Road Trip

We took our first road trip this weekend to Nashville. Wesley had a meeting at the Y so we weren't able to leave until 2:00 Saturday afternoon. Once we arrived, Mom, Susan, Emily and I took off to celebrate Mom's birthday at Red Robin. It was a great meal and I enjoyed spending time with my mom and sisters without the kiddos.

After we returned home, Emily and I headed to Harris Teeter for their triple coupon sale. It was an adventure. I love to grocery shop and Emily hates it! I convinced her to join me so we could catch up and I think in the end, she had a good time. I even had some coupons that saved her big!

While we were out, Uncle Melvin, Net, and Drubby came by to visit with the boys. Luckily, Uncle Melvin brought his camera and snapped a few pictures.

Sunday, the whole crew came over for a Bar-B-Q lunch. Philip was able to meet Uncle Tim for the first time. While the adults watched the UT game, the cousins played outside. Jackson loved driving around with Caleb on the "four wheelers."

Uncle Tim, Aunt Susan, Philip, and Joshua

Caleb and Jackson cruisin' the town

My parents have in their house the 95 year-old bassinet that my grandfather, father, sisters, and I have all used. When Jackson was born, we had it here in the house. This time, it stayed at my parents, but Philip was able to enjoy a nice nap in it this weekend.

Jackson woke up not feeling 100% on Monday morning so Philip, Dad and I went alone to see Great PopPop. He is visiting my Aunt Alice this month so we were able to spend some time catching up with all of them. For an added treat, my cousin Thayer was also in town. It has been years since I have seen him and it was good to reconnect.

Leanne, Great PopPop, PopPop, and Philip

Though Philip is only 7 weeks old, he is not the youngest great-grandchild. There are actually two younger. My cousin Michael and cousin Erin each have each welcomed a child since Philip's birth.

Philip and his Great Aunt Alice

Great PopPop and Philip

I caught them doing what they do best - napping!

Thayer took some awesome pictures of Philip as well. Here is my favorite. There are 95 years separating these two and I believe this pictures tells so much. One hand has done so much and one has so much to conquer.

Look at all the happiness in this face

I did not get a single picture of my mom and the boys this trip. I will work on that next time. I did get two great pictures of Dad and Philip and Dad and Jackson. I think they all look so happy.

On our way home Monday, we stopped at Joel and Abby's. They hadn't met Mr. Philip yet. It was so good to visit with them and for Philip to meet more family.

Luke, Abby, Philip, Joel and Trent

Hair Dryer

Ever since I can remember, my mom has used the hair dryer as more than just a styling tool. To go to sleep or drown out outside noise, she will turn on the hair dryer and let the soothing sound take her away.

It is a calming method she passed onto Emily and me (not sure if Susan is relaxed by the hairdryer sound or not). We both have been known to turn on our hair dyer and drift off.

Neither of our husbands like this little habit as going to sleep with a hair dryer on is not smart. In fact, it is “against” the warning labels on the product! But when I can’t get settled down, it works every time.

Well, I now know that my mom must have used this little trick on my son as well!

The other day, Philip was inconsolable. He wasn't hungry or wet; just unhappy. I tried everything to get him to stop crying. Finally, as a last resort, I had the idea to turn on the hair dryer. Instantly, he stopped crying and fell fast asleep.

I was happy for the quiet but had to chuckle.

Mom bragged that Philip was a great baby and such a good sleeper for her. Liar! He wasn’t a good sleeper, she just used her bag of “Mom/Mimi” tricks to get him to sleep!

Oh well, it worked!

Tucker vs. Mickey Mouse

This morning, I woke up excited about the day ahead. The weather was supposed to be beautiful so we had plans to go to the Howards to play outside.

I hadn't mentioned it to Jackson yet so as I was getting him dressed, I said, "Jackson, if you could go anywhere today, where would you want to go."

His response "Disney World"

"No, buddy, not Disney World today. Where else? If you could go anywhere today other than Disney World, where would you like to go?"

He thought about it for a minute and then said with a smile "Tucker's house!"

It was so sweet. I told Ashley when we arrived for playgroup that she should be proud. Her house (and Tucker's toys) rank high! They are second only to Mickey Mouse! Not bad!

Side Note: We missed Kate and Sam today! They were home with Baby Jack who arrived on Sunday! Can't wait for Jack to make his first appearance at Play Group. Philip is so excited to have a little friend his own size.

Spring Story Time

I am so excited! Story time at the library has started up for the Spring! We have a great library in Cumming and for the past year, Jackson has really enjoyed the story time program. They had a short winter program, took a break, and just started back up again.

Today's theme was dance. Since Jackson loves to dance and sing, I thought he would really enjoy it and he did! Tucker, Addie and Addison joined us. The four of them had a blast singing and dancing during the program and then playing the instruments after.

Playing with the instruments: Addison (green shirt), Jackson (red shirt), Addie (in the skirt) and Tucker (white shirt)

After the library, we all headed to Chick-fil-a for lunch. Juggling the six kids between the three adults proved to be a tad challenging. Thankfully, our church staff always heads to CFA for lunch on Mondays and our fabulous children’s minister, John, offered to watch Philip while I helped get everyone else situated.

What a life saver that was! Things went sour on the playground (another little boy wasn’t playing nice) and not having to deal with Philip as we sorted out all that helped a lot!

I think Philip really enjoyed his time at the boys’ table. Who knows what they talked about, but he had a cute little smile on his face while dining with the ministers!

John giving Philip his first lesson on how to use an I-Phone

Date Night with Jackson

Our friends in Alpharetta, Edith and Larry, asked if they could watch the boys for us tonight. After thinking about all we could do, we decided that it would be fun to go out with just Jackson for the night.

We dropped Philip off at their house and asked Jackson where he would like to go. As usual his response was Chick-fil-a for "chicken nuggets, ketchup, and French fries." I wish I had a dollar for how many times I eat at Chick-fil-a in the course of a month!

After dinner, we headed to Toys-R-Us for a new toy. We wondered up and down the aisles looking at every toy. We stopped to play with the trains, bicycles and the instruments. I have never seen a happier kid than when Wesley brought down the drum set that was on display. Jackson went crazy. He played and played!

He is quite the musician. I am sure that one day, we will have a set of drums in our house, but not today. The noise, I mean music, was a little too much for Mommy! Instead we opted for a fire truck floor puzzle. Not as exciting but he still seemed to like it.

After leaving Toys R Us, we headed back to pick up Philip. I think Jackson enjoyed the night out but he was so glad to see Philip too. I hope that means they will be big buds some day soon.

Play Time

Our little group got together this morning for playtime at Kate's house. Ashley, Tucker, and Addie weren't able to make it, but the rest of us enjoyed a few hours of talk and play.

This group is so much fun. For one, all the mommies get along great! Secondly, all the kids do too! There is less than a year separating the older kids and they have a blast when they are together.

For now, Tru and Philip just sit and watch (Baby Jack will join that group once he makes his appearance next week!) but once these boys get older, it will be a fun, loud group – 6 boys and 3 girls!

Luckily, that’s just the way these mommies like it!

Philip enjoyed the morning - most of the time was spent napping on Katey

Lunch time is always a hoot at these playgroups:

The kids start out at the table together.

Then the boys get bored and start exploring...the girls continue to eat :-)

Then, the boys rejoin the group for dessert!

Poem

I went today for my 6 week postpartum appointment. I can't believe it has been 6 weeks! While waiting on the doctor, I read a poem they had framed on the wall. I loved it so much, I scribbled it down. It is called, I cried out, but it should be called The School of Motherhood...

I cried out to God

Show me your face and God sent me a child.

I learned about Surrender

as I gave way to the surges of birthing energy.

I learned Compassion

as my little one's cry pierced my heart.

I learned about Powerlessness

as I laid awake with my inconsolable infant.

I learned about Faithfulness

rocking my feverish baby day and night waiting for healing.

I learned Patience

as my child asked me to do it again just one more time.

I learned a Fierceness in love

that could take me to death to defend my sweet child.

I learned Tolerance

accepting myself enough to love my child in a fit of tantrum.

I learned Kindness

as my tears were kissed away by tiny lips.

I learned Respect

as I wondered at the profound wisdom of one so small.

I learned Humility

seeing the Divine in the eyes of my child.

God answered my cry

Know who I Am

As you love your child ~~ so it is that I love you.
by Susan Marie Doyle

Celebrating with SEAL

This weekend, Erin and Ashley drove down to Cumming to meet Philip and celebrate my 30th birthday. They picked up Shannon on the way in and spent the afternoon over at the house. It was so much fun to catch up!

Even though Shannon lives 10 minutes down the road, we never see each other so it was fun to hear what her boys and Gracie have been up to. Erin is keeping busy with a new job at the hospital and going to school. She always has so much on her plate! Scott and Ashley are loving life as newlyweds. Ashley travels a lot for her work but is enjoying it (and is so good at!)

They ohhed and ahhed over Philip and Jackson for a few hours, and then we headed off to Cinco's to celebrate. It is a local restaurant that I had been wanting to try -delicious! After dinner, we came back to the house and watched "He's Just Not That Into You," a perfect chick-flick.

It was so fun to laugh with these girls and celebrate my entrance into this new decade!

Oh..and as a birthday treat, they gave me a Vera Bradley gift card. I spent hours on the website trying to decide what to get. After locating two online coupons, I was able to snag two great purses and free shipping!! YEAH!!

Going to Church!

Today was Philip's first outing to church. He did a great job, and looked adorable! He made it through the beginning of the service, but as soon as the preacher started, we had to make our grand exit. He just wasn't in the mood to be quiet.


After church, he entertained a crowd as everyone wanted to meet the newest member of Grace Chapel.

My boys before church



He wore the beautiful gown my mom made for him.

The Big 3-0

Tuesday, I celebrated my 30th birthday. I was unsure of how I would react to reaching this milestone, but turns out I felt no different Tuesday than I did on Monday. Well, maybe I felt a little wiser :-)

For my birthday, Wesley planned a family trip up to Blue Ridge, GA. During the trip, he arranged for me to spend a half day at a local spa. It was so nice! I was treated to a manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage. For six hours, I was by myself getting pampered. For a tired mom, it was pure heaven!

Other than the spa appointment, we had nothing else planned during our trip. We stayed at a friend’s cabin and just enjoyed the time away. Jackson, Wesley, and Flash spent time exploring the woods while Philip and I caught up on some much needed chill time.

What a wonderful way to begin this new decade of my life - hanging out with my three boys just being a family!!

Happy Birthday to me!

The view from a six year old

This past weekend, Susan, Joshua, Caleb, Rebekah, and Emily came to visit while Wesley was out of town. We had a great time.

Susan, Emily and I enjoyed "sister time" when the kids went to bed. We watched the Proposal, caught up on life, and laughed a lot! The kids also had fun. I loved watching them play together.

Once they left, I got a pleasant surprise. I knew the kids had enjoyed playing with my camera, but I had no idea how many pictures they had taken until I went to download the family shots. I had over 90 pictures - most of which were shot by Joshua and Caleb.

I laughed as I saw what they thought was picture worthy! Here are some of their snapshots…

The owl they made with model clay

The picture of Wesley and me on our side table.

Most of Emily

The toliet

A page from one of their books (look closely, the page is about nose hairs!)

The wall hanging from the hall.

Jackson's chair

Action Shot

Rebekah

Jackson

And the best one in the bunch - Susan and Baby Philip!

Philip's First Visitors

Over the past month, we have had lots of family stop by to meet Philip and see Jackson. Here are some pictures of our visitors. We are looking forward to adding to these pictures when we head to Nashville and Knoxville this Spring!

Mimi came down and stayed with us the first week. She and Philip bonded over the 2:00 am feedings!

Emily and Ryan came down the weekend after Philip was born.

Shannon and Macey dropped by on Valentine's Day.

KD and Grammy came down when Philip was born and then came back to help out for Week 2.

After a week by ourselves, Mimi and PopPop came back down to hang out .

This past weekend, Wesley was out of town so Susan and her family came down to meet Philip. Emily also joined them for the weekend. It was a blast!

Joshua and PhilipCaleb and Philip

Rebekah and Philip

One Month Old

Happy One Month Birthday, Baby Philip!

You are such a blessing to our family and we love you so much.

Here are some pictures of Philip at one month.

Philip has perfected the worried look