My little swimmers

Jackson is at the point now where I am more willing to go out on my days off. At first, we pretty much just stayed home on Thursdays and Fridays. But now, with him being a little easier to tote around and much more mobile, we go out often. One of our recently found favorite things to do is go to the pool. The YMCA here has an inside pool. Both kids love it and it really wears them out - which is a plus for Mommy!!

Jackson goes for a checkup in about a week. Let's all pray he has grown, because as of last time, although he weighed in only 2lbs short of Addison's current weight, he was only in teh 19% for height. Don't know where he gets that, there are no shorties in my family! I am going to end up with a tall thin little girl and a short cubby boy. Hee hee! Maybe there will be some football scholarships in his future! Oh well, at least he is cute :-)

Have a great weekend!

Runners we have become

I can blame it on Maggie. She was the original inspiration. Well, in sorts she was. I have always enjoyed running and have always wanted to really succeed at it. But something always came up. Until Maggie. She really inspired me to stay with it and she is the perfect example of the "can do" attitude.

Edgar ran as a child. He and his father were always doing races, so he was always an inspiration.

And lastly, I really want my children to grow up seeing a good example as far as health. Addison and Jack accompany me on my days off to the Y, and she knows I "work out". Now, when she plays pretend she often tells us she is "going to the Y to work out". I am glad, because I want her to exercise as she gets older. It helps so much with your heart, keeping it in good shape, and your mind, and even can help your immune system. And the most appealing part of exercise is that you can do it as a family. I LOVE taking walks with the kids and Edgar. We do so much talking. Because there is no TV, or phone, or anything to keep us from being in nature and enjoying one another's company.

So in short, we have become runners. And we love it. The picture is of my brothers and I and then Edgar and I on the Tybee race day. Nolan, my younger brother, ran it in an amazing 24 minutes!!

Next up is the Shamrock run, and then we are heading to Atlanta to do the Great Urban Race with Maggie and her husband. Hopefully we will be able to register for the Peachtree, although we hear it is really hard to get into. If you have never done a race, they are so fun - try it out sometime, even if you can't run and just walk - they are still so much fun!! Remember, it is good for your heart!!

Addison is a trip

Addison is now 2 1/2 and she is a riot. She keeps Edgar and I laughing pretty much all of the time. She gets fixated on things and does NOT forget. If Edgar or I make a promise, we better follow through.....

The other day we went to our friends house and Addison and Camryn played and played outside. After we left Addison informed us that she NEEDED a "har" like Camryn's. But it was going to be pink. Edgar said, "Maybe for your birthday". Well, I don't think her birthday can get here fast enough now. All she talks about is the pink "har" she is getting for her birthday. Two days ago was my brother's birthday. Addison asked if he wanted a pink "har".

Note to self: never say Maybe unless we plan on actually doing it. At this point, we have no choice ;-)

On another note, today is the 5 year anniversary of Edgar's dad passing. Although it has gotten easier each year, we still miss him so. We wish he had been able to meet Add and Jack. There is no doubt he would have thought Addison's sassy moments were funny and Jack's toothless/hairless face was the most precious he had seen.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wow! What an amazing year it has been.... Life is good. Edgar and I are having so much fun and just enjoying our new lives here in Savannah.

Addison is doing great. She is registered for Pre School for next year. Just a three day a week program, so she won't be at Nonny's, but she will be with all of her friends still. They are all going to Isle of Hope Methodist Pre School. Jackson will still go to Nonny's the days I work and Add is at Pre School.

The greatest blessing of this year came in the form of a little 7lbs, 15oz baby boy. We just feel so lucky that we are Jack's parents. There could not be a happier baby. I was terrified of having another infant after Addison. She wasn't exactly a "good" baby. None of it her fault, she just struggled a lot, with eating, sleeping, etc. But Jack, he renewed my faith in babies!!! He came out sleeping through the night, eating like a hoss, and just constantly being happy and content. And oh boy does he love his sister! They are so close, which does my heart so much good....

Tonight we are hosting a New Years Eve Game Night. It should prove to be as interesting as the one after Thanksgiving! We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors who we love to be around - it makes nights like tonight so great because we don't have to actually go anywhere!!

All in all, life couldn't be better. Every night when we pray with Addison we thank God for all of our many blessings. We pray you and your family rest your heads tonight at the close of this New Year with as many blessings as have been bestowed upon our lives.....

Wish me luck

So Maggie and I ran a 5K two weeks ago. It went great. We didn't make the BEST time, but we really kicked some serious butt! That was in preperation for the Savannah Big Bridge Run that is Saturday. I am so nervous, but so excited. She and I are slowly trying to work our way up to the Peachtree in July and then the Army 10mile in the Fall...... We shall see.... So wish us both luck, we will need it!!

New Moms....

So many of our friends have had children recently. I sent an email out about an article I read about Mommy's finding Mommy time in their weeks. It is so hard, but the email was so true. Anyone that knows me knows I struggled right after I had Addison. I was so distant from her. I loved her, yes, but it wasn't that mushy, cuddlely, snugglely love.... I didn't rush home from work to be with her every night. Instead, I went to the gym. I would delayed going home as long as possible.... Sounds horrible, I know..... I have since learned, and feel like I have made great strides....

But, in the past two weeks, I have come to realize, that it might not have been just me.... What I mean is this - Jackson has been sick lately. At first he was just teething, and then it progressed... Staying up all night, not napping, me staying home from work to watch him, etc. It has been rough. He doesn't want to be put down at all. Anyone who has laid eyes on Jackson knows this is SOOOO not him. He is the most laid back and chill baby ever. He is a good eater normally and loves to sleep. He started sleeping through the night when he was 5 months old.... We were SOOO lucky. Anyway, I got to the point the other day when I just had to get out. I called my mom and asked her to come over after school for an hour. I just couldn't take it anymore. I felt for the first time ever with him that I could not hold him another second.... I feel like many first time mom's with difficult babies go through this. What I just described in a nut shell was Addison. She NEVER slept, she didn't want to eat, and was constantly sick. It was horrible for about the first 9 months. I honestly don't know how Edgar and I did it (and then wanted more kids....)

Anyway, I hope all moms know that while we aren't perfect, we need time to get be alone without demanding children. And they are so demanding. Now, I am not advicating going to the gym after work, because in hindsight, that was selfish, I could have worked her into my exercising like I do now with both of them, but time away is what the doctor calls for. I often talk to Edgar about if I had been a little more relaxed and if she weren't such a difficult baby, would I still feel like I wasn't the best mom the first year of her life.

I talked to my priest about having pent up frustration with how I acted that first year. And even though he is a man, he is such a wise man..... He said by knowing I did wrong and improving it, is what matters - not the mistakes. This is how God looks at our lives and our mistakes as well..... Anyway, to all you knew mothers, and women thinking of being a mother - I am thinking of you. And the first year is the roughest anyway, after that, it is smooth sailing. I never thought I would love just being with my little monkies as I do. Addison told me the other day that I was her "best friend". Now, could you ever beat that???

Addison went to Princesses on Ice!

Addison went with my parent's to see the Disney Princesses on Ice this past weekend! She had a wonderful time - Pop (whom if anyone knows my daddy knows he is about the cheapest man EVER) sprang for the good seats for his "Sweetie Pie" and she enjoyed every minute!

We are home this week as Jackson is sick. I don't mind so much, I didn't get to take time off with Addison when she was sick, so it is nice to have both of my love bugs home all week.