happenings

I'm looking at the monitor and Hannah is stretched out on her stomach, wearing her "majshick shoes." Her arm is reaching over the bumper to where she was holding onto Joe. Bedtime has changed for us. We used to be able to put her in her crib and that was that. For the last couple months, it's been reading, and rocking, and singing, and more rocking, and then the crib. Followed by Joe needing to lie down on the floor next to her crib for a while. Lately, he'll stick his foot through the crib slats. She likes to hold onto him as she falls asleep. It is truly the sweetest thing. After she finally fell asleep and Joe got up, her arm stayed like that.

Yes, it has been a while since I've posted. And, while I'm starting this on Sunday night, I guarantee it will be tomorrow - if that - when it's finished. We have a lot going on. We've had special visitors. We had infant recognition and Joseph's first Sunday at church. {He slept through the entire service.} We marked Joseph's one-month-day. {One month post to come.} We traveled to Sandersville to see our new church and home. We drove to Atlanta to meet my mom. And we celebrated our sweet goddaughter's first birthday.

What is more exhausting than going on a trip with a toddler? Going on a trip with a toddler and a newborn. What is more tiring than spending a day taking care of a toddler and a newborn? Taking care of a toddler and a newborn while trying to pack the house!

The POD is being delivered tomorrow. We've got three weeks remaining in the countdown to moving day. That is crazy! If I think about it too much there is an overwhelming feeling of "how am I going to do it all?" Thankfully, I am not doing it all myself. I am so thankful for the babysitting help. When Hannah is off playing, I am able to get a decent amount accomplished. {That is assuming Joseph is happy or sleeping. Other than a couple nightmare-ish days, I've been fortunate.} And I'm thankful that Joe is a very involved daddy (and a huge help to me) as well as my constant cheerleader.

So for some pictures.

Last weekend was full. My best friend Jennifer and her husband, Daniel, made a short trip to Jesup. They went out of their way to meet Joseph and we were so glad to see them. They have a daughter, Leah, who is one special (and adorable) girl.

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My brother, Will, and his girlfriend, Crystal, came down for a night. Joe and I had plans, so they babysat Hannah. We went to a dinner honoring a former Navy SEAL who is a chiropractor here in Jesup. The event was to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs. {On a side note, this guy, Howard Wasdin, was an elite sniper on SEAL Team Six. His book was scheduled to be released at the end of this month, but due to recent events, the date was pushed up. Talk about timing... We have a copy and I can't wait to read it.} Hannah prefers to read about ladybugs.

We had fun taking pictures of the kiddos. Joseph wasn't really having fun.

{Joseph's quilt is from Jennifer and Daniel. I love it. I love anything monogrammed, but the blanket is beautiful.}

During the week my dad came to visit as well as my friend, Lauren, and her daughter Riley. The girls are only a few weeks apart. We will miss them when we move, but anticipate them driving through and stopping to visit!

...you can thank Joe for adding the doo-rag.

On Thursday we drove to Sandersville and stayed with our good friends Wade and Anna, and their daughters, Erin and Kristen. We toured our new church and the parsonage and we were very pleased with both. {I am scheming away putting our new home together in my mind.} Our new friends, Jeffery and Kelly, hosted a dinner at their beautiful home introducing us to several church members. We were overwhelmed by the welcome we received, and the excitement of our coming.

Friday and Saturday we were in Atlanta with my mom. I'll tell you this: I do not miss the traffic. Goodness gracious it is horrendous. We had dinner at Flip. Good food and atmosphere - perfect for a toddler that needs to be drowned out. That night however was not good. Hannah woke up an hour after going to sleep crying and would not stop. She was clawing her skin. At about 1:00am, Joe went to the store to buy Benedryl. We took her out of her braces (which had come partway off) and she spent the rest of the night in bed with Grandma. Of course, Joseph woke up a couple hours after we all finally got to bed wanting to eat. But what is a night with a 20 month-old and a one month-old without sleep deprivation? Traveling can be rough. The pack-n-play is no substitute for the crib, and a hotel room no substitute for a child who thrives on routine. But we survived. And it sure was nice to have Grandma there to help. Thanks, Mom.

The trip was completely worth it since we got to be there to celebrate Leah's first birthday. She is precious and really liked her cake.

See? I told you it would be awhile before I finished and posted. And the POD is here. Time to close the laptop and pack some boxes...after I feed Joseph. Never a dull moment.