Beach Baby

Mike and I took the babies to the playground. Luckily, our local playground includes a beach area right on the lake. Needless to say, it's been HOT around here. So, without planning, I stripped Will down to his diaper and sat him down in the sand. He didn't quite know what to think. It must have been a strange sensation to feel the sand moving under him and the water splashing on his toes.

It is such an indescrible joy to experience things for the 1st time through Will's eyes. He gets so excited over the simplest things. Even a cardboard box brings him great happiness. So playing in the sand was a thrill for him. He loved the freedom of being able to crawl all over the place without being limited by doors, walls, or baby gates.

Caroline slept peacefully next to us in the stroller. Her sand play days are further along in the future.
There is nothing cuter than a diapered baby in the sand!

He's trying to figure it all out.

On the move!

A Visit from the Harrells

We had a wonderful visit from our sweet friends, Ginny and Robert. Ginny worked at one of my previous schools as an incredible media specialist. It was such a privilige to watch her read to children.

They just celebrated 37 precious years of marriage! They came up to see our sweet babies! It was si good to see them and catch up.

Caroline had to dress for this special occasion.

Spending time with Ginny.

Two handsome southern guys!

Mike's Station wins an award

Mike has been with his new job as the General Manager of WNGM radio for 1 year now. This past month, Mike attended the GA Asso. of Broadcasters Conference in Atlanta. During the annual Gabby Awards Banquet, the station won a "Gabby" award for Best Sports Show. Since the station is fairly new, this is a wonderful acknowledgement of all of his hard work. Of course, I had to be there to cheer my man on!

Tom, Mike and station owner, Gil

So proud of my sweetheart!

Visit from Grammy and PawPaw

The week after Caroline and I came home from the hospital, sweet Cheryl came to stay with us for a week to help with the babies. She is my dad's wife of 13 years and a precious addition to our family.

A week later, she came back with my father for a short visit. It has been a real blessing to get to know her and my dad all over again. And, they brought fresh shrimp and crawfish from Louisiana. There's nothing better! You just can't find Louisiana seafood here in NC, and ohhh, how I've missed it!

Before you eat crawfish, you gotta peel' em! And these were spicy!

Daddy holding his new granddaughter.

He pretty much did this the entire visit! Too cute!

Cheryl, doing one of the things she does best, COOKING!

Grammy and her newest angel.

Proud PawPaw!

Can't you just imagine, she's already asking for things!

Sleepy Will getting sugars from Grammy

Loving my PawPaw!

Cheryl, Dad, Me, Will and Caroline

Visiting Daddys work

During Caroline's 2nd week home, Mike's mom, Renee, came to help take care of the babies. On the last day of her visit, we took the babies to a wonderful local bistro-style restaraunt. Will had the most fun flirting with everyone around us. And Caroline was an angel.

Ready for crunchies! (little baby snacks that he can pick up)

What a happy baby!

After lunch, we visited Daddy at the radio station.

Tom, Mike's wonderful associate holding sweet Caroline.

Putting Will to work. Daddy can always use an extra pair of hands.

Two tired babies passed out when we got home.

Will is on the move

With all the excitement of Caroline being born, Will was not about to miss out on any action. When Mike and I left for the hospital to have Caroline, Will was trying to crawl, but hadn't quite gotten the hang of it. He had only pulled up one time in his crib the night before.

BUT, much to our surprise, when we came home with his little sister 4 days later, he was crawling everywhere, with great speed! He has also mastered the art of pulling up on anything that will stand still and some things that won't. He's such a showman! He always makes sure that one of us sees him and applauds his efforts. We are working hard to keep up with him.

"Look, mom, one hand!"

"I'm going over. At least I'm trying."


Checking out Tess before bed.

He's already in love with his big, yellow doggie! I'm not sure if the feeling is mutual.

Getting to his favorite person, daddy!

Will loves to be upside down!

A baby right-of-passage, playing in the kitchen floor with mommy's spoons and containers.

Memorial Day weekend. First time in the pool and loving it!

Oh, Tess wants to get in so badly.

Check out my shades!

Coming home with Caroline

Our precious Caroline has been home for almost 3 weeks. These are photos from her 1st week at home. We were so excited to bring her home on time. It was really heartbreaking to leave our little Will in NICU at the hospital last July. So, bringing her home was really wonderful and kind of scary all at the same time. When we brought Will home, he was almost 3 weeks old and on a feeding/sleeping schedule. Caroline was a clean slate. Like most parents, Mike and I had to figure it all out and work out all the details. I just keep remembering everything the nurses taught us with Will. Even though Caroline was not in the NICU, she was still a 36-week preemie and tiny. We had to do alot of the same things with her, only at home, with no nurses to hold our hands. With a 10-month old at home, it has certainly been challenging and rewarding.

The wonderful wheelchair ride to the car.

She just had to wear that precious bonnet, even if it did seem to swallow her head. My poor little Caroline, it seemed as though the car seat buckle might choke her. It is so difficult to fit a 5 pound baby in a car seat.

Look at those eyes. She studies everything carefully.

Michelle was waiting at home for us with Will. She sweetly talked to Caroline during a diaper change.

Having some "awake" time with the family.

My stepmother, Cheryl, "Gram" to the babies, came up all the way from south Louisiana. She stayed with us for a week after we came home. She cooked good Louisiana food, helped with the house and loved on my precious Will and Caroline. She was an incredible help!

Will had to check on his little sister.

Sleeping like a little angel.

Caroline was starting to cry, so her big brother crawled over to offer comfort, at least I'd like to think so. I was close by just in case his comforting turned into a hit on the head.

Okay, it can be done. It doesn't happen often, but on rare occasions their feeding times overlap. Even though Mike was home, I decided to try to feed them both by myself. Caroline is getting a bottle and Will is being fed baby food. Mike was nearby to document the event.

Octopus hands would come in handy at a time like this.