My, How Things Change

Where only a few short years ago, the dash of this boat was littered with cigarette packs, lighters, and coozies, it is now filled with snacks, pacifiers, and froggies. Change is good.

First Boat Day of the Year

Well, this weekend was just irresistable. The weather was the best. Highs in the 80's and sunny both days. Bryant and I worked in the yard on Saturday so that we could reward ourselves on Sunday. Luckily, Reeves woke up Sunday around 6:30. Sounds strange that I would ever say that, but this was good on this day as it allowed me to put him down for a very early nap, say, at 10:15. Perfect. While he was sleeping, Bryant went out to the country to get the boat ready. We must have been good this year because, despite not going in for its springtime checkup yet, the steering was not frozen, and the motor actually cranked up. This is a first for us. This is also the reason why, until the boat is actually in the water and moving, we don't generally let ourselves get too excited about the first boat ride of the year. More often than not, we are winching the boat back up onto the trailer after numerous unsuccessful attempts at cranking, watching the sympathetic looks of all the other boaters at the landing as they all say to themselves, "There but for the grace of God...." But not this year!! Bryant called to report that, after running his initial tests, we were still set to launch. An hour or so later Reeves woke up, got lathered up, got suited up, and got latched up in the car. We were off to meet Daddy and the boat!boat! at the landing. Thank heavens this child is skinny. He was still able to fit into his lifejacket from last year.

We headed down towards Goshen, waved at Grandmama in the yard, then found this neat little beach right on the Intercoastal. It was perfect. There was just enough sand for Reeves to have room to dig, and he found the surrounding marsh would tickle his legs when he walked through it.Of course, there was a huge Corp of Engineers pipe left over from the dredging that took place all those years ago, but we luckily avoided it as we beached the boat. We didn't even know it was there until we got out of the boat. Reeves, of course, figured it must have been some toy the waterway gods had left for him because he headed straight for it, barnacles, slippery sides, sharp edges, and all. Why play with anything other than the most dangerous thing in our vicinity?It took Reeves a minute or two to remember the feel of wet sand, but it wasn't long before he was running in and out of the water. I don't know how he did it because I have way more meat on my bones than he does, and that water was freezing!I kept waiting for his lips to turn blue, but they never did. We stayed there as long as we could but were eventually run out of Dodge by more gnats than we have ever seen. It was like the movie, The Birds, but with gnats. They were in our noses, our mouths. It was horrible, and so fast! One moment, everything was fine, the next, we were throwing Reeves in the boat and pulling out as fast as we could. I couldn't even take the time to put Reeves' lifejacket on, we just had to get some air moving around us.Then it was time for some snacks. Reeves really enjoys walking around in the boat. This doesn't work so well when we're going fast. Luckily, he does like to go fast and understands that he has to be in my lap when that is happening, so this is not such an issue. We tried to head to town to pick up Gammy and Pops, but the tide and wind had turned against each other, and we were getting beaten up pretty badly, so we had to abort the mission. Well, that and they couldn't really meet us right then anyway, but it was worth a shot. We turned around and headed back to the landing with one super tired boy curled up on his momma's lap. What a great day. We all slept long and hard that night. There's not a better tired than a salty, sunny, windy, watery tired. We're so lucky to live where we do.

Getting Ready

So, even though we've told almost everyone, I guess it's not really official until it's on the blog!

Looks like both of my guys are going to be plenty of help by the time our second child gets here. They've both been practicing for their new roles! Right now the due date for "Deuce" is August 25.
More to come later....

Two Wild and Crazy Guys

These pictures basically sum up the whole weekend. Other than the times we adults got to spend outside chatting, this entire weekend was about these boys. It has been so much fun watching Davis and Reeves play together and observing how their interaction improves and expands with each visit as the age difference between them becomes less and less noticeable. Of course there is still the not-speaking-an-actual-language thing, but somehow Davis and Reeves communicate just fine. And it will be nice once Davis teaches Reeves how to actually turn the steering wheel in the Lightning McQueen car!

Reeves gets so excited about seeing Davis that I actually used this Friday morning. I feel pretty bad about it. When he didn't want to get into Grandmama's car to go out there for the day, I told him that he was going to play with Davis, pause, click carseat, quickly followed with "after you play at Grandmama's for a while". What a bad mommy! I tried to convince myself that I hadn't really lied to him, but I know I did. I'm sorry, Reeves. I won't do it again!!

Poor Guerin! He is so ready to be able to play like these big boys. For now he'll just have to be content to let them entertain him, and most of the time, they were more than happy to do that. And for some reason, Guerin actually enjoyed having harmonicas played just centimeters from his face.

Bathtime is always a favorite, and getting to bathe in the jacuzzi tub with the mountains of bubbles is almost overwhelming. They loved it.I can't believe with the complete lack of sleep Reeves got, which by default, turned into a lack of sleep for Davis, these pictures were taken the next day. I guess they really are carrying on our tradition, like Jodie said. The most fun is just being together, and we have to make the most of these precious moments we have. Sleep is for the weak.

Advice Needed

If anyone can give me any advice on getting my child to sleep through the night when he is anywhere other than in his own bed, please help! At home, he sleeps 10 to 11 hours a night with barely a peep. He loves to go to bed. But when we are not at home, we may as well be asking him to sleep on a bed of nails. He will not do it. I understand that he is frightened when he wakes up in a place other than his room, but he won't even try to fall asleep from the get go. Of course, normally this wouldn't be a problem. Let him cry until he falls asleep, but when there are other children in the picture, you just can't do this, otherwise, you have a symphony of awakened and crying children, and who wants that all night long?
We tried letting him sleep in Davis' travel Thomas bed - that didn't work (and I am now more nervous than ever about moving him into his big boy bed, but that's a whole different post!). We tried putting him in the pack-n-play in our room. Worked great for his nap, screamed that night. We put the pack-n-play in Davis' room, and that was where he ultimately gave in and fell asleep, but only till about 5:00.
Bryant and I are exhausted today! This child has got to learn to sleep in a place other than his bed. So far, all I can come up with is to let him spend the night with each of you for a night or two. That should cure him in a week or two!

Girlfriends

I was given this, along with two yellow roses, the other day as I left a drop in celebrating someone's 60th birthday. It was so wonderful to see so many women whom I have known nearly all of my life. Most of them are my mother's friends and are the mothers of many of my friends. This is such an interesting time in my life - still a daughter often very much in need of my mother's advice, but also a mother myself, raising my son and learning from my mother, along with these other women. I really enjoyed being included in this special day, celebrating the life of a woman who has been through wonderful highs and terribly painful lows. I just wanted to share with you what she shared with us.

FRIENDSHIP
"Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT…….
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the womenin your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you…Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Everyday, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful."