Hotel California

Vacations feel much less vacationy when you are traveling alone with two kids.  One big difference is, that without Daddy, my hands are generally too full to take pictures (and even when they aren't I am often too tired to run for the camera).  So long story short, I didn't photo document this California trip as well as I should have.  Especially since this was James first time in the Golden State.  But none the less the boys and I had a great time reconnecting, creating memories and strengthening the bonds with our loved ones there.
Something about strapping a baby to your body and caring a tired 3 year old on your hip all while attempting to have enough diapers, activities, and snacks to get you from point A to point B can make you feel slightly more like a pack animal that you may otherwise like.  However, after our last trip to California, the long day went surprisingly smooth (thanks to the man sitting next to us on our long flight who acted as the surrogate father to my children).  Of course, we came a little too close to missing our connecting flight when they moved the gate of our departing flight while Jake and I were busy eating our dinner.  However, I did notice before our names were being called or a dramatic run through the air port became necessary...a short brisk walk was all it took for us to board on time.
We didn't have too many set plans after we arrived.  Mostly we just played it by ear...but can you do it any other way with a baby?  We spent just over 2 weeks at Arthur's parents house.  During that time I am pretty sure Jake never went to bed before 10:30, and when I let him (which was usually) he'd be awake until after midnight.  This is even more impressive when you consider that California is two hours behind Alabama.  Since Jake was born, he has never wanted to miss a moment, and he was obviously trying to make the most out of every second of this trip.  And I didn't have the heart to say no.
He spent the days (and much of the nights) catching bugs, playing pretend, helping with yard work, and everything in between with his revolving playmates...

Tio Frankie, Tia Jesse, Jordan, Ama (she always came home from work ready to go), and of course Apa.  Systematically he would wear each one out, until it was usually just him and his Apa.  I guess that is one of the many benefits to having a grandpa who is so young at heart.

One of the true highlights of the trip was watching James bond with our family.  Last time they saw him, he was a very tiny very sleepy new born, fresh from the NICU.  Well, that baby has been replaced with a chubby, happy, bubble blowing boy who's gummy smile brightens any room.  James, is much of the reason why we made the visit when we did.  We knew it was time for him to spend some quality time with the family even if it did mean we had to leave Daddy behind. 

 

 

I'm not going to lie, sometimes it was hard to share my babies.  But seeing them in the arms of our family made it more than worth it.  Quite often I found myself sitting back and admiring them as they interacted with everyone.  It is a view I don't often get.  I love hearing the smart and funny things Jake says in his conversations with others and seeing James melt hearts (there were several times I was a little nervous I wasn't going to get him back :)) I was especially good about sharing with the grandparents...I am hoping that this will create good karma for me in the future (the FAR distant future) when my babies have babies...

More May

The little boys and I spent the second part of May in California visiting friends and family.  Unfortunately, Daddy had to stay behind and work.  But here are some quick snaps shots of some of our family fun before our big trip.

a lazy afternoon

Really, they are best friends!

The park is always more fun when Daddy can come

First trip down the slide!

Completely unfazed

Mother's Day brunch (before Jake's meltdown)

Brothers!

I know, we're exhausting!

Is it possible to like your family too much?!?1 :-)

May Memories

Some how I have gotten way behind on this blogging business.  Normally a few quick sentences (okay more like several long winded paragraphs) would get me all caught up, but it has been a busy month since I last updated this little page.  So now, I will do my best to keep things short and sweet.

First, I'll start with a little James update.  As luck would have it, it appears that James is quite the water baby.  Here are a few pictures I caught of him loving life in his first bath in the "big" bath tub last month right after he turned 5 months.

Such a happy boy!

Now you might think, "Well of course he liked the bath.  The water is warm and calming."  But it appears that this love of water is far more inclusive because this boy also loves the OCEAN!!  Which was definitely a Happy
Mother's Day moment for me.

This brings us to mother's day...

I'm sure most people, especially people from California think, "Lower Alabama?!?!  How on earth do they survive in Lower Alabama?!?"  And while I will admit the move was quite an adjustment, being so close to the Florida coast is a great perk...one we try to enjoy whenever possible and Mother's Day seemed like a perfect excuse.  

The beach was picture perfect.  The water was calm and the weather was amazing...warm with a light breeze.  It was a beautiful day with my favorite people.  

Jake continues to be our sand dweller.  

I think that the unpredictability of the ocean makes him a little nervous.  We can get him in the water for several minutes, but he spends most of the time thinking of excuses as to why he needs to get back to the beach.  However, do not doubt his adventurous spirit.  He's just like his daddy. He always needs to feel in control of a situation- like catching a fish with his bare hands...that is no big deal...

Hard to see, but there is a fish swimming in that bucket

James, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of the water!  Each time we tried to sit him up, he would wiggle and arch his back until he was back lying in it. 

He spent nearly an hour down by the water slashing, kicking, cooing, and grabbing handfuls of sand in his chubby fists until I decided it was time to get him out of the sun.  Although, I think if I had left it up to him he would have been there all day.

I love how different our boys already are.  Children really come out being who they are going to be, and I believe as parents we are just blessed to help and guide them on their journey.  I just hope I don't mess them up too much. :-)  But really, my favorite part of motherhood is spending each day getting to know these amazing little people.  

Here is the best part of my mother's day.  

Getting to watch my husband with our boys.  He is so in love with them and he shows it in such a complete and tangible way.  It is the best Mother's day gift I could ever ask for.

Still Praying for Peace

The death of Osama Bin Laden, this past week, has caused me to reflect on this Army life much more deeply than I have in a long time.  My boys are very young, much too young, to understand the death of a terrorist.  How this man is responsible for devastating the lives of so many families and ultimately changing the course of the our entire nation.  But nonetheless, his death makes me think of them and what I would tell them if they understood...when they understand.
Although it was nearly a decade ago, I remember September 11, 2001 as though it was yesterday.  Awake before the rest of my family, I sat on our couch and watched in horror as the Twin Towers fell and clouds of destruction took their place in the New York City skyline.  In that moment, even as a high school senior, I felt the weight of it and knew this day would forever change the world I was getting ready to enter.  Later that same day, as I watched President Bush address the nation, I had a thought that given the course of my life seems more like a personal premonition than a general prediction.  "It is going to be my peers, my friends, those getting ready to graduate with me, that would be fighting this war."  What I didn't know then was that one day it would also be my husband...the father of my children, who would be fighting this war.
Now we are an Army family and our boys are now sons of a soldier.  While we are a proud army family, I cannot deny the unique challenges and responsibilities this will bring.   I would be naive to believe that this won't make my boys  different...that it won't cause them to face things earlier than others their age.  It will be impossible to shield them from many of the harsh realities of this world...war, death, hate.  And it will be my job to help them make sense of it all, to teach, to guide, to listen, and to set the example.  
So when the questions come, as they inevitably will, this will be my message.  There are bad people in this world.  Bad people who hate us and want to destroy our way of life.  Soldiers, like their Daddy, are brave men and women who protect us from those bad people.  Sometimes war is unavoidable and necessary...necessary to protect our families, our country, an our freedom.  So we do not turn away from war, and are grateful to those who fight for us in courage and honor.  But we are not lovers of war.  We know that life is sacred, and to take the life of another, no matter how necessary or even deserved, should never be taken lightly or in celebration.  For in the darkness of war it becomes even more important that we do not lose our own humanity in hatred and revenge.  Most importantly, I want them to know that even though we are not afraid of the fight, we will always pray for peace.

When in Rome

Okay, so we are not in Rome.  We are in Lower Alabama.  And what do people do in Lower Alabama?  They attend rattle snake rodeos.

So two Saturdays ago, we did as the Alabamians do...and headed to our first rattle snake rodeo.  Have you ever seen rattle snakes race...we have. 

The first to slither out of the circle wins!  It is all very exciting, especially when you add in the greasy pool climb and a good old fashion buck dancing competition (despite our enthusiasm over watching this dance extravaganza, overdue naps forced us to head home before we able to actually witness it, but at least we can say we attended an event where one actually took place). 

 

But our southern experience was complete with deep fried corn dogs and a funnel cake for lunch...not to mention some amazing people watching!  When in Rome, right?

What I love about you...

Oh my sweet baby boy, I cannot believe you are already three!  The time flies so quickly and with each passing day I cannot deny what a big boy you are becoming.  And while I know it is impossible, I often feel like I would like to stop time, or at least slow it down.  So instead I will write some of my favorite things about you as a new three year old.

1) I love that when you get tired you get so silly and that your giggle is just the same as it was when you were my tiny baby.
2) I love that, even though you use words like complicated, actual, and invertebrate correctly in conversation, you still say, "I wanna hold you."

3) I love watching you fall asleep.  You fight to stay awake so hard that you will raise your eye brows in order to physically force your eyes open. But after a few seconds your blinks become longer and more frequent, until finally those amazing eyelashes of yours become too heavy to lift and you fall fast asleep.

4) I love the way you run to Daddy every day when he gets home from work and yell, "I missed you, Daddy!" as you throw your arms around him and I know that every day you mean it just as much as you did the day before...you two really are best friends.

5) I love your passion for learning and your desire to figure out everything.  You don't take anything at face value.  You are constantly craving (and often demanding) further explanation and greater understanding...never lose that.

6) I love when you wake up from your naps with your rosy cheeks and sleepy eyes and you just want me to snuggle with you on the couch.  It is nice that sometimes you still just want your Mommy.

Here is the last line from one of our favorite bed time books that captures exactly how I feel about you. "Is it all coming clear now, can you see that it's true?  All the things that I like, are what I LOVE about you!"

From the second you came into this world, you have been my dream come true.  Never forget how loved you are and remember that even if you are as tall as Daddy, you will ALWAYS be my baby.