Well, let me see if I can sum everything up.  Blair is a tadpole in swim class, a lobster on Halloween and a crawler as of Sunday.  Blair is definitely on the move.

There is a video of her crawling.

Otherwise we had a great time at the Otrembas for a fun Halloween party.  Blair was a very cute little lobster.

Everything else has been going well.  My school work has been very busy lately and I am looking forward to the holiday break.  Blair’s Uncle Paul is due back from Afghanistan soon and we can’t wait to spend more time with him.  Colleen has been taking great care of Blair everyday and Blair seems happier than ever.

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Monday was a fun day, as we got up early and headed to Rochester for the Memorial Day Parade.  Blair’s Great Great Uncle, Jack Levick was the Grand Marshall of the parade.  Blair’s cousins, Ashley and Alyssa and their mom Jada, also got to ride in the carriage.  It was fun to see them, the weather was perfect, and of course it was important to remember the sacrifices that the men and women of the armed services have made for our country.

Blair, of course, had a great time and she was smiling the entire day.  It was great to be outside and she loved the attention and the show!

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My Aunt Susan and her fiancé Lou were planning on having a wedding ceremony in France.  Colleen and I desperately wanted to take Blair and go surprise Sue & Lou and show up for their wedding.  We had found flights, hotel accommodations, a place that rents baby equipment Cote d’Azur, an expedited passport process for Blair, etc, etc.  As new parents we waited to call the pediatricians office last to see if Blair needed any special vaccinations etc.  As new parents, the doctor didn’t exactly call us stupid, but strongly recommended that Blair not travel this young.  In retrospect, it seems fairly obvious, and in light of the flu going around, that the doctor was absolutely correct.

Well, our family was a little remiss in not being able to attend the wedding.  Several weeks ago, my Mom and Sister decided to plan a little surprise trip of their own.  I helped them make arrangements to travel and setup the surprise arrival.  On the day before their departure, Colleen gave me the green light to go.  Wanting to add a little surprise of my own, I booked an earlier flight than the rest of my family and was waiting for them in Amsterdam when they arrived.

We got to Villefranche without any hiccups and when we arrived at the house, Susan was out running errands.  It worked out perfectly because we were able to come in, but our bags down, and clean up before she got home.  Needless to say, we were able to pull off the surprise and it is a pleasure to be here!

The wedding is planned for today, and it is looking to be a great celebration.  We are very pleased to welcome Lou into the family!  I must thank Colleen, my absolutely astonishing, astounding, fantastic, fantastical, incredible, marvelous, miraculous, phenomenal, prodigious, stupendous, unbelievable, wonderful, wondrous, wife for taking care of Blair and allowing me to go!

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After going to the Breakfast Club (great spot for breakfast) we drove to the zoo. We had a great time. Blair was so content in the Baby Bjorn (thanks Gabby!) we were able to walk the entire zoo and we got back in the car just before the rain came.

After the zoo we stopped in Madison Heights for some pho at a good Vietnamese restaurant and then went home for naps. Blair and I surprised Colleen by making her a massage and pedicure appointment at the salon as an early Mother’s Day gift.

All in all, it was a great day!

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Blair had a good time during her first Easter. Not only did she get to wear a pretty dress that her Mom picked out, but she got to see a bunch of relatives too!

Grandma Nancy had a feast in St. Clair and Colleen’s parents, Nan, Susan, Shannon and Michael were all there as well. The activity wore her out and she slept quite soundly last night! (thank you everyone)

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Chase and Blair after a bath

Not surprisingly, Blair loves the stroller.  She likes car rides very much, so she was used to being all snuggled in her carseat / stroller insert.  We took off at a brisk pace and decided to visit some friends at Bocci Salon around the corner.  

Blair was a hit and everyone thinks she is adorable.  By the time we started walking home, she was wide awake and smiling.  She definitely enjoys seeing the world.  Walks are going to become a recurring activity when I get home from work!

After the big walk and a little nap, Blair was ready for her bath.  Bath time has become significantly less traumatic (for me, not Blair) than it was a few weeks ago.  We received a nice bath towel from our friends the Gollners in Germany and I decided to hold Blair for a picture to send to them with our thanks. 

• Bath water temperature was just right.  Check.
• Johnson’s & Johnson’s Lavender Baby Wash Open.  Check.
• Quick and efficient bath.  Check.
• Wrap Blair up in towel that was a gift.  Check.
• Sit and pose Blair for a picture.  Check.

Alright all you parents, rejoice in unison with the step I missed:

• Milliseconds after bath, put on diaper.  $#@*!!

Blair has so much fun in her bath, she decided that her dad needed one too…

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