Riding Out the End of Summer

We've decided to stay home these last couple weeks. We've officially broken our summer record by sleeping in our own beds for 17 consecutive nights now. We haven't been up to anything too exciting, but we have been LOVING the cooler weather we've had the last several days. We had to run to the grocery store early this morning, and I actually put pants on Eli because it was in the 60s.

Some scenes from around our house lately:

Eli looking sweet

Clayton has been practicing napping on his napmat (per his soon-to-be teacher's request). He sleeps like a champ. Actually staying on the mat is another story.

Speaking of napmats, I made this little mat for Clayton for preschool (which starts Sept 11th, wish his very brave teacher lots of luck). It has a foam insert for comfort that can be removed for washing, and the top part is a stuffed pillow. The blanket is attached. The whole thing rolls up, secures with velcro, and has an elastic carrying strap. If you're looking for a free napmat pattern, here's where I got mine.

Sleeping in the big boy camo pjs

We took advantage of the cooler weather and drug out the bike trailer. This was Eli's first time, and they were both happy the whole ride.

Too Much Quiet is Never a Good Thing

The boys and I were over at Elana's for lunch yesterday. The big boys (Clayton, 3 and William, almost 2) were finished with lunch and had gone off to play in William's room while Elana and I were feeding Eli and chatting at the table. After a while it occurred to me that it was very quiet back in that bedroom. I didn't think much of it until I heard some coughing. Clayton is a choker and has been known to put small things in his mouth, so I thought I'd better check it out. Elana headed down the hallway before me. As we came into the room, you couldn't see clearly. My first split second instinct was fire. Then I realized no, it was baby powder. Everywhere. And you could hardly breathe in there.

The culprits. This picture doesn't really do the scene full justice, but you get the idea. The sheet is completely covered, as is the top of the dresser. I guess they also felt the need to fingerpaint the walls with it as well. Check out the footboard on Will's little bed. Most of that was from the powder settling out of the air. I think my favorite part of this picture is the way Will is clinging to a little Precious Moments figurine. I don't really think Elana intended that as a play toy either.

The little basket of Will's shoes between the dresser and bed. None of those shoes are actually white.

William definitely took the brunt of the powder. He wasn't too phased though.

While Elana put the boys in the tub, I got busy with the mess. It didn't take too long to clean, but the smell of baby powder was still lingering in that part of the house hours later. At least it was only baby powder. I'm so glad we weren't cleaning up diaper ointment or something along those lines. What a mess!

Around the Table Tonight

Enthusiastic eater

Not so enthusiastic eater

More enthusiastic once the cake was served

Looking like trouble

Colin's Birthday

My oldest baby would have been five years old today. School started here last week, and he would have been old enough to go to kindergarten this year. I don't know if we would have sent him, but he would have been old enough to go. I'm sure many of the babies we knew in the hospital are starting kindergarten this year.

I have so much sadness in my heart. Not a single day has passed without at least one tear shed for this little boy.

The first few moments. This was the team present to escort Colin to the NICU. I couldn't believe that there were only four or five people total in the OR when Eli was born. I'm accustomed to having a crowd.

They whisked Colin by my face in the OR, but this was my first real opportunity to see him, probably about three hours later. I was still pretty drugged from the c-section, and Colin was going to the OR emergently, so they rolled me down on a gurney. There was just enough room for it to squeeze down the aisle in our NICU room. I was very appreciative the nurses arranged this opportunity. Colin left about an hour later for his Norwood.

Colin, just before surgery. This is one of our only pictures without the scar.

We were able to see Colin again around 7:30pm. This picture is bittersweet. We had so much hope for this little boy on this night. I could have never imagined this baby would be in this same unit for 7 1/2 months.

A piece of me is always missing.

Colin Joseph

Aug 17, 2004-Apr 4, 2005

Summer Schedule

Here is a list of all the travelling we've been doing since the beginning of May. I think 15 days is the longest stretch we've spent at home this summer.

May 9-10 Gravette
May 11-12 Wichita Falls
May 24-Jun 4 College Station
Jun 16-25 Las Vegas
Jul 10-19 College Station
Jul 24-28 Fredericksburg/Wichita Falls
Aug 7-14 Gravette/Benton

It's been a busy summer, burning up the highways (and airways to LV). I'm not sure what is on the horizon for the rest of August. Maybe we'll find somewhere else to go. Maybe we'll just stay home and actually put our clothes in our drawers.

Gravette Day

You didn't think we could stay home for more than ten days, did you? We've been on the road, yet again. This time we were touring northwest and central Arkansas.

Growing up I always heard from my aunt, uncle, and cousins about Gravette Day, their hometown annual celebration. I've always wanted to go and join in all the small town festivities. The timing actually worked out this year, and Aunt Janice graciously invited and kept us at her place, located within walking distance to all the big events.

The boys and I got up early Saturday morning to hit the pancake breakfast at the middle school. Then we walked over to the park, where there were several inflatable bounce houses, along with music, food, booths, and a pony ride. We stayed in the park playing games and playing on the playground for a couple hours. After a quick cool off back at Aunt Janice's, we headed out into the heat for the parade. Clayton was in heaven, watching all the fire trucks, police cars, motorcycles, and bands go down Main Street. He was "ooohing" and "ahhhing" at everything that passed us. After the parade, Aunt Janice hosted a large lunch, where it seemed everyone but me was one of her cousins.

After lunch, Clayton napped, and Janice and I were able to sneak over to the town museum, where they were serving ice cream sundaes. Yum. After the museum there was dinner, followed by a pony ride for Clayton and the crowning of Miss Gravette. When the boys finally went down for the night, Aunt Janice and I spent the rest of the night out on the front porch listening to the band in the park.

On Sunday morning I was able to attend church with the family before heading out of town. We had such a nice visit, and I really enjoyed getting to meet so much of Aunt Janice's family. After the weekend in Gravette, we hit the road again, headed for my grandparents' house in Benton. That will have to be another post for another time. As for now, here are some of our pictures from the weekend.

Arrrrrr!

While I was feeding Eli this morning, Clayton waltzed in.

Arrrr! I a pi-yat!

Clayton does love a friendly pirate.

Sleeping Beauties!

The boys both looked so sweet tucked into their beds tonight, so I snapped a couple pictures.

Clayton is doing well these days. This boy plays until he drops, literally. Playing while laying down is the telltale sign this boy needs some rest. Tonight we took a walk, and then it was me versus the weeds in the front flower beds (a common scene). After about ten minutes, I turned around to find Clayton laying in the front yard, just picking grass. That's the sign. There was no resistance at bedtime tonight. He actually looks very pink for being asleep. That makes me happy.

Eli was eight months old yesterday. He's such a sweet little member of our family. Boy does this kid like to eat. He definitely lets me know that he prefers his fruit babyfood over the veggies. He is also working on mastering his puffs. About a week ago I said that about 1 of every 10 puffs actually made it into his mouth, but what a difference a week can make. There aren't too many puffs going to waste in this house anymore.

Big boys at play