We survived!

Daddy is home!!!!!!!!!

He's been here...

...in Kenya for a whole MONTH.


Where he's been doing a lot of this...

Doctoring. In a little Emergency Room or Casualty Department (as they call it).

Plus he even got to do this one weekend...

...and enjoyed his first Safari experience.

And to think, we survived it all.  Well, I survived it all with the two kids and the kids just missed their daddy.

We said goodbye to him at the end of February and anxiously anticipated a month apart.
This is the best goodbye picture we could get that day with two tired kids in tow.

Needless to say we are so glad to have him home and I'll be doing a lot of catching up on our past month and how we stayed busy.  And of course, putting more pictures of Steven's experience and sharing about his time there.

So, I'll be back soon.  Promise.

For Daddy

We are enjoying our time at my grandmother Meme's house. We've been on the go lately you could said and keeping ourselves quite busy. I'm sure I'll post more on our time here when I return. Meanwhile here's some pictures for Daddy. We love you!

Update

My sinus infection is slowly getting better.  I did resort to an antibiotic yesterday and that has helped I think.  One thing I know for sure--I despise colds.

We've been keeping ourselves busy lately.  Like I originally said, I didn't go to California to see my sister due to my sickness so we decided to pack up our things and head to my parent's house in Auburn instead.  My mom was a huge help--thank you Mom--and slept with Savannah every night so I could get some much needed sleep.  I'm happy to report that since we've been home Savannah girl has slept through the night now three days in a row.  Cue the fireworks and the Hallelujah chorus now.

Before I forget let me post Savannah's 9 month stats.  I finally found them in my car the other day and thought I probably should write this somewhere for memories sake.

Weight: 17.9 pounds
Height: 27.25 inches

There.  That's done.
And like I said in my last post, this girl is on the move.  I can just about find her everywhere these days.  Plus she's super fast.  Lightning fast.  I turn around for 5 seconds to say...blow my nose...and the next thing I know she is crawling into Isaac's room getting into goodness knows what.  The worst is when I find her chomping on bunny.  I try to tell her how disgusting it is when I quickly grab it out of her little hands but she won't buy it.  She loves her brother.
Oh and Major the doggie.

We enjoyed our time in Auburn with family and luckily my sister Katie, who Isaac affectionately calls DD, was there for spring break. 

We celebrated Katie's 26th birthday while we were there.  Isaac's favorite part was the cake.

Mom and I took the kids to a park one morning and had a picnic lunch outside.  It was a very pleasant day with temperatures just warm enough to enjoy it.  These two could swing for days.

This boy had a lot of energy he needed to get out.

Now I'm off to put two tired kiddos down for a nap.  Let's hope Isaac will take one--I'm crossing my fingers.

9 months

It's been one crazy week at our house. A week that I'll just have to explain at a later date.

Part of the craziness has led from me contracting a horrible sinus infection from one of my kiddos on Wednesday and led me to cancel a flight reservation for tomorrow. I was supposed to fly to see my sister in California and take Savannah with me but all that had to be postponed when I got sick. I just couldn't imagine being on a plane for 5 hours, blowing my nose and doubling over from the pain of the sinus pressure all while holding a 9 month old. Whew. Makes me sick and tired just thinking about it.

But enough about me and my ailment. We are here to discuss Savannah banana and the fact that she is a whopping 9 months old! She had her checkup today and she passed with flying colors marking average for everything. I do have her stats but I left them in the car so I'll have to post them at a later date. The poor second born gets the boot sometimes.

But here's our little baby at her appointment thanks to the iPhone. This girl is everywhere these days! A wiggle worm.

Happy 9 months to you Savannah girl! We love you!

Nice weather and bad sleep

When February brings you nice weather...

you take advantage of it.

Baby girl had her first experience in our backyard swing and loved it.  This swing has given Isaac (and me) many pleasant afternoons waiting for Daddy to come home.

Sadly little buddy is a little too big for the swing and he would much rather pedal around in his little red tricycle these days.

All while exploring the many weeds in our yard.

This cute little stinker has been the WORST sleeper these days.  She wakes around 1 o'clock every night and refuses to go back to sleep for the longest if she's not fed.  Then to make matters worse she is up every morning by 5:30 a.m.  I make her stay in the bed until 6:30 or so but I definitely don't get restful sleep that hour because she fusses in her crib the entire time.

I'm sure it could be worse...but that's not to say I'm not exhausted every morning.

Good thing she's cute.

Speaking of sleeping.  This kid has decided he doesn't need an afternoon nap some days.

Oh how I treasured those afternoon naps!! Yesterday I made him sit on the couch and watch a movie while I had some rest time myself.  He didn't mind--Peter Pan was the order of the day in movie choices.
I took the kids with me today on a late afternoon jog and Isaac fell right asleep in the stroller.  Believe me, you didn't want to be there to experience his rotten mood when he woke up.  It was frightful.

Despite the bad sleeping habits these kids continue to bring us such joy.
Plus it doesn't hurt that spring is right around the corner.

Then onto my favorite season...SUMMER!
I'm trying not to get ahead of myself. :)  Trying...

Bunny Surgery

I performed surgery last night.

I wish I could tell you that it ended well.

I was forced to perform my first, and hopefully only, amputation of a limb.

Bunny was the hero, not me.

(If you're new around here you can check out who Bunny is here) 

One little boy had created a gaping hole in poor Bunny's leg and proceeded to pull all his stuffing out.
Something had to be done.
I will tell you that Bunny was incredibly brave despite the circumstance.

Now he looks as good as new.
Ahem, okay maybe not new...but his left side definitley looks different.

And a little gnarled...

Thank you for the well wishes.  Bunny is doing well and is recovering as we speak by taking a much needed nap in the arms of his toddler master. 
I assured him Isaac can't hurt him while he's sleeping...

In lieu of cards, flowers, or gifts Bunny has asked for all donations to be sent to his favorite charity. 
Carrots for CottonTails.


Thanks my bunny lovin' friends.

A visit from the sister

My littlest sister, Camille, came to Birmingham on Saturday with some of her college friends.  We talked the day before on the phone in which she told me she would be traveling to Oak Mountain State Park for the day and if there was time she would love to stop by.  Great, I thought, I would love to see my baby sista and meet her friends. 

Steven worked the day on Saturday so I was home alone with the kiddos.  We decided not to venture out that morning due to the freezing weather we were having and just stayed inside, allowing Isaac to destroy the house one toy at a time.  It was also a pajama day.  You know, staying in your p.j.'s all day long? 

I did remember Camille coming to Birmingham that morning but like most times in my life it gradually slipped from my mind as the day progressed.
I did loads of laundry that morning as the kids played and told myself I needed to clean the kitchen during their afternoon nap time.  It always turns into such a wreck so quickly.

One o'clock quickly came and I put the two little ones down for their much needed nap...and mommy's much needed alone time for a few hours.  I quickly put on my work out clothes and began one of my hour long workouts with P90x.  Oh yes.  I'm on my third week now and let me tell you, that is another post in itself.  It's been more like P90kickmya**.

Anyway, after the workout I jumped into the shower before the kids were to wake.  As soon as I stepped out of the shower I heard Savannah crying in her crib and noticed I had a missed call from Camille.  Oh yeah, I thought, Camille's in town.  I'll call her back in a sec.  I had to get Savannah before she awakened the sleeping three year old.  I mean, I was sure Camille was still at the park giving me ample time to make myself presentable.  Once I picked up Savannah she just wouldn't stop crying.  Very unlike her.  I walked into my living room with her on my hip, wet hair/pajamas and wouldn't you know it there was a knock at the door.  Oh. my. goodness. I thought, that has got to be Camille and her friends!!  I crack the door and thankfully just see my sister standing there.  'Great' she says, 'I'll go get my friends!'  I look at her with Savannah crying on my shoulder and glance back at my house--it is a grade A disaster!  I'm talking toys everywhere. Not to mention I was determined to clean the kitchen after I jumped out of the shower so that was a mess.  'Camille, you have got to give me three minutes! I mean it. THREE!'

She laughed and I quickly shut the door.  I put Savannah on the ground and she began a screaming fit.  I couldn't worry about that now...I had to clean my house!!!  I was flying.  Throwing toys every which way and piling dishes in the sink to make the counters look half way decent.  I go to throw something in the trash and realize that I had put a few poopy diapers in it that morning and just knew the house had to smell like poop.  Well, there's nothing I could do about that now, I thought. 

Three minutes went by ever so quickly and I hear another knock at the door.  I didn't even have time to get myself half way decent.  I open the door to a full greeting of Camille's friends, two guys and two girls, one being her boyfriend.  I apologized for my house (as if college students care anyway) and asked them to give me a second to get dressed.  At that time Isaac wakes up and is grumpier than a hornet.  He follows me into my room as I lay Savannah on my floor all the while screaming.  Well if this isn't good birth control for these college kids I don't know what is.
I made myself half way decent and returned to the group.

Camille assured me that the house looked clean...but that she did smell something poopy-ish.  oh  honesty.  we can always count on our sisters to be honest. :)
After a few moments of talking to her friends I discovered why sweet Savannah was rather fussy.  She had pooped in her diaper during naptime (adding to the poop smell) and her bottom was unusually raw.  Her skin was even peeling off, poor baby.  Of course, I immediately went to change her.

She was much better after a diaper change, a slathering of desitin, and a cuddle.

So, sorry I told you this long story but I thought I would just give you a glimpse of everyday life in our family. :)  It turned out to be a great visit and Isaac quickly perked up and displayed his train collection for all to see.
Savannah was much better too after I changed her diaper and her clothes.
Here are some pictures of Camille's visit taken from her camera.  Even if my house was a wreck and it smelled like poo, I'm glad she came.  I love visits from my sister.

Here's Savannah when I didn't know she had poo poo in her diaper/raw tush.

Bless her heart. 

Isaac showing our guest how fast he can drive his new birthday car.

Oh, and speaking of the birthday car.  It's been a great source of entertainment around here.

But that's a story for another day.

Where was I? 
Oh yes, my poopy smelling house...
Notice my hair was still wet.

One last picture of Camille and her sweet friends I enjoying meeting.

Come back and see us Camilla!!! I promise next time I'll be a little more prepared.  I'll have some tea and crumpets for all to share. ;)

It's time...

...to lower the crib!

Plus she accomplished this little feat with swaddled legs nonetheless.

I walked in only to find the little munchkin alternating between giggling at the ceiling fan and chomping on the crib.

The little stinker.

And she thinks she's real cute, doesn't she.

Okay.  Well, maybe she is.

Pretty Days

Pretty days make you want to scream from the mountain tops. 

Or just scream from your chair outside.

Pretty days make you want to raise your hand to the bright blue sky.

It can make you want to practice your model pose.
Eyes closed is a unique artistic choice...

Pretty days can also make your booty really really muddy and wet.

That is if you have a boy who likes to wallow in dirt.

Pretty days can make you purse your lips in the bright sunshine.

Or look a little sleepy...

Or decide you want to eat outside...

All while eating like an animal

(Only sometimes.  He never eats like this inside.)

And it can make you not want to sit on your really really muddy, wet, booty.

Pretty days can make you act just a little bit silly and make you jump up from your chair all while screaming mommy's real name, "Kiiiiiiimmie!!!"

Yes, he usually calls me by my name when he want to get a rise out of me.  Works everytime.

And finally, pretty days make you want to load up all your belongings and do it all over again.

Until next time...when pretty days come again.