Easter

Neighborhood Hunt 

 

Lucy's buddies: Maggie Kate, Lacey, Aditi and Josh

 Luke's buddies: Dawson and David

  sugar monster

Hunt #2 - Primary Activity

Easter Morning

eating chocolate bunnies

 and don't forget Miss Maryanne... who, although generous siblings offered her much candy, was the only one in our family who did not eat herself into a sugar frenzy.  

Maryanne - 2 weeks

photos by Meggan Boston

Failing at normalcy

Tuesday was a relaxing morning (meaning lazy) - with all 3 of my kids in my bed with me watching cartoons.  We ate breakfast hours after we woke up and were all still in our pajamas when my friend called with an invitation to an impromptu morning play date.  I thought it sounded SO fun and really wanted (and needed) to get out of the house.  So, I told her it would take us a while to get ready but asked if we could just come later -- like in an hour or so  (thinking I was pretty smart to be realistic and give myself "plenty of time").   Operation: "get out of the house" - start time: 9:30 am.  Determined to be fast,  I had strapped a fussy Maryanne to me in a Snugly as I changed Lucy's diaper one handed and got both the kids dressed.  I fed Maryanne (which took HALF of that hour) and put her in her car seat.  I was almost to my hour mark but decided since I was covered in dry spit up should probably jump in the shower real quick.  When I got out and was getting dressed I heard a huge explosion of Maryanne filling her diaper - from the other room.  I thought - wo, that must have been why she was so fussy.  I continued dressing and then heard it again.  And again!  I ran over to her car seat to pull her out and the car seat was full of the beautiful yellow liquid.  Aahhhh!  So, I carry my dripping baby to her changing table and get a large burp cloth and lay it down to change her.  After a million wipes and a sponge bath - she is all clean and in a new outfit and the cloth was carefully rolled up and set aside.  Well, apparently during her sponge bath (unbeknownst to me) she had wet all over the  changing table cover.  So, I had laid her down on the table and when I picked her up - her whole back was soaked.  Aahhhhh!  Ok, so I changed her again. I started to feel like this was getting funny.  But the clock kept on ticking and I was wondering if I was going to make it.  I changed her into another dry outfit and laid her on the bed.  Jokingly I said out loud - "just a minute Maryanne - don't spit up"  and just as I said it - she spit up a ton all over her new dry clothes!  Seriously?!!  I changed her yet AGAIN and laid her on our bed while I ran to get her car seat (that I had scrubbed out and dried) and when I get back I see she has thrown up all over our bed.  Really??!! This is happening??!!   I grab the first cloth I see and start cleaning up the mess when I realize I had grabbed the cloth I changed her on -- and  was actually smearing yellow poo on to our bed!!!  oh wow.  I am really dumb.  But then I thought I should probably just laugh at my dumbness -- and my predicament.  Yeah, that seemed like the right thing to do.  I looked at the clock and it was 11:30.  The universe had spoken.  I was supposed to stay home, clean up the terrible terrible mess that was around me and maybe just make some cookies and play video games with Luke until I felt better.  Operation "get out of the house" was going to have to be executed on another, more awesome, less poopy day.

The Help :-)

Big Steve and Sweet Pat came to visit us for 10 days.  I was so grateful to have them here all to myself and the timing really could not have been better.

Memphis Botanic Gardens - March 14th (little did we know Maryanne was on her way in just a few hours!)

 Luke and Grandpa got in a water flight as soon as we got there and were both soaked.

The day we got home from the hospital - My dad and Joey started their projects for the yard.  (Before and after pics coming soon.... as soon as the "after" happens that is)
So, my dad and Joey created lots of dangerous fun for the kids.  A balancing teeter totter.

 Fun with power tools

 And this is a picture taken by our very own Luke.  I was looking through the pictures and said "Look Joey - this is how your son sees you"  And Joey looking at the picture said, "Hmmm, I'm surprised he doesn't mind me more often."

 Kids and G&G home from church on Sunday and come to say hi to mom and baby sister

 Stories with Grandpa

We got so many nice gifts and visits from friends.  Sheri Bate brought over this Strawberry Shortcake to welcome Maryanne.

 And Joey's co-worker gave the kids these bubble blowers to keep them entertained. 

 A natural nurturer

A father of THREE!! home from work.

 G&G took L&L on a riverboat down the Mississippi.

 My parents are the coolest.  I can't believe how much they get done.  They are quite the team.  My mom did all the laundry, cooked the meals, cleaned, organized and took care of the kids.  My dad built 2 structures in our backyard!!  A cool gazebo/sandbox and a shed!!  (pics to come)  It meant so much to me to have them both here bonding with my kids and just seeing our life here.  My friends all commented on how cool (and good looking) my parents are.  I do feel quite lucky to have them.