A Weekend in Nags Head

We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing long weekend in Nags Head with some dear friends. Ten adults and four little ones makes for fun game nights, early mornings and lots of laughs. The boys really stepped it up and did most of the cooking and with no agenda each day it was really easy to relax. Mary-Michael thoroughly enjoyed her time in the water and continues to enjoy interacting with other "little people" - they seem to be the best at making her giggle these days. Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Sailing Diva

No, I'm not talking about Mary-Michael - I'm talking about me. It's true, I was pretty much a diva on our first overnight sailing trip with friends who are renting our guest house. I think what officially did me in is nursing in the cabin with no A/C - this meant M&M's tiny, sticky body stuck to mine, which is comfortable for neither participant - litte to no air movement, regular head bumping on the ceiling while sitting on the bed and strategic burping, so that M&M wouldn't hit her head or get stuck to my skin. I have been sailing several times before and really enjoyed it. Geoff has enjoyed it so much that he's reading Sailing for Dummies and trying to gain some experience to see if it's something we might really want to do as a family. I'm not ruling it out, and I don't want to crush his dreams (ever!), but I think I need some more convincing. And I should say we did have great company and being on the water is a beautiful thing, so it wasn't all bad.


Seriously, Momma, do you know how hot it is? Just look at the hair - enough said.

Weight Check Up

Yesterday we went to the doctor for Mary-Michael's weight check up since she was in the 24th percentile at her 4 month check up. She weighed in at 14 lbs 3.5 ounces, which moved her up to the 29th percentile - woohoo! The doc had no concerns, so that is good. We were reminded to be grateful for her and her good health yesterday as we heard about a couple with a son (less than a year old) given just weeks left to live and a friend of a friend who delivered a baby boy that lived for only an hour and half yesterday before he went to be with Jesus. I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak these families are experiencing. It is terrifying and humbling at the same time. May we all be grateful for the time we have and the good health we've been given today.

Gerry

Meet Gerry the Giraffe. Mary-Michael is obsessed with this little toy. Carla (the beagle) is, too. We're getting an early lesson in sharing with Gerry's help.


Lovin on Gerry.


Enjoying the fun booster seat with toys from Grand-Godmother Meg.

Blackmail Pictures...

5 Months

My sweet Mary-Michael,

Have I told you lately that you are the cutest thing in the entire world? Ok, I know I'm your mother so I'm a bit biased, but seriously, you are something else. Here's what you're up to lately.

-SMILES! Girl, you love to smile. I already know you're touching people's lives because of your infectious smile.
-ANIMALS! Lately you have really started to notice all dogs and cats, especially those within reach. You get really excited, start smiling and if they're close enough you swat, grab and pull at them. Thankfully we have very patient animals...
-MIRRORS! You love to look at yourself and talk to yourself in the mirror. I think you believe you are interacting with another baby, which makes it even more fun.
-STANDING! Since you were itty bitty you loved to stand in our lap. Now you love being in your johnny jump-up and exersaucer. You hate to miss anything, and this view allows you to see what's going on from all sides.
-TALKING! You make lots of noise, especially when we turn the music up in the car. Many mornings you wake up happy and babble in your crib.

M&M, you are such a happy baby. I still can't believe you are 5 months old - the time goes by too fast.

We love you (forever and for always, as your daddy would say),
Momma and Daddy

A Monday Afternoon

Two longtime girlfriends spend 3 weeks trying to get together. Between both of their part-time work schedules, husbands each with their own business and 4 children under the age of 5 each on different nap and feeding schedules, this is no easy task. Today a window of opportunity arose and a playdate at the park was arranged. While driving it started to sprinkle, then steadily rain and then downpour. One girlfriend called the other and laughed at the misfortune of it all. Since a date at the park was now out of the question and both were on the road with kids in tow, instead they met at the local wholesale club and did their grocery shopping.

Things I'm Loving Right Now

1. 4 weeks of sleeping through the night by our baby girl
2. going to the grocery store - is that weird? I love planning my trip, clipping coupons and finding good deals. I am my mother's daughter!
3. summertime get-togethers - whether it be for birthdays or just because, we have created so many fun memories this summer
4. the positivity and faith a couple has even though their 8 month baby boy has cancer. You can read more about the son of a friend of Geoff's from high school here: http://www.aidenlipscomb.blogspot.com/. We went to a great benefit auction for him this weekend.
5. our house - even though we are selling it to move closer in, I do really, really love it and wish we could pick it up and move it
6. the fact that my husband is such a big dreamer and no matter what crazy ideas I may come up with, I know he will always be supportive
7. the way Mary-Michael gets excited with our dogs and cats, though they probably aren't so excited to see her because she has a pretty fierce grip
8. my family - they are pretty darn fabulous