My kitchen smells like tempra paint

When I met G, we were both working at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC for the summer. I was teaching preschool and G worked at Bernie's Cafe. I distinctly remember smelling like tempra paint for most of the summer! I could never have imagined how much fun it would be for my own kitchen to serve as a two year old's art studio. Here's the little artist goofing off after a morning of painting.

He's 12 wonderful weeks old!

Snowy Day

We woke up to a quiet snow this morning. In between dirty diapers, coloring, play time and lunch time, we managed to watch the Inaugural Address. I am sure I will always remember watching President Obama address the nation above the din of N's laughter and talking! N did try to listen to the poem, and was pretty quiet during the national anthem. I think that's more than can be reasonably expected from a two year old American, right? Anyway, here are some photos from the morning.

Cornmeal Creations & the Little Lion

This week, N's highchair tray became his indoor sandbox and some old cornmeal that had been in the refrigerator for who knows how long turned into "sand." After scooping and pouring the cornmeal for a long, long time, N was as dusty as a cornbread muffin. In his own words, the mess was so big we "could not pick it up, there was no way at all!" (This is a direct quote from The Cat In the Hat, in case that sounds familiar but you couldn't quite place it.)

I thought this was a sweet picture of the boys together. I wish there were more, but N is so active these days it's hard to pin him down to one spot for a photo.

M is 11 weeks old now, and he is as happy as a clam as long as someone is talking to him or smiling at him. He does not like his bath, though, and he lets me know it in no uncertain terms - before, during, and after the weekly torture session in the bathroom!

First smiles & meals at the table

God has provided rest and energy and just a general sense of happiness with being at home with the children this week. M's 2 month well-baby appointment was on Monday. He weighs 13 pounds, 2 ounces and is in the 75th percentile for his weight, height and head circumference.

He is healthy in every way, and such a happy baby. He likes it when I sing and talk to him, and he loves to initiate conversations with me by cooing or smiling.


Here's a William Blake poem that so aptly describes him. I found it in a book called Rhymes and Sons for the Very Young by Ian Beck. It's right up my English-major alley...only now I can just enjoy the poem and not have to analyze its cadence or something like that!

Infant Joy

"I have no name;
I am but two days old."
What shall I call thee?
"I happy am;
Joy is my name."
Sweet joy befall thee!

Pretty joy!
Sweet joy but two days old,
Sweet joy I call thee.
Tho dost smile,
I sing the while.
Sweet joy befall thee!

N is making the transition to the big table for his meals, which is fun and messy all at the same time. We recently discovered the power of the corn muffin to persuade him to try a variety of green vegetables that he had previously sworn off. The brotherly jealousy is starting to display itself a little bit more. I find myself telling N, "I love you both!" when he wants me to stop talking to the baby or something like that. It is hard to be dethroned...I know...but it does get easier with time. Eventually you actually enjoy your siblings' friendship!

Night Owl

Sleep, precious sleep...

It is official - baby M is sleeping through the night! We put him down at 7:30 pm, he eats one last time at 10 pm, and then he's a snoozer until 6 or 7 am. The uninterrupted sleep is already making a wonderful difference for all of us, especially me. The new routine includes some early morning time with baby M, my Bible and a cup of coffee.

I took this picture one of the first mornings after he slept through the night...he fell asleep so peacefully about an hour later while lying on this blanket in the living room.


He was quite bright-eyed this morning ~ and we are noticing that when he's awake and happy, M is almost always moving some part of his body. He seems to like pedaling with his legs the best.


M is now 9 weeks old. I am going to try to take periodic pictures of him with this musical lamb so we can see how he is growing.


G has been on vacation since the Monday before Christmas. Tomorrow we return to reality as he goes back to work. Here are two of my guys at Freedom Park last Tuesday.