Smelling the Roses with Hanna

Okay, so we weren't literally smelling roses, but we were enjoying each other's company immensely and the wonderful weather.  We played outside in the backyard on the playset for a solid hour or more.  She was just enjoying my attention, encouragement and laughter and I was giving thanks for all the smiles and the looks that said, "this is really fun".  It's moments like this that warm your soul.  Here are some photos of my sweet girl at play.

IG is 40!

Vince and I had our first night out without the kids, since bringing Hanna home, this past weekend.  Our good friend Ian turned 40 and we celebrated with him. It was a great party.  What better reason is there to ask Oma and Pop Pop to watch the kiddos while we have a little adult fun?  The soiree was catered by 42nd Street Oyster Bar, the NCSU mascot, Mr Wolf , joined us and there were poker and blackjack tables to gamble the night away.  Vince was taking lots of notes and throwing plenty of hints my way.  Happy Birthday IG- here is to another 40 more!

Nick & Lauren are Married!

They finally did it, and I am sure Lauren is glad all the planning is over.  The wedding was a beautiful event and my children managed not to trip the bride down the aisle.  Davis felt that it was an extreme honor and took his responsibility as a ring bearer very seriously (minus a small melt down over an itchy tux 20 minutes before show time).  Hanna was just happy to be in the crowd.  They both were adorable, if I may say so myself.  I'm not convinced she new what was going on, but did well considering and only called out for Pop Pop twice during the ceremony.  She rotated between Vince and my mom in the pew mostly and didn't miss the opportunity to stop by to grin at me.  The reception is where we all finally able to relax.  I have to say though, Davis was the life of the party.  He danced the entire time- I'm not exaggerating.  He was trying to rush the mother/groom and father/bride dance to get on the dance floor.  He spent most of the night with mutual friends of ours daughter, Savannah.  She danced the entire night as well.  Hanna was on and off the dance floor between bites of food and cake.  Savannah and Davis (who also share the exact same birthday) get along really well, so well in fact, many people wondered if a future romance was budding.  The photo attached is from a camera phone, so not the best quality, but you can see he is enjoying himself!  The photo below if of the three of them from a dinner at our house earlier in September.  The great news is that Savannah will be welcoming a new baby brother from China in January.  Maybe sooner!!

Kiddies get Haircuts

It's has been haircuts across the board (Vince and I included) with Nick and Lauren's wedding around the corner.  Davis had his first hair cut at Sports Clips last week, mainly because it was right beside where we had dinner and convenient.  Being a first time client, he got the top of the line cut, it included a cut, wash, hot towel and massage.  His commentary on the massage- "Mommy, that massage felt so good, and it was my favorite part, I am going to let them cut my hair again!"  It was cute watching him during the experience.  He doesn't know we are going to spring for the massage with each haircut.  He might get one more, since we have a 50% off coupon in our citipass coupon book.

He had to get two booster seats to even reach the hair washing sink.  

Hanna's cut was today.  She did well at first (see first photo) but then got more and more busy (see second photo), so Ginger (our hairdresser) was in a sweat by the end.  It's a cute stack to hopefully get the back the same length as the sides so we can start to grow it out.   I want to let her bangs grow out, but she will not keep a bow in her hair so I think it will drive us both crazy!  Maybe later...

The tongue is a trick her big brother taught her- NICE!

I guess she thought Ginger needed some help.  She always is helpful.  If mommy is sweeping, she wants to sweep, if mommy is vacuuming, she gets her toy vacuum out to help.  

PHOTO DISCLAIMER:  The pics from the last two posts are from our point and shoot camera, and not great quality.  I just carry it around to not miss important moments and because its light and small.  I wish my SLR was as small so I could always have it handy and never miss a shot.

Wedding photos will probably be next...I can't believe my baby brother is finally taking the plunge.  I am so proud of him and jealous that he is heading to Dominican Republic for a relaxing vacation.  Ahhhh...those were the days.  Cabo seems so long ago for us.  Okay, I digress.  

A Day filled with Family and Friends

Davis and I spent the morning at the Safety Fair at Leesville High School.  It was nice for us to spend some time together, just the two of us.  We went with one of his best buds, Andrew and my friend (Andrew's mom) Kim.  We saw a helicopter land on the baseball field, watched a fire fighter climb up the ladder on a fire truck, saw the fire fighters and EMS staff perform jaws of life on a wrecked car, and escaped a house using a fire ladder.  Davis enjoyed jumping in a bounce house, spinning the chick-fil-a prize wheel, enjoyed tasty free treats- a hot dog, popcorn and two snow cones.  Then it was back home to meet my mom who was joining us for a baby shower our friends at church gave me and Hanna along with two other new moms.  It was a day full of blessings and it ended with a visit from Vince's brother and his wife Tammy.  The kids enjoyed playing with their doggie.  They threw a frisbee and let him bring it back to them again, and again, and again...I hope to post pictures for this post shortly.

Happy Birthday Pop Pop

Last night we celebrated my dad's (Pop Pop) birthday.  My mom made red velvet cupcakes- yummy!  Davis of course wanted to help him blow out the candle, and Hanna was taking it all in.  Her birthday is right around the corner (Oct. 15).  Later in the evening Nick and Lauren joined us.  The wedding planning is coming down to the wire, only 10 days away.

Interesting Way to Sleep

When I headed to bed from the bonus room on Wednesday night, I was surprised to find Hanna asleep on the floor.  It's quite common for her to climb out of bed and look at us from her bedroom (next to the bonus room) and for us to put her back in bed.  Probably just a reassurance check for her that we are still here.  I usually look for that and wait to confirm she is asleep before diving into any other activities, but Wednesday night I was finalizing mailing labels for a baby shower and must have been so focused in the activity that I didn't even feel the sixth sense of her watching me.  She must have gotten bored and finally crashed on the floor.  It's a cute photo I just had to share.  Don't worry, when Vince put her in bed she didn't move a muscle.

Labor Day at the Asheboro Zoo

We decided to spend Labor Day at the NC Zoo.  It was Davis' first time visiting the zoo and he and Hanna really enjoyed themselves.  We were smart enough to borrow the Kutch's double jogging stroller for the day and it really made a difference.  It would have been tough to carry them around off and on all day.  We decided to spend an extra $15 to get a yearly pass for the family.  We will go again during Davis' next track out because we didn't even explore the North America section yet.  We spent most of the day in Africa and in the fun park section.  What a nice day.

Dinner with Friends

Last night we had a dinner with our friends- the Kutchs (Geoff, Brandie, Benjamin and Sarah).  It was a great night with great food and conversation.  Benjamin and Davis always have fun together.  After dinner the girls played on the swing set while the boys played a friendly game of soccer together.  Davis decided it would be fun for him and Vince to play against Benjamin and Geoff.  For dessert, we had blueberry fruit crisp for the adults and rainbow push up for the kids.  What a good looking group of kids!

New Glider, New Bedtime Routine?

Hanna's sleeping patterns have been so inconsistent.  Vince and I can't put any reason behind why one night she goes straight to bed and why another it takes her close to an hour and a half to settle and only after I lay with her for a few minutes.   It dawned on me one night that I used to read and rock with Davis until he was 4 years old.  He still loves to read books before going to bed.  Taking a book away before bedtime is the ultimate punishment to him.  I am hopeful that creating a similar routine will help Hanna and maybe make it feel less like we don't go straight from fun time to bed time without a transition.  I have been a mom before, I promise!  One of our friends from church offered to give us her glider rocker.  Tonight we started the routine with Hanna.  We read three books and rocked a bit before she jumped into bed and said "night night" and blew me a kiss.  It's only one night, but maybe the glider is what was missing.  Thanks, Kathy!!!  

Mommy is also trying to get a few books in while she is at home.  No easy task with a toddler at home, but I am in the India part of Eat, Pray, Love and next on the list is a parenting book- Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish.  My next project- put all of Davis' artwork from Primrose in a scrapbook- only the best over 5 years was saved but there is still a lot.  

Below is a cute photo of Hanna sleeping while we were in China.  Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping baby?