Visitors

Ok, I’m getting worse and worse at blogging! I do have good excuses, though. We’ve had a parade of visitors here for the past week, so I haven’t had a lot of time to myself. I did have a big blog all ready to post about Paul’s badge & swearing in ceremony, but just as I was about to post it Paul came in and asked me not to – that stupid policy that they have about posting police stuff online. He had to sign a document when he started academy that he wouldn’t post pictures or videos online because it can compromise who knows what. I personally don’t think it’s a big deal but I guess I have to respect his wishes. There were some VERY cute pictures of Officer Daddy pushing the stroller around, though. So there’s my excuses, sorry for the long absence.

Paul’s mom, Nina, was in town first. She stayed with us for a couple of days to get to know Sam while she was here from Seattle before going on to visit other family members. I feel like such a loser but apparently I didn’t get any pictures of her without Paul in uniform in the picture, too, so I can’t put any up here. I felt bad that her visit was pretty boring, but I guess you can’t really ask much from a mom with a newborn running on 3 hours of sleep, right? She got to come to Paul’s badge ceremony, which was nice, and we got all caught up.

Aunt AJ came that Saturday (August 16th) to hang out with us for the day, and we had so much fun! We went to Pasadena to pick her up at the hotel where she was staying with her fiance, Brandon, and his family. She was, of course, immediately in love with Sam and wanted to hold him all the time. AJ loves babies, I think it’s so cute to watch her around them. It’s especially fun when it’s my son that she’s holding and loving, I’m so glad that they got to meet so soon after he was born!

Here they are right after I got there and she commandeered him from me

I think this one is so cute, they’re making the exact same face at each other

We were REALLY happy to see each other; it’s been so long!!

Sam also got to meet his uncle-to-be, Brandon. We really love Brandon, and we’re SO excited that he and AJ are getting married!!! I forgot to get a picture of her ring, but it’s the big, beautiful sparkly that she’s always wanted, hehehe.

The next day Uncle Martin was in town and we went to lunch with he and Uncle Koki at a Peruvian place in Van Nuys. The food was good but the restaurant was a total dive, this homeless guy came circling through while we were eating asking for money, and there were flies buzzing around the lobby. We had fun talking, though, and walking around ghetto Van Nuys for a little while afterward while Paul tried to find the Army surplus store to buy a badge holder. I’m glad Sam is too young to have to keep him from touching everything, ha ha ha!

Here he is with Uncle Martin. I love how uncomfortable the Lamas guys are with the baby, they’re so afraid to break him. It’s really cute.

Last week Paul took his shooting test to qualify with the department and he made Sharpshooter status!! We are so proud of him, that’s a great accomplishment. They gave him this medal to put on his uniform and (drumroll, please!) an $8 per paycheck pay increase! Hallelujah, now we can afford diapers, haha.

Later that week Sam got a package from his “Godmother”, Cami (my college roommate and good friend). In it was this onesie, which is hands down my favorite.

It says “I am boob man!” and I think it’s the funniest thing ever.

The next weekend my brother Mike came into town on business and got to stay the weekend. We were so excited for him to come, he’s always so much fun to hang out with. I inevitably almost pee my pants laughing every time, he’s so freaking funny. This time it wasn’t me, though – my sister Sarah spewed her drink through her nose, hahahahaha. We ate dinner and played games (Loaded Questions – if you haven’t played it, go buy it. Funnest game EVER) and had a great time in general. Mike was really reluctant to hold Sam as he is under the delusion that A) babies and small children don’t like him and B) there was no way he could hold him and not drop him. I finally convinced him to sit down and hold him for long enough that I could take a picture. Don’t let Mike’s face fool you, he never actually SMILES in pictures. The slight smirk is the closest thing you’ll get. He seemed to really like Sam, despite his aversion to holding him.

We were so happy to have all of our visitors, it was so fun to see & hear from everyone!!

love, mary

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