Neighbors

We have great neighbors and really love the neighborhood we live in. The day we moved in, Jim from down the block stopped by to welcome us and introduce himself. He's a retired professor from UWGB and is just a really nice, funny guy. Later on that same day he walked by on one of his "heart walks" and randomly said, "Remember, water's for washin', beer is for drinkin'!"

I was sitting in the rocker feeding Max the other morning and saw him walk by with his usual walking buddy. This isn't an unusual sight, but the fact that BOTH of them were wearing a pair of black MICKEY MOUSE EARS was. I laughed for at least ten minutes and tried to get a picture of them on their way back, but missed them. Maybe it was a Michael Jackson tribute? Maybe it was just JIM. Who knows. :)

Angie's Wedding

Angie and I have been friends since freshman year of college, and were roommates for a year as well. She has been traveling the world and now works for NASA in Houston, but we still try and stay in touch. She is one of those people who will always be a part of my life. Her wedding was beautiful, and we were so glad to be there!

Applying to colleges as we speak...

Liam loves to play with these foam blocks at Grandma Meg's house. He spent the night there last week and played with them for quite awhile. Meg said that he asked her to make an "m" for him, so she did. She left the room for a minute, came back, and saw THIS!!

He made the other three letters in his name ALL BY HIMSELF and then PUT THEM IN THE CORRECT ORDER. I'm not one to brag about my kid very often, but this is pretty impressive!

Remembering Michael Jackson tonight...

The first album I ever owned was Michael Jackson's "Dangerous".

The Easter Bunny brought it for me, along with an Amy Grant tape.

I guess I've always had eccentric musical tastes!

That latest Liam-isms

I asked Liam what show he wanted to watch on our drive up north last weekend. He usually chooses Pinocchio or Follow That Bird or something like that. This time he said "how about PBS Kids dot org?" (or pbskids.org as it's more commonly written!)

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Liam knows he is not supposed to spit or make spitting noises, but he's ramped up his use of this obnoxious noise in the last few weeks. I had both boys in the car the other morning on our way to daycare. Liam was spitting, and I was repeatedly asking him to please stop. After one too many ignored requests, I said:

"LIAM, if you make that spitting noise again I'm going to stop the car and spank your butt."

I expected him to pout or whine or something. Instead he said:

"Are you going to turn into a dinosaur and drive the car?"

Happy Father's Day, Aaron!

Their journey led them to love...
which led to marriage...
which led to parenthood...
which led her to wonder if one lifetime was long enough
to share with this man she loved to love.

Liam & Grandpa went fishing!

Grandpa Howie took Liam on his first fishing trip this weekend! He's been ice fishing before, but this was his first time fishing from the boat! He wasn't quite sure what to expect, and didn't quite grasp how the boat would get onto the lake or what we would do in it. He couldn't see the boat behind the truck as we drove down the road, so he thought maybe we were going to fish out the truck windows!

He was very excited when we arrived at Lake Anna, and watched closely as Grandpa and Daddy launched the boat. He wore his life jacket with no complaints, and sat happily with his own fishing pole for most of the trip. Grandpa would get a bluegill hooked and then hand the pole to Liam so he could reel it in. Liam would crank it in with great concentration, lift it up when it got close enough, and then say "I want to do it again!"

We saw quite a few turtles and caught lots of little bluegills, some nice sized bluegills, and a few nice bass. Grandpa Howard and Auntie Doris were out on the lake, too, so we stopped to see how they were doing before we left.

It was so fun to watch Liam so excited about fishing and to see my dad so excited to have him along.

A morning on the river

Visiting Great Great Grandma Mitchell!

Liam's first parade! Max's first trip north!

Liam and Grandpa doing their "crazy running!"

Updates

We have a growing baby on our hands! Max had his two week checkup today and weighed in at 11 lbs. 5 oz. and 22 inches long! He is now right around Liam's height and weight at birth (11 lbs. 2 oz. and 22.5 inches long)! He had a normal checkup, didn't cry once, and will go back for another checkup and shots at two months.

Liam is having some trouble sleeping at night and has woken up crying multiple times over the past three days. We can't quite figure out what is wrong with him, and last night Aaron actually slept in his bed with him. He is fine during the day, but seems to struggle at night. I'm thinking that it could just be growing pains or some new fear of the dark. I'm hoping he's not actually sick, but if he wakes up crying again tonight we'll have to take him in to the doctor. I'm so grateful that Aaron's such a hands-on dad and loves to be with his kids so much. It's much less overwhelming when you feel like you're part of a team!

My mom is coming to visit tomorrow and then the boys and I are going up north for the weekend. Aaron will stay home and work in the yard while we relax in Florence. I have to say that I am pretty proud of myself for braving a drive with both boys alone already! We'll see how it goes!

First Bath!

Max's umbilical cord fell off weeks ago, but we are just getting around to giving him a real bath! Don't worry, he's had plenty of sponge baths and is kept relatively clean most days! He took a bath with his big brother last night! Liam hated his first bath, but Max seemed to enjoy his for the most part. Liam helped wash him and kept him happy while I rinsed him off. It was pretty cute!

What's next?

I always describe myself as an overwhelmingly compassionate person. Overwhelming to other people possibly, but mostly to myself. I've come to realize that doing big things and making grand gestures really isn't my style. I'm not going to change the world, but I will make it better before I leave it. I am supposed to be a mother, of that I am sure, but I am not sure what other shape my life is supposed to take. I know my role as a mother will change as my kids get older, and I am starting to consider what life after toddlers will look like.

I've had two wonderful examples of compassion and concern for others in my Grandma Karen and my mom my whole life. They are two of the most selfless people I know, and seeing their dedication to nursing and teaching has always inspired me. I don't know that I could handle teaching, but I'm feeling a very strong pull to become a nurse.

When I look back, I see so many experiences in my past that are leading me to nursing. I know I am more than capable of doing this. I'm also very conflicted. I am afraid of the rigors of nursing school, and of my own feelings of inadequacy in math and science that have plagued me since Chemistry and Algebra I. I also know what I am capable of when I am passionate about something.

What does my husband think of all of this? He's more excited than I am. He dreams my dreams right along with me. He holds me up and encourages me to do great things. He is what a husband should be - someone who gives me the desire to be better tomorrow than I am today.

So, I may begin a new journey soon...spurred on by all the experiences that have brought me to this place, and encouraged by all those who see the best in me and help me to see it, too.

I'll keep you posted...

Congrats Nate & Domi!

We took our first trip as a family of four to Madison for Aaron's cousin Nate's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and a great reception, both held at The Orpheum Theater. Liam had a great time, and Max was an angel as he was passed from person to person all night! It wouldn't have been possible to take our 2.5 year old and our 2 week old along if it wasn't for grandma and grandpa's help! We were so grateful to have them with us! It was great to be back in Madison, but the trip was way too short! We'll be back before too long, I hope!

Liam playing "Duck, Duck, Goose" with the cousins!

Liam and his little brother!

In the pool with Daddy!

Liam & Leah

Our friends Bill and Sheila have a little girl named Leah. She's about a month and a half older than Liam. We hadn't seen them in a long time, but Bill just stopped by our house this weekend for a visit. Liam and Leah were instant friends and played happily together for the entire afternoon!