Some More Pics

Drew the Lion (fresh outta the shower in his sweet lion towel) saying goodnight to Luke earlier this evening.

Luke... pre-bath.

Dr. Evil (aka Luke) post-bath.

Some Pics

Earlier this week, Drew was a high flying Ironman. His incredible energy is exactly why we are hoping for cooler weather soon.
Then it will be safe to venture outside again!

Watch out!


Luke feeling sleepy (until we try to lay him down) a couple of days ago.

One activity Drew has done a lot of with this heat... watch PBS cartoons.

Heat Update

Yesterday's total of 106 was a record ALL TIME high for Vancouver, WA.

Today's total of 107 was a NEW record ALL TIME high, breaking the record set yesterday.

In Seattle, the new ALL TIME record was set today. Their previous record was 99 degrees, but today they reached a high of 103, so our neighbors to the North were not spared the heat.

One more hot day to go...

Hot

Day one (Sunday) 93 degrees.

Day two (Monday) 103 degrees.

Day three (Today, Tuesday) 106 degrees.

Day four (Wednesday) predicted 106 degrees.

Day five (Thursday) predicted 99 degrees.

The last time the area had 3 100+ days in a row... 1981.

The all time record high for Portland... 107.

Average daily high temp for July... 79.9
Yee-haw!

Long Beach Trip

SOMETIMES, it is best to just skip the trip. With 100 degree weather forecasted for today (at least when we watched the news last week) we decided it would be a good time to beat the heat. We had a recommendation for a decent cheap place in Long Beach, WA, so we decided to reserve a couple of nights and go for it in order to escape the impending hot streak. It was going to be Luke's first road trip, his first beach trip, and his first motel stay. I think we just should have stayed home...

For starters, the heat wave is still predicted, but not until Monday-Thursday. We were missing weather in the low 80's. Darn weather forecasters.

We left the house around 12:30 for the 2 1/2 hour trip.

20 minutes from home, there was an overturned camper
blocking all lanes on I-5 (If you watch the video, you'll see the fun line of traffic. We were near the front). We enjoyed a nice LONG time sitting on the freeway. Here is NOT a picture of your car you should want while traveling on the freeway.

Looking forward. The wreck happened JUST around the bend. About 1/2 mile in front of us. at least the traffic cleared quick when they reopened the freeway (about 1 hour later). We then ate lunch at the next exit. Time keeps ticking away...

About 10 miles down the road, there was a fire just starting in the median of the freeway. I was in the fast lane, nearest the fire. It was relatively small when we first saw it, so I saw no need to change lanes. The median was a good 30 yards wide at this point, and the fire was on the far side of the median. Then the wind caught the flames, and the fire RAPIDLY raced to the edge of the freeway before I could change lanes (as Jill was trying to get me to do for the previous 20 seconds) As it ends up, I think I might have driven through wind swept flames. Holy crap was it hot and scary. Next time I'll move WAAAAAYYY over... WAAAAYYYYY earlier. I thought the windows were going to break and the tires were going to pop.

About 1/2 hour later, we were witness to passive aggressive driver from hell, going 40 on the single lane highway, then 80-85 in the passing lane so that no one could pass her. Strike three... we should have just gone home. It was a sure sign that the trip was not meant to be.

The rest of the trip to Long Beach was uneventful. We made a pit stop in Astoria at the Oregon Maritime Museum (not to visit the museum but because we needed out of the car and Luke was hungry). We hung out on the dock while Luke ate. Here Drew points to some container ships anchored in the river.

On the dock we also saw a relic of the past... a phone booth! (and it worked! and FYI, local calls are now 50 cents) Here Drew impersonates a Dex salesman.

Hello... Hello?!? Is anyone there? Hello?

Drew and a boat looking East down the Columbia River

Drew and large anchor

Finally, 6 hours after we left for the beach, we arrived. Let's just say that if you find a room at the coast walking distance to the beach, and it is only $60, you get what you pay for. It was advertised as a 1 bedroom cottage, with a sleeper sofa and a 2 burner stove. Ok, that's what it was (in a VERY compact space) but the bathroom... so cramped. So small... Drew hit his head on the sink entering or exiting the bathroom 3 times (we were only there 18 hours). I was too bulky to fit in the disgusting shower. Pets are allowed. Am I painting the picture enough for you?

Drew did get his own bedroom though!

The night was hell... with the sleeper sofa extended, there was a 2 foot strip of room on all sides to walk around. This was unfortunately Luke's most restless night in quite a while. Trying to carry him around was NOT good. The only way off the crappy mattress was at the foot of the bed. The room was FREEZING. The blankets were thin. We got very little sleep.

Drew, on the other hand, had a nice warm double bed to himself. He (as always) awoke well rested. Here he is ready to go to the beach.

Mom, Luke (in a sling that Mom is wearing) and Drew head to the beach through the dunes.

We made it!

Drew loved going down the slippery sandy hills of the dunes.

We made it to the beach. It is HUGE, and it looks like an uninteresting alien landscape.

At least Drew enjoyed running from the waves, but not nearly to the extent that he did in Seaside on MLK day.

One of the few things this beach had going for it... birds. Seagulls, pelicans and terns. It was cool until a random tern started divebombing a completely innocent woman. Then it got a bit freaky. That's when we decided to leave the beach.

They're coming right for us!

On the walk back. Here you can see Luke as a bulge in the tan colored sling Mom is wearing.

Here is a picture that shows all of the excitement that is Long Beach. This goes on for 28 miles uninterrupted. Thrilling. (There is also a mini Mom, Drew and Luke in this picture)

The most fun Drew had all day... jumping over bushes near the dunes.

After being back at the hotel for about 10 minutes, we decided to pack up the car and head home 24 hours early. Mom and Drew were sitting on the couch eating peanuts when Drew decided to fill up the peanut bowl (there is a peanut bowl under the mountain of peanuts). Drew was so proud.


We are home now, 24 hours earlier than planned. We were never so happy to see our house as we were today. I don't know what it was that caused the trip to be so lame. We were so mentally ready for it, we were confident in our ability to handle Luke at this age. We had even been to Long Beach before. I think it was just a combination of a bunch of tiny things that made it too much to deal with right now... and we still have at least 7 days of 90 and 100 degree weather coming up. Woo-hoo!

We ARE looking forward to my Dad coming out from North Carolina next weekend though... can't wait!

Some pics...

We are currently in Long Beach trying to escape the heat. Right before bed time, I thought I would post some Pics that I have been meaning to post.

Drew, in his new soccer uniform!

Luke

Luke

The Blaesing boys

Drew and Luke

New Helmet

Drew got a new helmet today. I am jealous, and am getting my own first of August.

I also tightened the wheels on my skateboard(why didn't I think of that earlier?) so Drew can pretty successully ride it now... Yay Drew!

Luke's First Bath

This past weekend, Nana and Noni came by to meet Luke and spend some time with Drew.

Noni meet Luke

Peaceful sleeping

Today was Luke's first bath... He LOVED it. No crying, he was very relaxed and easy going. The warm water probably reminded him of the womb!

Nice and warm after the bath.


Here is a video of a relaxed Luke chillin' after his bath.

Coming Home

Early in the day on Friday, Dad and Luke got to spend some special bonding time.

Luke enjoyed the time too.

One of our favorite pics of Luke... Open eyes AND smiling!

Luke enters his home for the first time. No more hospital!

Luke Henry

Today was the big day... 12:39PM (almost 1234!) on 7/8/9, Luke Henry was born by c-section.

Here's how the day started. We arrived at the hospital at 10:00Am to prep for surgery and a scheduled surgery time of 12:00.

Sweet duds for Dad!

Let's do it!

At 12:39, Luke was born. Here he is at 5 minutes old, 8 pounds, 0 ounces.

25 minute old Luke and Mom.

Another good 25 minute old Luke and Mom shot.

Luke was not a fan of his first bath.

Or his first hair washin'

The first picture of Luke and Dad.

Drew, meet Luke. Luke, meet Drew.

Drew liked to "pet" Luke.

Grammy, Drew and Luke.

After Drew had a chance to warm up to and pet Luke a few times, he was ready to hold his new little brother.

He likes his new brother!

Awwww... Drew showing his bro some love.