Home

I should be sleeping while my little one sleeps.  But, instead, I catch myself staring at her sweet goodness and peacefulness.  She didn't want to sleep all swaddled up in her bed.  So, I brought her on to my chest (still swaddled) and just cuddled with her.  She liked that and went to sleep.  Then I laid her down on my bed while I finished a few things and here she sleeps next to my knee while I glance over every so often to make sure I see the slight rising and falling of the swaddle.  Yep, she's still alive.  I do love the dainty nose, the sweet mouth, the tiny ears, and the pokey dark hair.  My favorite are the rounded cheeks that have filled in nicely over the past 5 weeks.  And, in this light, I can't even see the baby acne she's broken out in.  Sweet, perfect babies.  I'm so very thankful for mine.

Mr. A asked me today why Baby S has mosquito bites all over her face (he's currently battling mosquito bites on his arms, legs, and face, so I guess misery loves company).  I told him that they weren't bites, but her skin's way of working out the air now that she's outside of my tummy.  So observant.

After 13 1/2 hrs in the car yesterday, we made it home all in one piece.  A few bouts with traffic, but nothing we couldn't all work through.  Nobody vomited this time (see ride down Miss M's present to us all that had me begging DH to buy more air fresheners every time we stopped for gas), no diaper blowouts, plenty of sugar, snacks, and non-calcium-enhanced drinks, a few renditions of happy birthday, and we made it. 

Thanks to my mom for helping to facilitate great cousin memories, a cocky boogie boarder (who now thinks he's a surfer), the "Happy Birthday" theme song from the marvelous Miss M (sung at the top of her lungs with absolutely no tune whatsoever while she made sand "birthday cakes" of the fruit snack variety - that's what she told us anyway), and the soundly sleeping Baby S (12:30-7 on the 2nd to last night....she can do it!).

It's nice to sleep in our own beds again.  But, it's even nicer to empty bags and find a little bit of sand at the bottom of each one to remind us of where we've been.

Sweet Carolinas

Since Baby SS was born we have had many helping hands on deck.  We figure if we can't take care of 3 children with more adults than children in the house, then we're in big trouble.  So far so good.  So as not to let a week go by where I might actually be alone with the aforementioned 3 children, we followed the helping hands to the sunny, sandy shores of South Carolina.

I do love this place.  Life mimics the tides - out they go for a bit and in they come for another bit - at a different time each day and nobody seems to care.  We usually don't ask the "what time is it anyway?" question until around 3:30 or 4 each day.  By that point we have hopefully put at least one of our children down for a nap.  But, sometimes we haven't and so we do so then.  I love the beach and I love summer.  And, I love helping hands.  Many, many of them.  Grandmas, aunties, uncles, Lola Fely, and dear friends.  Thank you!

On another note, I needed to capture the few cute things that my kids have said since Baby S was born:

* Upon my arrival home from the hospital, my sweet, sensitive Mr. A, asks, "Mom, if Baby S came out of your belly, how come it's still big?"  Believe me, I've often wondered that myself.  If only it weren't so.

* Miss M's favorite request after Baby S was born: "Hold me baby, Mommy!  I hold me baby!!!"  She truly believes that Baby S is her own personal baby doll and when she is done holding her she just rolls her right off her lap!  "All done!"  And there is not a moment to spare in the attempts to rescue Baby S from the fall.

Baby S is a dream child.  She quickly figured out her nights and days and after going to sleep for the last time around 11-ish each night, she wakes between 3:30-4:30 to eat and goes right back to sleep until somewhere between 7:30 and 9.  Love her.  When we went for her weight check at her almost 2 week mark she had climbed up to 7 lbs 8 oz from 6.15 the week before.  She's rockin' it and growing.  Today she started smiling at me with that half smile that I'd like to think was meaningful (and not just gas or an accident) because I was talking to her.  We'll see if it returns.  We still haven't figured out exactly who she looks like (she just might have her own look...I guess she's entitled to it) but she sure is sweet. 

One last thing I love: Miss M's curls that grow even tighter when she frolics in the humid beach breezes and become uncontrollable and free.  And Mr. A becoming so grown up that he can actually carry his own boogie board to and from the beach (to - very happily ; from- because I have too many other things/people to carry and I usually require it!), sneak off with his cousins to play their DS's or join in a game of crazy dice, and loves to jump the waves for hours on end without me.  Sniff, sniff, but smile, smile, too. 

Baby S

She is such a sweet, good baby.  She's had 2 "off" nights since we came home and the others have been downright quite "delightful" if I can call them that!  Last night - sleep at 10:45, awake to eat at 4:15, back to bed at 4:45, awake at 8:30 to eat.  Perfect.  Let's hope they all continue.  And now for a few pictures of the babe for her adoring fans...

Hospital down time

We have a birthday party for all of our babies when they're born (really, it's so that I can have my favorite cake) and here are the Big Sis and the Big Bro getting ready for the party

A visit from Auntie Nancy and Cousin D

Likes the swing

Snoozin' with Dad

She loves her side...she did this all by herself

The Ultimate

I have a special name for this week that has almost passed - The Ultimate Female He** Week.  It truly is.  I feel a bit like Charles Dickens - it's the best of times.  It's the worst of times.  This sweet baby consumes all thoughts and energy and emotions, but then the physical body reminds me that I've got some work to do too.  More on baby in a separate post (we took her to the dr yesterday and she's lookin' good and packin' on the ounces - 3 to be exact) because she's so darn cute.

Back to UFHW - my sister informed me yesterday that nobody warned her about it.  I felt awful.  I could have sworn I had.  You see, though, we forget.  Every single one of us do.  And, that's the plan, I believe.  It skillfully tricks us into having more.  Very wise.  But, it really stinks too.  As cute as that baby is, there is just no getting around UFHW.  It must be endured.   

So, lest anyone else be shocked, I just needed to remind myself (and my other sisters) of the essentials:

• Cabbage leaves (yes, they do work)
• Colace
• Motrin
• Ice Packs
• Squeezy water bottle (you know, the one they give you in the hospital)
• Hazardous Waste bags
• Stretchy Clothes
• Boppy
• Good reading/viewing material
• Many helping hands

I'm sure there are more things that I'm forgetting, so feel free to add (or I'll add as I think of them), but let's just be glad that week is now over.   Buh-bye.

Baby Girl Seamons

We welcome with SOOO much love ...Baby S! 

• Born 07/25 at 2:36 pm
• 7 lb 2 oz, 20 inches long
• Full head of brown hair
• A brother and sister who can"t get enough
• So stinking cute!

While You Were Away - The End

My dear boys,

You are now on your way home.  I'm happy about that.  I know how hard it is, however, to leave vacation behind.  Good times with family never gets old.  We're so glad you got to go, that Baby Girl didn't come, and that we all survived!

A few highlights from out last few days (the heat has not been one of them - 102 yesterday and 100 today - thank you, air conditioning):

• Miss M "helping" me get organized for Baby - taking every single piece of baby clothing that needed to be washed and putting it in a big pile in the hallway, followed by her running back into the room saying "find more!"
• Wandering the aisles of Ikea in search of a range but Miss M really just wanted to "go up!" on the escalator the whole time
• Lazy hours at the pool (too bad it felt more like a bathtub than a refreshing pool)
• A trip to the mall - I thought it would be a lot cooler inside than it felt (maybe it was just that my blood was racing at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale signs) - complete with many trips up and down the escalators.  I loved how Miss M would hold my hand so tightly before we even got on the escalator and hold it for the entire ride.  Since she won't even do that in a parking lot, I think our interests were mutually met by riding those escalators.  
• Popsicles, ice cream, cool drinks, and crunchy grapes.  Yum.  
• Did I mention Miss M slept in until 8:30 yesterday?  Delightful. 

We can't wait to see all of your pictures, hear your stories, wash your dirt and grime-filled clothes, and smile and laugh with you at the memories.  We hope you enjoyed your first-class seats on the ride home.  You deserve them.

I love you both.  I have missed my kisses and hugs and smiles and laughter from my Mr. A.  I've missed my partner-in-crime and kisses and hugs from my DH too.  See you soon. 

xoxo, Me

While You Were Away - Part 4

Dear DH and Mr. A,

So I slacked a little bit the last few days.  Things have been a little crazy around here!  No baby, though, so that's good for all of us, right?!  A few highlights:

• I have great friends.  I've had 2 surprise baby showers in the past 2 days - how nice is that?!  And my friends have all made such great efforts to meet my every liking - frosting, cupcakes, cowboy caviar, etc, etc.
• I spent time in NYC today for some meetings and saw a great old friend, Tracy. 
• I was also told by a cab driver in NYC for the first time EVER to put my seatbelt on to protect the baby - I've never worn a seatbelt in a cab. And I must be really pregnant. 
• Miss M took a little tumble out of her crib last night and landed head first, but I think I caught part of her legs.  I'm not really quite sure how it all happened, but I think she was standing on a folded blanket and started jumping when I put her in and turned around to get her water bottle.  Next thing I know she is flying up and over and then headed downward.  Glad we have carpet on her floor.  She seemed ok - no goose egg or anything, but then this morning she was Miss Crank-ola.  So, she was back asleep by 11.  Costco will do that to you.
• Miss M likes to talk on the phone almost as much as you, Mr. A.  She starts talking, though, and will not give the phone back so we have to tell the person to hang up and we'll call them back when we can get the phone back.  She's 2.  Is this a problem?

Back here we are jealous of::

• Your cool weather - what I wouldn't give to put on a sweatshirt instead of a swimsuit at 9:30 pm!
• Your fireworks show courtesy of Uncle Chris (glad he got to come up!)
• The yummy breakfasts you've all been making out there!
• Late nights and fun times with family

We love you and will see you soon!

xoxo, me

While You Were Away - Part 3

Dear DH and Mr. A,

Hope the torrential downpours that visited us here today did not even touch you!  We're hot and humid, but what else is new?! 

Today we managed to keep Miss M a little more occupied. She didn't seem to do as much damage as yesterday.  She loves her dolls and all of her animals.  When she woke up this morning she had to carry two dogs and the bear downstairs with her, crazy hair following.  Lola took her to Boston Market for their "gourmet" mac n' cheese and she could not have been more pleased. Tonight I took her to the pool and she was in heaven.  Jumping and "diving" all over the pool and dunking herself all over.  She took a tumble at the end of the swim, though, when she was playing on the stairs.  She tripped and couldn't quite get her feet under her so she sputtered in the water a bit and was a little scared.  It wasn't anything that some Goldfish and a Capri Sun couldn't help remedy, though.

Mr. A, I heard you took a nap for the first time in 3 days today.  I bet you're a happy camper today!  Thanks for smiling big in all of your pictures!  I also heard that you were super brave when Dr./Uncle D had to work on the infection on your big toe, even though Dad and Uncle Mike had to hold you down.  Hope your foot is feeling better today.  Good luck in the "Seamons Got Talent" Show tonight!  The Zach Brown Band will be so proud! 

DH, I'm jealous of your awesome cattle drive ride.  Hope you guys got some good pictures!  

In other news, my ankles are starting to disappear and my feet are starting to swell a bit more than normal. I feel like I wear the same thing every other day. Guess it means the end is near.  I'm going to finally get back to the gym in the AM after my almost week hiatus.  I ate some Gifford's Swiss Chocolate ice cream tonight to try to motivate myself. 

Love you both to pieces.  DH, I am really so glad that you're willing to take Mr. A to be with and play with his cousins, to tolerate his antics (I don't think I've talked to you once where you haven't had to say, "Mr. A!!  Get off that/come back here/get out of there/watch out please!"  I love it and know that he's creating some pretty great memories with you and with his cousins/aunts/uncles/grandparents.  Life really is about the constant pursuit of wonderful memories and shared experiences.  Make 'em great! 

xoxo,
W

While You Were Away - Part 2

Golfing and Box Canyon, huh?  Sounds like a great way to spend the day!  Hope Mr. A's foot is feeling better after Dr. D gets done with all of his procedures!  By the way, Mr. A, thanks for making my day today when you told me that "Mom, we need to stop here.  There's a situation." I guess that's one way to describe a construction scene! 

Miss M has decided that she has too much time on her hands.  Today she drew on the new stainless steel fridge with her orange crayon, emptied all of her dresser drawers and put the clothes all over the floor, and managed to scatter all of her dolls before 10 AM.  She was busy.  And then we turned on some music for a dance party and she showed us all of her moves. 

Oh, and she went pee pee on the potty!!  She did it for the first time last week, as you'll recall, but she's continued to do it a couple of times each week since and tonight she got out of the bathtub so many times to "go" that one of them was bound to work!  We cheered and sang a song and she loved it.  Hooray for her!

I also went to the dr. today.  He said that this baby will probably be a little larger than my other babies.  Grrreeaaat!!  Still measuring right on, but don't want baby to come this week!

While You Were Away - Part 1

Dear DH and Mr. A,

We miss you both mucho mucho.  That is, Miss M and I.  Mr. A, Miss M doesn't quite know what to do with herself.  She asks for you every 5 minutes.  Unlike you, she doesn't know how to be an only child!  She loves you so much and had the biggest smile on her face last night when you called her from Mack's and said, "Love you, Miss M!"  And remember how she replied, "Love you, Mr. A!" 

We know you two are having the best time with your family, DH, and we only wish the dr. had let me get on that airplane.  Alas, to no avail!  The newest member of our family will be here too soon to risk her birth on a 2-winged vehicle.  I guess I agree.

We'll try to keep you updated on the happenings back here at the homestead and hope you'll do the same!  Love you both!

In D.C. this weekend, we learned that:

• Miss M loves Rio Grande chips and salsa - her own bowl of it - she ate the whole thing (mama's girl!) 
• Miss M does not like birthday cake with yummy frosting (definitely not mama's girl!)
• Gifford's Swiss Chocolate ice cream is back and enjoyed by all
• DH, you'll be glad I saw "Eclipse" on my own - don't think you would have liked it
• Girl cousins and family never disappoint!

While you're gone, Miss M wanted to leave you with one last image (taken by the talented Lillian at PortraitParties in NC - thank you!! - for the rest of the pictures, click here: