An Unvited Guest on Vacation

Since Brad wasn't able to take time off from his new job yet, we went with my parents to the beach.  Upon arrival we ran into a few showers, but it was nothing compared to what unfolded over the next 24 hours- 15 inches of rain and 60 mph winds thanks to Tropical Storm Debby, who decided she would just stick around for awhile and only move 3 mph.  Yeah, thanks Debby, we appreciated being trapped in the condo with 3 kiddos, especially 2 boys who desperately wanted to be in the swimming pool or on the beach!  And the condo's elevator broke down and was out until Tuesday night, which wouldn't be so bad except that we were on the 5th floor and had to carry kids and all their gear up the stairs every time we left the building.  Boo Debby!

On Sunday, we stuck around the condo except for one quick trip to Target to buy a few new DVDs to keep the kids entertained.  That night as I was getting the kids ready for bed there was a downspout (tornado in the water) spotted in our area, so we grabbed the kids an evacuated to the ground floor of the condo.  SCARY!  When we finally got to bed and woke up Monday morning, Debby left a mess...flooded roads and houses and tornadoes that killed 2 people. 

On Monday, winds were still blowing at 55-60 mph, but there wasn't any rain...and the beach was missing!  It was beyond high tide even during low tide times.  Braden was up early, so we headed out to the "beach" and fought the winds.  He was so excited to actually touch the ocean and we spent an hour or so searching for seashells and discovering "treasures" that Debby brought with her (huge clam shells, seaweed, pieces of wood that looked like they had broken off boats, and even a coconut!).  When Parker woke up my dad brought him down and he got to look for the goods too.  A little before lunch time we headed out to the pool and spent the afternoon trying not to get wind burn and watching the kids play in the "wave pool".

Tuesday morning I woke up and realized that I got a little burned the day before-windburn and sunburn. It was supposed to be our last day at the beach, except that we couldn't go home because the way home was over the Skyway bridge to Tampa which was closed due to the extreme winds.  That afternoon I took the boys to the pool for a little while and while we were their one of Debby's cells hit and the wind started whipping again and the rain started pouring.  Braden said it felt like coconuts hitting his head!  That night my Granny and Grandpa Bill came to stay with us.  They had been in Tampa visiting Bill's daughter and it was so nice to have them with us.

Wednesday, we woke up and the sun was shining, the wind was gone and the beach was back!  We spent most of the day relaxing at the beach and the boys had a blast! I knew that my little water bug Braden loved the ocean, but I was surprised at how quickly Parker got used to the waves.  He was getting knocked down and jumped right back up to take them on again!  We kept Emersyn out of the water because I was still a little nervous about keeping her ears dry after getting her tubes.  She did ok being out a the beach as long as she wasn't touching the sand!  On Wednesday, Emersyn turned 9 months old so we were able to get her 9 month pictures on the beach!

 Thursday, the kids and I left for the LONG (8.5 hours) trip home.  We were sad to leave my parents, but oh so ready to get home and see Brad.  The kids did really great traveling!  We only had to stop a few times- once less than 15 minutes after we left, so Braden could go to the restroom and then at the Georgia welcome center so we could all use the restroom and I could feed Emy.  Our last stop was to fuel up and get Chick Fil A in Valdosta.  The kids napped a little and watched a few movies and we were even able to beat Brad home!

9 Months

It is hard to believe that 3/4 of a year has passed with this little blessing that we call Emersyn Rose.  It is hard to believe that this time a year ago I was so close to giving birth to this awesome little blessing, yet feeling so overwhlemed with the thought of bringing another bundle of goodness home.  Not a day has passed in these last nine months that I haven't looked at her beautiful face and felt God's blessings shine down on us.  He knew what we needed even when I didn't.  And I thank God for her everyday.

At 9 Months, Emy has:

• 2 bottom teeth and she is working on her top teeth
• She has been pulling up and standing on her own
• She is almost 19 pounds
• Emersyn loves pretty much any food that we give her, especially avacado
• She loves to follow her brothers around and prefers to hold their cars and trains rather than baby dolls
• She refuses to take a bottle, yet won't drink from a sippy cup
• She is still up to nurse and cuddle every 3-4 hours at night
• She usually takes 2 short naps or 1 long afternoon nap a day
• She is super easy going and happy most of the time

Emy Lou Got Her Tubes

After 2 months of ear infections, 4 antibiotics and all that comes with that (thrush, a yeast infection, and an allergic reaction to Suprax) Emersyn got tubes.  Even after the antibiotics she still had fluid buitl up behind both ear drums, so Dr. French suggested that she have tubes.  It is always scary to put your child under anesthesia, but the past 2 months of ear infections had made our sweet baby girl miserable.

Have you ever seen a cuter baby in a yellow hospital gown?

After her surgery she was pretty fussy coming off the anesthesia, but by the time they released us she was back to her happy self as has been ever since!

A Day at the Zoo

This Christmas my parents got us a family pass to the zoo and we LOVE it!  We have been several times since then, but this was our first summer excursion and Emersyn's first trip (though she didn't seem that excited about it ;)). 
It wasn't too hot and there was a nice breeze, but there were a little too many people for me.  I prefer it when it is hardly crowded.  Anyways, the kiddo had fun and it totally pooped them out and me which meant that I actually got an afternoon nap too!  Here are a few of the High lights or in my case "low" light of the day.

• We went with 3 other families from church which meant that my kiddos had plenty of people to keep them entertained and I had fun friends to talk with.
• We took the boys to the Reptile house for the first time and Braden LOVED it...me not so much!
• Emersyn took a nice little nap and was in a really great mood the majority of the time.
• The MIST FANS....I must get one of these for my back porch!
• The boys were so entertained with their buddies that we didn't have to ride the train.  FIRST. TIME. EVER.
• Parker freaked out when we saw the elephant this time, which is odd considering it was his favorite last time.  Grumpy ol' man.
• I got pooped on in the Living Rain Forest.  Fun times.  Lucky for me it wasn't a direct hit, just a little splatter.  However, still totally disgusting.
• I discovered that the wind Africa Wind machine totally freaks Parker out and we discovered how many kids you can stuff in there to fully maximize the experience.
• Braden was super excited about seeing "Kung Fu" Panda
• Parker was totally mesmerised by the naked mole rat. 
• Parker tried to strip down and pee on a tree during our picnic lunch.
• Dillon, one of Braden's buddies, found a dead rat on the lawn during our lunch.  I think one of the naked mole rats escaped.
• Heat only makes the petting zoo more stinky.

"Did you know that a flamingo actually gets his color from eating shrimp?"

More fascinating than all other animals combined- roly polies

Braden hung out under the fan for several minutes and he got soaked

exiting the stinky petting zoo

Baby girl looks ready to go

the wind tunnel

Poor Parker

totally content to chill at the children's playground all afternoon

this is what i did when we got home!

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day with my family is always fun and this year was no exception!  We swam, ate a low country boil, talked up a storm, watched the guys shoot off rockets (and then search for them) and just enjoyed every one's company! 

Emersyn's first time in the pool

Braden aka the water bug

Cannonball!

Emy and Grrr....they love each other!

Parker preferred to smirk at  watch everyone from comfort of the steps

Hunter's first family get together

Granny- I wanna be like her when I grow up!

Ready for Kindergarten!

Oh no!  Say it ain't so!  My first born baby is heading to kindergarten!  We are so proud of all that Braden has accomplished in his years at HH Preschool and we are looking forward to all he will achieve in Kindergarten.  But I am not sure that I am ready for him to be this big already.  It seems like only yesterday that Brad and I were taking him to his first day of preschool loaded down with his new train back pack and lots of kisses from us.  He walked in that classroom the first day and never looked back at us- he was much more ready for that new chapter than we were and I am certain that he will be again when we drop him off on his first day of Kindergarten.  Braden Wright, I am so very proud of who you are and who you are growing to be!

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day weekend was just the way I like it...low key and relaxing.  Saturday we went with my parents and Brad's mom to Stone Mountain to have a picnic and watch the Laser Show.  The weather was perfect (until Laser Show time).  We had sub sandwiches, fried chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, and fruit salad at the children's playground.  It is an awesome playground that is totally shaded so even on a hot day it is not so bad.  The boys LOVED it and Parker found a steep slide that he would not stay off of...he went down the slide on his belly, upside down, any way he could! 

 After our picnic and letting the boys play, we headed to the huge lawn for the laser show.  We hadn't been since Braden was Emersyn's age, so I was excited about going back, especially to see how Braden and Parker liked the lights and the fireworks.  We set up on the lawn and let the boys kick their soccer balls they brought.  Braden met a new friend instantly...no shocker there and we watched them kick the ball back and forth.  Parker and Braden got so excited when the train came rolling down the track and Brad and my dad kept monitoring the weather.  About 45 minutes and a small rain shower before the show was to begin we decided that it would not be fun to get caught with three kids and all their gear in the bigger thunderstorm that was headed our way, so we packed up and headed home.  It was a good idea since it was already past the kids bedtime and they all passed out when we got in the car and the rain came in as we were pulling in the driveway!

Sunday morning Brad and Braden woke me up to give me my favorite flowers, a card made by Braden and a new pair of TOMS.  We met my parents at church and Emersyn was actually quiet through most of the service!  We headed home and got the kiddos down for naps and then I went ALL BY MYSELF to get a mani/pedi.  And the best part of my day was eating Tokyo in our own kitchen with my precious babies and my wonderful husband.  Low key and spent with the people I love the most!

Art Night

A few weeks ago the boys had Art Show night at their school.  We have been going every year since Braden has been at the school, but this was our first Art Show where Parker was showcased too!  It is a fun night to view their art work, meet with teachers and other parents and enjoy snacks!

"The Crooked House"

"Hickory Dickory Dock"  made from a capri sun box

"The Season Train"



"Name Art"