The goose is getting fat...

We are headed to my parents' house for Christmas this year (if you're a thief reading this, please don't rob my house - although we'll have literally everything packed to the hilt in our janked up mini-van). It's going to be so much fun and so much chaos. Just in my immediate family there are 18 people - eight of them 5 and under. Wow. Thankfully Jeannie and Kelly, David and Mary Lane live in town, so we'll all have places to spread out...a little. When we all come together, though, we just all want to be in the same place, which usually means the 4 bedroom, 2000 square foot house where we grew up that we call home. Mom has parties and activities planned pretty much the whole time...church twice, parties every night, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas day brunch. And then for the grand finale there will be Christmas dinner with 30 people in the same house we call home. Hilarious.

Even more hilarious are the emails that have been going around about what food all the women are bringing. I mean, we have to make sure we have enough, right? So here's the line-up. Please keep in mind as you're reading this that my mom thinks this list is STILL not enough:

Veggie Tray
Ham Things (ham biscuits that literally melt in your mouth)
Fried Turkey
Fruit Bowl
Tofu Turkey (my sister-in-law is the only healthy one in the bunch)
Cherry Cream Cheese Tarts
Lemon-glazed Pound Cake
Ten tons of chicken strips
Antipasto Platter
Huge Salad
Sour Cream Biscuits (I mean, wow...these are amazing)
Boiled shrimp
Sausage dip and chips
Vegetable Pizza
Pecan Tarts
Deviled Eggs
Sweet Potatoes
Macaroni
Maybe Bacon-Wrapped Tenderloin
Enough alcohol to inebriate a small country
And, of course, a partridge in a pear tree

Think that's enough? Not so sure.

I'd love to hear what goodies you HAVE to have on Christmas. Just leave a comment that I'll post so everyone can see. (Reminder - to comment, just click comment, leave the comment in the space provided - don't forget to type your name, then click anonymous...It will not show up automatically, but it'll get there, I promise).

Since we will be at Mom and Dad's, I may not be able to blog for a while. They are still in dial-up land, though I am hoping and praying that's their Christmas present to each other. If so, I'll be up and running. If not, have a merry, hug your kids, kiss your family, and thank the Lord for your life - and for His.

The sweetest sound...

I've just recently discovered the sweetest sound in the world...it's the babies laughing at Maggie. I thought it was cute when Tori laughed at me or Zoe flashed me that grin, and it was. But there's seriously nothing sweeter on earth than hearing them crack up at each other. It just makes me so happy and reminds me of my own house growing up. Of course there were other sounds in our house - yelling, screaming, fighting too - but I remember LOTS of laughter. Still to this day no one can make me laugh harder than my siblings. It's that full, hilarity, gotta run to the bathroom kind of laughter with them...and I can see it starting in my girls already.

Everything's better with a stick of butter...

So this is what I did with my morning while the twins napped. Hilarious. Maggie is such a mess and I love her to pieces, y'all!

More pics

As if you hadn't had enough of my little family...I got these yesterday from a friend, though, and they are just too sweet, so I had to add them. I love the one of Maggie watching Tori.

Big Weekend

This weekend was so fun! Saturday we just hung out at our house and took it easy - playing with the kids and napping and stuff. I forgot to mention last week that we are having to take Tori to a bunch of specialists to get her checked out because she's so tiny. So all weekend Mom and Sandy were testing her out - trying to get her to sit, stand, laugh, talk, whatever. It was funny. The pic of Tori surrounded by red above is when they pinned her in between the couch, the ottoman, and some pillows to get her to stand up. It was hilarious. Tori is so strong and she loves standing straight - she's just not very pliable and she doesn't bend well at the waist. So they just stood her up and surrounded her. It was really funny.

Saturday night the grandparents stayed with the kids so Ian and I could go out for our seven year anniversary! It was so great to get away together and have a fun night. We went out to the intracoastal to a place called Lulu's and had yummy seafood. Then after dinner we took chairs and sat out by the dock and watched a Christmas boat parade with about 50 other people. It was really so fun and neat. They had a fire pit out there and you could just sit with a beer and watch the crazy boats go by.

Sunday morning was the baptism. As if it's not crazy enough trying to get our family to a normal day of church, we had to get everyone in and out of the shower/bath and into presentable, non-puked clothes. It seriously took all five adults and one quite cooperative four year old to pull it off, but we managed to do it and actually get there on time. It was a really special day - our friends from church were there and the Bernards and Putmans were there too. It was so fun and the babies did great. Tori just smiled and cooed at our pastor the whole time, which was precious. Zoe looked like a deer in headlights, and Maggie was the sweet little proud big sister. I was so proud of our little family. I just love them so much and I have the greatest husband. It was just one of those moments when you just beam! I'll try to send more pics when I get them.

What a great Saturday

It's just 9 am, but we've been up and at 'em for quite a while around here. Last night Ian's mom, Sandy, and my mom and dad came into town for the twins' baptism this Sunday. I am at the computer printing off Christmas coloring pages for Maggie and "Doc" (my dad) to color in the kitchen. Ian's washing the dishes (what a studly, sweet hubby), and Mom and Sandy are feeding Zoe and Tori. I can hear them all in there laughing and washing and goo-gooing at the babies. I have to say that it makes me tear up to listen to them. It just makes me so happy to have my family here in our house. The tree is up and lit, the ipod is playing Christmas music, our bellies are full of yummy breakfast pastries, and I am actually sitting by myself at the computer without anyone crawling all over me!

Hope you all are taking time to enjoy the season. I have literally left the house twice this week during the day, so it makes it a little easier to "slow down" and do fun stuff like color Santa's sleigh, sing Christmas tunes, watch Rudolph for the tenth time, and drink hot chocolate. You gotta try it!

Our good friend

Last week we lost a really dear friend to our family. Her name was Maria Alvarez and she passed away after a long illness. She was the sweetest woman ever - I'm serious. She and her husband, Al, would literally take a bullet for anyone in my family, and I'm sure there are many other families that could say the same. I remember meeting the Alvarez family when their kids were on swim team with us. Vivian and Virginia, their two girls, were really great swimmers and beat the goggles off of me (every day of the week and twice on Sunday). We used to all carpool out to Hunting Creek pool where we would jump in and swim at the crack of dawn. The trip to the pool took a while - about 15 minutes or so, I guess, so we had a lot of time to get to know each other. I didn't know it then, because Mrs. Alvarez was just Mrs. Alvarez to a little girl, but soon came to realize how dedicated and devoted a person and friend she was.

Mrs. Alvarez, my mom, and another family friend, Mrs. Wier, would take each other out to lunch every time one of their birthdays rolled around (though they were always about four to six months behind on each other's birthdays, but they still made it happen). I love that they were always dedicated to each other like that. Their lives didn't naturally intersect but they always made time to get together and care for each other. It has been a great example to me of the need for close, old friends (not old age, mom!).

Mrs. Alvarez learned somehow (maybe it was the gawking and begging) that our family LOVED her poppyseed cake, so she would bring one over at Christmas, Easter, or anytime she knew all the kids would be descending on the Sloan house. It was seriously so moist and delicious. She always told us it was for Matt so we all had to steal some of it before Matt walked in the door to devour the rest.

When David, my brother, had cancer in high school, the Alvarez' were right there with him and us every step of the way. I can't explain it, really, but they were just always there at the right time. Mrs. Alvarez would call or stop by to visit and it literally just brightened the day. She and Mr. Alvarez would come over and start chatting and it was all she could do to pull Mr. Alvarez away - I remember her always saying, "C'mon Al, let's leave these people alone!". Of course, we never wanted them to leave because they are like family.

Over the years I have come to appreciate the love of old friends. It's like a good old pair of jeans (that you wish you could fit into!)...it just makes you feel comfy and free. That's what it was like with Mrs. Alvarez - and what it continues to be with her family.

Praying for you, Mr. Alvarez, Virginia, Vivian, and the kids. Your sweet, Gamecock lovin' mom will be missed! I can't wait to see you guys at Christmas - and get that poppyseed cake recipe so we can carry on the tradition! Love you all...

Cooking Channel

I was just in the den feeding Tori and Maggie was eating lunch in the kitchen and the cooking channel was on. All of a sudden Maggie ran in the room and said, "Mommy, I just realized something! The man on the TV talking to Paula Deen is the man on Iron Chef!" (it was Mario Battalio or whatever his name is). Hilarious - especially since we've never seen Iron Chef - she just saw the commercials.

So we are just chillin at home today, and thankfully it is finally a bit chilly here. It's about 55 degrees right now, which at least feels like Fall. Because of this I actually had my air conditioner on yesterday, and then my heat on last night. Ahhhh, Florida.

By the way, how many times a day can one actually BE a rotten egg? Apparantly a lot because Maggie informs me that I am that rotten egg about every five or ten minutes. (i.e. "last one up the stairs, to buckle their seatbelt, to go down the stairs, to color their picture, to pick their nose"...the list is endless). She's not too far off, actually, since most days I do smell and look like a rotten egg until about 8:30 at night when I get to take a shower.

Out of the mouths of babes...

So last night was a doozy. The twins had their shots yesterday at the doc and when we got them up for their last feeding around 11:30pm, they both had a fever. Zoe went back to sleep pretty easily after a bottle and some tylenol, but Tori was up and down a good bit because we also found out that she has an ear infection. Anyway, I have a bit of a cold, so I slept downstairs on the couch and checked on Tori whenever she cried out. I was up from 4-5 with her, re-tylenol-ing her and all that. Finally back to sleep, I am awakened at 7:30 by Maggie standing there staring at me. She's ready to get up for the day, get some breakfast, and watch "kid channel". As I'm getting up from the couch she says to me, "Mom, you look like you ate jelly all night long." I'm thinking, do I have something on my mouth? No clue what she's talking about, so I say, "Maggie, what are you talking about?". She says, "Your belly, Mom. Your belly looks like you've been eating jelly all night."

Ahhh, four year olds. Gotta love em. I actually would have rather eaten jelly all night than have to get up and down with the twins. I think we've been reading too much about Santa and his belly shaking like a bowl full of jelly. Hmmm...maybe I could moonlight as Mrs. Claus?

I need to remind myself that of course my belly looks like a bowl full of jelly. I mean, this is what it looked like 6 months ago - just a few days before I went in to have the girls! Not sure it will ever be the same again, but it was definitely worth it. Mama's, we need to love our war wounds!

O,O, Oprah...

So amazingly I had a few minutes this morning when I could sit down with my coffee and watch a taped episode of Oprah. It was the one about hairstyles and she had all these stylists for the stars on there who did normal people's hair for the show. It was very amazing and entertaining to see the transformations of these women. A lot of talk on this show, as well as pretty much every Oprah show, is about taking care of yourself and loving yourself and all that jazz. She always has moms on there who haven't cut their hair in years or are still wearing high waist tapered jeans or something like that. These sweet women come on there and go from zero to hero in a matter of minutes. Oprah always asks, "Don't you feel like a new person? What has been holding you back from taking care of yourself?". The answer they give is always the same..."I have three (or however many) kids." Then they chat about how important it is to take care of yourself, to not let yourself go, to do things for yourself, blah, blah, blah.

Here's the thing...I totally agree with the fact that us moms need to take care of ourselves. But seriously, who's got the time or MONEY to get that stuff done? I mean, I just darkened my hair so that I wouldn't have to have it colored anymore, and then the Mariah Carey stylist says that the most important thing you can do for yourself is to keep coloring your hair. All these women on the show had their hair pulled back in ponytails or buns or whatever and then they got their hair done and they looked amazing - not a ponytail in sight. Seriously, though, I HAVE to have my hair completely out of my face all day or else it will get a)pulled out from the roots by Zoe, b)filled with rice cereal and smashed peas, or c) pulled out from the roots by me when I'm losing my mind. I have thought over the past few days that maybe I need to just go short again. It's so much easier that way, but gals who need to lose 40 pounds really shouldn't cut their hair extremely short, if you know what I'm saying.

I know I'm vain. Never has this been more apparant than in the last few months. I guess it's because I wake up in t-shirts, shower (if I'm lucky) and dress for the day in t-shirts and pants with no zipper, greet my husband at night wearing my third t-shirt of the day (because the others have shoulder-puke stains), and then put on my sexy, you guessed it, t-shirt to go to bed again at night. Sometimes I try to trick myself and wear a tank top, but the "girls" (as Stacy London calls them on "What Not to Wear") really cannot be contained by tank tops these days. They need to be strapped in at all times by bras with thick straps and bands to lift and separate (heavy emphasis on the "lift"). By the way, all you mommies out there...am I the only one who has to physically LIFT them into the bra ever since I've had kids? It's unbelievable.

But as I write these things I am reminded by that tiny little soft voice that I desperately love, but strain to hear, that I am exactly who I am supposed to be. Truth comes flooding in, trying to win the day over the other voices swirling in my head and all around me. Truth that says that I am beloved...how crazy is that?

Oh God

help me

to believe

the truth about myself

no matter

how beautiful it is!

(Seasons of the Heart by Macrina Wiederkehr)

So I guess I'll take my saggy boobed, bunned hair, Beefy-T'd, beloved self upstairs now and get ready for my day.

Love to all in blogland!

C'mon baby...kick them Daisy's...

OK, so this pic is from last month at a thing at church. I've been meaning to post it because it cracks me up. This is a picture of Maggie with our good friends Beth and Cassidy. Please look at my four year old daughter. What the heck is she doing? She is most definitely posing, but I mean, what the heck?! Hilarious. I think we've been watching too much "Dancing With the Stars".

Christmas in Florida and Thanksgiving Pics

Tori and Nonnie

Ian naps with Num-Num

Maggie at her Thanksgiving Feast

Maggie and I meet sweet baby Sam

Aunt Susan and Maggie made special cookies on Thanksgiving Day

Cousin Amanda and Zoe

Uncle Matt playing with Zoe

So last week we were in Asheville and it looked and felt like snow. Today I am setting up Christmas stuff, which is quite a trip with a four year old helping. There's Christmas music playing on the ipod, Santas and nativities everywhere, stockings hung on the kitchen counter with care (no fireplaces in Jax)...and it's 70 degrees outside. No joke. I have my windows open, glass doors flung wide, and a short sleeved shirt on. I can't decide if I like it or hate it. I mean, I LOVE the fresh air year-round, but there's just something about snuggling up with a cup of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire. Who am I kidding...like I'd be doing that this year.



Tonight is the finals of Dancing With the Stars and let me just say that if Marie Osmond wins then I'm going to have to gnash my teeth or something. I mean, come on America.

Turkey Day

So we're here in Asheville with Ian's mom and his family and it's so great. Someone has literally been holding one of my babies the ENTIRE time we've been here. And I actually got to read part of a People magazine this morning...Sexiest Man Alive issue...even better. That's one of my favorite pastimes in coming to Nonnie's house - she always has great magazines and cool spa-like products in our guest bathroom.

Just to update you, Mom's out of the hospital and doing great. Jeannie had her baby and after two days of deliberating, they decided to name him Samuel Kelly McCormick. (Kelly is her hubby's name). He's so precious and little, though he's only a couple pounds lighter than Tori is at 6 months. I'll attach pics later.

One thing I'm so grateful for this year is my blog. It has helped me stay sane and given me an outlet to air my craziness over the past few months. Thanks for reading it - and even if no one's really reading it, I just love doing it. I love cracking myself up, and wish I could tell you all the thoughts that go through my head that I just can't or won't write about on this thing. Hey, I'm a mommy and don't want to embarass myself too much!

Hope you are all eating tons of Turkey, pie and Chardonnay today! Naps for everyone!

The Smith saga continues...

I think we always have so much drama in my family because there are so many of us. Yesterday my Dad called to tell me that Mom was in the ER because she had her heart attacacardia (pretty sure I just butchered the spelling of that). She gets it from time to time, but this time it lasted longer than usual. So the doc sent her to the hospital and they got her heart rate back down pretty quickly. She is having to stay in the hospital for a couple nights, though, just to make sure everything's ok and there was no damage done to her heart.

Meanwhile, just a few floors away, my sweet sister, Jeannie, and her belly and her husband are checking into a room today to have that baby! Wow. The Sloans take over Baptist Hospital, which, coincidentally, is where my Dad works on the psych ward. Crazy.

Thankfully, we are headed to Asheville today for Thanksgiving and were already planning to spend the night in Columbia tonight. So, I'll get to see the baby and the sister and the mama. Whew. Praying everyone will be allright. It's one of those days you want to stay on your knees all day - but then you can't because how would you feed your children, pack your entire family up, and do all the other everyday stuff? Praying as I go...

Ha...la...la...

I really resist "starting" Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but I just had to grab a taste of it yesterday. I was taking Maggie and some friends to a birthday party and had just enough time to run into Starbucks with my $25 gift certificate. There's just something about that place. Even getting out of my gacked up van and walking toward the door I started to take deep satisfying breaths as I smelled the scent that means happiness to moms with young kids. The coffee aroma just flows all around the outside of that store and I am seriously transported to my happy place. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true.

I've felt this way about Starbucks for quite some time. I remember after I had Maggie four years ago, I was out getting groceries or something and realized that the Harris Teeter had tacked on a Starbucks. I hadn't gotten out too much at that time and I remember thinking, "there is a world out there, and it's all happening at Starbucks." Seriously, I looked in at all the normal people grabbing their grande non-fat soy lattes and I knew that I had to walk in. So I did, and instantly (I'm not exaggerating, sadly) I felt like I was a person again. How do they do that? How have they managed to bottle up happiness, which I know, I know is circumstantial, in one little outrageously expensive coffee shop. I'm not sure, but they do it...and they do it well.

Back to the task at hand. This feeling still exists and is available to me just minutes from my little townhouse in Jacksonville. So, I succumbed to the desire for normalcy and I walked in yesterday to get a drink and feel the love. The Christmas part comes in here...they have literally the best drink ever right now and I inhaled them last year when I was pregnant. It's the peppermint mocha and it's divine. But somehow those genius baristas and their marketing friends have found a way to make it even more divine. Now there's the White Peppermint Mocha and I am not kidding when I say that it made me happier than a cup of coffee should. It's delicious. You gotta try it. It wakes you up, tastes like liquid candy, and goes straight to your thighs...doesn't get any better than that. (Thanks Jeannie, for calling me this week and tipping me off to this new treat. Coincidentally, Jeannie is nine months pregnant and is due TODAY, so she deserves all the mochas she can handle. Get them now while you still can waddle yourself in there without three children in tow!).

So Starbucks, I salute you. Real men of genius - Mr. "Transport you to Another Place with an Outrageously Good and Pricey Cup of Coffee" guy. And not just the coffee...the whole experience - it smells good, looks great, makes you want to bring your laptop just to look like you're working and cool, has cushy/chic chairs, mood music, and more choices than you could possibly want in coffee. I'm sold - you did it - I buy the whole package...hook, line, and cappucino.

By the way, "ha...la...la" is another "Sloan-ism" that just means "jidge", which is another "Sloan-ism" that means awesome. Use them with style and flair and at your discretion.

I'm a sucker...

Since Leslie, my sister-n-law, is my hero and I want to be just like her, I'm copying her idea and pasting this site onto my blog today. Also, if I do this, I get entered into a contest and could win fun stuff (yeah, right). Anyway, this really is a great site and I love to check it out all the time.

Whose house...

RUN'S HOUSE! Ok, it's 8 pm on Thursday night and if you're reading this, then you need to step away from the computer and walk briskly to your TV to watch Run's House on MTV. It's seriously hilarious and it makes me so happy. Ian's at a work dinner, all the kids are asleep, I've got a glass of chardonnay and a bowl of pasta, and Rev Run on the tube. A great end to a crazy day.

Seriously, you need to tivo this or watch it. It's really wholesome and hilarious.

How to comment on this blog...

This pic has nothing at all to do with this post. It's just cute and I wanted to include it. It's Maggie and Nate and Watts at the park last week. How sweet!

So, we've been home all day every day this week. Maggie has a fever and sore throat so there's that. Also I have been trying really hard to keep the schedule going for the twins. It's going pretty well. I have seen a big change in Tori - she is eating more and napping better than before. And Zoe's just kinda rolling with the punches, as long as I keep her doped up on Tylenol and Baby Orajel. The girl's trying really hard to bust out a tooth and she screams her head off when the drugs wear off in the night.

To prove to you how much of a black hole I live in, Ian had to convince me the other night that Thanksgiving IS actually next week. I just didn't believe him and thought he was wrong. It's like I went to bed in May and woke up in time for the holidays. Except for the fact that I haven't gone to bed much at all since May, but you get the picture. So I'm frantically trying to make a Christmas budget, which never works, and figure out what to get for the Sloan/Hund/Smith masses this year. Anyone know a good gift for nieces and nephews for under $10? I'm serious. Let's help each other out! Let me know if you have any ideas, especially since I have 5 to buy for.

My Christmas tip for the day is this: http://www.expressionery.com/ has the cutest stationery and other stuff - and all of it is 40% off right now with free shipping! It's a cute site - check it out. Another tip for those of you who have to buy for kids - check out the Disney store this time of year. They usually have their costumes on major sale and those tend to be a flashy, big hit for Santa gifts.

So, if any of you have any great gift ideas, please comment and let us know. Share the love!

Oh, by the way, here's how you leave a comment, for those of you who have asked...
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Easy enough? Now get rollin!

Sleep training

OK, so Ian and I reached our breaking point this week and we now have a "sleep plan" for our little family. It sounds so wierd to say that because we have always been people and parents who, well, don't really get with sleep plans. We just kind of do our thing and trust our instincts, and basically make fun of people who read these books and follow these plans to make your parenting life a breeze by scheduling your babies to death.

I wouldn't say that we're necessarily eating our words now, but we have moved into the "read a book because we're desperate" position. The voices in my head have been saying, "they're just babies...they're twins and they already have to cry a lot during the day...they're on antibiotics...Tori doesn't even weigh ten pounds yet...maybe if I feed them they'll go back to sleep so I can salvage some rest from this night...". But then the voices started sounding more like, "what the heck is WRONG with her...and what the heck is wrong with HER...how am I ever going to make it through the day tomorrow...why didn't I get some Krispy Kremes to make it through the night...these kids are almost 6 frickin months old and they need some sleep...I can't believe I'm almost 40 and I'm still getting up with children...come to think of it, I can't believe I'm 40, period."

So, to make a long story longer, I heeded the suggestion of a couple friends and got the book, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." I have to admit that I do like it because, as my sweet friend Harriet says, it covers all different scenarios. (When she came over the other day, she saw the book on my table and told me she'd read it cover to cover three times!) If something's going on with your child, it's touched on in the book. And, the author/doctor allows for different parenting types. See, that was my problem with all the baby books. It seems like the books want you to be so rigid about your child's schedule that you can't flex for anything. That bugged me, but now I am so desperate that I am willing to give up any semblance of a social life in order to sleep. That's not really true - we did get the girls a nap yesterday morning, but then dragged them to Maggie's soccer game and on to the Jacksonville Fair. But, point being, the book has at least gotten us to form a plan and try to stick to it.

Now we're getting them up at the same time in the morning, putting them down for a couple naps a day, and putting them to bed early - then letting them cry if they wake up at night (unless there's something wrong, of course). It's going pretty well. They have cut their crying time down to about 30 minutes and then they go back to sleep. Ian and I split up the night and one listens out while the other wears earplugs. It makes for some great sleep! Even if it's 4 straight hours, it's heavenly to not have to listen out.

Basically, now I am one of those annoying moms who when you ask how she's doing, she tells you her babies' eating and sleeping schedule for the last 24 hours. But the reason for that is because that's literally all I think about and focus on. It's like an obsession, but that's just the season I'm in right now.

Now that I've bored you all to tears, I'll sign off. I'll try to live some exciting life between now and the next time I blog, so that this will be a little more fun to read. Don't hold your breath, though.

By the way, here's a pic of my cute sister, Jeannie, and her adorable family on Halloween. She is due any day now with boy #3. Wow. And welcome to sleeplessness, J! Love you!

More pics

We had a great time seeing Nana and Papa last week too. Nana is doing better...as you can see, she's at home and is recovering. My grandfather is like Baby Ambien - literally every time he holds one of our babies they fall into the most peaceful sleep. Seriously, it's the most adorable thing you've ever seen. And frustrating, because why won't they sleep that way for me? Maybe it has something to do with the humming, rocking, bottom patting and round belly to rest on? I don't know, but it's darn cute.

We also got to see Granny Franny and Lawton after Granny Lee's funeral. It was great to get to see them, and for the twins to meet Uncle Lawton! Sadly, I don't have the pics on my computer because we traded cameras with Sandy. I'll have to get them from her and post those pics, because they are pretty cute!

Pics from last week

Here are some more pics from last week at Sandy's and my mom's. As you can see, Maggie was Pocahontas - which cracks me up because out of all the Disney characters to choose, she chooses the one that looks the least like her. So funny with the wig. The twins were two peas in a pod, Nate was Superman, and Watts was the red Power Ranger - who I'm sure has a name, but I don't know it. We don't roll with Power Rangers around here. Unless the character wears pink and does pirouettes, I don't know her name. Anyway, enjoy!

So much to update you on...

So hilarious to watch Zoe in this johnny jump up. About as hilarious as it is to see Tori try to get in there. I mean, when Tori's in the jumpy, it's literally like placing a newborn baby in there and expecting the baby to go to town. Only Tori can hold her head up and she's strong as an ox. Seriously, pound for pound she's stronger than anyone else in our family. She could easily slip through the leg holes, though. So funny...I'll try to get a picture of it.

It's been a lifesaver, though, with Zoe. Zoe is the most butterball-ish, kissable little kid, but she definitely likes to be held, which is a problem if you have two babies, a four year old, and only two arms to yourself. So needless to say, the jumpy has been a blessing.

Amazing how excited I get when we pull out a new toy for the twins to use. The exersaucer now has a porminent place in our den, though Zoe won't get with it yet and Tori's little feet won't reach the bottom. Seriously, though, there is so much gear in my house that in any given place in the townhouse you are just a few short steps away from another place to place the babies. I knocked the mess out of my leg the other day when I was simply trying to to get from the kitchen to the couch. There are car seats, bouncies, bumbos, johnny jump ups, exersaucers, swings, pack-n-plays, and other various baby-gear items everywhere! Not to mention Polly Pocket's numerous outfits dotting the floors of every room. Our vaccuum cleaner bag is full of teeny-tiny platform shoes that Polly has lost along the way.

By the way, I'm now a brunette, as you can see from my picture with pocahontas on Halloween. I'm going back to my roots...literally.

What's up in blogland?

Hey folks. Sorry for the major hiatus, but we were out of town for about a week and a half. We went up to SC for Granny Lee's funeral, then we went to Asheville for the weekend to visit Ian's mom. Next, the kids and I spent the week at my parents' while Ian was on a business trip and then at a retreat. Whew. I'm exhausted, and so are the kids. We all have snotty noses, and droopy, sleepy eyes. I'll write more when I can, but for now, know that I have missed my times at the computer! My parents, bless em, are still using dial up, so it's tough to get online much. (Not dogging you, mom and dad...well, I guess I am).

Just a few bullet points that have run through my head over the past couple weeks:

*Hate to admit that Hillary is right about the village
*Grandparents are life-savers...literally. Not sure if the twins would be here if it weren't for the grands relieving me of my duties in the middle of the night.
*Note to self...don't try to drive home from the zoo in Columbia if you have twins in your car and President Bush is in town, or a 20 minute trip turns into a two hour sightseeing tour of the cotton fields in rural SC. ("Smiling faces, beautiful places...ahhhh!")
*The Johnny jump up is the greatest invention of the 21st century.
*Right behind Zanax, Zoloft, white wine and chocolate

Granny Lee

We found out yesterday that around 1am Tuesday morning Granny Lee went to be with the Lord. It's one of those things - sad, but sweet. She had been sick for a long time and was living in a nursing home that wasn't the happiest of places. I will write more soon - trying to get my fam ready for the funeral. Just wanted to say that she was such a sweet woman with a tender and strong heart. We're sad, but relieved that she's no longer in pain. Maggie asked me if she was still in a wheelchair in heaven. How sweet. I gladly told her "no." I'm pretty sure she's dancing up a storm and eating sweets till the cows come home, since she was diabetic and had to eat strictly nursing home food for the past few years...ugh! I'll write more later.

Bombs Away

Yesterday I reinstated the "F Bomb" into my ever-expanding vernacular. It was a rough afternoon with the girls; I just can't seem to deal when they start crying uncontrollably at the same time. One at a time is fine, but two or three at once is, well, worthy of an "F Bomb".

I haven't used this oh-so-versatile curse word with any regularity since the sixth or seventh grade, and then it was just for effect or to impress other potty-mouthed middle schoolers. Now it seems that my afternoons are worthy of the word. Don't get all in a tizzy, folks, I use it under my breath or when I'm alone with two not-yet-babbling babies. My four year old is safe from my momentary outbursts. But I feel like there's got to be a better way. I mean, I am famous for inner monologues of outbursts - whether it be yelling at people who cut me off or yelling at myself when I ram my van into yet another object. I can have the greatest fights with my sweet hubby, filled with ever-so-clever comebacks to his imaginary responses. Maybe this is why I have TMJ, chronic back pain and acid reflux...you think? There's just got to be a better way.

My mom once told me that on frustrating days she would simply walk out to the backyard, shut the door to the nut house behind her, and scream as loud as she could. I have seriously considered this option, but we live in a townhouse and our yard is not our own. I think people would think I'm nuts. But maybe that's the problem - I'm too worried about what others will think if I go off the deep end. Not that anyone would blame me right now.

So, the long and short of it is that I continue to use whatever means necessary to keep myself sane and keep these three precious ones alive. And if that means dropping bombs under my breath at times, well, then I'm ok with that. I am becoming less concerned about what others think of me, but thankfully still remain concerned with what the girls see and hear from their mommy. Lord, help me!

Lots to report

Well, Ian came home today and told me that his grandmother, Granny Lee, is really ill in the hospital. She keeps getting fluid in her lungs, which I don't think is a very good sign. Then he heard from his sister, Miranda, that she was on a hike for work and she fell and broke her ankle. She may have to have surgery, as she tore four ligaments in her foot. And things still continue in Columbia with Nana. She's in a rehabilitation hospital now, which is good, but I think she's really giving them a time.

We are supposed to have the twins baptised this weekend, but may be putting that off a while. It really seems like things happen all at once sometimes. We are trying to figure out what to do, but for now we are just here waiting to hear what's going on. It's hard to be far away when things like this are going on. Not that I could help much if I were there. I want to go to Columbia and see Nana, and we are planning to be up there next week while Ian's out of town, but frankly I know it will just add more chaos to my sweet mom's life. She's holding it in the road, but I know she's exhausted from taking care of Nana, working, and keeping up her other responsibilities. She's an amazing woman and I am so thankful to have her as a mom. She's always been so good in situations like this. She always knows what to do. I thought that was a mom trait, but I don't think all moms are like this. I just know that whenever anyone in her life has a crisis, she drops everything to help them. That's a great thing to see your mom doing when you're growing up. She's amazing.

My sweet friends

Shouties to these folks who have helped me out lately!

*Harriet - faithful blog reader and fun friend - thanks for the yummy taco soup and the visit
*Beth - thanks for keeping Zoe and for enjoying huge cups of caffiene with me
*Lisa - you remind me so much of my sister! You have NO time because you have three kids of your own, but you continue to help me out and ask Maggie over to play
*Erica - for picking up Maggie and letting her play, for bringing YUMMY bread over!
*Tara - meal-maker extraordinaire! Thanks for the dinners, they helped me so much!
*Mary Lyn - for amazing Chicken Enchiladas and much needed white wine
*Linda Runyon - getting Mag from school and letting the girls play at your house. You're an awesome grandmother!

I know there are more folks who have helped, but frankly I am half asleep so sorry if I forgot you.

You know, when I say things like that last sentence, I'm not exaggerating for effect. My eyes are literally half shut.

Life to the full

It's Friday afternoon and thankfully we have no Dr.'s appointments today. This is the first day since Sunday that we haven't been to a specialist, the pediatrician or the ER. The day is still young, though, so I won't count my chickens.

I apparantly won't count sheep either. We're not sleeping much around here. Actually the twins slept through the night last night, which was amazing, but since I'm fighting off a cold I woke up anyway to hack my way to the bathroom for more cough medicine. I know, wah wah wah. Sorry, it's just been one of those weeks. One of those weeks when you just want someone to tell you how great you're doing as a mom, how amazing it is that you've kept your family alive and fed, and how awesome you look wearing no makeup and sweatpants. Ian does a good job of encouraging me, I must say, but the encouragement I need seems to be insatiable these days.

One of my favorite Bible verses is John 10:10, where Jesus says that He has come to give us life to the full. Not just regular old life, but full and abundant life. The Greek word for life is "zoe", which is one reason we chose this name for our little girl. I guess I just never realized how much "zoe" Tori and Zoe would bring! When I have a week like this I just try to remember how full my life is because of these kids - and because of the life I have been given in Christ. The highest highs and lowest lows of my day are surrounding these three girls - because they are so precious, so hilarious, so frustrating, so tiresome, so curious and so dependent. I am so grateful for the full life I have been given. Even in the midst of the tough days.

p.s. My pearl earrings have gotten quite a workout this week.

No way...

It's 10:18 pm and the hospital called about an hour ago to say that Zoe's blood culture came back and we need to bring her back in tonight for another shot of antibiotics. Ugh. Ian took her, again, downtown to the children's hospital to get the shot. Apparantly whatever bacteria she has is growing quickly so they want to get her juiced up. I thought something was going on - she was still really fussy and kept getting a fever. Anyway, we are apparantly growing some bladder infected girls around here. Tori's appointment with the urologist is Wednesday. Then we'll be doing the entire round of tests and meds again with Zoe. So glad we know what's up, but it's still a pain.

Have you ever had a bladder infection, ladies? If so, then you know what I mean when I say that I am filled with patience for these girls when they are sick with this. It's MISerable anytime...but try having one on your honeymoon. Fun.

Anyway, if you're the prayin' kind, then hook us up and pray for some sleep and for health in this house! We need it!

Oh what a night...

So Zoe was getting better yesterday, or so we thought. Then last night I went to get her around 1:30 am because she was making some noises. Took her temp and it was 105.2 or something like that. I freaked and we called the doc for the fourth time this weekend. They said to head to the ER - downtown - not the ER that is within walking distance of our townhouse. There's a great children's hospital downtown and they wanted us to go there. So, Ian took Zoe to the ER and I stayed home and tried not to lose my mind while they were gone. Not that I could have done a dern thing, but moms just need to be with their babies when they're burning up. But, I guess, if you have two babies and a four year old, you have to bend the mom rules a bit. Three kids is no joke.

Zoe has a bladder infection, which is painful for her, but good that we know what it is and it's easily treated. The bad part is this...Tori has already been through this and is on antibiotics for the next YEAR (yes, you read me right) to prevent relapse because she has some reflux into her kidney. In order to find that out we've had to go to the doc with Tori about a million times. Now we have to do the whole thing again with Zoe. Wow. Those $15 copays are adding up! So thankful for our great insurance, though.

Sooo....Ian got home from the ER around 5:30 am. Maggie woke me up at 6 am saying it was freezing in her room. So I walked her back in, covered her up, and went back to sleep for another hour and a half. Then I got up, got Maggie dressed for school, got myself dressed, picked up Zoe from a dead sleep and we headed to her doctor's appointment. Praise the Lord for my mom's group at church - they have helped so much today! My sweet friend, Lisa, picked up Maggie and took her to school. Another sweet friend, Erica, is bringing her home, and two sweet friends offered to bring us dinner tonight. I am so grateful - they are really loving us like family right now.

Long story longer, here is the funny part of my morning. I got ready to take Zoe to the doctor and decided to wear my new jeans (non maternity, thank you very much) since it's basically fall here, which means that the high is 85 today. So I put on my jeans, a long tank under my t-shirt which, by the way, is my favorite new tummy concealer. The two shirt phenomenon, although it's toasty, is very helpful in smoothing out the rough spots. It also helps because most of my normal shirts are too short to wear with my pants or shorts so when I don't have on the under-tank my stretch -mark -pocked belly shines for the world to see. So, get the picture - me in my casual attire, haven't slept for days, no makeup, hair like a rats nest in a ponytail, and crocs to top it off. Then I look in the mirror and decide I'll put on a pair of earrings. And what do I go with...pearls, of course. I mean, what is it about a pair of pearls that makes you feel like you are fully dressed? It's like saying, "I know I look like holy heck, but I usually don't look this way...see my pearls? I'm really sophisticated deep down." The sad part is that when I looked in the mirror at myself I actually believed that I looked pretty good. Just because of the pearl earrings. I don't know...must be a Southern thing, but it works every time for me.

OK, gotta run. Just remember, ladies, don't cast your pearls before swine, but definitely slap those suckers on your ears when your look needs a lift.

I mean, seriously....

Could they be any cuter? Here are the twins in their "two peas in a pod" costumes for Halloween. Maggie's going to be Pocahontas...pictures coming soon.

The Real Carolina is...

For some reason I'm having trouble getting up the energy (or finding the time) to blog lately. Maybe because of my life in general? Probably. Just feeling super tired these days.



It's a lazy Saturday around the Smith household. Maggie is coloring outside on the porch, Tori is eating her bottle, and Zoe is swinging in the swing with a 102 degree temperature that Tylenol isn't really touching. I've called the doctor and I'm sure he'll think I'm nuts, but whatever. I love when they get sick on the weekends because you can talk directly to a doc. That's why they get paid the big bucks, right?



This week has been a little rough. My sweet grandmother, Nana, fell on her 84th birthday and broke two ribs, her pelvis, and a socket in her hip. She's been in the hospital for a few days now and she's getting better. She's a great lady, but she's apparantly been anything but sweet while she's been there. My grandfather, Papa, has been at the hospital the whole time - he's blind and can't really hear very well. They're quite a pair and it's been amazing that they've been able to remain independent so far. I know some of this is inevitable, but it's still hard to watch. I hate that I'm not there, either. I would love to just go and sit at the hospital or make dinner for my own parents since they have been taking shifts sitting with Nana the whole time too.



Pretty much the only excitement around here today is the Carolina vs. Carolina game today at 3:30 pm. Since I married Ian I have become an avid Tarheel fan - call me a bandwagoner, but I think I'm legit because I married into it. Anyone who knows my hubby knows that he is such a chill guy...except when it comes to the Heels. He's pretty much a crazy man - his passions arise in ways we've never seen. Maggie has learned many a cheer/fight song/curse word from watching UNC games with her dad.



Here's the rub...I grew up in Columbia and to me, Carolina was South Carolina all my life. And I mean that in the truest sense. Like if I anyone uses the term "Carolina" referring to UNC, then everyone in my family has a bit of a hissy. So, I've learned to say USC or UNC - or say "Carolina" in the right company. I'm so P.C. I have to be. The passions for the Carolinas run deep and I am swimming in both pools. Today I must say that I'm pulling for USC in the game. I just can't help it. It's not like I even care about football that much, but I've been watching it by default for the better part of my life and, honestly, the happiness of my extended family rides on the scoreboard at Williams-Brice on Saturdays. You can bet your bottom dollar that Nana and Papa are watching the game right now on that tiny TV in the hospital - regardless of the fact that Papa can't see a lick of it.



I love, love, love Tarheel basketball, though. Last night was "Late Night With Roy" in Chapel Hill - the first legit night of basketball practice. Oh, we so wanted to be there! Can't wait for the Heels to get started this year! Believe me when I say there will be more to come about the Heels...

Brtiney and the babies

I'm going about my business of feeding kids, talking on the phone, eating cereal and downing coffee when my four year old walks into the room wearing this...

"Don't I look cool, mom?", she asks. What am I supposed to say? Of course she does.

Why are you making that face, Maggie? "Because that's what people do when they take pictures. That's the way you look cool." I'm glad I finally know what cool looks like.

Also, she's apparantly joining the cause to "fight the power" because every picture I took she kept her fist up like that. I'm glad I'm raising such a racially aware and diverse child.

Is it just me, or is my child hilarious? I mean, I'm sure everyone probably thinks that their kid is amazing and funny, but I really think Maggie is a crack up. I think she could actually take her show on the road, but I fight those feelings because, well, I don't want to end up like Lynn Spears flying across the country with Jamie Lynn to rescue my child that I pushed into showbusiness.

Meanwhile, in baby-land, the twins had their first sweet potatoes yesterday. It was a trip. Zoe hated them and made the funniest faces. Tori liked them fine and ate them like she had been eating solids all her life. I am including these pictures simply to gross out all of you who are not in babyland. There's really nothing more disgusting that watching someone else's child eat babyfood. It just turns stomachs - so... welcome.

Hi-lights from the week

So it's been a while since I've posted. Sorry about that (like I have a huge blog following or something). Things have been crazy around here. Nothing out of the ordinary - just the ordinary is crazy in and of itself. Just to update you, here are some hi-lights from the past week...

*On Saturday I got to go shopping BY MYSELF, which was great. I felt so free walking around without carrying a 12 pound baby in a bjorn while pushing a stroller full of another baby and all the gear, while holding the hand of an active 4 year old.

*Even better than shopping by myself was the fact that I bought and am now an inhabitant of my first pair of non-maternity jeans! Woo-hoo! It just got to the point that I was ready to actually unbutton and unzip my pants in order to use the bathroom, rather than hiking up or down the belly band.

*This morning I dropped Maggie off at school and went to meet a friend for coffee...with the twins, mind you. I thought it was going to be a nightmare, but it was actually great! They just sat in their car seats in the stroller like little angels. I am pretty sure I can't describe to you how much of a miracle that was.

*Still not sleeping much, really, but am so ready to get some zzzz's. I know it'll happen when it happens and the voices of the "cry it out" books are yelling to me all night long. We have tried that some, but I gotta say that when you have a baby who weighs as much as a newborn it's hard to let her cry and not feed her. Zoe's pretty much got it down pat. So, one down, one to go on sleeping through the night. They'll get there.

That's about the extent of it. Wish this were more exciting, but frankly the high of wearing real jeans should carry me for a while.

Best show on tv...

I love good TV - there's nothing like it! It's like a little slice of goodness that I can look forward to all day (sad, I know). Anyway, I love watching "Dancing with the Stars", "Grey's Anatomy", "No Reservations" (on Travel Channel), and "The Office". Ok, I like "The Hills" too.

The BEST show on TV, hands down, though, goes to "Friday Night Lights". I'm so serious about this. The season starts tonight and I can't wait. We're having friends over to watch it. It's just a goodie and you need to check it out on NBC at 9:00pm.

Also, today on the Bravo channel they are showing a "Friday Night Lights" marathon leading up to the season opener tonight. You've seriously gotta check it out - or Tivo it if you have a life so you can watch it later.

By the way, the wife on that show is so awesome. She's my hero and she makes me want to be a high school guidance counselor. She's a studly mom with a good marriage - is that ever portrayed on TV these days?

Second question of the day...

Is it bad for my four month olds to watch Dora so I won't go completely insane?

(Please don't answer that - I do not want the truth!)

Rain, rain, go away...

It's been raining for days around here and this morning it was pretty flooded around Jacksonville. So, Maggie's school got cancelled, as did Tori's Dr.'s appointment downtown. Last night I was stressing trying to figure out how I was going to get us all up and everywhere on time. This morning I just got to take it easy (and by "take it easy" I mean wake up at 6:00 am with the babies, fix breakfast for Mag, clean my nastified bathroom, have a fun rice cereal feeding, load up the kids and take a walk, listen to Maggie complain the entire time we were gone about how hungry she was and how her legs were hurting riding her bike, and do a couple more feedings...all by 1:00pm). I have to say, though, that it was much better than schlepping them in and out of the car in the rain and trying to get to a doctor's appointment on time.

Anyway, all this brings me to a question I've been pondering lately...

How many miniature Baby Ruth's do you have to eat to equal one whole candy bar?

I think it must be a lot, but I'm just not sure.

Feeding time

So I think I told you that the doctor said I should start the twins on rice cereal once a day. As expected, this has been a major thorn in my side. Here is a pic of the way we do it around here. And below is a video of the first attempt to feed the twins...with a little help from Maggie.

This is my life. I love it. Not too glamorous, but pretty humorous. Enjoy.

What a week

A lot's happened this week! Last weekend we took the girls to the beach - for the twins' first time seeing the ocean (or the sea, as Maggie calls it). I must say that it was much more fun of an idea than it was an actual adventure - as most things are these days. The idea of taking your kids to the beach for a Sunday afternoon is enticing...and then you do it and you remember why you pretty much stay home all the time.

Just kidding - it wasn't that bad. We set up a tent, as you can see, and Tori sat in her little bumbo and slept, while Zoe screamed her head off until we picked her up and held her the entire time. It was nice to be out there, though, and made me think that one day I will live and breathe the fresh air again.

On Tuesday, Ian's sister, Miranda, came to visit and it was great. I think I've already blogged about how great it was, but let me just reiterate how great of an aunt she is. I mean, she's tireless. She plays and plays with Maggie, holds babies, fixes breakfast, lunch and dinner, and plays more with Maggie. It was so fun for me, too, to have a buddy around! She also got Zoe to giggle like I've never seen her giggle before. It was too cute, so I had to let you all see.

OK, so much more to share about last week, but I gotta get these kiddos in bed!

Funny

I must say that I think it's funny that most of my ads to the right of this post are about sleep problems. I know it's because of the title of my blog, and let me just tell you that my sleep problems come in the form of the cutest little four months old you've ever seen (or heard). Three nights in a row this weekend they BOTH slept through the night! That, to me, is a miracle. I mean, when ONE baby sleeps through the night it's amazing, but for TWO to do it on the same nights three times in a row...well, that just makes me wanna slap my granny. (Not really, Nana's great.)

I also think it's funny that I have been doing this blog for a few months now and BY FAR the most comments I've ever had is from the Odyssey Whisperer post. Girls, y'all are feelin me out there, aren't you. My sweet friend Dana has this crazy fun idea to invent a sensor that has a hot movie star's voice say before you hit something, "Watch out, sweetheart...you're getting a little too close to the curb/car next to you/concrete thing at the BP."

This week is fun. Ian's sister, Miranda, is here for a visit and it's so nice to have her here. Maggie is in heaven, and I love having a buddy to talk to. It's still almost 90 degrees here, so she's taking Maggie swimming this afternoon. I'm off to take a nap - everyone is asleep for now...once again, a miracle.

The Odyssey Whisperer

I'm just going to come out and say it...I can't drive the minivan. I mean, I have driven big cars, SUV's, 15 passenger vans filled with screaming kids, but for some reason I can't drive our minivan.

In January I backed out of our garage and sideswiped our babysitter's car - it's not that I didn't know it was there, it's just that between the time I saw her car there and the time I put the van in reverse...I forgot. Brand new 2007 Honda Odyssey. Thank ya.

Yesterday I had all three kids in the car (which isn't an excuse, but more of a justification) and we needed gas big time. So I pulled into the BP and there were no pumps open for my side of the van, so I decided to pull around to another pump. Basically all I have to say is that I completely creamed the side of sliding door into the concrete slab protecting the pumps. It sounded like I had ripped the side off the space shuttle or something. It was bad - and now there's a huge dent and big yellow paint marks all over the side of the van.

I can't think of something that makes me feel much dumber, really. I mean, it's not like I'm not paying attention, it's just that I cannot drive the van. I need some Robert Redfordish man to come and teach me the secrets of speaking the Odyssey language. There aren't many things I think I really can't do well (thanks to my ever-encouraging mother!), but for some reason I just can't drive this van.

I hate admitting it, ladies, but it's true. This does not mean that all ladies are bad minivan drivers, but this mama stinks at it.

And so fun, by the way, telling Ian that I had the accident. I was so nervous to tell him that I actually TEXTED him! What a weenie. I didn't think he was going to be mad or yell, really. It's just that earlier in the week we had a great talk about the things we can do for each other to improve our marriage. The only thing he said was, "Please don't hit anything else with the minivan." So not only did I incur a couple thousand dollars worth of damage to our vehicle, I've apparantly set our marriage back a few notches by my little encounter with the concrete slab. Way to go.


By the way, the only other request Ian had on his list of things I can do to improve our marriage was, "Don't have any more children." Thankfully, we've got that one covered.

Oh Zoe...

Just wanted to report that Zoe is winning the sleeping race these days (and we all know that it's all a competition with the twins, right! Kidding, of course). Zoe has slept 13 HOURS straight for the past three nights! (Yes, I said 13 - and I know I'm jinxing myself by writing this, but I just had to share the joy).

Of course, Tori is still waking up once a night, which isn't bad for a little peanut...and Maggie woke up sick last night, but other than that, I got a great night's sleep!

Also, just wanted to share this adorable video of Tori laughing. We have been so worried about every little thing with her and she continues to show us that she's FINE...she just wants to do things on her own time, thank you very much! She is such a doll. Enjoy!

Watch out Mia

This past weekend Maggie had her first soccer game and if I had to describe it in one word it would be "hi-larious" (or "so freaking hot you think your kids' gonna pass out on the field"). If you've never been to a four year old's soccer game before then you're really missing out. It's adorable and so funny. Maggie did great! She scored her first goal and handled the ball really well. Coach Mike is so encouraging - he would pick up the girls every time they scored a goal and run them around the field. It was sweet and made them feel like a million bucks. The funny part, though, was when Maggie started getting really hot. Her face turned beet red and she just looked over at me on the sidelines and started shaking her head and crying. It was terrible! I felt awful - like one of those crazy soccer moms who makes her child stay in the game. Well, not really. So Maggie took a rest on the bench and Ian brought over our umbrella so she could get some shade and cool down (it really was 100 degrees with no shade). When Maggie got called back into the game, though, she ran out onto the field holding the huge rainbow golf umbrella she was holding! I so wish I had a camera and could have caught that sight, but I didn't have my camera in my hand because I was holding a huge sweaty baby in my arms and pushing a tiny sweaty baby in the stroller.

I'm not sure what the rest of the season will hold for ol' Mag. She likes playing, but she's just like her mom in that she gets way overheated and much prefers the comforts of the AC. We are making her finish the season, of course, but it's hard to make her play when it's so hot and she's bawling on the field.

I must say, though, that it's been really adorable to watch her practicing with Ian. He LOVES soccer - played in high school and watches it like it's his job - and he and Maggie have had a lot of fun going to practices together. I love that they have this to do together - it just does a mama's heart good, you know!