Slip n' slide into summer!

Memorial Day is behind us and so it's the start of summer around our house!  Today was a HOT 95 degrees  outside, so we cooled off with our friends, The Spence clan.  Campbell is William's best buddy at preschool and these two boys have talked about Campbell's slip n' slide for over a week.  They've even practiced their sliding form in the Spence family kitchen - sorry Jane! 

Since it was killer hot today, Jane and Campbell invited William over to test out the slip n' slide.  Waiting 5 days until the big play date just about sent William over the edge.  He woke up every morning asking how many more days until he gets to go to Campbell's house and play in the water.......F.U.N. is an understatement!

Today was the day.  I stopped by Pizza Hut and grabbed lunch before picking William up at school.  We raced over to Campbell's house where Water Fest 2011 was set up in the backyard.  I don't know who got in their swim gear faster - William or Campbell, but one thing was for sure....these boys were SO EXCITED.  They grabbed William's super soaker water guns and headed for the slides.  

Campbell showed William how to slip n' slide and then WBB took to the mat.  After his first round, he shouted "Mom Mom this is SO FUN! Can we get a slip n' slide for Bebe's backyard!!!??"  The smiles on their faces were priceless.  Our boys spend about 1.5 hours outside just playing and having a great time in the water.

William enjoyed a popsicle and after many tears (because he didn't want to leave), it was time to go home and cool off.  He cried and cried telling me how much fun he had, how he cannot wait to have a slip n' slide at his house for Campbell to play on, how I am his best friend, how he loved the Pizza Hut pizza we ate, and why was there not more juice on the Iphone so he could play his games on the drive home......can you say WORN OUT?

I didn't have my good camera so these are all off my phone.  And just in case you are looking for her, Miss Adeline was present at Water Fest 2011.  Here she is - all smiles!

Thank you Jane and Campbell for such a fun afternoon!  Summer is no bummer when we have friends like you to play with!  Here's to more good times!

Adeline is 2 months old

Miss Adeline Hendry Barron is officially 2 months old - or as I like to say, "8 weeks old."  Somehow talking in "weeks" rather than "months" makes her seem so little to me.  And, even though she's still so small and fits in the nook of my arm, Adeline is big to us.  She's growing so fast and I never want to put her down.  I am just NOT ready for her to outgrow my cradle hold.  Adeline, you love to lay horizontally across my chest with your head resting in the crease of my left arm and elbow, with your tummy on mine and your feet dangling over my right side.  Once you find this position, you are in heaven.  You will lay like this for HOURS and stare up at me.  I stare back at you in complete awe.  You are beautiful and you bring our family endless joy.

You smiled for the first time at 7.5 weeks old. 

At 8 weeks old, Adeline is 12 lbs and 24 inches long.  She's in the 95%tile for height (GO DADA GENES!) and in the 71%tile for weight.  The doctor said she's right on track and "long and lean."  Super model in the making?  Adeline is entering 3-6 month clothing, her eyes are still blue, and her dark hair is breaking off but not necessarily lighter in color.  Her hair is not as thick in places, but she can still hold a hairbow! She likes her pacifier, but doesn't need it all the time.  She usually likes to suck on it when she's tired or right after a meal.

Adeline, you are starting to talk to people too.  You love to coo and move your tongue around your lips when people are in your face making conversation.  You'll scream with happiness and move your mouth around in various smile positions.  I think it is so fun when you engage in conversation with me.  I can spend a long time just chatting with you while you smile back and holler at me.  Your best smile times are when you wake up from a good nap and/or first thing in the morning.  

Engaging in conversation has also led Adeline to practice tracking people with her eyes.  She's great at this and if she hears Mom Mom, Dada or William's voices, she'll start moving her entire body in excitment.   Her neck strength is pretty amazing for 8 weeks too.  She'll lift her neck and keep her head up over your shoulder for quite awhile.  She loves for us to carry her around the house in a cradle hold while she just takes in the view.  She won't make a peep, but her eyes will watch in wonder as we carry her around the house on the grand tour.

Our little lady was taking 4 ounces of formula for awhile before we noticed her spitting up more often.  So, we reduced the feedings to 3.5 ounces and so far, she's able to keep the milk down.  Feedings are usually every 3 hours during the day and when she's hungry, she'll definately let you know!  

She's also wonderful at night.  Adeline has always known night from day.  She's a cat napper during the day which means she usually naps 30 minutes off and on.  In the late afternoon anywhere between 4-6pm, she will take a 2-3 hour nap.  I think this is because she's got to catch up from her busy day of being awake.  At 8 weeks old, she will usually eat around 8pm before calling it a night.  She'll sleep from 8pm (give or take a hour) until 3:30 am.  She'll wake up around 3:30/4am and have 3.5 ounces of formula.  She'll go right back to sleep and I will feed her again when she wakes up anytime between 6:30 and 7:15 am.  So, I would say that she's a great sleeper so far! 

Adeline also recognizes William and she'll watch him in wonder.  William ADORES Adeline and I would say the feeling is mutual.  It's such a blessing to witness their unspoken affection for each other.  I am so happy to know that William is her pint sized protector.  He's the first to find her in the mornings for a kiss, he takes great pride in holding her as well as finding her pacifier when she's mad.  He tells his friends everyday, "hey guys, have you all seen my baby?"  He's also the first to tell you that he's in charge of the backseat of the car.  His job is to report to Mom Mom if Adeline is awake, asleep, fussing, spitting up, etc.  I get a througho play by play with every roadtrip.

Adeline, we love you.  The last 8 weeks have been the pink of perfection! 

Grandparents Day and Spring Program

 Last Friday was Grandparents Day at William's school.  Bebe and Pops were delighted to attend the festivities and they came into town on Wednesday afternoon.  William was so excited to see them and could hardly wait as we circled the airport and waited in cell phone parking.  He was quickly united with Bebe and Pops and his smile stretched from ear to ear!

Wednesday afternoon was pretty low key.  William wanted to show Bebe and Pops his airplanes (like they have never seen them before!) and told Pops that he could read the night night stories and sleep in his tent made of pillows.  Pops was thrilled and happily joined in on the fun!

Thursday we took William to school and spent the morning "oooooo-ing" and "aweeeee-ing" over Miss Adeline.  Bebe can really get her to talk and smile which is fabulous entertainment!  Pops took the car and hit all his shops (Orvis, REI, and perhaps a few others....) and then the four of us headed to school to pick up William.  Later that afternoon, Pops and I took William to tumbling.  He loves it.  His favorite parts are the obstacle course area and the foam pit.  It's a real hoot to watch him do a forward roll, leg extensions and walk the beam.  I am very impressed how far he's come in just a few months, let alone how good the exercises are for his muscle strength and balance.  There is even a Tarzan swing that he thinks is pretty "risky but awesome."  Well done WBB.

Friday finally arrived.  Grandparents Day at preschool.  William wore his Sunday best to school and escorted Bebe and Pops inside the building.  Bebe and Pops went to chapel and then upstairs to the Grandparent Tea sponsored by the school.  I arrived with Adeline and the two of us staked out prime seating for the ol' Spring Program. 

The show started around 10:45 and lasted a LONG hour.  Thankfully, preschool was first up and William was able to perform and sit back down.  William's class recited Hickory Dickory Dock and then played it on the xylophone.  This was WBB's first stab at a musical instrument and I'd say he's gifted.  This is the best picture I got - he's on the second row behind the kid leaning over 

Adeline was the picture of perfection.  She never made a peep and either stared at the ceiling or slept the entire time.  I had fun dressing her up for the big event and I thought she looked adorable....what do you think?

After the show, we all went to lunch at Clydes and headed back to the house for a nap.  Dan and I quickly packed our bags and headed out of town for the night leaving Bebe and Pops in charge of the kiddos!  Did I mention how much we love Bebe and Pops??!!!  THANK YOU for taking care of our prized possessions so that we could escape to the Bavarian Inn in West Virginia.  

Dan and I stopped for a little outlet shopping and then went on over to the Inn.  We decided to have dinner in the Pub basement of the German Inn.  It was very cool - lots of dark wood, beamed ceiling, piano player, German beer steins at the bar, etc.  Great atmosphere and EXCELLENT food.  We enjoyed our time together and sadly, couldn't remember our last getaway with just the two of us. 

I guess that's what happens when you are busy with a 4 year old, pregnant and unable to travel for 10 months.  Wouldn't change it for the world, but it sure showed us how important it is to take a break for ourselves.  Did I mention that I got to sleep ALL NIGHT - such a treat to miss that 3 am feeding.  THANK YOU BEBE FOR TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM with Miss Adeline!

Pops and William decided to have a boys night at the hotel while we were out of town.  They lived it up at the Hilton Shirlington.  First they snagged a few complimentary cookies at the check in desk and then decided to hit the swimming pool.  Armed with super soakers, Pops and WBB spent about 1.5 hours in the pool having a blast!  William said it was one of his most favorite parts of the trip.  They also feasted on popcorn and watched airplanes take off out the windows.  William was in heaven!  Pops topped off the night with silly stories about two kids - Mutt and Jeff.  Apparently, the stories are very detailed and hilarious.  William told me that he doesn't think I am as good of a storyteller as Pops.  Tear.

Saturday afternoon Dan and I returned from our trip to find our precious peanuts as happy as can be.  William didn't even know we went out of town.....where's the love?

THANK YOU BEBE AND POPS FOR COMING TO TOWN FOR GRANDPARENTS DAY AND A LONG WEEKEND.  WE LOVE YOU TO PIECES!

Livin' the birthday dream

William:  "Mom Mom, since it's your birthday today, would you please come and wipe my bottom?"

If that doesn't put things in perspective then I don't know what does......

4 year old fashion advice

Last night I was getting ready to go to an engagement party for some old friends.  I was dressed up and had the following conversation with William -

William:  "AHHHHH!  Mom Mom you are all dressed up and have on high heels!"

Me:  "Yes, I am going to a party.  What shoes should I wear?"  

(I showed him a pair of high heels and a pair of almost flat sandals)

William: "Mom Mom, you need to wear the high heels!  You haven't worn those since I was two years old and that was a ton of years ago."

Dan's comment: "Just don't trip in the parking lot."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2011

To say that I am thankful

 will never be enough.

 a moment that changed my life forever

 and filled my heart

two tiny miracles

that made me a MOM

The PRICE of a dear friend.

My good friend Meredith Price was in town a few weeks ago.  She lived here for a year while her husband was working downtown in swanky law firm.  We have a mutual friend (THANK YOU AMY!) who hooked us up when Meredith first learned she would be making the pilgrimage to the east coast.    I am forever grateful that Amy told a very upset Meredith "to call her friend from college who lives in D.C. and would be her buddy" in a town where Meredith knew no one.  We became fast friends and our kiddos too. Madeline and William are the same age and attended First Baptist preschool together.  William remembers Maddie in pictures which I think is so sweet. 

Meredith and her family moved back to Louisiana which was a very sad day for Megsy.  I miss her terribly, but I am so thankful that God placed her in my life. We'll always be friends who just pick back up right where we left off and talk for hours.  The best part is that she's one of those pals who is just content hanging around doing nothing special at all.  

Love her for that.

So I was doing cartwheels in the living room when I heard Meredith was coming to D.C. for a quick weekend.  I was so excited and counted down the days until my little friend I so adore came a knockin' at my door.  Meredith got to meet Adeline and spend the day just doing well, nothing special at all.

Our visit was one of the most fun days I have had in awhile.

Love her for that.

Meredith is one of the most creative people I have ever met.  I felt our "kindred spirit" when I first learned she loves to do crafts, chomps on Sonic ice, enjoys thinking up creative parties, and embraces special snack day.....not to mention her vocabulary is stupendously witty and she throws around "y'all" in about every other sentence.  

Love her for that. 

William is really into drawing these days and loves a good craft too.  So he gave Meredith rockstar status when she busted out the paints in the living room.  

Of course, William painted airplanes.  Meredith...well, she can do just about anything.  So, I asked her to paint a little sign for Adeline's nook.  Isn't it precious?  It took Meredith about 10 minutes to whip up that little gem.  

Love her for that.

Besides her artsy fartsy talents, Meredith can take great pictures.  We spontaneously decided to go outside so I could have her take a few pictures of me with the kids (since I do most of the picture taking and I am never in them!).  In about 30 minutes, Meredith was able to capture these sweet moments for me.  They are some of my very favorite pictures with both my children in my arms.  Thank you Meredith.  I will treasure them always.  

 Just her presence brings a little slice of home into my life.  And when you are far away from dear friends and family....well, you just can't put a meredith PRICE on that feeling!  

And I love her for that.