New York City!!

Whenever I hear the word “New York” I can’t help but think of Alicia Keys’ song, so as I write this, I’m also singing that awesome song in my head. My husband is just the best – that’s pretty much all I need to write, but I’ll write a few details for my own poor memory! Here are some highlights:

 

• A train ride where we could talk (uninterrupted), read (also uninterrupted) and sleep (yet again, uninterrupted), and I didn’t have to get mad at Geoff for his “defensive” driving

• NY pizza at 3am (I can’t remember the last time I was willingly up at 3am)

• Seeing a lot of Faith, one of my very favorite UVA friends, who helped Geoff with a lot of the trip planning

• Phantom of the Opera – AMAZING! Goodness, I love that play!

• Yummy food at Penelope’s and Rue 57

• Really good guacamole at a Mexican restaurant

• Our own progressive dinner at 3 different restaurants with tasty food, dessert and wine

• A chance to reflect at the 9/11 Memorial

• Walking through Central Park and down time to just explore the city

• Cool weather

• A view of Times Square from the hotel window

• People watching

• Quality time with my husband

• Knowing our babies were well taken care of by their grandparents

• Picking up my two babies at Union Station and riding the rest of the way home with them

 

It was such a great and refreshing trip. I feel so blessed and loved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Happy 8 Months

Well, sweet boy, you are now a bustling, squealing, strong 8-month little boy. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown up already. I know, I say that every month, but it’s true! I have to choose to focus on the memories we’re making and not how fast time is going by and how big you’re getting. Otherwise, I get so sad!

But really, you are so much fun! You are still army crawling all over though you are getting up on your hands and knees like you’re ready to do a real crawl. You crawl under and over things, and you pull up on anything within reach, which has caused me to have to really pay attention to what you’re doing. You have already climbed onto the island shelf and nosedived off of it and put yourself in some precarious situations that have caused me to run and jump over things to make sure you don’t fall backwards. You still jump a mile a minute in your Johnny Jump Up and are getting over the (formerly fun) Exersaucer. It’s not so fun when you can’t jump or stand and move around.

You love your bath time with Mary-Michael, and it’s such a nice way to end the day with you two. I love to see y’all playing together. She dumps water on you, gives you toys and you chew on whatever she gives you and don’t seem to mind the water dumping.

Everything is going into your mouth these days, including dog food, puzzle pieces and other small things that make my heart leap when I see them in your hands. What is NOT going into your mouth (willingly) is green vegetables. We’ve attempted homemade zucchini, peas and green beans (all from our garden!), and you haven’t appreciated any of our hard labor! I attempt to mix them with applesauce or bananas, which sometimes will fool you, but it usually only lasts for a few bites before you’re clamping your mouth shut and turning your head. So, we’ll keep trying (I think I read it can take up to 17 tries for a baby to decide if they like a food or not – seventeen – jeesh!!). And now that your top 2 teeth have come in, maybe we can move on to some other, more exciting foods soon.

I have moved you to breastfeeding 4 times a day, and you’re taking 2 pretty good naps. I am storing up milk like its gold since your Daddy and I will leave for Niger, Africa in less than a month! And because of the yellow fever vaccine I need to get for my visa I won’t be able to breastfeed you for a total of 3 weeks. It may seem crazy, but I have cried over this a few times. I love our sweet moments and love being able to give you such good nutritious stuff.  

You are really getting vocal with mimicking squeals and certain sounds, and you could have a conversation of squeals back and forth with me for a good minute. It’s quite entertaining!

You continue to be such a happy baby, and you certainly hold a special place in my and your Daddy’s hearts. We love you dearly baby boy!

M&M – Future Videographer and Potty Master

Before this video was taken my phone did not require a password to get into it. Now it does because pre-password I had dozens of pictures of feet, the floor and other random things, as well as, videos of nonsense. But as you can see, sometimes nonsense is pretty cute. Notice at the end she says "Cheese" to Tonka's tail. She was desperate to get people to say cheese so she could get a picture. I don't think she had any idea she was videotaping. 

When she’s not shooting videos and taking pictures, she’s potty training! Woohoo! We’re on day 3 officially, though some definite credit goes to my mom who’s been practicing with her off and on for a few weeks. At this point, we’re still doing diapers at night, but she’s really picked it up quickly. I’m sure the M&M’s help, too. 

NYC!!!

I was presented with an AMAZING gift this morning by my even more amazing husband! 

See the brochure under the card? It's a complete itinerary for a trip to New York City! Tonight (yes, tonight!), we are heading to New York, and I get to see Phantom of the Opera from Orchestra seats (this is on my bucket list - the play - the orchestra seats are an added bonus!). Woohoo!

I feel so spoiled!

Two Recent Conversations with M&M

One

Before 5am I hear Mary-Michael open her bedroom door, close it and call for me. I go upstairs. 

Me: Mary-Michael, it's still dark outside. You need to go back to bed. 

Mary-Michael: But I awake.

Me: Go back to bed, and don't leave your room until I come get you. Yes ma'am?

Mary-Michael: Yes, man (aka ma'am). 

A few minutes go by...I hear Mary-Michael on the monitor knocking on her bedroom door (from the inside). 

Mary-Michael: (knock knock) Come in. Come in, Momma, come in. Come in (voice is getting louder). Come in!!

I run upstairs to attempt to keep at least one child asleep (Frazier) until after 6am. 

Two

We are in the car taking a long drive because I needed a minute to breathe, and the kids are usually pretty good in the car. Sometimes I actually get to listen to my music and have a few moments of peace. However, that day, Mary-Michael had a lot to say, so I decided to pray. 

Me: Lord, please ....

Mary-Michael: Momma, you talking to your self?

Me: No, I'm talking to Jesus. 

Mary-Michael: Where? I don't see him. 

Me: Jesus is everywhere. He's always with us. 

Mary-Michael: Jesus in my heart?

Me: Yes, baby, in your heart. He's always with us. 

Mary-Michael: Then Jesus not with you! He's with me! (very matter of factly)

Me: Yes, but he's with all of us. 

Mary-Michael: No, with Mary-Michael. 

Me: (sigh) Ok, baby. 

Lately

Lately, we've been busy. And we are worn out.

We have been on the road.

To Myrtle Beach with Grandma and Grandpa (Mary-Michael went all by herself for several days!).

And Aunt Keesha who drove with Momma and Frazier.

And Uncle Kam in the background (he's camera shy).

It was fun.

Frazier ate sand any chance he could.

Mary-Michael loved every moment in the sun.

She was completely spoiled with accessories and toys by Grandma and Grandpa.

And glitter tattoos (that are still on over a week later).  

It was really a fun time to be with Geoff's family though we did miss Daddy like crazy.

Alas, the big man. When we returned from the beach it was Daddy's 33rd birthday, and we saw the winning Nationals play (minus the kids).

Thanks to some awesome friends, we were able to sit in the Diamond Club and bring Geoff's parents, Keesha, Brian and Kam along.

The rain held out, and we all enjoyed bottomless food and drink at the Diamond Club, which is officially the best way to watch the Nats play.

Happy Birthday to my amazing, handsome husband.

When we returned to our routine at home, we kept busy with the abundant garden and some new chicks.

We've also started swimming lessons (more to come on that later).

And are happy to celebrate with friends and their new little one. Welcome Brooklynn (baby girl of Matt and April).

And when we are actually home, this little guy is pulling up.

If you've made it this far...we hope you're having an awesome summer!