All Aboard

Nothing cured the boo-boo blues better than a weekend visit from Omi and Papa. We just had to find an indoor place to "blow off some steam" and escape the summer heat. Miller enjoyed all the extra attention from his grandparents and a visit to North Point mall to ride the train and play on the playscape.

The conductor greets all of his passengers and hole punches each ticket to validate the ride. Miller was so proud of his punched ticket that he carried it in his pocket the rest of the day. What a fun keepsake!

It was cute to watch the train come full circle around the mall. We were looking for our boy and his safe return in the caboose. What a little cutie!

Accident Prone

Check out little man's shiner...right smack dab on his left cheek. It doesn't look so bad in the picture, but boy was it deep. In a mad dash to make it to the potty on time, Miller slid right into the toilet paper dispenser. I knew right away that this wasn't your average boo boo. When this gash wouldn't stop bleeding, I knew we were in for another trip to the ER. It's so hard to judge whether or not to go in. Talk about panic, the doctor's nurses were all at lunch when I called for advice. My mind was racing with a flurry of decisions that in a rush to get out the door I left without little man's shoes!! Fortunately, I remembered Eliza Kate!




Of course, I couldn't reach Landon on the way to the ER. He had a really important business lunch that kept him distracted and away from his phone. Fortunately, my mom rode with us to the hospital so I could have an extra set of hands. I don't know what we would do without local grandparents! Upon entering the hospital, the triage nurse said to me, "Don't worry we can give him something to sedate him." That's how worked up little man was over just thinking about getting a band-aid on his face. Have I mentioned that we have a band-aid a phobic around here. Just the mere mention of it sends Miller into a tizzy..weird I know!

Dr. Winkle worked his magic on Miller's face. After gaining Miller's trust, he had Miller literally in stitches..no pun intended. Miller was giggling up a storm at Dr. Winkle's antics and sound effects. Dr. Winkle raised and lowered the hospital bed over and over which held Miller's attention. Mom and I were shocked at just how still M layed on the bed without sedation. Dermabond glue was just the answer to stop this puncture wound from bleeding and hold the cut together. Now if we could just keep the glue dry and untouched for 5 days.
We've had an eventful June of ER visits. I hope there aren't any more illnesses or injuries the rest of the summer.

Daddy Day

We "had a ball" on Father's Day. I think the pictures are pretty telling. It's still undecided just who Grandmama and Poppy purchased the new beach ball sprinkler for. Landon had just as much fun with it as Miller.

After a man's meal of steak and potatoes at Grandmama and Poppy's house, Landon and Miller paraded around the backyard splashing with Miller's new favorite outside toy. Landon inflated the balloon after huffing and puffing for about 1/2 hour. This daddy knew he couldn't let down a wide eyed, eager boy. Where's an electric pump when you need it?

I get so much enjoyment watching Landon play with Miller. They have the best time together..these two! I always tell people I have two boys;)

I foresee many late evenings by the lake enjoying the sprinkling fun beach ball this summer. I think these pictures sum up the essence of boy. A cut on his knee, a frog in his pocket, a snotty nose, and rinsing off naked in his crocs.

And, what better way to wrap up the evening with dessert swinging with your Grandmama!

Thank you Landon for being generous to no end with your friends & family. You are a loyal friend and husband. You have such a giving heart. You can't say no!! We appreciate that you put our families needs first before your own desires. You are a hard worker and we love that you're able to balance all of your responsibilities and still put us first. You're committed in everything you do. You encourage me to keep my commitments and word even when I want to throw the towel in. We hope your honored today and everyday!

Working Out

We pulled the Baby Einstein play gym out of the closet today and thought it was due time for Eliza Kate to work out her muscles. Miller was just as enthralled with the "new toy" as his little sis. He kept repeating to her, "This used to be my play gym when I was a baby, but now it's yours baby girl."

It didn't take long for the little miss to kick her legs with excitement and make noises we've never heard before in her short eight weeks of life. Her coos and smiles were so cute to watch. The play gym is a whole new experience with big brother around. They need to make these mats wider so both kiddos can enjoy the fun. Miller laid down right next to his little sis and entertained her with all the rattles and squeaking toys. Miller was showing off all the bells and whistles on his old play gym. I loved watching all the sibling interaction. He pulled the circular mirror close to Eliza Kate's face and said, "Look, it's a picture of us!"
Miller now asks me every few minutes, "Does Eliza Kate want to work out mommy?" I'm excited to have one more awake activity to add to our repertoire as EK is showing us more alertness during the day.

The Ickies

This is the term Landon has coined in our house for losing your lunch. And, this is exactly what took over our house this past week. First, big brother up-chucked Chick-fil-A nuggets accompanied by a high fever for 24 hours. Then, several days later the little miss got the ickies. Oh boy...were they icky!




I've just recovered emotionally to even discuss the happenings of "The Ickies". It all went down on Sunday morning. I woke up EK at our usual 8:00 a.m. feeding to find a sweaty headed, hot little girl. At first, I thought I just over dressed or swaddled her at night, but after she soaked my shirt after her feeding I knew something just wasn't right. Sure enough, Eliza Kate had a fever.


To make a dramatic story short, we ended up at Children's Hospital for a long day. Poor baby had a 102 fever and had to endure fours sticks to find a vein in her arm for an IV. Newborns have the tiniest of veins that are hard to find. The nurses finally had to tape warming pads on her arms to get the blood flowing through her veins. This soothed EK to sleep along with a few pacifier dips of sugar water. Finally, using a red flashlight lamp to illuminate her wrists they found a winner!


After various tests, including getting catheterized for a urine sample, they narrowed it down to contracting big brother's virus. The doctor ruled out all the scariest of prognosis'. My mommy instincts told me that this was the diagnosis all along. We were relieved we bypassed the spinal tap to test for meningitis. After downing 4 ounces of Pedialyte, I was given the go ahead to nurse Eliza Kate as normal and praise God she kept it all down. Sure enough the virus passed within 24 hours. I have a feeling that this is par for the course for second siblings..catching everything that gets brought home from the playground and school. Now if I can just keep Miller from touching and kissing his baby sister, we'll have it made!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

A few photos from our recent excursion to one of our families favorite hang-outs, The Marietta Square. We picked a hot night to enjoy eating curbside at The Marietta Pizza Kitchen. As you can see, little man is finally learning how to smile for the camera. Or should I say pausing in mid run to actually stop for a pose? I could just eat him up at this stage! His expressions and comments are priceless as a three year old. He loves playing the part of the conductor and steering the car. I caught Miller peeking out the window and just had to snap his picture. New friends quickly joined him in the car. Things got really crazy with lots of commotion on the playscape after dinner! Hearing the real train on the tracks a few miles away only added to the ambiance.Miller was a little more adventurous this year in climbing aboard. He liked to stand at the top and ring the bell. Poppy helped me wrangle this monkey in while I was tending to the little miss.

Grandmama and Poppy enjoyed a front row seat to all the fun in the shade. Eliza Kate snoozed away while big brother played. In fact, I don't think she opened her eyes once the whole night. This girly loves her beauty rest.

Can you believe she's already seven weeks old? I see room and evidence for some growing leg rolls on Eliza Kate's legs which makes this momma very happy. She chunking up all over. There's nothing like a chunky baby in my book. Miller calls her belly a "buddah belly" after hearing me refer to missy's bulging tummy as a buddah belly...so cute!

We're loving our family time as a party of four this summer!

Overnighter

We commissioned the mini-van for it's first whirlwind overnighter this weekend to Knoxville. Our "swagger wagon" (Toyota Sienna commercial anyone?) made the trip so convenient. I can now walk the aisle to get what I need. It's nice to be able to feed EK on the back row too! It was an ideal road trip as Eliza Kate contently slept with a full belly the majority of the trip and Miller enjoyed his Happy Feet DVD. A three hour road trip is manageable with two kiddos in tow! The packing, even though we stayed one night, was the challenging part.

Our niece Meredith turned one and we just had to be there to celebrate this milestone with family. We were also excited to introduce Eliza Kate to Aunt Laurel and Uncle Chad. Omi and Papa also wanted their baby fix as it has been six weeks since they've held the little miss. Our family enjoyed Papa's homemade dinner on the back porch Friday night. What a joy to watch Miller interact and play with Meredith. Now that she's one, they're closer in age to play. Sweet baby girl was passed from lap to lap and kissed a million times over. Aunt Laurel waited a long time to hold her newest niece. Miss EK slept for most of the family fun.

This cute one loved exploring Omi and Papa's beautiful backyard barefoot. Isn't that part of being a boy in the summer time? One things for sure, Omi and Papa's hungry mosquitoes had a feast up and down Miller's legs and even his face. Ahh..red bumpy legs. Another rite of passage for a boy in the summer. A little cortisone brought relief to my itchy legged boy.

Miller also loved opening Meredith's family birthday gifts for her. He loved tearing into the paper and announcing the gift to his cousin. It was so sweet to watch Miller unselfishly celebrate in her glory and not think that the gifts were for him! From baby dolls, a bubble blowing machine and a ball popper, this girly is well on her way to stocking the play room. On a side note, yes Miller is pantless. He's potty trained when he can just wear a t-shirt around the house. I hope nobody was offended by our pantless, streaking wonder.

Saturday morning was the big Minnie Mouse event at the pool clubhouse. Our lil guy loves a pool party. Between dressing up in hoola skirts with his dad, sporting sun glasses, water gun squirting with Uncle Chad and dancing on the brick stage, Miller thoroughly enjoyed Meredith's big ONE!

There's nothing like watching chubby one year old hands digging into the smash cake. Meredith loved the frosting and the guests loved her messy face. Miller plunged through the crowd to get a front row seat to all the frosting faced action. I think he secretley wanted to sample the sweetness.

Happy Birthday sweet girl. We loved celebrating every minute with you! We can't believe you're 1!