Party on the mountain!

Pictures from Jennie's birthday party on the mountain!  Michael had a blast, he LOVES Jennie and birthday cake!  And, I believe Nicholas enjoyed himself, as well.  He slept really well Sunday night, as a thank you for taking him to the party.  (Any time, Nicholas, any time...)  

89 Years Young

Michael and I headed north on Friday to celebrate my Grandmother Rose's 89th birthday!  

We had a wonderful day, visiting with my aunts and cousins.  As always, Michael truly enjoyed himself and did not want to come home.  He absolutely loves going to my Grandmother Rose's house.  She has a box of old matchbox cars that Michael pulls out and plays with for hours.  He also enjoys romping around outside, and he especially enjoys all of the attention that he receives from my mom, his aunts, and his Great Grandmother.  

We're hoping to head back to Grandma Rose's house before the baby arrives.  

  

Happy 89th birthday, Grandma Rose!! We love you!! 

Belated Birthday Wishes

The running girls had a belated birthday party for me this morning.  We got started around 5:30.  : )  I didn't run today, instead I walked a couple miles with one of my dearest friends. Normally, I'm all cheerful and on top of the world after the running birthday parties.  Today, I'm just feeling a little blue.  I miss the girls so much and I miss running with them so much. There's no need to offer condolences...or cyber hugs because I know I'll be back out there in just a few short months, but I just really miss my friends!  Sure, we can email, call, walk every once in awhile; but it's not the same as beginning  a run in the dark and watching the sunrise as you hear about a friend's son who is getting ready for his freshman orientation at an AMAZING college or hearing a story about a friend's husband that makes you want to pee your pants. 

I just really, really, really miss those girls!  : ( And, the running! I miss the effortless running and the feeling of being fit.  We're planning a marathon, though, for the fall of 2009 so I've got that training to look forward to once I bounce back.  And, this morning as I was driving in to meet the group, I realized that when I start back the weather will be cool!  The air will be breathable! That's something to look forward to, right?  

I'd like to try to run tomorrow, just a mile...maybe two?  Maybe that will help me feel more like myself...

I can't say it enough...I just really don't want to have another c-section!

 

29 for the First Time!

Today I turned "29", for the "first time"!  ; )   

Our day was wonderful.  Josh and I struggled to get out of bed this morning due to a very, very late night.  (We went to an amazing wedding and stayed out very late for a pregnant gal.)  I actually felt like I had a hangover this morning, I was so tired.  It was awful!  

After Josh and I recuperated from our fun night out, we cleaned out our cars.  It only took a couple of hours.  : )  (Not kidding, wish I was, though...)  Between the heat, Michael, and the filth,  the car cleaning was an  arduous process.  

After the cleaning marathon, Josh and I sat down to watch the movie Juno.  My youngest brother, Clay, highly recommended that we watch this movie.  I thought it was heart warming and endearing.  The characters were amazing, I especially liked Juno's boyfriend and the father.  I wanted to hug both of them, especially at the end of the movie. 

To end the day, the three of us went out to dinner with my parents. We shared a wonderful meal.  I couldn't have asked for a sweeter day.   

And, the best birthday present of all arrives tomorrow.  Any guesses on what that might be?  It starts with a "W"....  And, to me, is one of the most wonderful times of the YEAR!

What a difference a week makes.

Yippeee!! The kiddos are finished with school and now there are only TWO days left of work until my Leave of Absence begins!! I'm not sure who is more excited: me or Josh. He says that now his mornings won't be so stressful because he won't have to participate in the morning rush activities. And, I agree completely. The mornings have got to be the most stressful part of the day. Josh frequently complains that I am the only person who can wake at five, and still manage to be on the cusp of arriving late to work everyday. (Michael and I have to be OUT the door at 7:10, or I'm definitely late.)

Father's Day was fabulous, absolutely fabulous. Michael did a complete 180 from last week, thank goodness. Mass was delightfully relaxing and peaceful. Josh joined us, which was the perfect Sunday for him to go to mass because Michael was so well behaved. We went on a shopping spree for Michael B. the rest of the day. According to Josh, Michael is in desperate need of new PJ's, clothes, and shoes. We headed to the outlets and found some suitable shoes and clothes for the little guy. I personally can't stand the shoes- I think they're ugly, but Michael fell in love as soon as he put them on his little feet. He proudly whispered to me, "They're grown up shoes, Mommy." Josh seems to like the shoes, too. (Oh well.) The Gymboree outlet had a great sale on tops and shorts: $4.99 / top or bottom, which was a decent deal. Not as good as my favorites, Target or Walmart, but the clothes are very cute and met Josh's high standards of dress. Josh's standards include: mesh shorts (with pockets) AND white t-shirts with sport themes. The best part of the day was the fact that Michael did not have one accident in his underwear! I'm always reluctant to take him out places without a pull-up, but he's made tremendous progress in the potty training department.

After shopping, we met my parents and grandparents at a restaurant to celebrate Father's Day and Grandma's birthday. Grandma Frances proudly turned 83 yesterday. Our dinner was delicious and Michael was very well behaved, considering all that we accomplished yesterday morning and afternoon.

This evening we celebrated Father's Day with Granddad Michael. Mary Jane prepared a delicious seafood meal, with the seafood that they brought back from the beach. Michael B really enjoyed the shrimp and cantaloupe. The rest of the evening was spent in the yard, enjoying the "fall-like" weather that the storms brought in this afternoon. We had a delightful evening and Michael nodded off quickly this even

ing, thanks to all of the time spend outside.

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment. I pray that I haven't gained eight pounds this month. Seriously. Last month was seven, the month before was six! I'm cringing thinking about that part. I can't wait to find out what the heart rate is this month and to find out how the baby is measuring. The baby and I are celebrating 24 weeks together today.

His very favorite gift:

Carrie, Jason, and Jacob gave Michael this Lightning McQueen camping set for his birthday, and he is in absolute heaven!  The little backpack has not left his back ALL day!  As soon as Michael wakes from a nap, he grabs his backpack!  Josh took Michael out to do some shopping this afternoon, and Michael wore his backpack into every single shop. 

 And, the sleeping bag?  Michael pretended like the sleeping bag was his nap mat from the sitter's.  He took his afternoon nap on the sleeping bag, on the floor.  How incredibly comfortable, right?! The sleeping bag is on his bed this evening, instead of the floor.  Michael has also taken great pride in carrying around the water bottle all afternoon.  He's so proud, and it's clear that this gift made him feel like a real, big boy!  

Watching him walk around with a backpack on his back makes me want to cry, though!  He really does look like a big boy!  And, in just a few years he'll be walking into the doors of an actual school, with a backpack on his back.  At least, he's giving us a little practice with watching him carrying a backpack.  Maybe I won't cry as much on his first day of kindergarten?  (Yeah, right!)

Only ten and a half days of teaching middle school students for a year!  YIIIIKES!  I'm so ready for summer break! My house, particularly my closets, desperately need to be organized.  

Picture Time!

Finally... The PICTURES! If you click on the collage, you can see the photos better. Our friends sure do have some beautiful children! Michael is pretty wiped out today. He is now taking a nap, at 11:15. I am hopeful that it will be a long one. We're going to stay inside for a good bit of the day, or at least until it cools off. Michael has had an amazing birthday weekend!

The Big Birthday Party!

Today was the special "birthday party day" for Michael B! Our friends and family were able to join us this afternoon for some delicious BBQ (made by Mr. B's--Yummy!!), birthday cake, and homemade ice cream. We had an absolute blast. Michael enjoyed having his friends over to play; while Josh and I enjoyed having company over to help celebrate our three years of parenting!

We're so thankful for the support of our parents and to have such wonderful friends. Most of our friends here this evening have been our friends since childhood, which is just incredible. What an amazing gift we have in these friends! I love that we have spent special days like prom and basketball championships together, and now our children's birthdays!

I am so thankful that we are able to spend such special days like these with the ones we love. Thank you to everyone who came this evening. You made our day, and Michael's, too!

Pictures to come tomorrow! Blogger is NOT cooperating!!

Here we are...

....THREE years later!  How did THAT happen?!

Tomorrow Michael will turn three years old!  

Time passes way too quickly sometimes, doesn't it?

Michael has brought us more joy than we ever could have imagined.  

We're so grateful for the past three years and we pray that there are many, many more to come!

With What?

Well, we've been busy this past week. With what, I'm not sure. It's just been one of those weeks that has been difficult to keep up with school, home, and all the rest in between. I actually did have a cute little post of Michael dancing to the Hokie Pokie as a shout out to Uncle Clay and all the other VT fans who read our blog. However, for whatever reason the Blogger connection was lost and I tried over and over again to post the video. And, it's just not in the cards, I suppose. 

We've had a great weekend. Yesterday we celebrated Josh's 31st birthday with some dear friends. We had a little pizza party with delicious cupcakes made by Melissa B. The children had as much fun (or more?) than the parents did. It is such a blessing to watch our babies play together, as Josh and I grew up with their parents. Everyone, with the exception of Melissa B, went to the same middle school and high school growing up. (Though you'd never know that Melis didn't grow up with us!!) And, for Nikki and Melissa S, and me, we went to elementary school together. Melissa S was actually our babysitter during the summers when my mom went back to school for her inservice days.  (We gave her some grief in those days, that's for sure.)

To know that Michael is surrounded by these wonderful children who have amazing parents, is such a gift! Looking back on my childhood, one of the greatest gifts that my parents and Josh's parents gave us, was our community. Our community was the home to these sweet, small, schools full of hard working families with similar values. And, to think that some of our dearest friends are from elementary school, is just quite simply very special.  

Tangents aside, we've had a weekend! And, we're hoping for a little snow, just not on Wednesday! I have two very important meetings that have required a ton of time to organize. Maybe I'll be able to keep up with the blogging and the photography of this rascal a little better this week. We'll see. Stay tuned. We'll also see if the blogger connection is any better this week. As of right now, I can't even post a picture! Grrr!!

Click here to see photos from last week. It's another album full of Michael B!

Greetings! From the Frizzy Haired Birthday Girl!

Minus the gender, this is what my hair looks like when I'm in San Antonio. It's just *real* pretty, as you can imagine.

I don't even bother with the blow dryer when I'm here, my hair does it's lovely lil' thing as soon as I leave the house. So, I tie it back as tightly as I can as soon as I get out of shower.

This morning we went on an adventure to the zoo. Caitlin, Ben, Bella, Morgan, and Genevieve went as well. (Bella and Morgan are Caitlin's new friends~Caitlin is their nanny for a month or so this summer. They're VERY lucky to have such an awesome nanny!)

Anyway, we toured around the zoo; Michael finally (!) was able to feast his eyes on a GIRAFFE. But, alas, was more interested in the zebra than the giraffe. Josh and I had ourselves all worked up over the giraffe, and Michael seeing the giraffe. And, wouldn't you know...we got NOTHIN from this kid! Just an, "Oh. giraffe. ZEBRA!! ZEBRA!!" Typical. One of the lions actually roared, which was VERY COOL--it sounded like it was on a microphone. And, the monkeys were just as cute as they could be...I could watch them all day.

This evening we're going out to dinner. I've declared that we will be ordering dessert in honor of my birthday! : ) I certainly do my best to fatten up when we're visiting.

Growing Just Like a Weed!

Michael's "Birthday".


Michael's 1st Birthday.



Michael's 2nd Birthday.

Today was the day. Michael turned two. I began the celebration for Michael this morning with a happy birthday serenade, I was accompanied by Granddad and Mango. (They were on a walk through the neighborhood.) He also got videotaped as we sang to him. As much as Michael loves us, I don't think he truly appreciated the singing and the recording. I guess I can understand his feelings. That was a wee- bit much.

He had a great birthday party at his daycare. The sitter got him a bat and a ball. We worked on his stance this evening. Like I tell my students, there is no "TWIRLING" in softball (meaning, don't step with your back foot!)

We had a great family party this evening. As Mary Jane says, the whole tribe was with him this evening, minus Uncle Dan, Uncle Daniel, and Aunt Patty. Michael was allowed to stay up really late this evening...nine o'clock! (He'll be a bear tomorrow, for sure!)

The past two birthday's have made me feel joyous and a bit melancholy all on the same day. I can't help but feel proud that he is flourishing and growing, but it's just unbelievable that he is two already! His birth day was the best day of my life, and so any time I look back on that day I can't help but want to relive it a time or two. I never knew that one day could change my life so drastically on so many different levels.

I'm so grateful that our little boy feels so loved. It was very clear this evening that he knows that is wanted, cherished, and adored.

Not a Day Over Thirty...

Happy Birthday to my dad!! He's looking pretty young, isn't he? That's what spending a day or two with your twenty- something son's at the beach will do for you, I suppose. ; )

We've got a big day tomorrow!! Michael B turns TWO. Birthday preparations began this afternoon when Michael and I made his daycare cupcakes. Boy, did he enjoy that process. And, what a process it was...I've just finished cleaning the kitchen and it's nine o'clock. He was involved in every step, from cracking the eggs to measuring the oil. When the cupcakes came out of the oven, Josh helped Michael ice them and then they added blue sprinkles. (You've GOT to have sprinkles when it's your birthday, right???) Much to my surprise, Michael did not put up a fight about eating one. We simply told him that he had to eat EVERY bite of broccoli on his dinner plate, and he didn't follow through.

I am pretty sure he'll ask for one the moment we wake him tomorrow morning. And, we'll say no.

Tomorrow evening we're throwing a party for the little guy, it's going to be so sweet! Josh ordered him a Wiggles birthday cake, even though Michael just wants Jeff. Something tells me he's not going to turn down a piece of birthday cake, though....

Happy 20th, Clay!

My youngest brother, Clay, turns 20 today. I truly remember the day he was born. My brothers and I got home from school on April 9 around four or so, my Grandparents met us at the end of the driveway when we got off the school bus. We received a phone call from my dad soon after we walked in the door. I was on the phone with him, in my parent's bedroom, when he broke the news that my mom had a boy. Another boy. I argued for quite some time about whether my dad was joking about the sex of the baby. I just could not BELIEVE that I did not have a sister! My dad eventually gave up on the argument and asked to speak with my Grandmother. Even though Clay was not the sister I dreamed of as a little girl, I love him...very much.

The things you do for love...

"Ring around the rosie
A pocket full of posies
Ashes, Ashes
We all fall down..."

Yes, it's true. Clay and Daniel came home for spring break to play "Ring Around the Rosie" with their father and their nephew instead of basking in the hot, luscious, Caribbean sun. My family came over for a visit this afternoon after Michael and I got home from school today. I have a class on Monday nights, so we weren't able to join them for my mom's famous Alfredo sauce and James' 23rd birthday celebration. (Today is James' birthday...I still remember the day my parents brought him home...and, I've loved him ever since.) Michael enjoyed romping around with his uncles, but he doesn't like it when I romp around with his uncles. Clay and I were dribbling the basketball in the hallway ( so much for "no playing ball in the house"), trying to steal the ball from one another and Michael looked at us with total fear in his eyes. I somehow morph into my teenage years when I'm with my baby brothers...I'm the leader of the pack, so to speak.

Michael, Josh, and I REALLY enjoyed our first Monday back at school, work, and daycare. I was so cheerful this morning at school...Michael was happy, I wasn't late and I ran a little, Josh helped a lot, and there was a hint of spring in the air. Don't you just treasure mornings like that? Not necessarily when Josh helps...but, you know, when everything is going just right?

Mercy, Mercy...Look Who's THIRTY!!

A thirtieth birthday was celebrated yesterday...
His family and friends filled his heart with joy throughout the day.

A husband so kind, gentle, and caring...
And a Daddy so loving, comforting, but not daring.

May good health be with our guy for the next thirty years...
And may days of laughter out number his days of tears.