Normal Day

Oh how I missed you!  I came down with mastitis for the 2nd time last week.  I honestly have never felt more sick in my life.  The first time I had it was pretty awful but it only lasted one day.  This time it stuck around for 3 whole days.  During that time all I was wishing for was to have a normal day again.  I would have given anything to be able to just stand up and go to the bathroom on my own.  It’s in these times that you realize just how wonderful “normal days” are.  This week started off fantastic.  I’ve never been more happy to see a Monday in my life.  I finally felt like my old self and was ready to get back into the swing of things.  And oh how I missed my babies.  I couldn’t even talk to them much less hold them during the mastitis so I snuck in a whole lot of extra kisses and snuggles this week…

(His shirt says, “Whooo’s the cutest?”  I think we can agree…he is.)

(Palmer’s serious face…love it)

I had absolutely no appetite last week so when I was all better it was time to refuel at our family’s favorite restaurant, Culhane’s.  We love the live music, the Irish food, and the company.  The kids love the laid back atmosphere and dancing the jig with each other. 

A beach trip was in order too.  We picked the wrong beach on this day though.  They were dredging about 20 yards away from where we decided to lay out.  At one point the water busted through the sand dam and whose path did the river flow to?  Yep, that would be us.  Luckily I was sitting sideways and saw the river of water heading straight for Palmer who was sound asleep on the towel.  I scooped him up just in time along with our beach bag as the rest of our belongings were swept away.  Luckily 3 kind hearted people helped me gather everything up. Meanwhile John, Isla, and Leo (clueless as to what just happened) were frolicking in the foamy mess made by the dredging.  Oh, it was a nightmare for me, but they had a blast…

Normal afternoon days in the front yard commenced as well…

And this little 22 month old…he’s emerging into 2 year old world.  His personality is emerging and he’s becoming independent and strong willed like his sister.  He’s graduated from swim lessons too.  We are so proud of our little fish.  He absolutely loves going to the Ponte Vedra pool now and will jump in the deep end and swim for 2 hours straight.  A mini Michael Phelps. 

I’m loving my days at home with these two brothers, and sister too, and can’t help but daydream about the future and the relationships that our 3 kids will have with each other.  I pray that they will remain close and best friends forever. 

I leave you with this quote, which I fell in love with the day my friend passed it on to me.  It’s written on a canvas in our living room and its words always are with me….

“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.  Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.  Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.  Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."
Mary Jean Iron

Sweetest sound ever

Palmer laughed for the first time today while I was singing him a silly Vacation Bible School song and bouncing him. 

Soaking up Summertime

I can’t believe there are only 4 more weeks left until our little preschooler starts Pre-K.  How can my baby girl be starting big girl school already?  I guess it’s not really big girl school yet but it’s a step up from preschool and that still means she’s growing up too fast.  It also means there are only 4 more weeks to enjoy all that summertime has to offer.  Which means more front yard splash sessions, more popsicles, a lemonade stand, trips to the pool, afternoons huddled together on the couch enjoying the thunder and rain sounds outside and of course, trips to the beach…

P-nut turns 3 months old this Thursday.  It’ll be exactly 12 weeks since he joined our family.  He recently discovered his hands and loves to suck  on his left index and middle fingers!  Palmer has also started “talking” to us.  We love his coos, ahhs, and eeees.  And he’s still loving bath time. 

He protests loudly when it’s over…

We’ve also introduced him to the jumperoo.  He’s not too sure about it just yet. 

As for Leo, he got a haircut and looks cuter than ever. 

Time to go enjoy some summertime….

Our Fourth

I grew up on the ocean so therefore, I was forced to love the 4th of July.  I can still remember gathering on the Seawall watching hoards of people scattered on the sand and shooting off their stacks of fireworks.  Then the Pier putting on its dazzling display blowing our puny fireworks out of the water.  And although many years I ran inside to escape the loud booms, deep down inside I loved that night.  I loved the friends and family gathering together, I loved the warm night air, and I really loved the smell.  I remember one 4th my mom made me a white dress with American flag ribbons on my shoulders.  She didn’t sew so this was a piece I treasured because I knew how hard she worked on it.  I also remember my dad yelling at me to watch out for the sail boat that was parked on the sand in front of our house because I could get hurt climbing on it.  Well, I was distracted by some Cuckoo bird firework and yep, I tripped on over some part of the boat and really hurt myself.  Funny the things you remember…but despite getting hurt that one holiday, I remember really loving the 4th.  In 8th grade I moved away from that house and my heart broke but in high school I did return every 4th, to 30th Ave. south, to lay out in the sand with my best friend, Katie, and loved every second.  We ate cotton candy bubble gum and strolled on the sand and enjoyed the day like we lived a house away.  I love these memories and hope my kids love this holiday just as much as me. 

We started the weekend off with a visit from John’s mom, Grandmommy, and his grandparents, GMom and DDad.  It was so great to see them after so long. 

Of course we spent some time at the beach too…

John came up with a game called “dump ya.”  You sit on the stairs if you are the dumpee and the dumper asks a question.  If you get it wrong the dumper gets to “dump ya” with a bucket of water.  It was hilarious and very fun.  Isla dumped us even if we got the question right. 

The 4th was spent at our house.  We ate oysters and wings, we grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs, we watched the little ones play on the slip n slide and in the sand box, and we just enjoyed the day.  This was Palmer’s first holiday and the poor thing had to spend it in a sailor suit because Mommy just thought it was too cute to pass up.

Isla’s favorite fireworks were the pop its.  I have to admit I like them too.   They are like bubble wrap but way cooler.  You throw them down, they pop and if they don’t you go stomp on them.  Genius! 

Palmer got snuggled by Gigi and Papa…

And cousins had a blast together.  Isla and Leo love Ava. 

And I love my little firecrackers…

I love days spent with family.  There is nothing better…

2011 is halfway over and we celebrated it with a bang!!! 

Happy 4th of July, everyone!!!