This is for you Leigh Ann!

O.k., so my friend Leigh Ann tagged me. I am supposed to go to my fourth album and pull the fourth picture and post it. So, here it is...

P-baby on Mommy's Mac.

Robbie, it's all you man. Well, anyone else could do it too I guess, but I don't know who you are because you don't subscribe to my blog.:)

Cookie and Tater Tot's Birthday Parties

I can honestly say that I am glad that this weekend is a lot calmer than last weekend. Last weekend we had two birthday parties and the store's Christmas party. And I figure if I am going to write anything at all about that then I had better go ahead and do it since Christmas is coming up.

Last Friday we headed out to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park. We met a few friends there and celebrated Tater's birthday. It was a little hectic trying to get there with all of the traffic, but once we did we had a great time. Tater Tot ate cupcakes, took a train ride all over the park to see the lights, and made s'mores.  He thought he was such a big boy. And he is...

Saturday afternoon we had Cookie's party. We had a backyard full of boys! Thankfully the weather cooperated and they were able to stay in the backyard except for trips to the bathroom. He had a Mad Science party, and they all really had a good time. I think he had the all-time coolest cake I have ever seen. So, of course I will post a picture of it.

   

They did lots of science experiments, rode on a hover craft, ran around the backyard like wild animals, shot some hoops, skateboarded, and had a great time. I think it was the easiest birthday ever for me because it was at our house and someone else was entertaining the kids. NICE...

Next up...Christmas! Yay! The kids are out of school and we are almost finished shopping too. Miracles never cease. Hope y'all have a great week as we celebrate this holiday season.

I'm Gettin' Nuttin' fer Christmas

I probably won't be getting much for Christmas, and if I don't step things up quite a bit hardly anyone else will be getting anything either. I now have three wrapped presents under the tree. It's a miracle that we even have a tree, and that it's decorated!

I feel like this year I am just running in circles! Every year I run around like crazy juggling the boys' birthdays just before Christmas, but I can't seem to get things together this year. I feel like all I have done lately is SHOP, SHOP, SHOP. And I still have so much to do. There is no semblance of organization left whatsoever. Hopefully I will survive it all this year.

The funniest thing happened the other day while Cookie and I were in the car. He heard that song - "It's the most wonderful time of the year..." He listened for a few seconds and then started lecturing the singer on the radio on why it's not because of all the gifts that it's the most wonderful time, but because of baby Jesus' birthday. That's my boy!

I know I need to post stuff about the boys' birthdays, but I am too tired right now. I just want to go to sleep. So, that will have to keep till next time or sometime soon...

Drivin' In My Car

O.k., well when I tried to start this post I was riding in my car and decided to put my iPhone to the test and see if I could post from there. Either I don't know what I am doing (which is entirely possible) or it doesn't work. Chris tried to explain that it was a script and iPhones can't do that, but he lost me and I just gave up for the time being...

So, we drove to DC and met Richelle, Jamie, and Bobby for the day at the Museum of Natural History for the afternoon. We had a really great time. Cookie really liked seeing the Hope Diamond. When I called Gommy and told her thatshe said that he likes rocks as much as his Poppy does. Tater Tot growled at all of the dinosaurs, even the skull of a prehistoric rhino skull he saw outside on the sidewalk that he called Nemo. Jana took Nosey on a few rides in his wheelchair down the ramps throughout the museum, so he could get a few laughs.

We walked around the White House to show Jana. She said it was much smaller than she had thought it would be. Pretty much like everything in life, right? We drove around at the end of the day partly to show Jana the city, partly because we took a few wrong turns. It was pretty to see things at night. Chris had lots of interesting facts to share that he had picked up on his trip to DC while he was working on his MBA. You know that trip where he got to go into the West Wing and have his picture taken behind the podium in the Press Room? Punk.

So, this morning we have come down to the lobby of the hotel and had breakfast in our pj's. While I am typing there is a guy sitting next to me at the next computer singing his heart out so loud that he can be heard all over the lobby while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is jamming out, and is totally oblivious to the rest of the world. GrandBob just came and picked Cookie up so that he could go play his new Mario Kart that they gave him for his birthday a little early.

I am looking forward to the rest of this lazy day. I hope you all have a great turkey day, and spend some time being thankful for what you have. I know I will!

Turkey Day is Coming!

I don't even know if I have anything to talk about really. I am realizing that I am just not very good at keeping in touch no matter the method. I wish I was. Some people just have the gift, and for me it is next to impossible. 

Just sitting across the room from Jana speaking in German to her mother on iChat. I have absolutely NO IDEA what in the world they are talking about, but it is always cool hearing another language spoken. Having Jana here has been so good for us in so many ways. It helps me see just how small minded I, as an American, am. I think a lot of Americans are this way, though. Jana knows so much about our country compared to what I know about Germany or most other countries. Not that I am much of a world traveler, unfortunately. I guess I am showing my world ignorance, but that's just me...

So, today is my mom's birthday. I feel very fortunate to have both of my parents in my life, and to have the relationship with them that I do. That doesn't happen everyday anymore. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I Love You!

So, next week is Thanksgiving, and we are going to Maryland. The family hasn't been in a while, and it has been even longer since I have been. When I started to think about it I began to realize that it been a LONG time since I was up there. I think the big boys are going to go skiing on Friday. It's opening day at nearby ski resort. I am going to skip those crowds and all of the grass and rocks that are sure to be still sticking through the snow on the slopes. That is how I know I am getting old. When I was younger it didn't matter about any of those things. I would have jumped at any chance to go snow skiing. 

We are also going to DC. I am looking forward to it too. Jana will get to see some more of America, so that will be good too. I haven't been to DC in a long time. The kids have never been, so that'll be cool. And, we are going to get to see Jamie and Richelle on their stomping grounds. I hope the drive won't be too awful. 

Next week the Kindergarteners are having a Thanksgiving Program as usual. And I just found out today that Nosey is the turkey in this year's program. There never was a turkey before, but this year the turkey's name is Nosey. I can't wait. I hope he feels better by then. He has a skin infection, so he is taking an antibiotic and it is making his tummy hurt. He is such a tough boy. Can't wait to see him in his starring role.

Trick-or-Treat!

So, here we all sit watching the election results wondering what the future holds for this country... I would be lying if I didn't say that I am greatly concerned. Chris and I waited a little over 2 1/2 hours to vote, so that we could make a difference as Jana put it. I am already trying to tune it out, though, by writing here. Even Chris keeps flipping it to the NASA channel every now and then-- I am not quite sure what that is all about... However, the most amusing part of this election has been listening to Cookie discuss politics. He says he knew he was going to vote for McCain when he found out Obama planned to raise taxes. LOL :) He is his father's son.

Soooooo, I wanted to just update everyone on our recent exploits. Halloween was a blast! The kids were so stinkin' cute! Cookie was the best looking Indiana Jones I have ever seen!

He put Gommy to work on his costume last month, and we were still finalizing the details the afternoon of Halloween. He had it down to the whip, hat, gun and holster. He even got 

a leather jacket to perfect his look. He was insistent on looking EXACTLY like Indy! I think he achieved his goal, don't you?

Now dressing Nosey up was my favorite part, but don't tell the other boys. He was a rock star. We always call him that, so it seemed fitting. He was soooooooo cute. He went all around school in his wheelchair carrying his toy guitar jamming out all day long. The blue hair, tattooed arms, and skull and cross bones earring were my favorite part of the costume. He had so much fun riding around in the golf cart while we were trick-or-treating because it was decorated with hanging lights.  He really is a ROCK STAR!

And Tater Tot... He was our Little Devil on Halloween. like most other days. He was so

 precious. He loved his costume, the cape especially. He also really enjoyed 

trick-or-treating even though it was very time consuming with him going up and down all of the front steps on DI. He was definitely working his costume, so people would give him more candy. It worked. He had quite the stash. His bag was bigger than he was, but that didn't stop him from dragging it from house to house, and you better keep your hands off or else he would let you have it! And after spending most of October trying to teach him to say "Trick-or-Treat" we had to finally settle for "Ween" followed by his devilish smile. Still very cute, maybe even more so.

Probably More Than You Want to Know

You know, so many wrestle with when to tell people they are pregnant. I really never thought I would miscarry, so when we found out that we were pregnant this time we shared with everyone very early--even Cookie. That was the hardest thing for me so far. Telling him on his level--not too much information, but just enough so that he could understand what had happened on a 7 year old level. He was so hurt.  He has such a big heart, and he is so transparent. I love that about him. He is o.k. with it now, but that really sucked big time. What a punch in the gut.

So, you know I was kinda banking on the fact that the odds of nothing bad happening that was pregnancy related were in our favor. I am not going out to buy any lottery tickets any time soon, let me tell you. I guess that's just not the way it is going to work for us, which I admit is very unsettling.

Seeing the heartbeat at the first appointment was reassuring, but I am thankful that my OB was so tactful that she was able to begin to prepare me for the possibility even then. But, that was one long weekend waiting for the follow-up ultrasound. Once we found out there was no heartbeat it was like someone had died, but we couldn't have the funeral. Having the D&C was such a relief that I am not sure I have been able to process much else since I got that behind me. I keep waiting on it to really hit me. It is definitely a process.

I am so thankful for what I have. I have thought so much about how much more awful it is for women to miscarry who have no children. I am so thankful for my family. The day of the follow-up ultrasound I just wanted to get home and be with my boys - to just look at them and hug them. The fact that life goes on is so good for me. To not be able to stop for too long is good for me too, I think. Focusing on what I do have is what I need to do. It's what we all need to do, right?

I am again thankful for my support system. The fact that my friends and family continue to stick by me, and don't run for the hills is such a good feeling. I have felt so loved by you all. The flowers, the cards, the phone calls, the prayers... the fact that you give me my space, but keep coming back to check on me. Thanks. I haven't forgotten how great my support system is since Nosey was born, but this has been a great reminder. My cup runneth over. Despite what has happened, I see how blessed I am. I have the best husband in the world, and the best friends and family anyone could ever hope for.

Baseball and Brotherly Love

You know, I love being a mom. Today I woke up with the same migraine I had gone to bed with. Luckily Jana was with Tater Tot, so I went back to bed, and when I got up I was so pleased to be headache-free that I whisked Chris away from his desk, and we went to the school to surprise the boys at lunch. We got to see Cookie and Nosey. And, it is so cool to see No-No at school. He is pretty popular, ya know. His assistant says she can't make it down the hall with him without being stopped by several students all wanting to say hello to him. He is cute, I know, but it really does feel good as a mommy to see that he has a special place at his school. He is known wherever he goes, and I am confident that he is well loved. He has been spending a good bit of time in the regular classroom for art and music. I know he has really enjoyed it, and apparently the other students have too.

So, Nosey had his first baseball game with the Charleston Miracle League and apparently made it into the Summerville newspaper. I have yet to get a copy of it, but it's hanging up at school already. He is a star once again.

Anyway, the game last weekend was priceless. They run that program like a well oiled machine. I expected to be impressed by my boy playing ball, but I was blown away by how well things ran. It was so much fun being there. All the kids were at varying developmental levels, and they made the game of baseball as relevant to each child as possible. Each child had a buddy that stayed with him/her the whole game. Nosey hit for himself the first time he was up at bat, but the second time up Cookie hit for him and even ran the bases with him. Cookie says that Nosey's baseball team is even cooler than his was last Spring. He is such a good big brother--it makes my heart sing!

I wish I had a picture, but of course I don't. I don't think a picture would capture the moment fully anyway. I need to have it on film. Anyway, yesterday when Nosey got up from his nap Tater Tot crawled up on his bed and kissed Nosey all over, and then started to tickle him. No-No was cracking up. He just couldn't stop giggling. It was the cutest thing to see their brotherly relationship. Words aren't necessary at all between brothers. Nothing could feel better than that to me.

P-Baby's Arm, The Miracle League, and The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Well, we took tater tot back to Pediatric Orthopedist on Wednesday hoping to get his cast off. So, we of course should have known better. One of the bones in his forearm has still not healed enough to take the cast off. It looks pretty bad still in the x-ray (which I, of course, have included). So, he is now on his third cast (this time it only comes up his forearm and not over his elbow) and this one should come off on October 15th. We'll keep our fingers crossed. Luckily, having a cast on his arm hasn't slowed him down one bit, as you can see from the picture I took of he and Jana playing at Gymboree the day after he got his new cast.

Well, this weekend a long awaited event will take place. Nosey is finally old enough to play in the Charleston Miracle League. I am so excited! He is a member the Cardinals, and his first game is Saturday morning at 10a.m. We went to the groundbreaking ceremony in Summerville

 yesterday where they are about to construct a field for players to use starting this spring. Anyway, they had an impromptu baseball game, and Nosey's buddy was a little cutie from CSU. Nosey was so adorable! He was such a flirt too. He had so much fun running the bases that everyone kept commenting on what a great smile he has. I was interviewed for a local paper, and the kids were all on the local news. Anyway, we are really looking forward to his first game. I am hoping it will work out for Cookie to be his buddy. I will be sure to take pictures, and update with them.

Lastly, but certainly not least... It seems that almost everyone knows this by now even though it is still very early on. Yep, we are pregnant with #4, and we are praying for pink, but assuming it will be blue. At least I am anyway. This time when we have shared the news with people it seems that the most popular comment sounds something like "We're happy for you if this is what y'all want", or some reference to how crazy we are. That begins to wear on you after a while, so we are still digesting the fact that we will have FOUR children as of May 23rd, 2009. Holy Cow! We are very excited. And thankfully, Jana and Grace are excited as well:). Still overwhelmed with the thought of it all...

Chris is a ROCK STAR!

Well, yesterday was the long awaited day...Chris got the call that he has officially been selected as the Operator of the new store in Goose Creek! YAY! Yippee! It has been a long road. I couldn't be more proud of him if I tried. He has worked so hard, and I am so happy his efforts have been rewarded. 

The store should open in the spring. The grand opening date has changed many times in the past, so I think it will probably change again before it's all over. Construction should start in December and it's supposed to open April 23rd. Mark your calendars (in pencil)!

On a sadder note, Nosey had an appointment with Ortho last week. I thought it was just going to be for a shot of Botox, and then on his way, so I sent Chris for the appointment. However, things went a little differently. He ended up coming home with a new brace that he now has to sleep in. The orthopedist said that things are going well overall, but that he would like to see the ball sit deeper in his hip socket. So, to avoid surgery again, we are going to try the brace that will keep his legs in a position that will be good for his hip development. It makes me so sad to make him sleep in it, though. This is the kid who giggles every time you put him in his bed. It is truly his favorite place on earth. He loves his bed, and to have to make him wear an uncomfortable brace while he sleeps just breaks my heart. We are easing into it. When he cries at night and can't be comforted by repositioning, we just take it off for the night. He is making it longer and longer. What a good boy...

This past weekend was a really relaxing one. Cookie had his first soccer game of the season. Most of the rest of our free time was spent at the dock. It was pretty hot and buggy, but it

 was great on the water. Chris took the boys kayaking. They all loved it, especially Nosey!

Tater has just one more week in the cast. He is scheduled to have it removed next week. I hope and pray that he is healing well under there.

Chris is traveling this week and next. And this weekend, he and Cookie are going on the Cub Scout Campout. I am not planning on going. I am a little sad about it, but they will have lots of big boy fun I am sure.

Oh, I almost forgot! Today I looked across the street and saw two men and a pregnant woman going all around from door to door. I thought it was a little odd. Then, the pregnant lady rang our doorbell and asked for a fire extinguisher. Turns out the room over the garage was on fire. Apparently, the gas lantern somehow caused the fire. So, everybody and their brother came out to see what all of the commotion was about. I took a bunch of pictures, and sweated while we watched the DI Fire Department put the fire out. One of my pictures may end up in the newspaper too. I hear they even pay $50. That will be the only time anyone ever pays me for any of my photography!!

The Storms Have Passed...Hopefully!

Well, thankfully, we didn't really get any real wind from Tropical Storm Hanna. We got quite a bit of rain, and we kept waiting on the winds to pick up, but it never happened.  So, all in all, we had a pretty event-less weekend.

An update on Tater Tot's arm...When we took him back to the Pediatric Orthopedist last week, they x-rayed his arm and found 45% of angulation in the break. So, they had to remove his cast, put his arm in traction, reset it, and recast it. He was very tough, but very mad about the whole thing. There is still about 30% of angulation in the break now, but apparently that's acceptable in pediatric ortho. Who knew? They say it will take about 4-6 months to straighten back out. So, we will see what his arm looks like when it comes out of the cast. I hope nothing like it did the other day! It gave me the heeby-jeebies.

So, the x-ray on the left is once the arm is set in the cast, and the picture on the right is the arm before it was set.

So, now Tater has a bright red cast. It doesn't slow him down a bit. Everyone keeps asking if he is using it as a weapon yet, and I have to say--so far, so good.  He has begun to use it quite effectively to climb on things, and even waves with that hand now.

Labor Day Weekend

Well, it has been quite a week! About a week ago, things were going smoothly - that is until Tater Tot woke up from his nap last Wednesday. He was very fussy, but still consolable. I was gone for pretty much the entire time that evening with Cookie to soccer and then to a team meeting. When I got home Jana told me that he had been very fussy all evening. The next morning he woke up with a swollen, misshapen arm. I called Grace to ask if she had any idea what had happened. The best we can figure is that he stuck his arm through the slats of his crib to reach something he had thrown out, but then fell, dislocating his right elbow and breaking his forearm in two places. It was a doozy. He was quite pitiful, but so tough the Doctors said they had never seen a child handle a situation so well. Anyway, we took him down to MUSC, got a cast put on, and hit the road.

So, off we headed that afternoon to Williamsburg, VA for the long weekend to see Chris' family. We had a really good time. We went to historic Williamsburg, to Busch Gardens, and really got to spend some quality time with the family. We don't get to se them that often, so it was great to be with them. Tater finally got to meet his Granny, and he just couldn't get enough of her.  Our family finally got to meet Baby Piper, and what a cutie she is! 

The boys had a great time at Busch Gardens. Cookie is such a good big brother. He helped both of his little brothers on the rides. I couldn't have a prouder mommy! Jana was right in the middle of it all. Chris' family treated her as if she had always been a

 part of the family. It was really neat.

This week it's back to school, aquatic therapy, soccer practice, and Tater is starting Gymboree (if Jana can ever find the place). It is a busy life, and all is well. We go back to the Pediatric Orthopaedist tomorrow to see how Tater Tot's arm is doing. I think he has started to pull the cast off. I wonder what they will do about that. He is such a hand full! 

Of course, as I sit here I hear the weather forecaster talking about four hurricanes that are brewing in the Atlantic. We think there may landfall here on Friday. I am not looking forward to that, to say the least. Keep us in your prayers as we head towards the weekend.

First Week of School

Well, one would assume that I would have taken a lot of great pictures on the first day of school. Not me, though. I have not gotten a single "going to school" picture all week. Luckily, things are going much better for the boys. They have gotten off to a great start--despite the fact that Nosey has a long term substitute in his room because they still haven't hired a teacher. It is a little unnerving, but he has such a WONDERFUL personal assistant and the same Classroom Assistant from Preschool. However, I will be glad when they have found the right teacher.

I do think that Cookie couldn't have gotten a better teacher. He has transitioned into second grade so well. How could he not when each morning he is greeted by " Hug, handshake or high five?" She is so good for the kids. Her positive attitude can actually be felt when you are around her. Yay Ms. Rys!

We have really been laying low, just trying to get back into the swing of things. Everyday after school Cookie is chomping at the bit to go swimming at the dock, and he usually has a few of the neighborhood kids with him. He loves to jump off the dock at high tide. It's probably about 8-10 feet up, and all of the kids love it! You know you should be thankful when every night when he says his prayers he thanks God for the dock. 

Nosey's life is much calmer with him being in school all day now. It is quite an adjustment for me. He is only going to Aquatic Therapy after school for the time being. He loves it so much that there's no way we could go without it. 

Tater Tot is home alone all day and seems just fine with it. I am sure he misses the hustle and bustle of the full house, but he is the center of everyone's attention while the big boys are at school. He is into EVERYTHING! He is talking more and more, and is signing instead of screaming some of the time now. He is quite the dancer. Everytime he hears music, even if only for a second he starts dancing. So cute! He is such a mess.

Well, things start to pick up for Cookie this week--Cub Scouts, Guitar Lessons, and Soccer. I am sure I will be exhausted even if he isn't. This weekend we are headed to Williamsburg, VA for a reunion of sorts with Chris' extended family. We are all really looking forward to it. After we get home Tater Tot will kick it into high gear with Gymboree and Kindermusik starting. 

Things are good here. I am thankful for a good start to the school year. Thankful for a husband so full of life, and boys that are too. Thankful for a great AuPair that already feels like family. Thankful for so much...

Our Latest Misadventures!

Who would have ever thunk it? Obviously not most of you based on your comments! The Walkers are on Facebook! Chris finally sat down and joined today, and he is hooked already. How cute!

Well, I haven't blogged in a awhile. What have we been up to...

 Well, last week we were going to go to Maryland and see Chris' family, but because we are going to Virginia Labor Day weekend to see the whole extended family we decided to hold off. Instead, we went to Nashville to see our friends, Leigh Ann and Walter. We had such a good

 time. It was really a laid back trip. We spent a lot of time just talking and letting the kids play. We also went to the Zoo and to the Science Museum. It was great to be there with them. I definitely miss Leigh Ann. There are just so few people in your life where it so effortless to be their friend. No matter what happens you just pick right up where you left off. I am so thankful to have such a friend in Leigh Ann.

We came back in time for Chris and me to go to the annual Hootie and the Blowfish concert here on Daniel Island. That's always a highlight of my year. It always takes me back to the wild and crazy days of my youth. We had a ton of fun -- that is until I lost my iPhone. So, of course, we spent the rest of the night trying to find it. We sent a million text messages to the phone, but got no response...until the next morning. Can you believe someone actually called us to give us the phone back and wanted nothing in return? (Chris did give them free chicken) I was on cloud nine. There are still good people out there! And thankfully, one was at the Hootie concert and happened to find my iPhone. YAY!!!!!!!!!

The week before was Nosey's last week at camp. This session they performed The Rainbow Fish as a play. It was truly adorable. Once again, it was just awesome to even be on the same room with so many great people. The room was full of people crying their eyes out, myself being one of them. You just can't help yourself. For so many of these kids, this is the first "normal" activity they have ever been involved in. It just feels so good to focus on them for some other reason besides their disability. I just feel so lucky to be a part of it all -- for Nosey to be a part of it all.

Tomorrow is the big day. School starts bright and early at 7:20. Nosey will be in Kindergarten and Cookie a second grader. I am feeling quite old, I must admit. Caroline is a Kindergarten Assistant at DIS, so I know she will look out for my boys, not that I won't be over there all the time. Cookie is so excited about the first day of school, but also very nervous. He asked me to come have lunch with his class tomorrow. I love my boys! The house is going to feel very lonely with them in school.  :(

Fruit Rollups, Sloppy Joes, and Pluff Mud

Well, I guess you can  say we are determined to make sure that Jana has as many experiences of America as we can. A couple of her newly discovered favorites are fruit rollups and sloppy joes. Who can blame her?Something that she has also discovered is pluff mud. As anyone familiar with the Lowcountry knows, it is an experience like no other... So again, we were attempting to go shark tooth hunting -- this time by boat. We went to a place that we have been to before, but this time we got out at the wrong place, and sank into the pluff mud immediately. I almost lost my shoes and decided to abort the mission. However, Cookie had already gotten to the shore, so somebody had to go with him. Chris decided to go, and I encouraged Jana to go so could she could find her first shark's tooth. As she was stuck in the pluff mud up to her knees, I am certain that she wanted to kill me, but she was a great sport!  After Chris tried to let her wear his shoes, and she fell down a few times, they got back on the boat. Cookie found one shark's tooth, but still not one for Jana. We will find one yet, Jana!

This weekend was actually the first time we have gone out on the boat since Jana has been here because some part on the boat broke and we had to order a new one, and so on, and so on... We went out Saturday and Sunday, and really had a good time showing Jana Charleston by water. We visited Vickery's for a good burger and gravy fries (which, by the way, Jana is not a fan of), and all got a little too much sun.

 

Oh, and we now have water that goes all the way out to the floating dock. I am quite impressed with Chris' handy man skills. It is really nice to have a water hose out there to wash the boat and ourselves after we have been on the water. It is truly a dream come true. Come visit ANYTIME!

Only two weeks till school starts, and I am growing sadder by the day. Nosey's last week of camp is this week. He has had so much fun, and it has been so good for him. As always,  I hate to see the summer come to an end. I hate to be without my boys!

Takin' It Easy

Well, this week has been pretty noneventful around the house--thankfully. Chris has been really busy at work, but took the day off to spend some time with the boys. Nosey is at camp, but Cookie and Tater Tot went to the water park with their daddy. Today Jana had the day off so we went to the Outlets to go shopping for a little while. Of course, I ended up buying stuff for the boys and then some CUTE stuff for baby Piper, but that's what I like best anyways, so...

The Apple store is opening here at 10am in the morning, so Chris and Jana are planning on waiting in line to see what they can win. The only thing I have read about so far that they are giving away is t-shirts, but usually they do something a little bigger than that.

Apparently Nosey, the lady-killer that he is, has another conquest at camp this summer. Chris stopped by to drop off some of his stuff the other morning and found Nosey sitting next to a little girl who proceeded to tell him that she liked Nosey because he was cute. I couldn't agree more! Nosey was all smiles!

We got the water turned on at the lot, so Chris' next big project is going to be running the water out to the dock. This may sound easy, but that couldn't be farther from the case. Chris seems pretty optimistic, but I think it may be quite a while before we have a fresh water shower on the floating dock. Anyway, it should be fun--to watch that is! He has to dig trenches, and bury pipes, and then attach the pipes to the bottom of the dock all the way out to the floating dock and then put all of the connections in place. It doesn't sound the least bit entertaining to me, but Chris is chomping at the bit to get started. I will definitely enjoy the end result, though!

Just Call Me Grace

I was once told that I was as graceful as a bullfrog. I know the meaning of that statement better than ever these days. Last Thursday I was simply picking Nosey up in his feeder seat to move it over to the couch so we could watch the boob tube together and I knocked the chair over on top of my toe. On any other day for any other person it would have been OUCH and then on to other things, but noooooooo - we are talking about me right? I ended up in the ER having my nail removed as the nail had cut nearly down to the bone, getting stitches, and, how did the Dr. put it? Yeah, having my nail bed reconstructed. I am sure I will have some funky looking toe nail for the rest of my life too. Chris says it will give me character--yeah, that and an ugly toe nail. And to think, I had planned to go get a pedicure that day. In case you were ever wondering about the shot they have to give you in your toe to numb it before doing the stitches -- yes it hurts. I would rather give birth than have those shots. I was tough though, aside from the screaming,  that is.

We had a pretty lazy weekend around here. Went to the dock, went for a hot and sweaty bike ride, took Jana to Costco. Apparently, they don't have ginormous Wholesale Clubs in Germany -- their loss. What would Tater Tot do without his huge box of muffins? How would we ever survive without the tub of cookie dough in the fridge?

So, we are in the triple digits here. It is so hot. Cookie played Wii almost all day today. I wasn't about to tell him to go out and play. Nosey's camp is going ice skating tomorrow. I am not quite sure how that will play out for him, but at least it will be cool. Plus, Pattison's Academy is going to be on Lowcountry Live tomorrow morning. My friends, Roshd and Robin, have graciously been putting together some video  footage of the camp and they will be using that on the show tomorrow. I hope the school gets some really good exposure. I can't wait to see...

Anyway, Jana seems to be settling in well. She is so much calmer than the rest of us. Not hard to do, I know. It is nice to see her relax some, and just be herself  more and more. We have had a really good time. Tater Tot already loves her. He hugs and kisses her, and runs to her from across the room. That really warms my heart. Cookie really likes her too. He always wants to play with her. And, Nosey likes her too. He always smiles at her voice, and she always plays with his hair, and we all know he loves that! But, I think Chris is having the most fun with it. He asks her about Germany all the time. I tried to warn her about my wanna-be-German husband, but she didn't get it. She is beginning to see now, though. And the dogs are always near her too. One big, happy family. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Jana is HERE!

The long awaited day of Jana's arrival has finally taken place. She arrived last Thursday evening despite delays caused by bad weather. Of course, true to form, I was late to pick her up. But, it was not for a lack of trying. Chris, believe it or not, was actually on time, so at least someone was there to meet her when she got off of the plane. I guess she would have learned that about us--it was just sooner rather than later.

We have had a busy weekend trying to show her around Daniel Island and Charleston. The boys all like her a lot. Tonight she went out with some other AuPairs and as she got home Tater Tot was just getting ready for bed, and almost jumped from my arms to her. I think that's a good sign.

Bobby and Katy, Chris' brother and sister, left this morning to head to Maryland. They spent the weekend showing Jana around and just hanging out. They took her on a golf cart tour of the island, went with us downtown to the old slave's market, and played the Wii until the middle of the night. 

For me, however, the most memorable experience of the weekend was when Jana, Chris, Cookie and I went shark tooth hunting. At least that's what we planned to do. However, as is often the case with this family, our plans changed. All of the paths, if you can

call them that, were completely overgrown and impassable. Nobody could ever say we didn't try, though. Jana was a great sport. She had to wonder what she had gotten herself into as we went 20mph across the old dike system on the south tip of DI. Or when a couple of wild turkeys came out of the woods in front of us and ran from the golf cart. Or when the swarms of mosquitoes covered her whole body. Or when we repeatedly had to lift limbs so that we could continue down the path that we were on. Cookie called it a Safari. It was hot enough to be one, that's for sure. It was good for some laughs, but we never were able to make it to our "secret" shark's tooth hunting ground. Instead, we chased swarms of crabs as they ran from us on the beach in front of our dock. Not nearly as fun, especially if you were the crabs.

We are off to a great start. I hope Jana likes us half as much as we like her. If so, we are doing just fine!

Let's Play Catch Up

Well, it has been a while. Not really that long actually, but so much has been going on. The 4th of July was great. Very low key. Gommy and Poppy came to spend the weekend with us to celebrate the closing on the lot. Our friends, the Perry's, came over to swim off of the dock during the afternoon. We cooked out, and our friend Roshd came over and ate with us, and then joined us on the boat to watch the fireworks in the Charleston Harbor. The rest of the weekend was pretty lazy.

Sunday evening Chris' brother and sister came to visit. The boys have had a great time with Uncle Bobby and Aunt Katy, and so have I. Chris has had a pretty busy week, so he

 hasn't been around all that much, but we have managed quite well without him, thank you very much! We 

took Tater Tot to the beach, went to Nosey's fashion show at camp, among many other things. Katy is so stinkin' domestic that it's not even funny. She even had me up until 2a.m. last night being crafty. 

Today Pattison's Academy's Fashion Show was simply fantastic! They seemed to raise a lot of money for the school, 

and the kids were simply adorable. Nosey Posey was a true rock star. He came alive 

during the auction for his hat, which of course Poppy was the high bidder for, and couldn't seem to stop laughing and smiling. It was a true joy for me to be his mother.

 I love that boy.

And today is the big day...In a few minutes we will leave for the airport to pick up the newest member of our family -- Jana, our new Au Pair from Germany. Her flight should be here in about an hour, and we are all so excited. We decorated her room, 

made a sign to welcome her, and even made a personalized bulletin board as a welcome gift for her to hang pictures and other mementos on throughout the year. Cookie is about to jump through his skin with excitement, so much so he is driving us CRAZY!

Life is full, and we are happy. We have a lot going on, and a few big decisions still outstanding in our life, but LIFE IS GOOD.