It Is Only a Matter of Time

My little man made great strides today - - ok, they were little baby steps, but it is only a matter of time before he is running around the house. For the past few days, Hank has been letting go while standing. Each time he stands for a little longer. Today after standing for about 30 seconds, he took two steps towards me. And the best part wasn't even the walking - - it was the magnificent light in his eyes and the giant toothless smile that spread across his face. He was so proud of himself.

Not to be outdone, Reese immediately jumped up and said "My turn!" and then proceeded to take a few steps forward. She then looked at me to see why I wasn't clapping and cheering her on, too. Gotta love that girl!

Long time, no see

Where have the last few months gone? I wish I knew. Its like I woke up one morning (in our new king-sized bed, no less) and it was spring, Reese is 2 and talking and Hank is so close to walking that I've already got a bag ready for our first trip to the e.r.!

Despite only working two days a week (in the office, that is) somehow my days are over before they start. I am hoping now that preschool is out for the summer, I will recover a few hours each week to be able to once again, keep up with my blog. One would think that having a 2 year old go to preschool 2 days a week would actually create time - one would be wrong! Basically I had between 10 and 2 each day to clean the house, run an errands that had to be run, feed and care for Hank, check and respond to all work emails and all work that flows from that...ok, when I type it all out it doesn't sound like much, but it is!

The kids are doing great. Reese won't be quiet and Hank is perpetually in a good mood. My sister-in-law, Amy, has started a blog that I am going to start contributing to, so make sure you check there for updates on us: http://www.everydayisanadventure.net/

So much for keeping up with the blog!

Well, my initial goal of keeping up with a blog that would let those who cared keep up with what is going on in our little world just didn't work out! Life since Hank was born has been hectic, to say the least. Life is finally starting to fall into a rhythm. Even so, I know that a faithful updating here is not going to happen, but for now, here is an update:

Reese has finally started to talk. And she won't shut up! Right now she is repeating over and over "cuh-ring" ("coloring") as she sits in the floor and draws with her left hand. Everything that has writing on it is "cuh-ring" and if you ask what color is it she says pink. She would rather be watching "Cat n Hat" right now but she is grounded from her DVDs. Grounded at 22 months, you say? Yup grounded. That is what happens after the 6th time of playing in the houseplants and getting potting soil on EVERYTHING. Punishments progress with each time the next discipline getting explained. She was told that her movies would be taken away. She tested me. Cat in the Hat, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Yo! Gabba Gabba and all the others now live on the top of my closet. That's how it goes. She hasn't been back in the plants in 24 hours. Lesson learned? Probably not, but at least I haven't had to wash the baseboards today!

Hank is the sweetest little 6 month old that has ever been. I think this is because he knows he has to be since Reese is a limit-tester to the extreme. He is starting to sit up and to get up on all 4's. He will be crawling before he is 7 months. He is about as laid back as they come. He also is huge. I don't know exactly how big - he hasn't been for his 6 month check-up yet because he got off schedule last time when he had to wait to get his shots because he had another ear infection. But we had to go to the minor med on New Years Eve because he was running a fever and I was worried the ear infection had come back (it hadn't) and he weighed almost 17 lbs! I don't think Reese weighed 17 lbs at her 12 month check up!

Work has been keeping me busy. I'm still only going in 2 days a week, but trying to get the things done on my days at home that I need done is not working out like I would like. I am running out of hours each day to try to get in my work, my housework, and personal errands done. It is just not happening.

On a somewhat related note, we have joined Hope Presbyterian. I say related because right now the sermon series is aimed at helping to deal with these problems (well not directly, but this is what i am taking from it!) I finally feel like we have a church home and am praying that God help me find the hours in each day to get more involved.

I must admit the only reason I am on here today is because Drew's Aunt Rita has started a blog to help "keep her honest" as she has set out on a year long goal to make 5000 pairs of shorts for the children of Haiti. Her goal is 100 pairs a day. It really puts things in perspective for me. I am trying to find 20 minutes to take a bath to have some quiet time...she is devoting a substantial part of the next year to doing something totally selfless.


Hank is waking up from his nap... as if he knows that i have had time to myself!

Ok, so its been a while...

So, having that second child has taken a little more of my time than I had anticipated and so to say I have neglected the blog is an understatement. But, in my defense, not only was Hank born, but in August, my grandparents were in an accident which resulted in my grandfather being killed and ulimately, led to my grandmother's passing last week. Things here have not been "normal" since a couple of days before Hank was born.

All that said, things are ok. Hank was born on July 11th after making a dramatic entrance into this world - - I was at the hospital less than 30 minutes before he was born! He is growing like a weed and is probably 15 lbs already.

He has a sweet disposition and is very much a cuddle monkey. He is also all boy - farting all the time!

Reese has started preschool. The first three weeks, she did not like it. She cried when I left and cried when I picked her up. Now, she loves it though. She literally pulls me through the halls at school to get to her classroom.

She is talking more now. "Hank" is her favorite word - it has replaced "hot" as the most spoken word each day.

We have joined Hope Presbytryrian Church and very excited about it. From the first time we went, we have felt like it was meant to be our church home.

The Nursery...Part II

Finally, it is all coming together. Things have been super busy around here (and the days that aren't, it takes all I have to just sit on the couch!) This 95+ degree weather is killing me! At least we have the pool - though it is the temperature of bath water!

The nursery is almost complete. I still have a few little accessories to add, but overall, it is done!

We went and got Hank an outfit to wear home from the hospital (or at least to have his picture made in at the hospital) today. We went to Janie & Jack and Drew had a field day (luckily, they are having their BIG sale right now.) Their line of boy clothes are right up Drew's alley! We ended up spending close to $200 and only about $50 of it was on Reese! But, Hank does have some cute clothes now. I can't wait to see him in them.

Reese had her 15 month check up last week. She is very healthy and has grown like a weed! She went from being in the 40th percentile for height to the 70th (almost 32" tall!)! She is still in the 50th percentile for weight (at about 22.5 pounds). She still refuses to talk, but has definitely master fit throwing!

The Nursery...Part I

The nursery is starting to come together. Drew really wanted a Vols nursery, but I couldn't bring myself to an all orange room with the commercial crib bedding sets out there. So, I set out to make an understated Big Orange room (if that is possible). The crib bedding was definitely the hardest part. I didn't have a pattern, so needless to say, the seam-ripper was used quite a bit during this little project.

The mobile has little Smokies and plays "Rocky Top!"

The stripes on the walls turned out to be more difficult than anticipated, too. The white paint pealed off when I removed the tap so I had to sand the stripes and start over!

My favorite part, though, is the picture. I bought Reese an antique framed print for her nursery and so when I found this print at Tennessee Sports Zone, I didn't hesitate. It is titled "Breakfast of Champions" and has all the SEC mascots in Smokey's bowl! I love it!

Once I get the rest of the furniture in the room and get the art on the walls, I think the room is going to be perfect!

Hank in 3D

I went yesterday and had a 3D/4D ultrasound done at the doctor's office. We got some great pictures of Hank. He was very cooperative and kept making some great facial expressions (some of them I am convinced he somehow has learned from his sister!)

He is a big baby with an even bigger head (though that seems to run in the family!) He is definitely a boy, though we were not able to get any 3D "money shots" - much to the dismay of his dad and granddaddy.

However, when we got home, the video would not play, so I had to call them this morning and we got to go back to do another one. He was not as cooperative today - - he was all balled up with his feet at his head. We did get about 10 good minutes on the video of his face before he decided that his arm should rest across his nose.

It is so amazing what technology can do!