite have that skill yet.

Side note; he is wearing a pair of 6-9 month shorts in this picture. Ahh! Where has my newborn gone? =(

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Over The Bridge, And Through NH, To Dawnie's New House We Go



Before Cash and I hopped on the plane to get home to Ben, we stopped in to see Dawn, Derf and Molly in their new house. We got to spend a few hours hanging out with Dawnie and Molly, getting a tour of the house and eating some delicious treats.

It seems like only days ago, Molly was Cash's size and now she's big enough to hold him and share her toys with him. She let Cash take a nap with Cozy and helped him with his passy every time he spit it out.

I am so glad we all had the time to get together, it's not an easy task these days.

Oh Maine, How We Miss You Already..














Cash and I flew home to Maine for his very first visit, we had to leave Daddy behind. (The Army needs him more than us sometimes, though I will put up a fight about if that is true or not.) As usual Cash was a wonderful baby. The plane didn't bother him and he didn't bother anyone on the plane. He made quite a few friends on his trip there and many more once we'd arrived at our final destination, New Gloucester, Maine. We flew into Boston where Tammy greeted us with a smile and cold air. However the cold air might have been mother nature and not Tammy at all. =) We chatted the whole way and Cash slept. Tammy was one of the only family members that knew about our last minute trip, so everyone else was in for a big surprise. We made a stop at Pinetree Garden Seeds to order seeds...Only kidding, we figured we'd go see Nanny and surprise her while she was working. Surprised she was, she didn't recognize me for several minutes. She got to show Cash off to all the ladies at her work, which of course Cash loved. We cut our visit there short and headed to Tammy's house, where Hunter and Eli were waiting for us. Hunter was in on the little secret too and when Eli came down stairs Cash and I were just hanging out on the couch. Tam whipped up a quick delicious lunch for us and we were back on the road to Robin's house. When we got there we were greeted with much more than cold air and smiles. At the door was Kaycie, Robin's beautiful chocolate lab/Charlie's gf and screaming, happy teared up, Robin (sorry Rob, I had to share. It's something I will never forget. You reacted the exact way I was feeling.) We all hung out in Robin's living room until Tam had to bring Eli down to the school. Scout came home a couple of hours later. Her reaction was similar to my mothers. She just stood there (standing way taller than she was when I was home last)for a while and looked at us. Everyone else trickled in as they finished work/school.
We had a great time at home, hanging out with family. I got in some things I really miss while I'm away. Coffee with Robin, Chats with her and Tammy, hugs from my mom and dad, Maine Shrimp, every minute spent with Scout, laughs from Levi, hanging out with T, Hunter and Eli's company, SNOW, jokes from Isaiah, Mark's little comments (ie; chicken dough), PORTLAND and just being with the people I love so much.

I wish Ben could have made the visit home with us and shared all the wonderful things we got to do, but soon enough we will all be back experiencing these things daily.
Thanks for the ride to NG Tam and Robin thanks for giving up your house for a whole week and for the crazy ride back to the airport. I will miss you all so much until next time.