I just love impromptu late night family photo shoots. Mom and Dad had watched the boys while I was playing tennis tonight so that Bryant could work late. When we finished tennis, I called B's phone and learned that they were all just sitting down to dinner. While I would have loved to have 30 or 45 minutes in my house alone, I remembered that the double jogger was down there and it wouldn't fit into B's car. I'm so glad I went over there. Dinner was just delicious - sauteed tilapia, spinach, and vidalia onion casserole (to die for!). We got home late because the rain stifled any thoughts of loading boys and gear, and since Bennett had had a power nap at the grandparents', he wasn't quite ready to go right back down when we finally did get home. Bryant got on the floor and played with both boys, and I immediately ran and grabbed the camera. Bennett is often already in bed when Bryant gets home, so this was a really special time. I just love these pictures.
One of Bennett's favorite things is a ball attached to this rope. Probably not the safest toy, but he never plays with it unless we're around, and the delight it brings is worth it.
He has recently been all about Daddy. I definitely play second fiddle when the Daddy's around.
No one is safe when both boys attack! Bennett is really beginning to be able to join in the fun. Thankfully, Reeves doesn't seem to mind too much.
Luckily, Daddy survived the attack just fine and was able to regain control.
It doesn't get much better than this. All the mommy frustrations just melt away at times like these.
One of Bennett's favorite things is a ball attached to this rope. Probably not the safest toy, but he never plays with it unless we're around, and the delight it brings is worth it.He has recently been all about Daddy. I definitely play second fiddle when the Daddy's around.No one is safe when both boys attack! Bennett is really beginning to be able to join in the fun. Thankfully, Reeves doesn't seem to mind too much.Luckily, Daddy survived the attack just fine and was able to regain control.It doesn't get much better than this. All the mommy frustrations just melt away at times like these.
So this is what my days have been since Tuesday - drugs, drops, and sleep. My children stayed out in the country this whole time. I can't thank the Bairs enough for their help with the boys. There was no way I would have been able to take care of either of them. The Lortab was the only thing in those first days that would even touch the pain, and, since they made me dizzy, nauseous, and tired, I just wouldn't have been able to mommy. We're heading out today to see the boys. I miss them more than I thought I would. Bryant has seen them everyday, but somehow, his reports just aren't quite fulfilling enough. I can't wait to have them in my arms. 
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra played at Smythe Park, and we all set up a tailgate to enjoy the show. Apparently, there was a tailgating competition, but we, of course, weren't even thinking of that when we began our preparations. 
Yeah, right! We pulled out and dusted off all of our Charleston Cup decor and started our own Daniel Island Yacht Club right there. Despite the throngs of passersby who would have placed bets that we would win, we didn't even get an Honorable Mention. Perhaps it was because they didn't notice us. 
It's so easy to overlook a 15 foot flagpole complete with four fullsize flags waving in the breeze! Luckily, the oversight on the judges' part did not dissuade us from having a perfectly marvelous time. While we and the Smiths did most of the set up, our wonderful friends provides all the nourishment for the crowd. (Plus some divine pork tenderloin cooked up by Stephen. He truly is a grilling master!) We had everything from pickled shrimp to cucumber sandwiches to peanut butter brownies. It was quite a spread. 
And, as much as he drives me crazy when it comes to doing stuff like this, Bryant's flowers were just gorgeous, and his ideas always turn out great. They were the last things to be finished, but they really completed the whole layout. 
We had some of our dearest friends in the spot right next to us. As you can see, their theme was Crazy Mexican, and Jason just couldn't help himself! 
Yo quiero kaluha ice cream!
Thanks to Stephen and Matt, however, some of us were able to snuggle up on the Smith's Party Porch furniture under Aileen's blanket. (Honestly, we had WICKER FURNITURE out there, and we still didn't win?) 
This proved to be the perfect spot to watch the fireworks. 
The breakdown was pleasantly uneventful and quick. I can't thank everyone enough for all they did to make this night turn out to be such a success, and special props go to Caroline for getting us all involved in the first place. It was a perfect evening spent with friends in a beautiful setting. We look forward to resurrecting the DIYC next year!
Reeves had his first dentist's appointment on April 8. Luckily, I'd been preparing him for this day since he was a month old by making fairly regular visits to the office just to go ahead and get him acquainted. Well, that and I suppose visiting his grandfather had something to do with it. Actually, I am convinced that those past visits did indeed get him excited about finally getting into the chair where he has seen his Pops working on so many people.
Like anyone who goes to the dentist, we made sure to brush his teeth right before we went. He first got to watch me get me teeth cleaned. (No cavities, thank you!) Kim, Dad's wonderful hygenist, let Reeves assist her with my cleaning. 
When it was finally his turn, he jumped right up in the chair, where he got to wear some "pretty tool" sunglasses. She counted his teeth (20) and even polished a few. 
She told him and showed him everything she was going to do. I can't thank her enough for being so patient with him. It's not really a pediatric dental office, so I'm glad we were able to pull some strings to get in!
Reeves thought it was really neat when Pops came in to check out his teeth. And naturally, I thought it was very special that Reeves got to have his grandfather do this.
Reeves immediately found Henry, and the two of them set off playing. We were lucky to be able to keep an eye on them at all, and this was no easy feat given the fact that every child was wearing the aforementioned same t-shirts. I lost sight of Reeves once long enough to get me worried, but, like magic, all of a sudden he popped right up. Luckily, I had Aileen and David helping in the search. 
And Aileen really stepped up to the plate when she took over occupying the children at the end of the picnic with her mad ball tossing skills. 
It was so good to see all the children and the parents. I am still in shock that we are about to put this school year in the books. I don't even have to work very hard to remember the little blue sailboat jon-jon we had him in for his first day of school. He has grown so much this year. From the scared little baby who clung to our legs and who cried all through naptime to this confident little boy who runs to his classroom and shows me all the things he has done at school. Each time I pick him up, he runs from wherever he is playing on the playground and hugs me and then his brother. He tells all his friends goodbye and practically counts the minutes until he gets to see them again. And as for that blue jon-jon, well that has long since been put away in a bin for Bennett. Reeves has grown too big for it. Like this first year of school, it is just a memory now, something we got as much out of as we could, but now it's time to move on. 
I can never thank his teachers, Mrs. Ledbetter, Miss Chapman, and Miss Carpenter enough for all they have done to make this year wonderful for Reeves. He adores them, and I just hope that in some small way, they realize just what a blessing they are to each parent.
It's so interesting to watch your little boy wanting and trying to be a big boy. With each of these milestones we check off the list, he gets that much farther and farther from the teeny tiny infant he was less than three years ago.
About three weeks after our initial attempts at solids, you finally relented and are now eating like a champ. Some nights I wish I had three hands because it certainly would keep you a lot happier if I could just shovel those sweet potatoes in, one spoon after another. It is so refreshing to have a child who eats so happily. I hope you keep up these healthy eating habits. Maybe one day your big brother will learn from you that food and mealtimes are not the enemies..JPG)
As expected, you have really upped the chatter recently. Your favorite noise is now the squeal. I love it because it is such a wonderful indication of your complete happiness. You will make that noise for me, but you reserve your uninhibited squealing for your brother and your father. Reeves usually squeals back at you, but you know that Daddy will instantly pick you up and snuggle and smooch you, and I think that's why you really do it. You have really started to love your Daddy time. 
For a while, you were waking up around midnight just to play with him. I know this because you weren't wet or dirty, and you weren't hungry. All you wanted to do was get right in his face and play. Of course, he delighted in those times. I suppose you have gotten your late night fix of him for a while because you are once again sleeping your solid 11-12 hours a night.
Speaking of bonding, you and Reeves are, apparently, on your way to becoming best friends. You adore him, and luckily, he appears to feel the same way. He loves to snuggle you and will even share some of his cherished toys with you. 
Of course, you aren't yet "taking" his toys, so we'll see how long this goodwill lasts, but we're off to a good start. Sometimes when you're fussy (which is rare), I can tell Reeves to go make you happy, and he is successful every time.
You started sitting on your own right about 7 months. Since then, you have learned to "swim" all around the den. Somehow you manage to get to what you want despite the fact that you only, two days ago, got up on all fours. It is too much fun to see you do this. When some toy catches your eye, you direct yourself towards it with all the excitement and dedication you can muster. How you even have the strength or energy to play with it once you get there is beyond me. You still can't get yourself to a sitting position on your own, but I know that is right around the corner.
Bennett, I can hardly remember life without you. Eight months ago we didn't even realize how incomplete our lives were. You have brought such joy to all of us. We love you more than you'll ever know.
Now, my own son loves building forts just like I did. And since we don't have a fireplace, what harm could there possibly be? Unfortunately, unlike my precise placement of the cushions and pillows forming secret rooms, his construction mainly involves throwing every soft object in the house into a pile, creating more of a landing pad than a fort. Occasionally he will burrow deep into the pile to "hide", but for the most part, he just likes to run and jump onto them. This is exactly what he was doing Saturday night - for almost two hours. We didn't stop him because the joy was so evident on his face and in his howling laughter that all we could do was join in the fun. Bryant even tossed him onto the pile a few times. However, like all good things, the time eventually came for this merriment to end. With bedtime rapidly approaching, Reeves was given two more minutes to play. He accepted his fate and went about having as much fun in those last two minutes as possible. And then it happened. His last dive into the pile was met not with a cushiony landing but with the hard edge of the sofa. 
He had busted his mouth. His scream was frightening. I fully expected to pick him up and find a tooth beneath him. He bled and bled. Luckily, all his parts seemed to be in order, and he calmed down realtively quickly. After sufficient snuggling and tender care, we were able to elicit a smile. Perfect. We loaded him up with Motrin and put him in bed. I called Mom and told her that I would be bringing him by in the morning to let his dentist grandfather check him out.
Amazingly, when he woke up, he was not black and blue. He drank his milk, ate his breakfast, and was even able to brush his teeth. We were floored. Needless to say, we didn't make a trip to see Pops. What a wonderful thing to be so young and so quick to heal. This was, by far, the worst injury Reeves has ever had. I'm so thankful it wasn't as bad as we thought it was. Coincidently, he has his first dentist appointment tomorrow.
Reeves was a little unsure about sharing his treasured bath toys with his little brother, but ultimately relented as long as Bennett didn't play with any of his "my favorite color blue" toys. 
It really was too cute, and despite the reason behind the necessary second bath of the night, I'm glad it happened. Bryant got the camera to document the occasion. It amazes me looking at these pictures now, how big Bennett looks. He's not an infant any more. I can't believe it. He really did a good job in the tub, sitting up most of the time, only slipping a couple of times.
I just hope we haven't created a monster who doesn't like his baby tub any more. Unfortunately, I've never seen him have this much fun in the tub on the kitchen sink, even when his big brother gets on the counter and washes his toes. I think Reeves liked having a buddy in the tub too.
She's got him right where she wants him!
I'm booking the rehearsal dinner spot right now!