I Love My ATL Girls!

They are super fabulous ... and I am still amazed that we have forged lifelong friends with folks we met in our first years of marriage. I have to say, especially, that the girls really stepped it up in our friendship with the UNbelievableable blessing they were to me (us) when I was pregnant with Maggie and all through her first year and into Jack's first few months (and still...). They really treated us like family, and that is something you cannot put a price on. From throwing us a baby shower, to cleaning our little yellow house in charleston from top to bottom to get it ready for Maggie's arrival, to trips to spoil the little one... how could we not love them to death??! And not to mention, the countless times Sarah and Paul have opened their house to me (sometimes with and sometimes without Jon and/or Maggie... and once even all 4 of us!)... it truly is a home away from home for me. And, really, to top it all off - even our dogs were great friends! Maizie and Lucy enjoyed approximately 6 whole weeks of doggie day camp, splitting time between ATL and Charleston... Lucy was a bit miffed (not to mention scared poopless) when Ali joined the mix. And this last trip to see them was...perfect :) Love you tons, ladies.
(see Sarah's post for pictures..."Midnight Train to Georgia" ... which has been my cell phone ring since we moved to NY!)

Update on Butcher-A/C Campaign '08

Well, folks... VICTORY IS MINE! But not exactly in a fair manner. It was a moderate act of tyranny on my part. The day Jonathan went out to Rochester (which was our first 90+ degree day)... I headed right on over to Sears to purchase 3 (inexpensive, I promise) window units - 1 for each bedroom. Now, when I confessed what I'd done to Jonathan, he was pretty cool about it. Except for the part where he expressed his concern that the kids wouldn't be able to adapt if I just bail them out with things like air conditioning when they're uncomfortable. But after expressing this concern... the man (without telling me) went out and bought a big window unit for the dining room which essentially cools the entire first floor. Make sense? Not so much. But I am not complaining! We haven't had to use them that much, but knowing that they're there for the days when it is just stifling outside is of much comfort to me.

Hand Food and WHAT?

So, the kids have had their first run in with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. (my brother in law caught my spelling error in the title...and i think it's funny so i'm just going to leave it). Yes, it's a mouthful. And it is an awful nasty virus. It causes little sores on their Hands, Feet, and Mouth (hence, the name). It is NOT related to Foot and Mouth which is only found in animals. Nor can it be passed to and from animals. But, it can run rampant amongst children (and even adults, though symptoms are not as obvious in adults due to their immune systems) and there has been an outbreak amongst little kids at our church. Maggie came down with it at my folks house, while I was in ATL. So I missed the worst three days of hers, during which she could barely eat or sleep because of the sores in her mouth. We had thought that Jack had been able to miss it, but he's come down with it since returning to NY. And on top of it, he's cutting his second tooth. The poor guy can't even drink from his sippy cup without crying. It is awful. So for all you parents out there - if you hear that anyone your kids may come into contact with has this wretched thing - STAY FAR FAR AWAY! It is miserable. And as every mom knows, if your child doesn't sleep - neither do you. So heed my advice, you lovers of sleep!

Summer Fun with New Friends

Jack at the Parade... not looking amused.

Maggie and "Big" Jack

Our new friends at the Dryden Dairy Day Parade

Jack all wiped out on the way home from the "Barn Raisin'"... and yes, he is wearing a diaper.

Jack with "Big" Jack and Josiah (they're brothers)

More fun in the water.

The kids watching the parade...

While You Were Out

The kids and I drove back to NY yesterday from my folks house in DC (who graciously watched the kids while I got some girl time.... and continued to watch the kids without asking me to come home when Maggie came down with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease... nasty nasty virus)... and my man had not only finished a draft of a huge grant but he also PAINTED OUR BEDROOM for me! I was sooo excited to come home to a freshly painted and essentially new room. I'm posting a picture with our new color and duvet set shown... for those who hadn't seen it... the room color before this was grey. Like a light pale grey... like the color of the winter sky... not ideal for creating "warmth" and "happiness" in this barren wasteland during winter time. I love love love it and truly appreciate my hardworking husband's plan to surprise me!

Dryden Dairy Day

Saturday we took the kids to the Dryden Dairy Day Parade with a number of other young families we've started making friends with. The kids had a blast watching the parade and especially enjoying their bounty - nearly everyone in the parade that walked by was throwing candy. Jack got smarties for the first time and between that and the balloon I tied to his seat in the stroller he was in heaven. Mags loved every second - from the candy to the cows to the horses to the... Marching Band. And I would post a video to display Maggie's stroller dance moves... but I can't get the dern thing to post for some reason. As soon as I can, I will post it. It should be enjoyed by all.

I'm Not Gonna Lie...

I love Richard Marx. I heart Richard Marx. No, this has nothing to do with the kids so if that's all you're interested in, you can stop reading. Cause this post is just about how much Richard Marx rules. Seriously. I haven't bought any of his past like...3? cds ... the most recent one I have is his Greatest Hits, which someone gave me. But I have his first 4. And the man is just incredible. Unbelieveable singer, songwriter, and musician. I just popped the Greatest Hits in the car cd player yesterday and have not stopped listening since. And I just looked him up and he has produced a CD of 10 acoustic songs w/ the lead singer of Vertical Horizon. I think it's going to be awesome. And I've announced to Jonathan that I think, though his prime has long passed as a current pop performer, that I should see him perform in concert sometime. So wish me luck.

(p.s. - jono just peaked at the screen as I was typing this and lightly commented... "Well that's a nice post for Father's Day... your love of another man").

Jack's Future in Bball

This is Jack's new favorite thing to do. Carry around the basketball. Any and everywhere.

A Tentative Start?

Yesterday afternoon, upon waking up from her nap, Maggie decided she did NOT want a diaper on. Or pull-ups. Or real underwear for that matter. But I thought best not to let her get used to going commando, so I managed to get her in a pair of real underwear - pink to match her pink dress (this was a big hit). And so the 'training' begins. Within 30 minutes, she wet herself. And was upset enough that she got "all wet" and made a "big mess" (her words, not mine). As this happened while I was folding laundry, she ran over, grabbed a clean piece of clothing (a pair of boxers, nonetheless) and used those to clean herself and the mess she made. If she is in diapers forever, at least I can be proud I have taught her to clean up after herself. However, she did not want to sit on the potty after already wetting her pants. What do you do at this point?? Well, I bribed (my best friend says it's "conditioning"... thanks Meags :)) with a chocolate chip. Which (big surprise) worked. We did this again 40 minutes later when she wet herself again. She's been in pull ups since then as (aside from overnight which she'll be in diapers for a long while yet) we've been out of the house quite a bit. So... how, really, does this go? I guess we're about to find out. Any words of experience and/or advice are warmly welcomed.

Jack vs. the Peanut Butter Jar

... and the peanut butter wins.

Our Backyard...

...has got to be one of our very favorite things about our house. It is big and, thanks to the previous owners, very well landscaped. Now it's up to us to keep it as beautiful as they left it, and maybe even make it a little more so. So, after a few hours of yard work, I thought I would snap some pictures to post for those who may not be visiting for a long while to see it. But when you do - you can be sure you'll enjoy it!

Front Porch

Mysterious Plant (someone please identify it for us if you know what it is...) - it smells incredible and the blooms fade from purple to white over time

Maggie watering some flowers

Backyard - see the bball hoop tucked in the right corner?

Backyard view from patio off the kitchen

Butcher-A/C -08 Campaign

So, compared to say... Hotlanta... the need for air conditioning up here is significantly decreased. But it does reach the 90s for a few weeks at a time and we'll be seeing our first 90-degree day this Friday. Most people here handle by having window A/C units. And we have a grand total of.... none. But for reasons still unknown to me, the head of our household is not yet convinced that we need one. So I have started the 2008 campaign for A/C. And I am determined to win, even if it means dirty politics. Anyone who knows where to find inexpensive window units, please pass along the advice. The only concession I've gotten so far was for one that looked like it needed copious amounts of duct tape to be held together for $12 at a yard sale.

Congratulations Erin and Andrew!!

We so wish we could've been there and are dying to see pictures!