Nags Head 2012

I went in to this trip sort of expecting the worst and it turned out pretty well.  The week flew by and overall, I was happy with how it went.  It's hard going from a house of 4 to a  house of 17..even if it's just for a week.

Regardless of the noise, it was so nice hanging out with my sisters and with Dana.  ("Bana" as Charlie calls her.  LOVE IT!)

We are home now and I am leaving on Saturday to take the boys to my sister's river house for a week! SO excited! There was no way I'd want to be here on the anniversary of my dad's death. I'm happy to spend it with my sister and our littles.

Enjoy the pics! I'm going to snuggle up to my little guy.  Marathon training is NO joke.

Nana and 10 of 12 grandkids.

Will with Jack!

This guy LOVED the water!

Poor Charlie. He hated the beach!

Me and my man!

Seesters!

Jenni and me with our grandmother (my dad's mom)

It's time!

Guess who is going to the beach tomorrow?

Yep. This girl. But only after I run 12 miles with these crazy girls.

Then I'll hop in the car with these cute guys and hopefully nap and stretch along the way.

I'm really quite sad that this amazing guy won't be with us this year.  Way more sad than I expected to be.  We'll miss him but I know we'll make new traditions and he would be happy we are continuing without him..

 And we'll have this great time from last year etched in our memories forever. 

Have a good week. See ya!

Pace

Who's ya mama?

Yesterday I was grumpy because 1. my wonderful running buddies that I love unconditionally (hi, running buddies!) bailed on me in the morning for our 5miler and 2. I had therapy yesterday and all kinds of grief work was started which is completely necessary but hard..

So I went for a run. And my, my did I rock it out!  I was so proud of myself.  I am pretty consistent in my 10 - 10:15 minute miles and usually when I run alone, I can squeak out a pace of 9:49/mile but 9:34?! WOOT! And yes, that's the average pace.  Not the pace for just one mile and yes, I did hills and turnarounds and all that jazz, ahem, Hilly.

Let's not talk about this morning's 4 miles at 10:47.  Oops.

Two.

Dear Charlie,

Today, my love, you are two.  TWO!  It's been a fun two years.  You've brought joy and love to our home. You've worried us and you've kept us on our toes.  You fit in perfectly.

This year, in particular, has been pretty big for you.  You've broken two bones, been treated for asthma, and are a talking machine.  Luckily, the first two haven't really slowed you down.  You run little funny (I call you my sandpiper) but other than that, I think you are just a 2-year old boy.  You are fast and furious when you want to get somewhere. 

I've been amazed at how much you say.  Everything you hear, you repeat.  Last night, you were up a lot because you have a cold and you wanted rocking.  Here's how the hour passed at 3a.m.

Charlie: Mommy! Rock, please.
Me: okay buddy.
Charlie: Lala! lalla!
Me: Charlie, you need medicine, it will make you better. Can I give you this medicine? (pointing to nebulizer)
Charlie: Okayyy mommy. Book? Lala? Monkeyyy! Medicine mommy.

Then I tried several times to lay you down in your crib. "Sing mommy." "Rock mommy." "Sit mommy"

And as you laid on top of me, you had your arms wrapped firmly around me with your head nestled into my neck.  I could sit like that forever and be a happy mama.  I love to have your weight on me and hear you breathe. 

Charlie, you seriously light up the room.  You have wonderful smile and a strong personality. Your spunk and sass is so... happy. And jolly.  We all just love to watch you and see what you might do next.  If we ask you a question, I can always expected an "okay" or a "NO Mommy!"  You spent last week with your grandparents and now you are saying "Huh?" whenever I ask you a question.  It's actually very funny even though it makes me crazy when your daddy says it.

This year, you also lost your PapPap.  It makes my heart hurt knowing that you will have never known such an amazing man.  I hope that you know he loved you so much.  My fondest memory of the two of you is at the beach just a week before he passed away.  You two sat under the tent and played for so long and whenever I would look up at him, I could see such joy in his face to be playing with you. I can't wait to tell you more about him and I so wish he could tell me what I already know about you..that you are one fantastic little boy.

I can't say enough how much joy you have brought to our family.  Will has so much fun playing with you and is always to help out when you need it.  You have become a great little helper from watching your brother, I suppose.  You love to put things in the trash, help me make my coffee, feed the dog, and throw clothes into the washing machine! I love how much you help!

Charlie, thank you for choosing us as your family.  Our hearts are so full because of you and your brother. 

With all my love,

Mama

Two in pics

This picture makes me so happy because he was so clearly happy.  Love this kid!

Yes, my sweet boy went in for a kiss while we were posing.

Happy boy at the pool on Sunday.

Hugging his bunny.

Cheese!

 

Will wants a birthday hug!

Got him!

"Uh dat?"

*melts my heart*

Almost 2.

How has it been almost two years since we brought this sweet guy into our family?  Today, I'm spending my day off cleaning and preparing for a small family gathering tomorrow. It's also the day I'll see my boys for the first time in 8 days.  I'm dying to see them!  A letter to my two-year old will come on his actual birthday, July 9. Until then, here's a few pics from 2 years ago and one from last year! Happy Weekend!

Headed to the hospital. I wore pink because I just knew my baby was a girl. KT was so nervous! 

He came out chubby and perfect.

After sobbing tears of joy to have another boy.  A brother for Will!

One day old, the first family of 4 photo.

Picture taken by Becky VanderVeen on Charlie's first birthday.  This is one of my most favorite photos ever.

she's crafty!

This week, all I'm doing is running, not mothering. My sweet baby loves are in Virginia with their grandparents so KT and I are just doing whatever we want. It's nice and it's quiet.

 I'm project central right now. Love being able to do things with out little hands getting in the way.

This was a kid's paining I found at Goodwill yesterday.  I put the letters on there and then spray painted it white.  Put it back in the frame and VOILA! a picture for my kitchen!

I also made no-sew roman shades for our bedroom.  These were super easy and this one took about an hour to do. 

Up next this week: painting our bedroom and a piece of furniture and more roman shades. 

So fun!