Hurricane Ike

Thank you to everyone who kept us in your thoughts and prayers during the storm. Our home is fine but more importantly, our family is safe. Nearby areas were not as fortunate. El Lago, Seabrook and Kemah have suffered significant damage and flooding. Some areas are still without power and boats seem to be placed in the oddest places around the Clear Lake area. It is going to be a hard road to clean-up, but I am positive it will be back to "normal" real soon.

Here is our story during Hurricane Ike:

While Randy and a few friends boarded our home up on Thursday (September 11) in preparation for Ike, I tried to pack up for a newborn, which was no easy task. I had no clue what to bring. I also moved and wrapped in plastic our photos and any other items that could not be replaced. Early Friday morning we left the area and headed to Richmond, Texas to stay with a friend of Randy's from high school, Greg Richardson. Richmond is approximately 60 miles northwest of our home. We wanted to be away from the storm surge but still be close enough to get home in case we suffered no damage. Greg, his wife Amber, and children Raigan and Ryan all welcomed us into their home and seemed to not mind one bit that we invaded their home with a newborn, two adults and two big dogs. Their two children loved Reese and would constantly rub his head. It was really cute.

Late Friday night/ early Saturday morning the winds began and continued to get stronger. Randy and I were wide awake but Reese was not even phased by the storms yet. Around 3 a.m. the Richarsons home lost power . The sun came up, the winds and rain stopped and we got to take a peek outside. A few homes in the Richardson's neighborhood suffered some fence damage and roof damage but everyone was safe. The day just kept getting warmer and warmer and Reese kept getting fussier and fussier. At around 3 p.m. Reese started with this piercing cry (one I had never heard before) and would continue this in between falling asleep only for about 5 minutes at a time. When Randy would fan him or we would take him by a window with a draft he would stop the crying. In addition, he also was not eating well. It didn't take long for us to decide that we should pack up and head to Austin to my aunt's home, who has power and more importantly in Texas during September, air conditioning.

Reese trying to cool off on Saturday without power at the Richardson's house

We arrived in Austin late Saturday night, and immediately my Aunt held Reese and he fell asleep that night for 6 hours (not including the car ride to Austin). He had a very hard day, which was not what we had intended for his one-month birthday. On Sunday a few of our friends, Jeremy, Lenny, and Amy, who rode out the storm in Austin also came by my Aunt's home. Jeremy stayed the entire week in Austin and took Randy on some trails around the area. Lenny and Amy, who are expecting in less than 3 weeks, left on Monday to go home to be nearby their doctor. It worked out great for them since they had found out they had power at their house on Sunday night. Our power was back on by Monday night but some friends who rode out the storm in Clear Lake told us that gas stations had lines 40 cars deep and if grocery stores were open it was long lines and hit or miss on the food you would get. We decided to stay in Austin until things settled down. Our friends and neighbors, who checked on our home for us, told us that the fence in the back yard was partially bent over but everything else looked great.

We had fun in Austin, it felt like a vacation for us. We went and had Reese's pictures taken, went for walks, and relaxed outside at my aunt's home in her beautiful back yard (the weather was gorgeous). My two cousins Arianna and Josh loved Reese and were such a big help in taking care of him. They would push him around the house in his stroller when he was fussy and put his pacifier back in when Reese would spit it out. My aunt and uncle would hold Reese for us and it gave Randy and me a bit of a break.

A few pictures of us at the park in Austin taking Reese around on the playground. I think Randy and I had more fun than Reese did.

Our family in Kentucky suffered damage from the aftermath of Ike and the ensuing windstorm on Sunday. Most lost a few trees and power for a bit. My parents suffered roof damage, trees falling, and were without electricity and water for days. The worse part is that my brothers and sister and their families were over at my parents house to watch the Saints game and they lost power during the game. Luckily, dad had bought a generator and they were able to only have to miss a portion of the game. Sadly, I saw the game also, and I don't think it was worth using the generator gas on. The Saints did not win.

We left Austin on Thursday afternoon and headed home. We arrived home to see our home and neighborhood in as good of shape as we left it. Our friend, Brandon, pushed our fence back and it seemed to work out okay, it is still standing as of right now.

Reese on our last day in Austin saying good-bye to cousin Joshua.

Reese on our last day in Austin saying good-bye to cousin Arianna.

Since Reese was about a week old he has been smiling, usually due to gas. On Friday, after arriving home, he was constantly shooting that toothless grin at Randy and me when we would talk to him and he has continued to smile when we talk to him. I guess he was glad to be home after his big adventure.

So, I know this one is a long blog, but we wanted everyone to know our adventure with Hurricane Ike and that we are safe. Our friends and families are safe and in the big schemes of things everything else can be replaced or rebuilt. Thanks again to everyone for thinking of us.