Two Dates

We have had a great weekend. Friday night Eric surprised me with arranging childcare and taking me out to eat! It was fun to get out just the two of us, especially after a long week. Then Saturday afternoon Everett and I went on a "mama-son" date. We haven't done this in so long. Everett loves going to Lake Julian or "duck park" as he calls it. He had fun walking around on the dock. There are several things I want to remember about our afternoon including:
-Everett discovering a dead fish on the dock and proclaiming, "Ew! Gross!"
-Everett discovering a spider web and asking me, "Mama, Itsy Bitsy Spider?"

-Everett chasing butterflies with a group of little boys. He is becoming more and more comfortable around other children and this thrills me.

-Gazing at ducks and saying, "quack quack!"

We then went and had ice-cream for dinner. This will become a fun summer tradition. Everett was so excited!

Other moments I don't want to forget:

-Everett responding with "Buddy" when a man in the pet store we visited asked him his name.

-Everett deciding to break out in spontanous dancing. He is a crowd pleaser. As his mama, I love it when others comment on how cute he is. I eat it up.

-Everett croutching down to look at a water drain and telling everyone that passed by that "water down there."

Another fun weekend with my guys. I look forward to a date with Hampton soon!

Six Years

Saturday Eric and I celebrated six years of marriage. I was reflecting over these past six years and realized so much has happened. For us, six years has included:
2 Masters degrees
2 Apartments
1 Chihuahua
1 House
2 Big surgeries for me
1 Big move
2 New careers (Eric's and mine)
2 Beautiful boys
Whew! God has so richly blessed our family. I am so happy to go through life with Eric and this weekend was so fun.......
Eric's mom came up to visit and to help us out with the babies so we could go out. On Saturday afternoon Eric and I went out for what I thought was just going to be a quick lunch. However, Eric surprised me with an overnight trip instead! When we pulled up to the hotel and Eric told me we were staying for the night, I was so excited! It is funny though because I thought of a million "mommy things" concerning the babies, but Eric had it all covered. We haven't stayed in a hotel alone since our 1 year anniversary and this getaway was so needed. We watched television, had dinner, talked, and just relaxed. We also got to sleep all night! It felt like I was away on vacation and it was great. Of course I missed Everett and Hampton, but we came back refreshed and rejuvenated.

Then on Sunday we ended up playing all afternoon outside. Everett loves water balloons and playing with his water table. Overall a really fun weekend!

A Good Beginning of the Week

When I read over my old blog posts, some of my favorite ones are those that just describe our daily day. For some reason, those are the most special to me. So here is what the babies and I did today:
This morning Everett and I had a breakfast that consisted of cranberry muffins and fruit. Everett is a completely independent eater now, which is so nice. He was in such a great mood this morning. After that, we played in the basement/playroom for the majority of the morning. I have decided that if we go on an outing now, that mid-afternoon is best. This works better for Hampton.
Hampton was very whiny today. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was, but now I think he was just extra tired. He could barely last an hour before he wanted to go back to sleep.

While Hampton was having some tummy time, Everett laid right down next to him. I thought this was so sweet. Last night we watched the movie, A River Runs Through It. I had never seen it before, but loved it because of the bond between the two brothers. This moment that my boys shared this morning reminded me of that. I hope that they are best friends. They enjoy each others company so much already.

While Hampton was taking one of his many naps today, Everett and I enjoyed lunch together. I love those moments as well. When I can spend one-on-one time with each baby during the day. Everett and I shared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and had "small chat." It was sweet. Later on in the afternoon, Everett had peaches for snack and played with Play-Doh while Hampton watched. Hampton loves the entertainment that Everett provides and so do I!

Late afternoon I decided it was time to get out, so we went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. They both did great! Everett loves to get out and Hampton is becoming more content with it. Tonight I made basil chicken pasta for dinner, bathed both boys, and tucked them into bed. I used to dread Mondays when I was working full-time, but now I love them. We usually just relax since weekends are busy. Today I felt so blessed to be at home with my babies. It is work. But it is the good kind of work.

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.