4 months

Blaine is 4 months old today. She LOVES to talk in the mornings (even if it is 5 am), tries to sit up from the supine position (using her ab muscles), tries to crawl already when prone (if only she could clear her belly from the floor), loves to try and hold her bottle, can run marathons in her bouncy seat (without actually going anywhere), would eat a whole banana without being mashed if I let her, and can't wait to visit Texas for the next two weeks.

On another sad note, my two good VIP friends, Lindsay and Kevin are finally leaving the island for good. They have helped me out in so many ways while we have been here, and I will miss their friendship dearly. From volleyball, to pool parties, to karaoke, the casino, Elvis', YAHTZEE, Hash Hikes, Two-Steppin' Tuesdays, spouse errands, etc. I will miss these good Southern Folks. Until we meet again...

Bon Voyage Lindsay!

Last week, a few of us gathered to organize a surprise going away party for Lindsay. She has been the VIP coordinator for the last 4 semesters, and will be leaving the island at the end of the week. Her husband, Matt, has finally reached 7th semester, and will begin his clinical year in the states in May. Lindsay has graciously given up her free time to help spouses who come to the island to support their Rossie while they attend vet school. She has answered many a question about island life, gathered us for events to get us out of the house when students are studying, organized fundraisers, handed out her famous margaritas at a pool party or two, headed up Two Stepping Tuesdays, provided us with a nice mix of tunes at Elvis', etc., etc., etc. She will be greatly missed by all!

I had the honor of drawing out the welcome sign for her surprise party. It brought me back to my cheerleading, sideline sign painting days.

The final product at the party.

The usual VIP gang. There are many more on the island, but this is the crew who likes to gather together on a weekly basis, socialize, and have some fun!

Me and My Sidekick

Lindsay and Elvis

Erin took an Elvis T-Shirt and sewed it into a pillowcase. We all then garnished it with an autograph and goodbye message for Linds.

Me, Blaine and The Guest of Honor

Too much partying leads to crashing under the bug net. (Thanks again ERIN for the wonderful, realistic gift that every island baby should have!)

Even though I am sad Lindsay is leaving (she was always there if you needed something in a pinch, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to grab a drink with), I know we will be seeing her in the future. She and Matt are from Texas (H-town area), so there are many more great memories to be made with her in the future. Bon Voyage Lindsay! The island and it's Ross peeps miss you already.

A day in the life of an island baby...

Tummy Time

HI!

Maybe if I stick my tongue out, it will help me reach a little farther.

Ladies who Lunch

Headed to lunch with the ladies...a fellow VIP, Catherine, made this head band for Blaine! So cute!

I'm too young for all this lady talk.

VIP Tuesday at Elvis'

donning my VIP gear

Yes, we line dance...no shame here.

Baby Braniac

Blaine loves it when I read her the Good Night Beach book my Mom got her for Christmas. While Eric studies for finals, Blaine and I study the beach...literally and physically. Here she is below, reading her book back to me. I hope she grows up loving to read like her Momma!

Only an OT would make their baby read in the prone position.

"What Mom?..you act like reading is hard."

A weekend of "firsts"!

This past weekend held many 'firsts' for the Metteauer household.

The VIPER volleyball team I have been playing with for 5 semesters finally one our first tournament championship on Saturday!!! ttsszzzz! (We made it to the championship game 2 times prior to this win). We played a total of 5 games in the tourney. We are losing 3 players next semester, as they head back to the states with their spouses for clinical year.

So while I was playing volleyball all day Saturday, Blaine had her first adventure with babysitting. Our friend, Louisa, offered to keep Blaine while I played and Eric studied on campus. Blaine did great without us for a few hours, sleeping through most of her babysitting experience.

Saturday night, Blaine finally let Eric put her to bed for the first time! This makes me sooooo happy! :) (and Eric too).

And on Sunday, Blaine took her first dip into the big pool at our apartment. I invited a few gals over for a pool day and it was a good time. Here are pics from our fun in the sun day.

A pic of the VIPERs. This was taken 2 weeks ago after a game. For the tournament, there were only 6 of us to dominate the court. Here we are, posing with our signature VIPER (ttsszzzz) pose.

Sunday Pool Day

Laying out with Momma...Blaine in the shade, of course.

Relaxing after her swim.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Home in 2 weeks.

BlueBonnet Down, Bluebonnet Down!

Yesterday evening we found out..duh, duh, duhnnnn... that paradise isn't always so peachy. As we were jaunting along on our family afternoon walk across the golf course, I get a call from Kevin and Lindsey (our neighbors). They said to get home quickly, as our beloved ride, Bluebonnet, had been attacked. (Kittitian's name their vehicles, so it seemed fitting to name her after our Texas state flower...of course, we had to go with matching colors). Yes, our PARKED (mind you) car was viciously ambushed by a young, non driver's license bearing, Kittitian boy. As if taking out our only form of transportation to and from school was not enough (I mean, that is the sole reason we are here on this island), he just HAD to go and demolish our living room AC unit as well (because temperatures NEVER get above 90 degrees here). Can you sense the sarcasm in my typing voice?

OK, so now that I have vented, I must say...at least no one was hurt. We are thankful that our complex developer and site manager were on scene to assess the situation, as well as a posse of police and Ross security. The developer told Eric that he would pay for all damages plus a rental car, (as the boy was a Silver Reef employee...and of course he didn't have insurance, because I am pretty sure you need a driver's license to make that unpredictable purchase. (And by unpredictable I mean...well, all you insurance holders get my drift).

SO,.. moving forward! We will NOT let this incident get the best of us. Onward and upward, right?

At least the Lady Aggie basketball team won the National Championship last night against Notre Dame! Whoop! That, and a bottle of wine (and maybe a few Coronas) helped lessen the pain of our now battered and banged, Bluebonnet. Here are a few photos to recapture last night's series of unfortunate events.

VIEW at YOUR own RISK

A before shot of Bluebonnet, in her better days.

Basking in the Caribbean sun

After the Assault

You ask, "How in the heck (putting it politely)..?"...don't worry, we already asked ourselves that many times.

I mean, ReAlLy??

Yes, Kevin's AC was spared.

Our car was parked straight as an arrow before the occurrence.

the insult

Not exactly the Metteauer Making Memory we were shooting for.

I will say it again, it's not always "cheeseburgers in paradise"...(borrowed by the beloved, fond of the West Indies Islands, Jimmy Buffet.)

Photo Favorites

Here is a random collection of photos from this past week.

Blaine FINALLY made it into the pool!

Well, at least up to her knees :)

Tummy Time after her swim. This girl is ready to be on the move!

While Eric was at school one day, Blaine opted for a

swim on the porch in her rubber ducky.

Hanging out at Elvis' with the other VIPs.

Bath time in the kitchen sink! She loves to take baths.