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Well, If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times! my vowel is to continue to blog again. I always forget how freeing it is to be able to post about life. I really want to blog more often and have decided to really, REALLY, no really, truly, Reallllly try. So once again, here's an update on life here in Virginia Beach with the Hammarbacks :)

I guess I must start with Bauer. He's a vivacious 18 month old now! I can't believe he's halfway to two! This kid has completely stolen our hearts. He's walking, running, talking, and doing all the things he enjoys..for example: Chasing the kitty cats, bike riding, chasing the kitty cats, watching Sesame Street, and Mickey Mouse, working puzzles, building with blocks, chasing the kitty cats, chasing mommy, chasing daddy, laughing, high-fiving, laughing while chasing kitty cats...etc. He's  blast. Now, when I say talking, Bauer really doesn't say a lot in actual "words." I guess at this point, some would be worried, but I"m not. I know he'll start chatting away in his own time, and he does, its in his own gibberish language though. :) And while I'm looking forward to him talking more, I'm enjoying this little phase of his life. He does still say Mama and Daddy and fish. He thinks everything is a fish. If you ask him what a cow says, he'll say BOOOOOO :) its so cute.  He knows pretty much all the animals as far as pointing them out on the IPAD (Which he loves) but he doesn't say the words yet. We know he'll start doing it in time!

Hub is currently working at a new company where he started a few months ago. Hankins and Anderson. He loves it so much more than his last job. He works in Town Center which is a great area for shopping and dining and he loves the people he works with. He even has a great office on the 12th floor with an amazing view. He actually took me up there a few weeks ago for a little date night. We had dinner and went comet watching :)

I also recently started a new job. I'm still with CHKD but I'm now working at a Doctor's office instead of Pediatric Surgery at the hospital. It's actually the Dr's office where Bauer goes as a patient. I really like it, and the best part it, I'm only working part time! 730am to 1130am! Its a great change because I get to pick up Bauer from school and spend the rest of the day with him! Oh yeah, did I mention we started Bauer at a new school? He now attends Courthouse Montessori School In Virginia Beach! He absolutely loves it. He transitioned really well, and we noticed almost right away that he was "talking" more! He loves his Teacher, Mrs. Tina. She has been there a long time and she works great with Bauer. I love picking him up everyday and seeing a big smile on his face as he runs to me! Oh the little things.

I've also recently started a new program called Couch to 5K. Its a program that starts you in interval running and allows you to work your way up to a 5K. I've never been a runner and its not necessarily something I've always wanted to do, but for some reason, I thought I'd like to run a 5K and scratch that off my bucket list. I've actually really enjoyed running and its a great stress reliever. I've been sleeping better and have more energy. I haven't lost really any weight, but I'm trying to eat better and add in some other exercise through the week...that's been my biggest downfall. Im really buckling down though!

Last weekend I went with one of my best friends, Hope, to Florida! I was actually going down there for a wedding for some close friends, but while I was there I couldn't pass up going to DisneyWorld! It was also my birthday, so it was a great way to spend it! We had so much fun, the whole weekend was incredible. Hope and I hadn't seen each other in almost a year and it was something we both really needed. I also got so spend a tiny bit of time with one of my other best friends, Shaylynn :) Mama is having twins any day now!! So excited to meet Cohen and Elsie! I'll be heading back to Roanoke soon for a friends wedding shower and hopefully to meet the two new additions :)

That's all for now..looking forward to more updates soon!

Flash Forward

Blogging fail. Epic Fail. I haven't blogged since April? I will continue to forever blame this on the fact that my laptop hasn't been replaced. It died almost a year ago, and that was the easiest way for me to blog. Now that I have a ONE year old (How time flies!) I don't make it upstairs very often just to sit down and blog. I promise that I'm going to try to start blogging again....starting NOW. Its official. I will do my best to make this happen. In the mean time...I'll be shopping for the perfect laptop!

I would like to take a moment to update you on Bauer. A year ago...he was this:

Now, he is this!

This has been one of the best years of my life. The Best! I love my baby boy! He's not a baby anymore! He's sneaking his way into Toddler-hood. I hope I'm ready for this....We celebrated his birthday party at Jeter Farms in Botetourt. We had  ball....here are some highlights :)

22, 23, 24

Hello, again :) I suppose we will continue to play catch up!

Bauer will be 6 months old this week! I can't believe it!

You love almost every single food we have given you..except for green beans. But you still eat them as long as mommy gives you some sweet potatoes with them :)

You love bananas, carrots, peaches, sweet potatoes, pears, squash, peas...I know I'm probably leaving something out :)

You can hold your own bottle and feed yourself. You're still working on sitting up straight but you can sit up on your own..with a slight lean:)

You're trying to crawl. Mommy is amazed at how hard you try to get up on your knees and crawl. Time to babyproof this place!

STILL NO TEETH...you have been gnawing and chewing on your fingers and drooling for over 3 months now and we haven't seen the first sign of a tooth. I'm positive you'll get it this week while you're staying with your grandparents in Roanoke..of course!

Sometimes you laugh so hard, you can't catch your breath. Its hilarious.

You love Elmo, Nemo, and Hop.

Your hair is growing back in so fast...I'll miss my little bald man :)

We love you sweet boy..you continue to amaze your daddy and I everyday!

Lucky Girl.

I can't believe I've lived in Virginia Beach for three years! I guess I have to officially start calling myself a resident! I moved here on Saint Patrick's Day 2009. It was on a Wednesday. I wasn't going to come down until Saturday (Lee was already here and had been for 2 weeks!) but, I couldn't wait and decided to surprise him! On my drive here, I thought, "Oh No! It's Saint Patrick's Day, he's probably out having fun with some work buddies!" When I showed up, I snuck in the house and up the stairs to happily find my sweet husband to be playing on the computer.. (Shocker!) I couldn't have been happier to see him! What an exciting time...to start our life together in a new city. Newly engaged, planning a wedding, getting married, and no idea we'd be having a precious baby boy in just a couple of years! I consider this day a VERY lucky day indeed. Its always going to have so much history behind it :) Here are two big reasons why I'm so LUCKY! :)

19, 20, 21 :)

Thank you for playing catch-up with me :)

I have a 5 month old now.

He's HUGE.

He eats bananas, carrots, peaches, and the occasional lemon.

He's 19lbs and 27 inches long.

He wears size 6 month-12 months..it varies.

He giggles and laughs and rolls over.

He's still sitting with assistance.

He's teething. He should have a tooth ANY DAY NOW.

He's amazing.

I love him :)

You are now officially updated! :)

18 weeks!

Our sweet boy is 18 weeks old and growing like a weed! Bauer, you are so entertaining! Unfortunately, we weren't able to spend very much time with you this week. Mommy and Daddy were very sick so you spent the week with Grandma Money :) You had a good time with her in North Carolina. You got to spend time with Sir, Grandma's work and church friends, and even got to spend a few hours with Uncle John. He played Mozart and the oboe for you and let you watch the animals on TV. You're so big that Grandma even took you to get some new clothes! You're wearing only 3-6 months and 6-9 months! You get rice cereal in the morning and at night. We can't wait to start you on solid foods because we know you're going to love to eat! You're still sleeping all through the night. This week you slept from about 10pm to 7:30am. We are so lucky that you didn't get sick because everyone around you did. We praise the Lord that he has kept you healthy through this terrible stomach virus! On your first Valentine's Day, mommy got you a new book and a Winnie the Pooh and Piglet friend that you love to chew on. Speaking of chewing, you're chewing on everything and I just know that one day I'm going to wake up and see a little tooth poking through! You rolled over for the first time last night from your back to your tummy! You were so funny. Those chunky thighs and big head give you a hard time! Mommy watched you do it three times but by the time Daddy decided to videotape you, of course you wouldn't do it! You are growing and changing daily and Mommy had a hard time this week not being able to see you! Thank goodness for the Logitech Revue. We got to watch you at Grandma's on the TV every night! You will have your 4 month appointment this week! You were supposed to have it last week but Mommy and Daddy were too sick to take you to the doctor! We can't wait to see how big you've gotten :) Also, this is your last week in this apartment! We are supposed to close on the new house this week and move in next weekend and next week! We are so excited for you to have a big house and place to play :) We love you, Zubba!

A sweet surprise :)

I can't help but be a little sentimental today. Exactly one year ago today, Lee and I found out we were going to be parents. It came as a HUGE shock to us. I remember everything about that day, right down to what I was wearing!! The weird part is that as I'm typing this I'm staring at my beautiful 4 month old boy and watching his Daddy play with him while he squeals :) He's such joy in our lives.

That day, Lee and I woke up and decided to spend the day at Mount Trashmore. I had been doing a vegan diet for a little over week and felt absolutely wonderful! I had just lost 5 pounds and it was a gorgeous day. It was unusually warm for February and lots of people were out and I remember snapping a few pics :)

Little did we know that later that day, we would get some life changing news. When I read the test...I started crying and Lee had a look of shock on his face. It was the scariest and happiest day of our lives. We couldn't believe it. The funny thing is, life wouldn't feel normal without this little guy.

We love you Bauer Ross! :)