Just Add Friends

So, I think once upon a time I may have written about having our deck expanded.* Well, the weather has been great lately, so we are really getting a lot of use out of the extra space.


Just add friends and the place becomes much more fun!

It doesn't hurt if there is food involved either...

Oops...I got behind again! Way behind. I would say it's been a crazy week, but don't I always say that? Oh, well. I'm going to try to get some photos up tonight and we'll see what else I can come up with...I'm sort of on a reading kick as opposed to a writing one! :)

*I can't find the post, so maybe I never wrote about it, but I figured most of you care very little about whether or not I include a link to the old post. :)

Ouch!

On Friday I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed (well, most of all four...apparently there is still a piece of one hiding out very close to my facial nerves. Joy, joy!) Despite what I expected, the process has not been so horrible. Josh took me and Jack to meet my parents in Commerce Thursday night since my surgery was scheduled in Athens. Then, Friday morning my mom and I headed to the oral surgeon. She took Jack to the park and entertained him while I disappeared from the earth for about an hour.

Maybe some of you have been under general anesthesia before, but this was my first time. It's so weird to have lost an hour of your life and be totally unaware of what took place during that time. But, there were plenty of reminders about what had taken place...the swelling, discomfort, yucky guaze, unrecognizable and feelingless lips. My mom took us home, where I retreated to bed for some rest. Josh checked on me during his short lunch break on Friday. Mom headed home after he returned from work for good. I spent most of my time resting in bed, getting fresh ice packs, eating jell-o, pudding and avoiding straws. Jack kept wanting to get in bed with me. He did a couple of times, but was usually quickly carted off by my caregivers. Between the pain medicine and the anti-nausea meds, I spent most of Friday & Saturday asleep. In fact, Josh got a picture to prove it.

I managed to get a shower on Saturday, but soon after was back in the bed. Later that afternoon we joined some friends at the MOPS Hail & Farewell cookout, which celebrates the work and commitment of the outgoing Steering Team members and welcomes the new ST members. It was certainly good to see everyone, but all the talking, smiling and socializing certainly wore me out. I was glad to get home and get in bed.

Sunday was a similar story. Josh had to be at church early for a skit rehearsal, but I managed to get Jack ready and us both to church by 9. In fact, getting him dressed was the first diaper I had changed since Thursday night. After Sunday School, I was starting to feel the effects of being off my pain medicine. We left church a bit early so I could get home and get some relief.

I'm really grateful for the wonderful help I've had in my recovery. I certainly wouldn't have been able to bounce back this quickly without excellent help. Big thanks to my mom who did our chaufeuring and kept Jack occupied most of Friday. Enormous thanks to Josh who made sure I was worry free all weekend. You are the best!

18 already?

Yes, our little one has hit the bit 18. Okay, so he's not quite legal, but as rapidly as he's growing he might as well be! Today Jack is officially 18 months old. Crazy, right? We are certainly enjoying his daily discoveries and his fondness for playing chase, throwing ball, reading books, brushing teeth and many other activities. A little less enjoyable are his bouts with dangerous independence or blatant defiance, but I hear those come with the territory.

Halfway through my second year of motherhood, and it's not exactly what I thought it would be...it's better!

Whew...it's over!

Yes, the inaugural Kitchens that Cook is officially over. Could you hear my deep sigh of relief on Saturday around 6:30? I would have liked to have seen a little more traffic, but for the first time holding the event and the fact that it was a holiday weekend, we were not disappointed. I don't know the final numbers, but we raised about $5,000. Josh enjoyed cooking & filming with Kathy. We heard lots of positive feedback, and we're hoping it can become an annual event.

I was thankful to have my mom come up and watch Jack for us most of the day on Saturday. Dad was able to join us for dinner. He brought Jack a harmonica, which he enjoyed playing. After cleaning up the depot, putting in an appearance at the after-party, I was ready to crash...but managed to stumble into El Campesino with the rest of the family for dinner.

Sunday morning we packed up the cooler and headed to Atlanta for the Braves game with the Walshs, who live in Charleston. Mike went to med school with Josh, and he and his wife were in Atlanta for a wedding. Since this week is Mike's 30th, we met them at the Varsity for lunch and joined them at the ballpark. I just knew our day would be spoiled by rain, but it was a great day! We actually took Jack to one of the faux-Varsity locations before one of the Thrashers games last year, but this was his first trip to one of the official greasy Vs! He was a big fan of the frosted orange, but who wouldn't be?? The big crowd and loud "what'll ya haves" seemed to intimidate him a bit at first, but he settled in quick and enjoyed a naked dog and his first FO.

Liz bought a big group of seats together and we actually ended up being in the shade and having a great view of the field. Because of the steep seats, Jack couldn't really walk around though. He grew a little restless a few times, but managed to make it through the whole game with the help of frequent paci breaks, a giant chocolate chip cookie, dancing to the loud music, peanuts and of course...a coke!



Today we joined some friends for a Memorial Day cookout with ribs and all the fixings. I'm having trouble keeping straight what day it is since Josh was home today and we missed church yesterday. Anyway, it has been a busy, long weekend, and I'm so thankful that the rain showers seemed to cooperate with our schedule.

If you are what you eat...

...then Jack has been many new things this past week or so! Yes, despite the temporary hiatus from most things food our little one is beginning to pick up some steam. He's always enjoyed some of the basics: turkey, chicken, cheese & fruits, but other than those he wasn't very adventurous and stuck mostly to his chocolate milk and diluted juice. We're glad to see him exploring alternate food groups!?!

1. Brownies and Ice cream...this is a food group, right? Apparently best shared with the ones you love, Jack loved every minute of this dessert especially eating it with a straw as a fork.



2. All things spicy. Jack enjoyed some jambalaya last Thursday and on Friday showed his extreme fondness for the salsa at El Campesino.



3. Coke Zero...through a straw, in a big cup...however he can get it! This little guy loves coke. It's terrible...we're terrible, I know.

I know these are all great nutritional choices. Seriously though, he has started eating a few more things and eating better portions of his standard favorites, so we'll continue to reward him with ice cream and coke...ha, ha, ha!

As promised...

You Spin Me Right Round

You hear people say that kids learn something new everyday, but I rarely notice the day that Jack figures something out. Usually, I just up and realize that he's been doing something for a couple of weeks. Well, this afternoon while I was preparing dinner I spotted Jack spinning around in circles. He just kept twirling and twirling until he would get dizzy, stumble and usually fall. So silly! I'll try to post some video soon!

Last Wednesday, I talked Josh into leaving choir practice a little early so he could cut Jack's hair. It was getting so shaggy, and we rarely have a night at home any more with Josh's rehearsal schedule for State Road 47. The trim was much needed and now Jack can actually see again! Here are the before & afters!

Anyone else think this kid could use a haircut?








Hey, I can finally see again! I had forgotten all about this toy!








Thursday evening we attended the End-of-the-Year program for Jack's preschool (which is at our church). Jack goes to play with his friends on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few hours. It is a great time for me to get caught up on the projects I've been doing lately. This week is the last week of school though, but Saturday is also the big Kitchens That Cook Fundraiser. Hopefully, my life will feel less chaotic when that event gets pulled off! Anyway, since the kids in Jack's class are so young they showed a slideshow of some of the things they did this year and then they pushed them into the sanctuary in the bye-bye buggy (a six seater stroller). It was sort of like a parade. They played "Jesus Loves Me," and Jack bopped his head back in forth all the way down the aisles. He sure loves music. Later that night I joined some friends to view the season finale of Grey's Anatomy and celebrate Andrea's 30th birthday! Glad I'm not that old. :)

Friday & Saturday were filled with birthday preparations for the small gathering we had to surprise Andrea on Saturday. Josh's mom and dad decided to make an appearance in town on Saturday. They joined us for the Mountain Laurel Parade in Clarkesville. As you can tell from this pic, Jack was mesmerized by the parade. He did actually bounce around when the Band of Blue came by. About 20 minutes after the parade ended the rain started coming down pretty hard, so we headed home. The skies cleared in time for the party. Jack got a good nap and stayed home to play with Grandmommy & Grandaddy. After the party, we returned home to find Jack enjoying himself. We all went out for a bite to eat before they had to head back home. It was a good weekend. Hope this Saturday's weather is cooperative as well!