The Summer is Good and the Livin' is Easy

I enjoyed some Hampton time this afternoon while Everett was napping......

He sat under a shade tree while I tended to our garden in the front yard.....

He loved it. It was nice to get some sunshine.

There is a Mama Robin in our tree. I was worried we were too close, but she didn't mind.

Our Crape Myrtle has just exploded with beautiful, pink flowers.

Hampton was wore out!

Sudsy

Our Everett Grey

My big boy is growing up. I am not sad. I am thrilled. Just over the past few weeks I feel like our Everett is really becoming a "big boy." Last week in the mail he got his new book bag, or "pack-pack" as he calls it, for preschool. He runs around the house wearing it proudly. He has really gotten into coloring lately and makes me all sorts of fun pictures to hang on the fridge. He is really into jumping and hopping. He wants to hop everywhere. He suddenly became interested in his tricycle and playing with PlayDoh. He is my "helper boy" and runs and fetches me items as I need them. He is growing braver around other kids. At the park last week and at Barnes and Noble he played near other children and showed little fear. He has really adapted well to the church nursery. He loves Hampton and acts like a big brother, showing him things, cuddling him, and helping us out by tossing diapers in the trash, fetching diapers, giving him his paci, etc. His personality is really exploding and he is such a funny, quirky, and love able little boy. And I must say he is beautiful. I love his big brown eyes, his alabaster skin, and his soft wavy/curly hair. What is that they say? That every mama crow thinks her babies are the blackest? Well, I guess it's true. Eric and I are so blessed to call him ours. What a great addition to our family.

Hampton's Eye

Hampton had two different doctor's appointments last week. The first was a developmental check up with the hospital since he was in the NICU. It was with the physical therapist and he is doing great!
Hampton also went to the pediatric opthamologist last. It went well. Fortunately he does not need glasses yet (but seriously, how cute would that be!?). I am happy for that though. His eyes are healthy, however if his hemangioma continues to grow we will probably need to treat it. It affects his peripheral vision right now. He did so well at the appointment! He had his eyes dilated and the whole appointment lasted more than two hours! We go back in another two months to see how he is progressing.

To Do:

Today I wrote a "To Do" list on the Post It pad I write all of my lists on. It said, "To Do: Have Fun!" I am learning to let some things go. Wednesday was a really tough day for me. I had way too many things on my list for that day. My babies had other things in mind for me and I grew more and more frustrated that I wasn't getting anything done. I like to have my home in near perfect order. I like to have all the dishes put away, the clothes freshly laundered, the floors mopped, bathrooms cleaned, beds made, and everything in its place. But there is one small problem with all of this. I have two small children! I am learning to let some of the little things go, and just enjoy being with my babes. This doesn't mean not loving on my home, but I don't need to obsess about everything. So today's agenda was just to enjoy my Everett and my Hampton. To make memories. To let things like Everett raiding his closet during nap go. To take walks and rock that double stroller, or bus as I call it.

To share a lemon bundt cake at Starbucks with my little guy.

To sunbathe.

To cool off in the baby pool in the 90 degree weather.

To love on Hampton.

To love on Everett.

And the icing on the cake today was an impromptu date with my man. Our babysitter was able to watch the boys on short notice and we went to see a movie. The perfect end to a long day.

Hampton at 4 Months

Earlier this week Hampton had his 4 month check-up. Overall, he is in excellent health. Hampton weighs almost 17 pounds and is in the 75th percentile for weight, 75th percentile for height and in the 90th percentile for his head circumference. Hampton has a hemangioma on his left eyelid. We will see the pediatric opthamologist next week and we are praying he won't have to undergo any treatment due to the risks. It doesn't appear to be affecting his vision, yet. Other than that, he is growing and developing. I love his smile and his little laugh. I love his little coos and squeals. I love that he needs to snuggle. I love him. We love him. He is a great addition to our family.

Brothers Gotta Hug

Yankee Doodle Babies

This 4th of July was full of: playing in the pool, water balloon fights, and splashes......

Eating cake and singing Happy Birthday to America........

Sparklers and watching fireflies light up the night sky......

And playing outside until it got way too hot......

Happy 4th of July and Happy Summer!!!

Fun and Fancy Free

My mom came up to visit on Wednesday and we have had such a fun few days!

Everett feeding the ducks at Lake Julian. I kept yelling "too close" as he teetered on rocks near the water. Eric and I got a date in on Thursday night. We went to Barnes and Noble cafe for dessert and then went and saw Eclipse.

Hampton and Nonny at the park.

On Friday we went out for pizza. Here Everett is watching the television they have mounted on the wall.

Everett and all his paraphernalia he toted along with him that day.

Hampton looking quite patriotic. It even kind of looks like he has his hand over his heart.

Saturday we all went back to the lake with Eric after a nice brunch. It was so hot. I kept reapplying sunscreen on Everett because he is so fair skinned.

Oh my chubby chubby baby. I just love those chipmunk cheeks.

My mom and I also got a pedicure and went out to eat Friday night. It was so much fun just being out the two of us. Good food. Good company. We also have done a few projects these past few days as well such as reupholstering our dining room chairs and revamping the garden in our front yard. A fun few days. We are wore out!