Nan and Poppa's October Visit

Last weekend Brent's parents came down for a visit. We were so excited to welcome them to our Georgia home and have them visit with us and the kids. It had been a little while since they'd seen the kids and Maura especially was looking forward to their visit. When they arrived on Friday, she could hardly contain herself. Between seeing Nan and Poppa and visiting the dogs Patton and Lucy, she was wound up! She couldn't wait for her Nan and Poppa to play with her.

Brent, Maura, Chuck and Tristan enjoying the porch swing. We really enjoyed sitting out on the porch and catching up.
If this looks like chaos to you, you'd be right on target. What's happening here is that Maura is "fishing" for Patton. Patton, the big bulldog, is terrified of the fishing rod and the crazed two-year-old wielding it. He's trying to crawl up in Chuck's lap to get away from it!
When we finally got Maura to sit down and be quiet Patton was happy to sit next to her. Sweet Maura, Poppa and Patton.
Nan and Poppa thought Tristan was HUGE!
Where's Tristan??
Peek-a-Boo!! He did look really sweet wearing the hat. Nan had bought the hat for Maura, but she would have none of it. She's always been a little wary of hats and she was NOT going to wear this one!
Brent did try it on. I'd love for his soldiers to get a glimpse of this picture!
Nan and Poppa brought a cool sticker book for Maura, but I think she had more fun sticking the stickers on her own face than she did on the pumpkins in the book. This look actually freaks me out a little bit!
Nan got to enjoy giving Tristan his nighttime bottle. I'm really working on tanking him up at night so we can sleep a little longer. Last night, he slept from 11:30 to 5:00. Woo Hoo!!

These photos are from Maura and Tristan's first bath together. This was actually the night before Nan and Poppa's visit. Maura has been begging us to put her baby brother in the bath with her for months and we'd always refused when he was really little. He's starting to be able to really hold himself straight up when sitting, so I thought I'd give the bath seat a try. Maura was so excited to have some company in the bath. She even voluntarily shared her bath toys.
Tristan gazing at his big sister with adoration. As you can see, he's not quite ready for the bath seat. He sat with a definite slouch and I can't imagine it was a very comfortable sensation between the legs as he began sliding out of the chair.
Maura thought it was hilarious to "share" her toy.
Tristan is young enough that he doesn't know when he's being laughed at. We'll have to put the bath seat away for a little while and bring it out when he's sitting a little better. There are lots of sibling baths to come.

I just had to include a picture of Tristan in the Jumperoo. This was one of Maura's favorite toys as a baby and I think he'll love jumping in it just as much.

Tristan is Five Months Old!

My sweet baby boy turned five months old on October 6th. That's just how far behind I am at blogging these days! At five months, Tristan is still such a jovial little man. He has a wonderful personality and is always ready to smile and giggle at us. He loves peek-a-boo and pretty much any other game that involves having someone get right up in his face. He'll make noises to get me to look at him if I'm paying attention to something else. He likes giving kisses, but I'm not sure if it's a "kiss" or if he just wants to taste my face like he does everything else! He loves his toys and will hold things in his hands and suck on them. He's a slobberpuss and keeps the neck of his outfits soaked at all times. I often keep a bib on him so I won't have to change an outfit. He is so entranced by his sister and gets so excited when she comes and talks to him. He's really starting to reach out and touch things and especially loves to reach up and touch my face when he's nursing. He loves hair and loves to pull it and try to taste it. He has almost no interest in developing any of the more physical milestones. He isn't even close to sitting on his own and will quickly keel over if placed in a sitting position. He hates being on his belly, so getting up on hands and knees is somewhere in the very distant future. He's a strong little man, though, and he loves to stand on our laps. He's still a TERRIBLE sleeper, which is the only thing that keeps him from being the best baby ever, oh and he also HATES his car seat. He goes stiff as a board when placed in his car seat. As for sleeping, he still wakes up every three to four hours at night, so I'm working on trying to get some more calories in him during the day(because he definitely looks as if he's starving!) and we're working on some soothing strategies. I haven't had a full night's sleep in seven months or so!! He's a lover and a cuddle bug and I just LOVE my big boy!!

He always smiles for the camera! He was weighed at the doctor on the 2nd of the month at 17 pounds, three ounces. I don't know exactly how long he is. He's getting chunky again, so he must not be growing lengthwise at the moment.
This photo shoot was supposed to be all about Tristan, but Maura got a little jealous. Here's the obligatory Maura shot.
When Daddy comes home, Tristan gazes at him in adoration.
If we could only have such a reception all the time!
I love this shot! He looks like he's hugging the camera.
My chunky monkey contemplating the finer points of the universe.

How could anyone resist that smile??
He's a charmer, through and through. Five months is my favorite age. Babies at five months love their mommies, can't live without their mommies, laugh at everything and can't go anywhere!! I love it!

Family time in Pennsylvania

My parents and my siblings were so excited to see the kids while we were in Pennsylvania. We haven't seen Katie or Lorie since we moved at the beginning of August, so it was lots of fun to catch up with them and let them see how much the kids have grown in two months. Mom and Dad came by first thing in the morning to get lots of grandkid time in before the wedding. They had to leave early the next morning, so they wanted to get as much time with the kids on Saturday.

Grammy loving on her sweet grandkids. I don't think my mom could get enough of her grandkids. We've been so blessed to see her so much since our move and she and dad will be back in about a week and a half for another visit. Frequent visits are making the time down here fly by.

When we go to my grandparents' house, Maura uses the same high chair that my dad and his two siblings used as babies. It's hard to believe that my grandparents have kept this chair for almost sixty years! This is the same chair that I sat in growing up, as did all the rest of my cousins. It's kinda neat to think about all the meals and special memories that have taken place in this chair over the years
What a perfect angel...at least for a moment! Maura plays nicely by herself with all of the toys in the place until the rest of the crew arrives.
It then becomes Maura crazy time!! Everyone there seemed bent upon riling up my child! Then, they wonder why she's so wound up when they see her! Brad turned her upside down again and again.
Aunt Katie wrestled with her and let her mess up her hair.
But, my oh my does my girl love her Aunt Katie! I guess when you only get to see your aunts and uncles once every two months it's OK if they get you a little wound up!
Everyone came by again on Sunday morning before they headed out to spend a bit more time with us.
Great Grandma loved the time with the kids, even if Maura does wear her out a bit!
Aunt Katie and Scott with Tristan.
Uncle Micah finally feels like Tristan is big and sturdy enough to be less breakable, and thus holdable. He's going to be a great daddy.

Uncle Micah was drawing pictures on the Etch-a-Sketch and Tristan could not have been more interested. He was practically crawling off Lorie's lap to get a better look.
Aunt Lorie and Uncle Micah with my two kiddos.
I think I've failed to mention how much Maura loved this little chair. It's a kiddie sized recliner that my grandparents have had for years. It's the perfect size for Maura and she took possession soon after arriving. She and the "yittle teddy" spent many a happy moment in the chair.
Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Ray came by for a quick visit just after my siblings left. Aunt Sylvia just loved this big boy.
One last picture with Grandma and Pappap just before we left for the airport. We enjoyed our stay and probably overwhelmed my grandparents with our presence, but I'm so glad we went. I feel time ticking away from me with my grandparents and want to try to give them every opportunity to visit with their great grandkids while they can still enjoy it. I remember my great grandparents mostly from photographs, but I hope my children will remember and have a meaningful relationship with their great grandparents.

Our trip back was mercifully easier than our trip there. I had learned from my mistakes and found that it was much easier to gate check the car seat than to take it on board with me. The kids were so great on both flights and we actually had our special assistance waiting for us in Atlanta. I wish I had thought to take a picture of Maura. She got to ride on the wheelchair and she looked like Cleopatra sailing down the Nile. She got more looks in the airport as we rolled on by because of the huge smile she had on her face for the entire ride between terminals. I was so relieved to be landing in Columbus when we finally got there at 10:30 pm and I'm not sure if I've ever been so happy to see my sweet husband!! It was a great trip and a great visit, but I think I'm done with the solo travelling, at least for the time being!

Autumn in Pennsylvania

This past weekend, October 3-5, the kids and I flew to Pennsylvania for my cousin's wedding. I know, I am completely out of my mind. I knew that it would be a challenge to fly with both kids, but I didn't expect the marathon that it truly became. I tried to think through every aspect of the trip from the airport, to the rental car, to the drive. I thought I planned for every possibility, but I've learned that that isn't always possible when you have kids. We, unfortunately, do not live in a city that has direct flights anywhere. Every trip begins with either a two hour drive to Atlanta, or a commuter flight to Atlanta. I chose the latter because I couldn't imagine a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive on both ends of my trip. When going through security here in Columbus, I couldn't believe how thorough the security personnel were. I have never, I repeat NEVER, had anyone test the liquids in my bags for explosives. You have to understand, I was travelling with two sick kids, both of whom are on two different liquid medications. I also had our lunch packed, complete with juice boxes for Maura (only four ounces!). I had a sippy for Maura AND two ice packs to keep the antibiotic refrigerated. I had my ever present alcohol gel to keep away all the nasty airplane germs and my Oxy-clean to go for all those expected messes. All that adds up to a lot of liquids to test. Tristan screamed through the entire security experience and by the time they finished with us and I got everything back in semi order, they were already asking for us to board. Talk about stress! I managed to get everyone on board and situated with the help of a kind lady sitting beside us who volunteered to hold Tristan while I buckled in Maura's seat. Then Tristan disappeared underneath my nursing wrap, never to reappear for the whole twenty minute flight. When I got to Atlanta, we waited on board the plane for our special assistance until I realized that if I waited another minute, we'd miss our next flight. We only had a thirty nine minute layover. The pilot of the plane took pity on me and walked me about a quarter of a mile on the tarmac to an elevator. This part of the trip remains the only part Maura will talk about. We walked in very close proximity to jets which had their engines roaring! Maura loved feeling the hot air coming from the engines and she says, "I saw HOT AIR!" I strapped Maura into her rolling car seat and put Tristan in his front pack and we took off! Thankfully, I was able to sprint to the next terminal in enough time to be some of the last passengers boarding. Boy, were those other passengers happy to see me and the three ring circus entering that plane! Maura and Tristan were both so good and so pleasant on the plane. I'm not sure if I could have handled it if one or the other of them had screamed! Thankfully we had a very kind man help us off the plane and all the way to baggage claim and he called a porter for us to help us to the rental car. I have never been so happy to be in a car and ALMOST to my destination. We finally made it to my grandparents house at about five thirty in the afternoon after about six hours of travel time. Whew. I was so ready to just sit down and let my grandparents enjoy holding the kids!

My grandfather was so taken with Tristan. He couldn't believe how big and heavy Tristan had gotten. They haven't seen him since the end of June when he was about seven weeks old. Pappap kept asking me about how I was able to tote him around all the time. I answered him honestly, "I don't know!"
We were invited by my aunt to attend the rehearsal dinner that evening. Even though it was not fun to get up and get the kids in dress clothes so soon after arriving at my grandparent's house, it would not be nice to have to stay home alone with them for the evening. We went to the dinner where there were plenty of relatives to help hold and love on my kiddos. Don't they look beautiful??
Maura remembered the restaurant from my grandparents' 60th anniversary dinner that we had there just three months ago. She couldn't wait to run up and down the hallway like she had the last time.
Maura made a friend at the dinner. She's really just started playing well with other children in the past few months. Before she enjoyed watching other children play. Now she actually enjoys engaging with them in the games. AJ was at the dinner too and he was exactly the same age as Maura. They kept each other busy running up and down the hallway together. It was really good for me because his parents and I kind of traded off on keeping an eye on them because they stuck together so well. AJ was a whiz with the camera. I'm really glad Maura hasn't discovered a love of photography yet!
At the end of the dinner, my parents and Emily and Brad arrived. They had just driven in from Kentucky. Maura was so excited to see them. I didn't manage to get pictures of her face when she saw her Pappap and Grammy, but she was so overwhelmed to see them. She loved getting hugs from everyone, especially Brad who I think she may have a little crush on!
Maura enjoying some Pappap and Grammy time just before the wedding. I left the kids home with a babysitter(my second cousin) while I attended the ceremony, then went back between the ceremony and reception to nurse Tristan and see my sweet Maura.
Bryan and Amanda introduced as a married couple. They got married at Holy Family Catholic Church, the same church where my grandparents were married over sixty years ago. How cool is that?

Micah and Lorie. Lorie was eleven weeks pregnant!! Yay, can't wait to meet my new niece or nephew! The Chinese birth calender says that Lorie is fifty percent likely to have a girl! I'm thinking that it's 100 percent accurate all the time with those kinds of predictions!!
Emily and Brad. They're getting ready to celebrate their one year anniversary of dating.
Katie and Scott. Aren't they a lovely couple??
Just kidding! They were just being goofy! They're getting ready to celebrate their one year anniversary of dating too!! Anyone else hear wedding bells??
Just the girls. We really enjoyed getting to hang out together. Man, I know we look a lot alike, but this picture really confirms it!

Lorie, Grandpap, Katie, Me, Emily and Grandma. It was so much fun to celebrate such a happy occasion with my grandparents.
Me with Amanda and Bryan. I loved Amanda's dress so much. It made me want to go back and redo my wedding so I could get another dress! Amanda is a wonderful girl and we're so excited to welcome her to the family. Their wedding being the first weekend in October makes the fourth couple in my family to get married within a week of each other. Brent's sister Amy and Matt(2003), Lorie and Micah(2004), my cousins Amy and Kevin(2006) and now Bryan and Amanda(2008) all got married at the beginning of October five years apart. Glad I don't do anniversary presents!
The traditional "hand up the dress" ceremony. We didn't do this at our wedding simply because I thought Brent would die of embarrassment rather than remove a garter from my leg! I also discovered an interesting wedding tradition that must only occur in the north. Guests would bang their silverware on their glasses to get the couple to kiss. This must have occurred at least fifty times during the course of the evening. It got on my nerves!! I've never seen that done at a southern wedding!
My Aunt Barb and I. Aunt Barb is really my great aunt, but I've always kind of looked at her as a third grandmother because they've always accompanied my grandparents to all the important events of my life. I LOVE Aunt Barb!

My Aunt Silvia, Emily and Katie grooving on the dance floor. We all had a ball dancing the night away, even if we did look a little goofy! It was a beautiful wedding and I really enjoyed being an adult without a child in tow for the evening. More to come on all the fun family time we had last weekend.