So Tweet

Look who joined our family this morning . . .

So tweet!

Just Thought You Should Know

A few big things happened this weekend . . . and I just thought you should know . . .

Granny Tori came to visit . . .

And . . .

I started walking!

Motherhood Laughter

I had the most wonderful day with an old friend on Wednesday, but due to a minor computer issue third motherboard failure . . . it has taken me awhile to write about its goodness.

What was it that made the day so special?

Ahh--familiar faces, easy conversation, and a hearty dose of "motherhood ain't pretty, but it sure is beautiful" reality.

You may remember lovely baby Aubree from my previous post celebrating her arrival.  Well folks, she has been busy growing and changing into an even more adorable three-month-old baby girl!

I must admit, I have been uber-impressed by her mother, Nathalie, who not only adjusted gracefully to the albeit difficult reality of new motherhood but also simultaneously finished her school semester (we're talking days after bringing this little beauty home from the hospital).

Congratulations, girl!

So . . . spending the day alongside Nathalie and Aubree was good for the soul--my soul at least (and Jackson's too).  Most of those who know me well understand that I was one of the very first in my friend group to get married--and perhaps the very first to have a child, and I have at times just needed a laughing partner to share in the challenges and triumphs of new motherhood (think the scene with Charlotte and Miranda in Sex and the City 2--"yep, take a drink!").  I'm not sure I even realized how much I needed this type of genuine laughter until I had my "ah'ha" moment on the couch with this old friend.

Thanks, girl!

I found an anonymous poem that really summed up our conversations and our laughter on Wednesday, and I really, really love it.  I hope you do too!

What Did I Do Today

Today I left some dishes dirty,

The bed got made around 3:30.

The diapers soaked a little longer,

The odor grew a little stronger.

The crumbs I spilled the day before,

Are staring at me from the floor.

The fingerprints there on the wall

Will likely be there still next Fall.

The dirty streaks on those windowpanes

Will still be there next times it rains.

Shame on you, you sit and say

Just what did you do today?

I held a baby 'til she slept,

I held a toddler while he wept.

I played a game of hide and seek,

I squeezed a toy so it would squeak.

I pulled a wagon, sang a song,

Taught a child right from wrong.

What did I do this whole day through?

Not much that shows, I guess that's true.

Unless you think that what I've done

Might be important to someone

With bright blue eyes and soft brown hair

If that is true . . . I've done my share.

I think we're done our share, don't you?

And . . . some things are certain.

Nathalie--with spit up on your shoulder, gas medicine readily available, and still feeling a few post-labor aches and pains . . .

And me--with yogurt in my hair, dispensing goldfish like it's my job, and holding a second round of "sleep bootcamp" at night . . .

Motherhood ain't pretty.

But, it sure is beautiful!

I'd say.

My Kind of Party

"Taco, I don't think we're in Kansas Northern Virginia anymore . . ."

(Sorry, you will have to turn your head to watch the video--but it's worth it)

 

This may look like a celebration to the average viewer, but what you are watching is my mom killing about a zillion fruit flies swarming Jackson's banana at a favorite local dive.  It actually became comical because there were so many (we're talking upwards of 30 or so kills) that Jackson started slapping the table to mimick mom and I smashing the flies between our hands.

Just thought I would share.

If you're anything like the fruit flies . . . you'll enjoy it.

Moral of the story: don't bring a banana to a restaurant with open screen windows in the summer.

Unless you want to party with the fruit flies.

DISCLAIMER:  Unfortunately, 30 actual fruit flies were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Superfabulous

To whom it  may concern:

I would wager that this weekend was superfabulous!

On a spur-of-the-moment "I need a sister Marney fix" moment . . . I invited Marney and her son, Logan, up to visit us from Roanoke.  It was so much fun to have a guys/girls weekend!

Marney and Logan arrived on Friday night and we all walked to the "Southern Sno" shack to get shaved ice.  Don't you just love that name?  They have become quite a favorite summer pasttime of mine already . . . and at only 90 calories a pop, they are relatively guilt-free, too.  Besides, my staple "fireball" flavor always makes me think of my beloved Uncle David.  I think Marney and Logan enjoyed them too!

Saturday was a busy, busy day!  We woke up early, went on a 4 mile walk, then hit the pool to cool off.  Logan had an awesome time jumping off the diving board with his Uncle Justin.  Naturally, Jax was a ham . . . splashing and giggling . . . that is, until he realized that the water was sub-zero and there was a slight breeze.  :)  Nevertheless, it wasn't cold enough to stop us from enjoying another stop by "Southern Sno" on our way home.

After our showers, we divided off into our respective guys/girls teams and let the magic begin!  Justin took Logan to see The Green Lantern (gag me), and they ate dinner at our movie theatre.  I understand the rest of their evening was spent playing nonstop video games.  The ladies (and Sir Jackson Heath) simply "shopped 'til we dropped" at the Hagerstown Outlets.  Jackson is such an incredible shopper!  Acutally, he helped his Aunt Marney pick out her new Coach bag.

Speaking of Aunt Marney and Big Jax . . . here are some photographs of their "date" yesterday (complete with dinner at Red Lobster).

He liked her because she let him drive.

And choose the radio station.

And scream at the slow drivers.

When told "Ma-Ma" was coming along as a chaperone . . . Big Jax simply tossed up his hands.

Since he was a cheap date . . . he wanted to ensure Marney could see the prices on the kids' menu . . . up close.

And even though he wet his pants on their first date . . . she still paid.

Nothing like a happy ending!

Happy Father's Day

"Da-Da," today is Father's Day, and you should know . . .

how much you make me:

Grimace?

No.

Smile.

Just really big!

Happy Father's Day, Justin!

We hope you enjoyed your day as much as Jackson, Maggie Mae, and I enjoy you everyday!

And . . . because, according to Justin, every holiday is a reason to eat cake . . .

Love you, Da-Da!

Think maybe next year you'll share your cake?

Zoo Day

With our weather forcasted to be in the high 70's, yesterday made the perfect day for Jackson's first visit to the D.C. National Zoo.  So, early in the morning, we loaded everything into the car and set off for the city.  Unfortunately, everyone else with kids had the same idea.  When we arrived at the Zoo, there were no parking spaces left in the three lots.  So, after driving around determined that "I did not drive 1.5 hours for nothing!", I made my own . . .

And, I'm really glad I did!  I had my doubts, but Jax proved me so very wrong.  He absolutely LOVED the Zoo!  He would point at the animals and say "oooo" -- then he would get an enormous grin on his face and laugh and bounce in his stroller.  It was an amazing day to see the animals for the first time through his eyes.

We were hoping someone would offer to take this photo for us -- but, obviously, no cake.

I love shrew.

Jax really enjoyed playing on the frog sculpture.

He was mesmerized.

So was I.

There's no day like a Zoo Day!

Parallel Universe



This is a story of two girls--turned women . . . living in a parallel universe.

It was great seeing you this weekend, Serena, and meeting baby Emma!

Can you believe all that's happened in 6 years?

My love and best wishes always.

Juxtaposition

What a difference one year can make!