Homecoming

Collin's First Georgia game day last weekend!
Ashton got to run on Woodruff Field!

Twins

Check out Collin's picture from today next to Ashton's at about the same age!!!????

Sentimental Week

I have heard first three months of a baby's life called the "fourth trimester." Since Collin is 11 weeks and this is my last week of maternity leave, I guess it's the end of a chapter in his short life so far. This little boy is a miracle baby! His middle name Joseph came to us in a difficult time in our lives with us moving out and then back in our condo but we know God works all things for good and he has brought nothing but good to us through sweet Collin! I think he would have slept through the night after a few weeks here on the earth but I was diligent in waking him up to get those feedings in! He hardly ever cries except for normal things like wanting to eat or be put down for a nap. Nothing else bothers him, including a loud brother or dog who constantly licks him. He cried the most I have heard him cry last week when I locked myself out...with both boys inside. I had run downstairs to let the dog out who was sick and turned the knob without thinking. Collin was in his carseat and Ashton sat by the door crying while I yelled to him trying to explain to him how to turn the knob to let me in. He even finally said "mommy-Collin!" like you could at least come in for the baby! They were really both fine but it was dinnertime for us and we felt awful so were all crying for the 20 minutes until Wes came to rescue us. Someday I will reread this and crack up...someday.

I have mixed feelings about going back to work. I actually really love my job and God has reminded me over the past week that it is His plan for me to work and He has allowed me help people in my job which is what I am here for. One day last week, He led me to a passage that I had read the day I was accepted to PA school. I had written the date in my Bible and I flipped to it last week. It never ceases to amaze me how He makes Himself heard sometimes in the middle of crazy life. "How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?...I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people." Psalm 116:12, 14

This week we have done something fun every day. Saturday was my mom's birthday and Wes had a band competition so the boys and I took a drive up north to Amicalola Falls with my parents. Ashton had a ball running around in the grass next to the falls and it was a great day for us all! Here are some of my favorite pictures. Sunday was great since Wes was home and after church and a nap, we went to Rita's for the first time since Ashton can eat their Italian ice. We kept telling him we were going for an "icy treat." We got him banana flavor and he wanted to like it so badly but would shiver and make a horrible face every time he tried to take a bite. Finally he told me he wanted a real banana and he didn't like "the icy treat." We took him to Starbucks next door for Lucy's dairy free cookies and he devoured them. Maybe we'll try Rita's again when he gets older. The next day he told me all day he didn't like the icy treat but he loved the chocolate chip cookies. Monday we went to Story time at the library which was fun although he was very quiet and likes to stare at the other kids singing and running around doing the song motions. Later I mentioned that the other kids were running around and he said, "yeah on the rug" like silly kids-what were they doing??!! Tuesday we had lunch and had a fun time with my aunt Jeannie (who we are so grateful to because she took four tables to store at her house since we are trying to get this place back on the market!) Yesterday we had lunch at the park with Kate which is always fun and I'm so glad we live close to meet her for lunch sometimes!

Today I am having a special day alone with Collin while Ashton is at daycare. So far, we have napped and taken Haley on a long walk. I also made eggs for breakfast and plan on making some dairy free morning glory muffins to freeze for fast breakfast and then go shoe shopping. It's nice to have a chance to watch Collin too and take some pictures of him. I want to hold on to these smiles and coos forever!!!

Fall Beach Trip

For Wes' Big 30 we went to St Simon's with his family a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time and it was fun being on the beach during the fall weather! Here are some of my favorite pictures including one of Wes in a birthday gift from his parents...a ZOO YORK shirt! The trip was also Collin's first beach trip and I spent most of my beach time feeding him wrapped in a towel since he picked that weekend to go through a growth spurt! To make the trip more interesting, the passenger window in our van got stuck in the down position and would not roll up. Wes and his dad made a covering for the way home which helped the wind but we all had to shout to hear each other. Ashton said, "Papa made a window!" and he still managed to shout "mommy?" a bazillion times as his majesty requested something and point out all the trucks and tractors as we drove. We discovered traveling with two kids and a dog can be very different from the days we just took off and drove in Wes' two door Cavalier. I took both boys to daycare the day before just so I could pack. (I know that's pitiful by the way). Our "rest stops" took an hour as we fed everyone, changed the boys (and one always managed to leak), let the dog out, fed the dog, and fed ourselves. Thank the Lord for our minivan! Because of Ashton's allergies, we have to pack all his food. Wes would stand outside the van door and feed Ashton in his carseat and I would nurse Collin while eating Zaxby's which was kept warm on the dashboard. Ashton managed to tip his plate of course and Haley scarfed down the spilled food I had packed him and then tears were shed because he lost his beloved chicken nugget. Not to worry though because I packed several snacks as I cleaned out the fridge before we left. One random snack was a tortilla which he just eats plain. Now whenever we are in the car, he asks for one like I have this endless supply of tortillas I keep in the diaperbag!

2 Things from yesterday...

1. Ashton was very frustrated that he could not carry about 6 or 7 matchbox cars at once. He kept dropping one or two and would yell, "No! Stay There!" It was actually pretty funny until he got so frustrated he threw a tantrum and we had to "discuss" it. Later that day I told him how proud I was of his behavior throughout the day. He said, "no mommy. Member? I scream at cars!"

2. We were driving and listening to a kid's cd that had a version of Zippity Doo Da. As soon as it came along, I started singing and he gave me his look like "are you crazy" and rolled his eyes. After the song was over he said, "You love that song?"