Rain, Rain, Go Away

We live on a dammed tidal creek, which has created a pretty little pond. On Wednesday, that pretty little pond became much bigger and invaded our backyard! We had over 5 inches of rain before noon, and the pond just couldn't take it. The edge of the pond typically is on the other side of the chairs, but it rose to about the middle of our backyard!! It was amazing to me... I never thought it could get that high. Luckily, there seems to be no damage, and thank goodness, the pond has receded to where it used to be.

Harris News

We have a tooth!!! I totally was not expecting it! Jackson didn't get his first until he was 10 months, so I hadn't started looking for one yet. Not to mention, Harris such a happy baby that I never would have thought he was teething. But, yesterday I was letting him gnaw on my finger when I felt it! It is the bottom right tooth, and I think the bottom left may be working its way up as well.

I'm also supposed to mention that he is saying "da da". Of course he doesn't have a clue what it means, but he is saying it, so Jason is taking credit for it!

He is starting to move a little bit. If he is on the hardwood floor, he will spin around on his belly and scooch backwards a little... mobility, here we come! He is also sitting up by himself, but when he gets tired of it, he gets upset because he can't figure out how to get down!

Hopefully he will slow down a little and let me enjoy my little baby just a little longer...

Mom's Night Out

Last night, I went out to dinner with five friends who have (or are expecting) little ones. Last year, they helped Jackson sell 30+ lobsters, which won us a gift certificate to Andolini's. SO, last night was pizza night. It was great to get out of the house without kids, eat an uninterrupted meal, and just laugh with other moms about our days.

As we were eating and talking about our kids, I started to wonder if our moms cherished their nights out as much as we do. Did they talk about us like we talk about our kids? Did they laugh at the silly things we did? Or the silly things our father's did? It's hard to imagine (I know we were all perfect angels and great to be around all of the time!!), but I'm sure they did. It definitely gives me a new perspective on my mom!!

Thanks, Ladies, for the great evening! It was definitely needed!

Just Like Daddy

Isn't this just one of the cutest pictures you've ever seen???

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Happy birthday! Have Jeff give you lots of hugs from us today!

We miss you!
Amanda & the boys

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Aunt Amy!

I thought this post would be up tomorrow, but I was wrong.

I reminded Jason tonight that tomorrow was Amy's birthday... he then remembered that her birthday was on the 16th, not the 26th!!

We are so sorry, Aunt Amy!!! Please forgive us!! We love you and hope that you had a wonderful birthday!

Love,
Jason, Amanda, Jackson & Harris

Prayers Please!

Jason's dad, Grandaddy, spent the weekend in the hospital. He started with a fever and headache a week ago, but thought he had started to feel better during the week. Things got worse on Friday, and he went to the hospital. We are waiting on culture results to determine what it was, but the theory right now is Cat Scratch Disease. He is home tonight and feeling much better, but please pray for his continued recovery and that he will get adequate rest this week.

Thank you!

Christmas in September

The boys and I have started running at the county park again recently. The trails are beautiful and distract me from the fact that I am hot and sticky. The county park puts on an incredible Festival of Lights at Christmas time... it lasts for a month, and it is usually packed. Well, they have already started to put up their lights! While the lights aren't on, it is still so strange to be running in temperatures in the upper 80's and seeing snowmen and elves throwing snowballs, iceskaters, and children on sleds!

Too bad it doesn't feel as cool as the firgures would have you believe!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Gregg and Dorothy!! We hope you had a wonderful day and lots of yummy birthday cake!

Love,
Amanda, Jason, Jackson & Harris

My Sweet Boy

All of the complaining about tantrums aside, Jackson is still one of the two cutest boys around! These pictures are oldies but goodies, from last summer. He used to love putting my fake display chocolates in boxes, just like he would see me do for my customers. I used to say that he could take over for me while I went to lunch!! If only he could reach the cash register...

Day 3

It's day three here in Tantrum Town (I made him take off his Wiggles pajamas and I wouldn't let him nap with his piggy bank). Anyone have a road map to get me out of here??? I am lost, and I think I might scream.....

The Lobsters Are Coming!!

In case you don't know, The Little School's fundraiser each year is a lobster sale. Last year was our first year participating, and Jackson placed 4th in lobster sales, thanks to a wonderful group of friends who planned a lobster bake and sold 30 lobsters! This year, I signed up to be on the Lobster Sale Committee, and I just got a call asking me to head the whole thing up (that's not what I signed up for!!). Yes, I am crazy and agreed to do it. What was I thinking??? It hasn't even started and I am getting nervous. I have never headed a committee, so this will all be new to me. I guess it will be trial by fire!

So mark your calendar for November 5... the lobsters are coming!! The lobsters are coming!!

Birth Control Anyone?

I have a toddler who is in the middle of a tantrum spree. Yesterday morning it was because I made him take off his Wiggles t-shirt to get dressed to go to the store. Yesterday afternoon it was because I wouldn't buy him three new Thomas trains. Today it was because he wanted to play with his paints instead of eating lunch. I'm not sure I can take any more screaming.

So, if you are considering getting pregnant or you often forget your birth control, please stop by my house. It will definitely change your mind. If you are pregnant, I'm so sorry... I am too late to save you!

Happy Birthday, Betty!

Happy birthday, Betty! We hope you have a great day!!

Love you,
Amanda & the boys

Jackson Update

There hasn't been much about Jackson lately... sorry. Harris has stolen the show for the last week!

Jackson has been talking more and more over the past few weeks (thank goodness!). It still isn't very clear, but it is still coming. I hear him singing songs when I put him down for a nap or when he is playing alone. He is really starting to tell us when he wants something and what he wants.

He is huge into Thomas the Train... that is who he is going to be for Halloween. He knows all of the engines by name and number... I don't even know all of their names! He will line up all of his freight cars behind James or Percy and let them roll down our upstairs hallway toward the stairs, always stopping them before taking the plunge.

He is pretending lots now. If he sees food in a magazine, he will feed it to himself, then to me. He and Jason were "eating" mac & cheese and "drinking" milk at the Children's Museum today... it is too funny.

It is amazing how much they change from week to week...

Peanut

We went to the doctor yesterday for Harris' 6 month check up, and he is officially a peanut. He weighs 14 pounds 2 ounces, which puts him in the 4th percentile, and is 25 and 1/4 inches long (10th percentile). His pediatrician is a little concerned and has us scheduled to go back in a month for a weight check. Also, poor Harris has low iron, so she has suggested that we give him cereal at least two times a day, using a high calorie formula to mix the cereal, and a vitamin solution as well.

I feel especially bad about this, because I have been trying to lose my baby weight, and I wonder if he wasn't getting enough calories because of that. I'm not sure what to do now about eating and exercising... I guess I'll just try what the ped. says for now, eat a little more (tough assignment, I know!!) and hope that does the trick.

Other than that, the two shots, and a finger prick, the appointment went well. She noted how "busy" Harris is (I'm sure he is burning all of his calories before he even gets them... he is trying to help me type this right now!) and that he will probably be crawling soon (OH NO!!!).

We took this picture the other night... he is blowing raspberries and his food all over me. That's where all of his calories are going!!

Papa & Harris

I didn't have any pictures of my dad (papa) in the baptism sequence, so I thought I'd add this one... too funny! I'm wondering if he didn't scare Harris...???

Harris' Baptism

On Sunday, September 11, 2005, Harris was baptized at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Father Ken performed the service, as he did for Jackson two years ago. Harris was wonderful (no screaming like his older brother!!), and he almost seemed to enjoy it! My friend, Betty, has some great pictures of the service, but I haven't had a chance to get them from her. As soon as I do, I will be sure to post those, too.

We were able to celebrate this beautiful service with many of our friends and family, and we so appreciated them being there for us and for Harris. We are pleased to be able to welcome Harris into the Lord's family and to have so many people vow to guide him in his walk.

Thank you to everyone who was there to support Harris, to those who wanted to be but couldn't be there, and for your continued prayers for him.

The Godparents

These are Harris' godparents, Will and Joye, with their two sons, Matthew and Bennett. Jason and Will went to middle school together and ended up as roomates for their first year at Clemson. They have been some of our greatest friends ever since. They are wonderful parents, and I know that they will take their vows to be strong Christian influences for Harris very seriously.

Thank you, Will and Joye, for being such great friends to our family!

Reception Guests

Gregg and Mary Kathryn and Stephen and Fordham are chatting at our house after the baptism. We had brunch here at the house afterwards, with lots of good food and fellowship. It was so nice having our good friends celebrating this special day with us.

Nana & the Boys

Nana was enjoying feeding Harris as Bennett and Mathew tried to help. Nana was a huge help this weekend, especially with the reception. She was my own personal "Martha", helping with food, decoration, etc. I think it would be a great new career for her...

Thanks for all of the help, Mom... I love you!

Grandaddy & Harris

Harris was glad to see his Grandaddy on Sunday! Although Harris' time with him was short, I know he enjoyed it... lots of smiles!

Ganny & Harris

I think this is the first picture I have of Ganny with Harris. Poor Ganny got sick on the way from Florence to Charleston on Sunday morning, but she fought it to be with us on Harris' big day.

Thanks, Ganny... we were so glad that you were able to be here with us!

Harris and Me

My dad asked that I post this picture since I really haven't posted many of myself. So, here it is, Dad!!

This was taken outside the chapel in the cemetary before the service.

Worn Out

I think this picture is the best way to describe how we all felt by the end of the weekend! Thank you, everyone who participated... we enjoyed ourselves!

Too Tired

I am so sorry that I have been slack about keeping up with this for the last week. We had a huge weekend with family and friends in town and Harris' baptism/reception. I have so much to write about, but I am absolutely exhausted from all of the planning and preparation. I am working on it, and I promise to get new pictures and posts up in the next couple of days. Please be patient with me!

September 4

Today is my anniversary... six years! Jason and I keep asking each other, "What were you doing six years ago at this time?". I really can't believe it has been so long! What is even harder to believe is that we have been together for 13 years! Thirteen years ago tonight, we had our first date at the Clemson v. UT Chatanooga game our first year at Clemson. We have really "grown up" together!

We did'nt do much today other than go to church and spend time as a family. Tonight, though, Jason and I went to McCrady's for a very nice dinner... we ate way too much! It has been a relaxing and enjoyable day with my family.

It has been a wonderful 6 years married (and 13 together!), and Jason has been a wonderful husband. I am so appreciative of him and of all that he does for me and our family. I know that we are going to have a great 50+ more years together.

Thank you, Jason, for all that you are and all that you do!

Our Own Natural Disaster

It has been a rough day here at our house. Our two cats, Maddie and Lucky, have caused a bit of a disaster. We have been locking them in our laundry room at night, because if not, they get into major trouble... getting into the trash, getting into the pantry, knocking things off the counters or table, etc.

Well, this morning, I got up with the boys and let Jason sleep in. When I got downstairs, I heard something funny. I followed the sound to the laundry room, and when I opened the door, my glasses immediately fogged up... one of them had turned on the hot water faucet, and there was water everywhere! I spent almost an hour cleaning up... it was terrible.

Then it dawned on me... there might be water in the garage (our house is elevated, and our garage is under the house). I about died when I got down there... water everywhere in the back half of the garage. It was dripping on the treadmill, on the weight bench, on Jason's workbench, it was coming out of the lights, out of the ceiling, out of the walls... it was such a mess. Water had even seeped out of the walls and into our guest room carpet!

I was dreading telling Jason. When I woke him up to tell him, his first words were, "It is either me or the cats.". I thought for sure he was going to be furious, and although he was pretty upset in the beginning, he got over it pretty quick. When I asked him about it, he said, "How can I be that upset when the people in New Orleans homes are flooded and gone?".

What an awesome husband I have!! We still do have some pretty bad damage (holes in the ceiling to let insulation dry), but it is nothing compared to what others are dealing with. We will get over it.

Oh... the cats are sleeping on the porch tonight!

Snarling

I wish there was sound to go with this post... I got this pictures just as Harris was "fussing" at one of his toys that looks like a puppy dog face. He carried on for almost five minutes, telling that puppy dog off... too funny!

Day 11 -- Project Chia Homer

So, Homer has hair now. I'm not sure how much more it is going to grow, but I think I am ready for a new centerpiece for my kitchen table. Jackson still looks forward to checking him, but he really likes using the turkey baster to fill Homer's head with water. Hopefully not much longer...