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I stumbled upon this blog today. Take a minute to read it if you can. It made me cry because I identified with it so much. Honestly, having just one child for a few days was a relief. I liked the quiet. I liked being able to think straight. And I wasn't in a hurry to re-enter the noise of our real family life. When N got home this afternoon, he had a big temper tantrum right off the bat. He didn't want to put away his toys. Then, he yelled in his bed for the better part of an hour before he settled down for a nap, which he desperately needed. I was sitting down here wishing I could turn that noise off, but I couldn't. I feel guilty when I admit these things, but this girl's blog made me feel much better about being honest as a mother.

New pictures of baby M

N just returned from a long weekend at Nanny and PopPop's house. While he was away, we enjoyed focusing all our attention on baby M. I treasured our one-one moments together - we hadn't had any extended time like this since he was a newborn baby in the hospital.

One of the things we noticed during our time with him is that he is so anxious to move! When we put him on the floor, he quickly rolls onto his tummy. Then he kicks those feet and rotates his body around. What he really wants to do is move forward, but he hasn't figured that out just yet. He looks handsome in blue, doesn't he?

Spit-up in my shoe

A teething baby and a toddler with a cold can make for a trying week. Just when I had settled into a good routine of running two mornings a week, it seems all of that has been thrown out the window. I am a little surprised at my own reaction to this reality of my life. I thought by now I would have gotten used to altered plans, lack of sleep, the noisy blend of baby babble and toddler talk. Apparently I have much more to learn about living gracefully in this season of life.

Yesterday I woke up on the wrong side of bed after being up twice with the boys. I didn't have the energy to run, much less get my cup of coffee before the children woke up. I was bound and determined to make it to Bible study for the encouragement and reprieve I find there.

Sure enough, we made it. I dropped N off in his classroom and went down the hall to nurse M. As I was burping him and wondering if I would make it into the classroom before the start of the talk, I felt the familiar warm slime of spit-up inside my shoe.

Now, I have become quite accustomed to "wearing" spit up. I don't even mind the smell of it enough to change my clothes if I'm going to be around the house all day. But feeling it on my foot inside my shoe was way past my personal tolerance for baby body fluids! I tried to dry off as best I could with some paper towels but my foot still felt gross.

I headed down the hall to M's nursery. When I got there, I announced, "I have vomit in my shoe!" The nursery worker got a funny look on her face and asked if I shouldn't head home if my child had a virus. I quickly explained that I was just looking for a little sympathy and didn't need medical attention. Does anyone identify with this need for validation? With the growing desire to accomplish a personal goal (running, for me) or just daily tasks (like unloading the dishwasher before the dirty ones need to be loaded again) rubbing up against the realities of living?

On the sweeter side of my life with these two precious boys, we have been enjoying a newly created "book nook" in the living room. It consists of a cuddly blanket on the floor beside a table that holds our board book collection.

For the past two days, N has been asking to go there as soon as he wakes up in the morning, and after his naps.

Here he is right after breakfast, giddy with the thought of going to the book nook!

Sometimes we go there just to sit. Other times we listen to glow-worm's songs. And other times, we read books.


Baby M even has his own spot in the book nook. He likes it when we read stories to him.


Of all the things I have done to make the house more child friendly, this is the cheapest and easiest by far. I think it's probably N's favorite, too. Snuggling with the boys in this cozy corner makes it all better for me. That, and going to the pizza parlor with Aunt M, being out in the afternoon sunshine, taking a warm bath and getting in my pj's really early.

Zoo Trip

We had a family outing at the NC Zoo in Asheboro yesterday. The weather was beautiful, and it was so good to get away outside together. N walked for the majority of the visit, which he loved!

We saw all of the North American animals and decided to save the African animals for another time. I think N's favorites were the seals & sea lions. He and Daddy had the best time watching them swim around during the morning feeding.


The bison and elk were special, too.

M liked watching the trees blow in the breeze.

He did pretty well, considering he had to be in his carseat for seven hours, give or take! It was sort of a "dry run" before our road trip to Louisiana this summer.

Favorite photos from the past few weeks

Our little night owl likes hanging out on the couch. M has his hands in his mouth constantly these days. Teething, maybe? I don't see any yet, but we are on the lookout.

N decided to join his brother for some "tummy time."

Yes, we're raising him right - instruction in the Carolina Way begins now!

Enjoying Daddy's version of Bang-Bang Shrimp - it was quite tasty!

Oh, the wonder in his eyes! If I could keep him this age forever, I would.

Bye-bye, Millie

We found a new home for Millie today. She went to live with a family that has 2 acres of land out near the Whitewater Center. They have 4 boys and a female cat named Sugar. After visiting with Michelle for a while this morning, I decided she was enough of a "cat person" to be trusted with my Mills.

G and I have been on a mission for some time to locate new homes for both of the cats. It feels good to have half the job done, although I have mixed feelings about giving Millie away. I am glad we were able to care for her and enjoy her for as many years as we did.

She is such a sweet girl...low-maintenance...gentle...and beautiful! Our life has just changed so much since N and M have entered our family, and the days of lounging on the couch with a cat on my lap are distant memories. I guess it is time for another family to love on Millie now. Michelle promises to send pictures once she comes out from under the couch...we have already been in touch over email, post-adoption!

Also, if anyone is interested in adopting Kiroli, please email or call me! She's almost 9 years old, all black, spayed and healthy. She's an outdoor cat with a bit of a temper. She needs her own space, but also loves attention and is quite a "talker." I have listed her on craigslist.com if you or someone you know wants to take her in.

Hello again

For a variety of reasons, including a virus that put me out of commission for nearly two weeks, I have been "away from my blog" for some time. We are all better now, though. Here are a few shots taken during our sick days.


Baby M is growing, growing, growing! He weighed 15 pounds, 7 ounces at his 4 month well baby doctor's appointment. He's still in the 90th percentile for his height. I have started feeding him solid food as of this morning. He did a pretty good job of swallowing the rice cereal, and I think N enjoyed watching his baby brother eat his first meal in the high chair. I would post pictures, but our computer/camera connection is messed up at the moment. When it's working again I will put some on here.

Right now, N and I are listening to "Noah's Ark" and I am working on a cup of half decaf/half caffeinated coffee. We are both hoping the clouds clear up so we can go outside later this afternoon! I have cabin fever, especially after having such beautiful weather last week. The boys and I spent so much time in the yard, having picnic lunches and just playing in the sunshine. Rain, rain, go away!