Canine Seizures

Last night Bruco had three violent seizures that the vet diagnosed as seizure clusters. It was horrifying to watch and so sad to learn that epilepsy is not uncommon in Italian Greyhounds. Anyone who has known me for more than five minutes knows my adoration for my dogs. This news makes me so sad.

Splish Splash

Now that Rya is sitting up on her own, we said goodbye to the baby tub and hello to bath time shenanigans with Currier.

Gardening

This week we started a little garden (I know it's a weird time of the year to start). We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and annual flowers. Currier waters the flower boxes every morning and is eagerly awaiting some growth.

Nine Months Old

Dear Rya D.,

You're nine months old today. You're getting to be such a big girl. You're crawling all over the place and have even made it to the top of the stairs. You're standing and taking assisted steps. You have four top teeth coming in. Your first word was "Dada" despite my drilling to say "Mama" first.

I took you to the doctor this morning for your nine month check up. You weigh 20 pounds 8 ounces and you're 29 inches long. That puts you in the 75th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. The doctor said that you are healthy and solid—and you have the prettiest eyes he has ever seen.

Now that you're mobile, Currier has taken a bigger interest in you. He likes to hop in your playpen and play with you and he requests that you sit and snuggle him on the couch and watch television. He's not always so sweet to you though—especially if you go anywhere near his train table. You've taken a few good whacks to the head as a result. I keep promising Currier that one day you will pay him back.

Nine months. You've been in the world now for the same amount of time that I carried you in my belly. You are so much easier to care for on the outside than you were on the inside. Get used to it—I will always remind you of the nine months of hell I went through to bring you into this world. Of course it was all worth it. Now hurry up and say, "Mama".

All my love,
Mama

First Day of School!

Currier started a part-time preschool program today at a new school—an excellent school that he's been on a waiting list for months. He'll be going Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9-12. I'm completely thrilled for the break however my little Mama's Boy—not so much.

A Visit From The Cooks

My Aunt Joanie and Uncle Ricky stopped by for a few days on their way home to Florida from Massachusetts. They had their grandchildren, Chase and Cheyanne, with them and this was our first time meeting them.

It was an absolute joy getting to know them. Currier and Cheyanne got along famously and shared very similar personalities—complete lunatics! Rya and Chase on the other hand, were the reserved, quiet ones.

During their visit, we went on a lovely horse-drawn carriage tour through Charleston's historic downtown district where we saw all the beautiful and charming homes along Rainbow Row and Battery Park.

After the tour we had lunch at the Charleston Crab House, shopped at the open air market and then rewarded (Okay, it was really big time bribery!) the kids for being quiet on the tour with a trip to Charleston's Candy Kitchen.

Blast Off

One of our projects this week was painting a rocket ship birdhouse. We hung it on a tree in our yard and have been anxiously waiting for a bird to move in. Nothing. This morning we decided to stuff it with popcorn. Anyone have any other suggestions?

My Heart is in San Francisco

While Trent is in San Francisco for some training...

His sister, Carrie, came to Charleston for a few days to keep me company and help me with the kids. Together, we got a gazillion things done—from oil change to diaper change. Before she headed back to Tennessee, we threw her a little birthday celebration. What could have been a very stressful week, turned out to be a very productive and fun week. Thanks Aunt Carrie!

Water Fights

It's so freakin' hot lately that we've been squirting each other with the hose every evening to cool off. And it's so freakin' fun!

It's Official

Rya's first word was "Dada". She's such a Daddy's girl.

A Really Bad Day

We spent the morning in the emergency room after Currier took a header into the corner of the open car door. I've never seen so much blood in all my life! The wound was glued shut and Currier is fine. I however need a stiff drink to calm my nerves.

Eight Months Old

Dear Rya D.,

You're eight months old now. This month you took another road trip, started standing and stopped eating baby food. You endured another car ride to Florida—this time not so pleasant. Our car overheated on the way there and blew the radiator on the way home. You did remarkably well considering the long hours strapped to a car seat.

The ridiculous car ride was worth it. We spent a whole week at a beach house on Captiva Island with the Balent family. As the youngest family member, you were the center of attention. Everyone fought over whose turn it was to hold you, feed you and play with you. I let them work out whose turn it was and I took a break from my motherly duties and relaxed. I missed you by the end of the week.

You started pulling yourself up and standing at the beach house. One afternoon after nap, your father and I found you standing in your playpen looking so proud. We both nearly cried we were so excited for you. It was a wonderful moment I know I won't forget because we took fifty pictures of you standing there.

We stopped feeding you baby food and starting cutting up and feeding you whatever we're eating. You were turning your head to baby food or grabbing the spoon and flinging it so I finally got the hint. You are so much happier and less messy at mealtimes. You love avocado, grilled pineapple, bananas and blueberry cereal bars.

You grew and changed so much in just a week of vacation. It's so bittersweet to watch my baby become a little girl. Please slow down.

All my love,
Mama

Captiva Island

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy 4th of July

Rya asks, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU? WHAT TIME IS IT?"

Currier shouts, "IT'S PARTY TIME!

Wishing you a fun and safe 4th of July.