Father's Day Fun

In the previous update I made reference to a trip we recently made to a local zoo. I would now like to take the time to clarify my very loose use of the word "zoo."  In reality we were not at a zoo.  Instead we went to a place in Nowhere, Alabama where an Australian man and his dozens of wild and exotic animals reside.  Had to be an Aussie right?  Yep, that's right, we spent the morning touring the property of a very nice (and obviously slightly insane) Australian man with a rockin' spiked mullet and a passionate love for wild animals...only in Alabama!

I am convinced that the man selected Alabama because it is the only state in the union that would permit someone to have such a set up (although, I'm sure the bison would have selected almost anywhere else if given the choice).  Lions, tigers...even a Liger..or two.

Yep, a real live Liger

Bears, snakes, moneys, and several wandering goats.  It is quite the place. He charges a small entrance fee (all the money going to feeding and caring for the animals...which are all in amazing health) and he leads tours to introduce all his "friends."  And most of the time all that is separating you (and your children) from these wild creatures are tall chain link fences.

Good thing the animals are so well fed.  But in all honesty a man like this has to know how he is going to go...right?

Either way it made for a fun start to our father's day weekend.  But by noon we were all melting, so we had to call is quits before we got to the feeding of the bears.  But for those of you who are contemplating a trip out here, I promise to take you to our "Alabama Zoo." 

Of course, no holiday weekend, for our family, would be complete without a trip the beautiful beach.  So Father's day was spent under the sun (or shade tent for some of us),

 playing in the sand,

 and jumping through the waves.

Having his cousin Jacob there made our Jake much more adventurous in the water

(Finally brought the good camera to the beach)

But it did not make him any happier about water in his eyes

 

This trip was extra special because we went with Arthur's cousin and his cute family.  Jacob and Jacob would have stayed all day...but our tummy's started rumbling...so we all headed back to our place for a little Father's Day BBQ.  I felt a little guilty for letting Arthur cook on his day...but he insisted.

I know it is a few weeks late, but Happy Father's Day Honey!  The boys and I are so blessed to have you!  I love you more than words!  Til Forever!!

Little Boy Update

So I never did get caught up...I still have pics and stories from our California trip (yep the trip we took almost 2 months ago).  So before I fall too far behind on milestones and funny quotes...here's what my little boys have been up to.

1) James just got his second tooth this week...both bottom front teeth are now in!  As tough as he is most of the time, he has to be to live with Jake, he was pretty whiney about these little razor blades making their debut.  Luckily for him, we like excuses to spoil around here.

 2) Jake is still obsessed with being Mexican.  But finally, Arthur got tired of him using, "I don't (fill in the blank), I'm Mexican!" as an excuse for everything.  "Dude, you are only a fourth Mexican!" he explained. Jake responded in horror, "Why would you say that!?!"  Jake has now resigned himself to the fact that he is only "a fourth," but that does not prevent him from frequently "speaking" in a made up language that sounds strangely similar to Spanish...that is when he is not growling like a lion.

3) James crawls now, but hates nearly every second of it.  All he wants to do is get up and walk around like the rest of us.  That eager anxious boy I felt while I was pregnant with him is back.  It is common to walk into a room with James, in the downward dog position, yelling at his feet.

 4) Arthur finally selected his aircraft and is now a Blackhawk pilot!  We are super excited...everyone except Jacob.  He really had his heart set on Daddy flying the Chinook (there wasn't even one available).  He dealt with his disappointment well, however, and has just decided that he will fly one himself when he grows up.  I am a little confused how he will fit that in with medical school and all the "lawning and edging" of my grass he insists he will be doing.  But that is the best part about being a child...the future is just one big YES.

5) James is happiest on his feet.  Quickest way to put a smile on his face is to prop him up again a piece of furniture or hold his hands so he can walk around...and around...and around.  The funniest part is watching him "test" himself as lets go and attempts to balance.  I am sure we are just weeks...if not days away from him flinging himself from one piece of furniture to the next...just like another little boy I use to know.

 6) Jake is getting really good and number recognition and simple addition and subtraction (he even knows what the +, -, and = symbols mean).  And yes, I may include marshmallows or goldfish in our math time as incentive.  Let's just say that Jake likes subtraction the best.

7) James started saying Mama a few weeks ago (right before he hit the 7 month mark), and has recently expanded his vocabulary to include Dada and Bubba (what we call both him and his big brother).  Yeah I wouldn't believe it either if he didn't use them all in context and I'd still probably think it was just coincidence if I hadn't already had one baby who spoke in complete sentences by 18 months.  I couldn't help but giggle when Arthur, impressed by the progress of our premature son, asked, "Do you think that people underestimate the power of breastfeeding?"  In one word...ABSOLUTELY!

 8) It appears that Jake has more of an adventurous spirit than I had originally given him credit for. Aside from his love of bugs, spiders, and all things creepy and crawly (he has made me scream more than once by showing me something caught in his hand), the man at the zoo has now cautioned Arthur to "watch out for this one" when he saw the glimmer in Jake's eye as the 30lb python rapped itself around him.   Jake also loves fire.  Getting to light the match for the BBQ (by himself) will get him to clean up toys faster than anything I've ever tried (I still won't light a match if I can help it).  TROUBLE...Mommy is in huge trouble...
So that is a little glimpse into our lives this summer.

I am so blessed to have them and there is now where I would rather be at 6am than sandwiched between their little bodies as we sleep...well, most mornings at least.  :-)

PS You wouldn't get your kids dressed either if it was 100 degrees and 95% humidity :-)

Inspired by the Sweet Life

One of my best friends, Fiona Broward, recently started a photography business called The Sweet Life Photography.  Although she is fairly new at it, she is incredible!  But rather than tell you about it, I will let her work speak for itself.  Here are some of the adorable pictures she took of my and my boys.

So thank you Fiona for capturing my Sweet Life!  Your passion and love for life shines through in your work.  I will treasure these pictures forever, and I will always give you the credit for inspiring me to pick up my camera to find The Magic in the Moment.

Chocolate Mousse

For the sake of an analogy lets say that if the trip home was like the amazing food I ate while I was there, then the mini vacation to the California coast, with my parents, was definitely the incredible chocolate mousse dessert!  Not only was its presentation perfect but each bite was just as delicious as the last, and (unlike most things in life) it didn't just meet my expectations... it surpassed them.  Did I take that too far? :-)
Like the vacations of my youth, my dad had it perfectly planned.  Knowing that my boys would probably need a break on the almost three hour drive, he found a childrens' museum just over the half way mark.  Honestly, it was the most amazing place for young children.  It is just one big building full of hands on learning...I'm pretty sure no one would need Ritalin here...no one is expected to stay still.  
Jake was in his personal paradise free to fun from exhibit to exhibit

...watching, touching, asking questions, making conclusions...they even had a fossil excavating area. Really what could be better?

James was completely entertained, enthralled even, watching his big brother run around.  His arms and legs went wild with excitement as we trailed behind his big brother.  At times it was difficult to tell who was having more fun.  But after an hour of wiggles and squeals, James was exhausted and getting cranky.  Luckily Grandpa Dave was there to walk him around until he was successfully passed out.  Seeing my baby all snuggled up in my dad's arms was one of my favorite memories of the trip. 

Another highlight for me was watching my mom and Jake playing with prehistoric action figures together.  She actually beep bopped behind him through out most of the museum...she kept up with him better than I did.

But the two of them have always had a special bond.  Some how those two always seem to get the giggles when they get together.
There was something so interesting about watching my parents with my boys.  A little like deja vu, as I got a glimpse of what they were probably like with my sister and me when we were little.

Allowing me to see back to a time I lived but don't really remember.  All I can say is that Robyn and I were lucky girls (but I already knew that).  Although, it appears that my boys get the added bonus of gift shop trips...I guess it is the grandparents job to spoil.
The rest of our time together included more amazing food, a trip to the aquarium, and a beautiful drive along the California coast with my dad (the boys were there too...but they slept through the entire thing).

 

It was a short trip, but it was so much fun!  I treasure the time we shared and and the memories we made more than I can express.  

Thank you both for such a special trip!

Baby Blue

When an ER nurse apologizes for how crabby a medication might make your baby before she even hands over the prescription, you are in real trouble.  It wasn't that I didn't heed her warning, I just couldn't imagine it having that great of an effect on my sweet Baby James.  After all, he had been such a trouper through the fever, the cough, and the start of an upper respiratory infection (hence the need for the ER trip). 

 Well, after having James yell, not cry, but yell inconsolably for 48 hours, I now know better.

It should be just written into one's travel plans, that when you fly, especially with small children, someone will inevitably get sick.  And this being James first flight, he was the lucky winner.  It started out as your basic virus.  While it was no fun to see him sick, the fever just made him sleepy and cuddly (his Ama, Apa, and I took turns and sometimes fought over who got to snuggle him).  However, while he wanted to be sleeping, he only would stay that way lying on someones chest. 

So I only felt slightly guilty when I agreed to letting his Ama have him one of the nights.  I know she treasured those hours with him, and I treasured the much needed sleep. 
But when started to show all the tail tell signs of a secondary infection in his lungs, I did not mess around...to the ER we went...twice. 

Just hanging out at the ER

Between the two appointments he was given pretty much everything under the sun, and I learned two things...a baby on steroids is miserable (for everyone) and my little boy has an unnatural love for breathing treatments.  The nurse and respiratory techs were in awe, as they administered the first treatment, when James immediately grabbed for it, talked to it, and then happily (and correctly) put it in his mouth.  I guess the normal reaction for children it to back away from the noise and vapor.  But not my boy.  I attribute this behavior to subconscious memories of his NICU days when he received breathing treatments multiple times a day.  But regardless, his fascination and delight made giving him the treatments much easier over the next several days.

So while being sick on a vacation probably wasn't the most fun he could have had, James received great care and there was more than enough love and willing arms to get him to a full recovery.

California Dreamin'

While looking at photos taken of my sibling and me as children, I often wondered why there were so many pictures taken while we were asleep.  Pictures of us sprawled alone, together, with cousins, at grandparents' houses...you know the kind of pictures I'm taking about.  Well, now I understand.

There is nothing more beautiful than watching your child sleep. No matter how naughty, grumpy, or difficult they were even moments before, it all disappears as their bodies relax, their breath deepens, and peace spreads over their face...

you can't help but see them for the angles they really are.  So here are my quintessential babies sleeping on vacation pictures.