Okie-Dokie.

Happy Friday!

THIS SPOT RIGHT HERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A VIDEO THAT I'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO UPLOAD FOR 12 HOURS.  PRETEND THAT YOU SEE TWO VERY CUTE GIRLS DANCING TOGETHER.

The only thing we've accomplished today was $189 trip to the grocery store.  And I went without using my new GPS unit.  

A few words about navigational systems: There is absolutely no reason to live without one, especially if your husband drags the familial ass cross country to start up new housekeeping.  It is, frankly, because of this gadget that I've been out and about Austin with as much confidence as I've had.  If you know me, this won't come as a shock to you, but I don't typically enjoy doing things on my own.  I have a constant fear of getting lost or turning down a one way street or, God forbid, that it may start raining while I'm in the car or that an 18-wheeler might dare to pass me.  There's just something about having that woman's voice in the car with me, guiding me through a city I would otherwise be hopelessly lost in, that gives me that little boost to get out of our PJs by 10AM and out the front door.  

Yes, I recognize that this would be much more entertaining with the video.  I'm working on it.

Day One

  

Today was Gracen's first day of preschool.  We went as the full family unit; I think Adam feared for my emotional stability after seeing some stray tears every time the topic has come up over the last week.  He also remembers last year's first day of school, and, let's face it, I have a hard time letting go.

She woke up this morning and immediately began screaming that she was going to be late.  As soon as we walked into the gym, however, she lost the enthusiasm.  Her teacher finally peeled her away, much like Beth did last year.

This school will be fine.  It offers much that we're excited about, namely the daily swim lessons and gymnastics.  It is, though, lacking in the personal touches we found at Our Playhouse and Community Independent.  Something just felt a little more "factory."  Perhaps that connection will come with time or maybe it's there, and I just haven't witnessed it yet.  She came home happy and excited and wanted to tell me all about it.

But today really made me miss home.  I miss where she was and where she would have been.  I miss her friends who are having fun in her absence.  I miss my friends.  

because i love you...

I gave the girls Nutella for the first time in their lives yesterday.  I have officially secured my nomination for most awesomest mother in the universe.  Also, we think Avery has gained about 12 lbs since we've been in Texas.

This is Avery Ana pre hair cut.  I was not wanting to cut it.  Others in my life seemed to think it was imperative, comparing it to an old mullet we once loved and lost.

Avery played with markers.  Gracen helped to decorate her while I was packing up the Chapel Hill house.

New seating.

Just pure adorableness.

J. Adam Riggsbee at RiverBank ecosystems

Many of you have asked me what Adam does for a living.  And as many times as I've pleaded for him to give me a two sentence explanation of this, it's just not that easy.  So I'll direct you now to his new company website: www.riverbankecosystems.com, which sums it up much better than my rambling. 

Hot, hard day.

(first family photo EVER where we're all almost smiling)

It's been a rough day.  My Uncle Charlie (my mom's little sister, Sue Lane's husband), was in a falling accident Friday evening and is paralyzed.  Only time will tell if this is permanent, and it will be a long road no matter what.  The family seems to be in pretty good spirits, considering. There are so many variables to back injuries, so we just wait.  I don't care if you're a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist, whatever, but if you could, would you please send some good love, prayers and energy out there for him and the family? Much thanks.

In other, much less important news, our air conditioning appears to be broken.  In the car and in the house.

These kids...

Sleep in here...

Gracen is attempting to teach Avery how to watch TV.  We don't have official "TV" yet, but we've been hitting up the Red Box and the library quite frequently.  One can only survive so long with no Dora.

Also, the picture in the header is the view from the back deck.  Love.  Love.  Love.  Especially at night.

And also again, the other night while enjoying aforementioned view from back deck with boy while the babies were "sleeping," Gracen decided to unbolt the front door and go check the mail (at 10PM).  She was very proud of herself until I freaked out with the scare tactic of OH MY GOD, MEAN PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE AND THEY WILL COME AND TAKE YOU AWAY FROM US IF YOU EVER, EVER, EVER GO OUTSIDE ALONE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT, EVER AGAIN!!  And then she didn't want to fall asleep because mean people were outside of her bedroom window waiting to kidnap her.  

it's so damn cold.

and I'm so very much lying.  People, it is a hot world in Texas.  Bearable at times with air conditioning, but it's really shockingly hot.  Profoundly hot.  If you make it out of the house before 10 AM, you can appreciate some 80 and 90 degree temps, but anything later, you will have triple digits.  I've lived the last two weeks with a constant layer of sweat on me.  Sexy, I know.  On the up side, I'm finally starting to shed some baby weight (after 14 1/2 months), perhaps due to the climate and chronic perspiration.  Only 20 lbs to go.  Perhaps I will have melted away completely before we make it back to NC...

So.  A report is in order.  Adam took the camera with the cute pictures out to some ranches today for work, so those will have to wait.  He also got a new work computer today, so I officially have mine back.  It's not that I mind sharing; it's just that it turns me into a crappy blogger.  But I'm back!!  For serious this time!!

We spent a wonderful couple of weeks in Weaverville with my entire family.  We got to see almost everyone, which was awesome.  My Mama, in all her generous glory, offered to ride down with us since Adam was leaving with the fellas a week or so earlier.  Plans were almost ditched for our road trip as the keys to the Tahoe disappeared a couple of hours before it was to leave NC with our dear friend Ryan.  We were just going to take a plane instead and leave the Tahoe for our NC car.  We all remember Avery playing with the keys at some point, walking around with them hanging out of her mouth (it was cute and I forgot to say no).  Anyway, AAA came through in time and a new key was made.  

The Holy Frog, baby doshi, disappeared for 24 hours.  A very, very, very, very, very ugly 24 hours.  I decided at the last minute to check the outside trash one last time.  I'm just going to ignore the maggots and mold and get on to the part where I tell you that I found the frog.  Again, Avery.  She's learned to throw things away in trash cans.  Good skill.

The car ride down was largely uneventful, and we made it further on day one than we had planned, all the way to Hope, AR.  We made it to Austin the following afternoon.  Mama stayed for a week, and I can't even talk about how sad it was when she left.  

Since then, we've just been trying to figure this place out.  I've been to see one play, "Love, Janis," which is the story and music of Janis Joplin, based on letters she wrote to her family from the time she left home until her early death.  Amazing.  The girls and I have found playgrounds, libraries, movie theaters (with baby days!) and grocery stores.  We have had two playdates.  Gracen starts school next week at Palaestra Academy.  She'll be going two days a week.  They have a rotation daily of swimming, gymnastics, art, academics and creative play.  Avery and I will start taking gymnastics for tots there during spring semester.  So, all in all, it's working out pretty okay here.  It doesn't feel like "home" quite yet, but this place is full of potential.

And our house is awesome.  It's big enough that Adam can work from home for a while, and we're out of his way.  We have a pool (that feels very much like bathtub water) and a killer view from the back deck.  It needs a little love, especially outside, but it's in a great spot, and we are very fortunate to be here.  We're almost out of boxes; the remaining ones have been hidden away in a basement bedroom, so I at least "feel" moved in.

The girls have transitioned beautifully.  Avery has jumped back into full time nursing, but other than that, has shown no signs of transitional angst.  Gracen has occasional grumpiness and some potty training regressions, but is mostly really happy getting out to explore the city.  She made a new friend, Greta, today and is ready for our next playdate.

I'm transitioning better than I expected.  I'm still a little sad at times, but generally pretty excited about this place.  If I have to be somewhere other than NC, Austin is a pretty awesome detour.

Come visit, please?!?!!

the list

sippy cups...check

baby doshi...check

avie baby...check

snacks...check

diapers and wipes...check

clothes...check

new DVD player...check

awesome stomach bug...check

so, yeah.

We are all set for Roadfest 2009. We will set out Monday (THIS MONDAY!!) with my mama, my babies and me in the Prius. We're not sure how this is going to work. It could be an utter catastrophe, but we're taking a bottle of Benadryl along, just in case. Adam has been there for a week, attempting to unpack our life, and from the photos things are coming along quite well. I'll try to write again tomorrow with more of the specifics, but I must go to bed.

Packing

I would just like to report that packing absolutely sucks.  It is therapeutic in that we're purging years of accumulated crapola, but it still sucks.  We literally have 18 sets of sheets.  Why?  We rotate between two pairs on each bed.  We have 40 baby wash cloths.  We don't even bathe everyday.  We have 20 wine glasses.  Okay, maybe we actually need those.  But it's crazy around here!  I am proud to report that we started packing a few weeks before actually moving so that it won't be quite as insane after Adam finishes work here TOMORROW!  I should be boxing things up now, but I'm using blogging to procrastinate. 

I would love to be able to give some sort of report of when/how we're moving.  Honestly, we have no clue what is happening, and it's about to make me crazy.  There are too many variables that we're just not in control of.  The stress is building, and I seem to be having a hard time keeping a positive attitude about things, which is an unfamiliar state of being for me.  I know this is all going to work out.  I know that this move is in the best interest of the family.  I know that I'll eventually make friends.  I know that the girls will be fine.  I know that this makes Adam incredibly excited.  But I'm just sad and overwhelmed. I'm working on it, but the emotions are kicking my ass.  Today is better than yesterday, so perhaps it's a trend in the right direction. Here's hoping...

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A few recent conversations:

Gracen: This is my pet bug.  I put it in a cup.

Mama: That's a beetle.  He's very cute.

G: I fink he's hungry.  I'll give him some watermelon and fish crackers.  That'll be tasty.

M: I'm sure he appreciates that.  That was very kind of you to share.

G: I'm going to show him to my Daddy.  I fink Daddy's gonna hove him.

(later that day after NINE hours of caring for aforementioned small beetle)

M: Where did Avery get that watermelon?

G: AVERY ATE MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!  BUT I WAS HIS MOMMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

(ave totally ate him.  what followed was hours of devastation by the big kid, while the little kid was supremely proud that she'd found a snack all on her own)

Today, Gracen found four tiny snails living on our green bean leaves.  They're now in a jar, and Avery has been instructed not to eat them.

Uprooting

Dear AvieAna,

You are thirteen months and one day today.  Your birthday was largely overshadowed by your parents' craziness and indecisiveness. For months now, we have been on a roller coaster (to say the least) of deciding whether or not to make a move to Texas. Austin, to be exact.  Your daddy has always wanted to have his own business, and time and circumstances are bringing that about now.  So we're packing up shop, uprooting the life, and moving on.  It has taken me a while to come around to being okay about this endeavor.  I'm not the greatest when it comes to change, but I can honestly say, finally, that I'm getting excited.  It really is a great opportunity, and I'm so proud of Adam and his partner Matt for putting themselves out there like this.  Ideally, we'll only be gone for a couple of years.  The hard part of this is leaving the friends/family/community that we've grown to love and depend on so much.  I'm pretty sure you'll be okay with all of this.  If you have your sister close by, you're guaranteed to be okay wherever you are.  I love this about you.  I think Gracen will have a tougher time, but she'll come around.  And I have Skype SpikedPlaygroup on the books for every Friday until I return.  And when we get back in a couple of years, you will be returning to this home, which makes me happy.  We're renting our home, and the family moving in has two little girls.  Somehow, this makes it easier, and I hope they make many great memories while they're here.

You've become such an independent little lady over the last few weeks, but you still snuggle and cling like a baby at times, and for this I am grateful.  You will be my last baby, and I'm wanting to make sure I don't miss a thing.  Sadly though, as the second child, I miss all sorts of things. You drink out of a straw, and I have no idea who taught you or when this started.  I saw you spin in circles yesterday, and while I thought it was your first try, Gracen informed me that "Avie been doin' dat Mommy."  And I'm pretty sure you've been saying words for months now, but I'm just now realizing that when you say "Dog" you do in fact mean DOG.  How did this happen?!  I think with your sister I was just always looking for the next step in developmental milestones, and with you I just seem to keep assuming that you're this tiny, little baby.  And then I realize you're walking around in my Danskos that you've put on yourself, wearing my shades (upside down) with a hat that you've placed on your head.  And then I think, My God, you're brilliant.

While you started out looking like me, you've morphed into your daddy in the last few weeks, much like sister did at this age.  Adam thinks it's awesome.  You have, however, maintained my hopelessly round-piggy-esque nose.  You're welcome.

You are still nursing, but I'm going for the "don't offer/don't deny" approach, which means somedays you'll feed one time and somedays you'll feed eleventeen times.  We just never know.  I'm pretty sure your supply is limited, but you have no problems using me as a glorified pacifier.  I'm not particularly fond of you pulling my shirt up or down while grunting/squealing your demand.  And I'm not sure if the onlookers are giggling and smiling because you're so damn cute or if they're just completely horrified by the scene.  I'm guessing it's a little of both.

You are the most tolerant and patient little person on the planet.  You have to be, really, with the G-Unit giving you the brunt of her aggressive love.  She doesn't mean to tackle you and throw you into things and push you off the bed and wack you in the head with a golf club (thanks Sheppie).  It's just her way of saying, "I love you, baby sister."

I can't believe you've been here for over a year, and I can't believe life ever existed for us without you.  Thank you for loving us back as much as we love you.

Love, 

Mama

  

Mansion on a Hill

Adam and I had our NINE year wedding anniversary June 3rd.  Avery Ana's first birthday followed the next day (letter to you soon lil' roo).  This has been an insane month, to put it mildly.  It has also been a month of intense reflection, and I've spent many hours contemplating the steps that brought us right here, to this point in our lives.  We've got a lot going on, and soon I'll be able to talk about it.

We recently went to the wedding of our good friends Chris and Laura in Linville.  On the way home, we hung a left at Pumpkin Run and took a roll up to our old mountain home in Wilkes County.  The remote cabin community has become a "gated neighborhood" in our seven year absence.  We had pulled a drive by to Buck Mtn. about a year ago, and couldn't get in.  This year, however, an open house was going on and they had the gate code written on a cardboard sign.  Fancy, I know.  Our log cabin had been painted a lighter color and new cabins had appeared close by.  It almost looked a little town up there. Even the waterfall was now overlooked by a little cabin; a little cabin that we will most certainly rent for a weekend at some point!

How we came upon Wilkes County in the first place is still remarkable to me.  We had been living in Normandy, TN.  Adam was scientisting it up for Tyson Foods, and they were looking to move him back to NC.  We were pretty sure we didn't want this job, but it was a 

free trip home-ish, so we went for the interview. While Adam was off selling himself, the spouse of this interviewer/future boss took me to the Wilkes County Schools central office.  I had not planned on teaching at that point.  I was in the midst of the interview process to become a Red Lobster manager after spending six months waiting tables. Yeah, I know.  Anyway, within three minutes of stepping foot inside the building, I was introduced to Michael Matheny.  He was a principal, looking for an eighth grade English teacher, though he had only dropped in that day to meet up with a friend. The next thing I knew, I was in the middle of an interview myself, though I didn't realize it until I got a call a few days later back in TN, offering me the job.  Adam also got an offer, so we decided to go for it and make a move.  We never doubted it or questioned it, but all of our friends there were in disbelief that we would just pack up our life and leave, without remorse, without sadness, without doubt--just because we wanted to do it right then, and we assumed it would work out.  

We went with Adam's father, now referred to as Papa Jim, to search for our first home to buy. We looked at a lot of homes.  A lot of homes.  We took a long drive out from Wilkesboro to this cute little mountain community, Buck Mountain, of Purlear.  Gravel roads, small log cabins, beautiful views, and we were hooked.  We looked at two cabins, but when we walked into our cabin, we let out big sighs and knew we'd found it.  I'm not sure I can even describe how perfect this spot was, so I don't think I'll even try.  

This was such a great time in our lives.  We were thirty minutes from a grocery store and twenty from a gas station, our friends were too far away to see with any sort of regularity, and we were blissful.  It was just us, our two dogs and the monkey-rat-pig-dog Bijou, the cat.  We wouldn't have wanted to live there forever, but it was two of the best years of our lives, and I'm glad we packed it up for the experience.  It brought us here.

::::

Life has not resumed the normalcy that I spoke of last post and will elaborate next week. We're good, we're happy, we're figuring it all out.  Change helps to cleanse and restore us, right?

::::

Avery Ana had her first ice cream cone with actual ice cream IN it.  We'd been giving her a just cone when Gracen got the real deal, and Ave eventually figured out she was being cheated.  

        

Go ahead and sit yourself down...

This will probably be a long one.

We've had a lot of craziness going on in the Riggsbee household of late.  Our hope is that the drama is dying down and that our lives will get back into a groove of normalcy.  Here's hoping...

AVERY

I'm going to try and combine several posts that should have been written before now.  Life has been nutty, and the blog just doesn't rank very high on the priority list these days.  For poor Avery's sake, I need to start keeping records of her life again, as I still haven't gotten into that whole baby book business.

For that record, Avery started taking her first steps on Easter Sunday (10 1/2-ish months).  She's a full on runner by now, and has completely given up crawling.  A few weeks after walking, she got her first tooth.  It was a painful and ugly experience for all, which seems to have started again last night.  Fun.  She has also begun sleeping through the night occasionally.  I shouldn't even write that down in case I jinx the progress, but she was down from 7:45 PM until 7:20 AM night before last.  Pretty damn awesome.  I also forgot to open their door, so it is entirely possible that she woke up, and I didn't hear her.  I prefer to assume that she just slept through.  You might recall that Gracen was sleeping a good 13 hours straight by 5 months or so.  She is learning so much these days.  She waves, blows kisses, brushes her hair and teeth, climbs stairs, loves her Daddy and sister, and is really starting to understand a lot of what we say.  She has also learned to sign for milk.  She'll run at me squealing, opening and closing her little hand, jump in my lap, and proceed to pull down my shirt.  Brilliant, I tell ya!  

GRACEN...a letter

Dear Gracen,

You turned three while we were in Utah, somewhere on the road between Salt Lake City and Moab.  There are so many things about that day three years ago that I recall so vividly. They say you forget--that we are chemically wired to forget.  My dear child, a mother does not forget that sort of pain, that sort of fear and that sort of bliss.  I'm in the midst of writing out the full story, but you and your baby sister seem to take up all of my waking energy, and your story will just have to wait a little longer.  I'm pretty sure you don't care yet.

We had your Chapel Hill party the week prior to your big day, and you had a blast.  You have largely broken away from your shyness, and can handle the spotlight.  All of our friends and your grandparents came celebrate with you, and it was such a powerful reminder of this amazing community we are a part of. Living in a town without family close by, it's pretty awesome to feel like you are a part of one huge, glorious one anyway.  This place is good, and these people who lift us up absolutely rock. You are a lucky girl to be loved by so many.

You are about to finish up your first year of preschool, and we have come a long way from the crying mess we started out as. Your love of all things animal and outdoors continues to grow.  You spend most of your time at home and school putting families together. Your ever faithful Froggy, which you initially called "Dodgie" because you couldn't say Froggy, has morphed into Doshi.  Doshi was then broken into Baby Doshi (the original frog) and Clean Doshi (the backup frog purchased on eBay that you found and refused to give up).  You now have several little frogs, referred to as Baby Doshi's Baby or Clean Doshi's baby.  And most recently Baby Doshi is occasionally referred to as Mommy Dosh.  It's complicated.  It's also a big, fat pain in the ass for your father and I, as the favorite Baby Doshi's baby, a dark green 3-inch knitted one that hardly resembles a frog at all, is almost as important as the original.  We are having late night freak out sessions because this little booger is missing.  We're contemplating throwing him away, and I haven't noticed him around for a couple of days so your Daddy may have just taken matters into his own hands.  

You continue to be kind and attempt to be gentle with your baby sister, whom I should start referring to as a toddler. You still carry her around and do your best to keep her away from tiny toys, yelling, "NO AVIE!  DAT'S A CHOKING HAZARD!!"  You still don't quite understand what an "inside voice" is, though you tell Ave and Harley to use theirs several times a day.

I have started napping with you again (as it's the only way you'll stay in bed to sleep anymore, and I need to go do it RIGHT NOW, as you are not cooperating with my blogging), and it's such a reminder of this time last year when I was so pregnant and so miserable that the only thing that gave me peace throughout the days was curling up with you for a couple of hours.  If I have something to do and tell you that I can't rest, you'll always say, "But Mommy, I need you to snuggle me up."  And you use that voice, and I just can't say no.  It is, however, messing with my Clean House Initiative, so we're going have to find a compromise.  I just find it impossible to lie down with you and not fall asleep.  It's always been this way, and while it diminishes my productivity, I completely love it.

And I am completely and hopelessly in love with you, my three year old girl.  Even when you're cranky and whining and a little bit spiteful, you are my sweet baby girl, and I couldn't be more grateful to be your Mama.

Love,

Mama

 

MOAB

It's taking so long to upload pictures that I'm just going to direct you HERE for vacation pictures.  There are 466 of them.  You're welcome. 

 

We spent an AWESOME vacation in Moab, Utah with the Haynie siblings and their families. Tom and Kim did well!  I think we're going to have an annual"Out West" trip, so get ready to join us.

Adam was in Salt Lake City the week before the vacation, so the girls and I flew out to meet him.  We started the week by heading to Lisser and JPs for the first evening, and thankfully, they were there on the plane to help me with wrangling the little people.  Gracen loved flying, especially the taking off, saying, "This is my favorite part," as if she was a world traveler and flying in airplanes were second nature.  I really couldn't have asked for more perfect children, and it was much less painful than I imagined it would be.  Thank you Lisser and JP!!  

We spent the night in SLC and headed out to Moab the following morning in our rented Suburban.  I had a little crush on the car and felt like I was cheating on Old Blue.  Adam woke the Riggsbee clan up EARLY Sunday morning for Mother's Day to go see the sunrise at Dead Horse Point, which was probably the most magnificent thing I saw the entire week.  He and the girls presented me with my present, a polished sandstone necklace that I love.  It turns out that I left our big camera sitting on the sideboard in Chapel Hill.  Thankfully, Adam had his small one, which I conveniently left at the house that morning.  Adam took me off camera duty after that.  We met up with the rest of our crew and headed to Arches National Park and learned a lot about air pressure in tires.

Monday was filled with Jeeping in the backcountry of Utah.  Gracen often exclaimed, "I want more bumps!"  We took the girls out of the Jeep for the "questionable" areas, but overall they loved it.  I think it was my favorite part, and I'm feeling pretty certain that we need to invest in a 4-door Rubicon.  

Tuesday the boys went mountain biking while the ladies and kiddies playing in Moab.  Gracen and Rylie had some good girlie bonding time.  It will be fun to see how their relationship develops throughout the years.  

Wednesday we said goodbye to the Coates' family and headed to Kane Creek Canyon for a night of camping.  It's really sort of crazy that you can just roll into places like this and set up camp.  Gorgeous.  And the G is ready to camp some more with her friend.  Ave likes to eat the sand.

Thursday we sad a tearful farewell to the Carr family and went to Canyonlands National Park. Adam was determined to see every square inch before traveling north to Park City.  We ended up spending 11 hours in the car.  Owie.

We spent Friday hanging out in Park City, doing nothing of much significance.  We played at an awesome city park and met up with our friend Brian for dinner and ice cream.  We took one very bad picture, packed up the car and went to sleep.

Saturday, we hopped on the plane and traveled home.  Gracen made sure that we and everyone else on the plane knew which part was her favorite.

I'll be back soon with The Garden update...

Moab

I'm sitting in a hotel room in Salt Lake City, my family asleep around me. We leave tomorrow for Moab to meet up with the Carr family. Lisser and JP held my hand (and my children) through our adventure travelling cross country without the daddyman. Adam's been in Salt Lake all week for a conference. Seriously, I don't see how people take multiple children on airplanes alone. I had four extra hands helping me, and I was still frazzled. Coates family--I am forever in your debt!

Oh, and also, THEY LOST MY LUGGAGE (only one of them)!!! I took two suitcases, one with our clothes/toiletries and one with our gear and diapers. We'll be backpacking the kiddos naked.

It was supposed to have made it to me by 4:30. It's 9:48 and no sign. I've called 3 times, so I think they get my urgency.

My baby is 3 tomorrow. More on that later...

Picture Day.

I'm just going to throw a few pictures up here in hopes of regaining my blogging momentum.  These pics were courtesy of our friend Danell Beede.  If you need some rockin' portraits, this is your girl.  Visit www.danellbeede.com, and you might even notice someone you recognize on her portfolio!  Thanks Danell!!

Spring Fevers revisited.

So yesterday, our dear Ave got another fever, which culminated in a night of coughing, moaning, and dripping snot all over my chest.  She could only half-sleep if I was holding her upright.  I have not slept.  At all.  I may be a little bit crazy.  I'm breaking down and using the electronic babysitter so that Gracen will at least hear some coherent thoughts today.

And also, we're getting new HVAC today.  Oh yippy.  Forgot that was on the agenda for today.  Not really how I was wanting to spend our savings (or this Monday), though thanks to the stimulus package, you get a "true" tax credit with your '09 taxes if you are green enough in your choices.  If you need a new system, this is the time of year and "the" year to do it. Still, no amount of incentive makes this anywhere close to exciting, except that maybe we'll have a power bill out of the $350 range.  We're also getting a fancy shmancy thermostat, which I'm hoping will at least amuse us enough to help us forget our depleted account.

Hope all are having a snotless, feverless Monday.  

spring fevers.

The little ladies are enjoying spring fevers. Literally. Avery had a fever for four days with no other symptoms, and now Gracen is on day two or three. It's an odd little bug, but I guess a good one to have considering there is no puking or crazy snot falling out of their faces. I can't believe we're STILL dealing with sicknesses. I suppose this is normal if you leave the house during the winter, but seriously! I'm over it already.

We've been busy around here. We're in the process of building up our garden. We're doing Square Foot Gardens to maximize space and production while eliminating excessive work. I've been sadly attempting small gardens for years, but I give up, get lazy, get bored, get hot, get frustrated, and end up with two half-eaten tomatoes. This year Gracen is my inspiration, as she's eating up the whole process. She got her very own wheel burrow today to go along with her gardening tools. She's actually quite handy for a nearly-three-year-old. Avery likes to eat the twine, vermiculite, and turkey poop (also, wildly helpful).

Fortunately, Adam climbed very high betwixt two trees and hung a very large chain so that our swings could, in fact, swing. So now, Avery can be swinging (and, more importantly, contained and happy), and Gracen and I can rush over to her for a push while we're gardening. After he put them up last weekend, Gracen couldn't get over how amazing her father was. For example:

Mama: "This is a really good apple. How's yours?"
Gracen: "My Daddy's so cool."
later:
M: "G, you need to go take a nap now."
G: "Adam's awesome."
later:
M: "Can you go get the dog bowls for me?"
G: "Did you know that my Adam made a horse swing for me? I fink he hoves me."
later:
M: "Do you and Ave want to go swing for a while?"
G: "Daddy's my favorite."


Strong work Papa.

I'll post more gardening pics as things progress. Gracen and I hung the deer netting around the posts this morning. We have a lot of deer. I love them. Daddy hates them. Gracen just wants to make a cage for them and give them speeches about not eating daddy's plants. She has it all rehearsed for them.


In other news, I am now a Mac user. My old laptop should have been tossed out a few years back, but I just kept hoping it would somehow heal itself. It did not. I never actually took it to anyone to fix it, which I'm realizing now may have been helpful. But, oh my, I am in love with my new 'puter. Completely. If anyone is having doubts on if they should convert from a PC, let me be the first to say, YES. You will not be disappointed.


The real reason for getting this lovely new machine is that I wanted to get back into a writing groove. There are blogs, novels and poems to be written. Now I just need to get out of the yard and start writing them. Maybe I'll just put a comfy chair in my garden and write out there...

And we love these people...(especially when they let us come to play whilst contagious and gross)

twelve.

Another year has gone by, and I don't really miss him any less.  I think after having babies of my own, it gets even tougher because I know how much he'd be in love with these little girls.  They're lucky that they have their amazing Pops and Papa Jim, and they'll never really know just how much is missing from their lives.  But I do.  

Today's weather was identical to the sunny, breezy day back then.  An absolutely perfect spring day. 

<----Check out that little piece of cuteness.  That baby makes gorgeous grand babies. 

daddy and baby annie belle

daddy and a newborn ronny mac

me and my papa

2 week shanna and daddy

sisters loving on daddyman

daddy and shanna christmas morning

Roomies

Avery's room is now the guest room. Gracen's room is now the girls' room. Daddy's room is now Daddy and Mommy's room.

When I get overwhelmed with procrastination of basic chores (e.g. laundry, dishes, bathroom caulking), I often move furniture. This is not a new thing in my life. I remember as a young child moving dressers and beds in various configurations in an attempt to feel like I was accomplishing something, while not actually doing what I was supposed to be doing. I think it was my way of being rebellious. I'm also pretty sure this is a psychological disorder. I can lie in bed for hours and go through all the possible scenarios of where things might possibly go to maximize efficiency and aesthetics. Anyway, this is the latest attempt and it seems to be working well.

After nine months of sleeping next to Ave, I'm now encouraging her to stay in their room. She's actually sleeping longer with this new arrangement. She had begun to wake up during night nursings and wanted to play or she would just nurse ALL NIGHT. Now, she wakes when she's hungry, and I feed her. If she falls asleep with me that's fine. If she starts getting silly, I put her back in her bed where she falls asleep without much of a fuss. Gracen still manages to end up with us by morning, which I'm fine with. This morning all four of us were there. It's manageable, and I seem to be a little more rested than I was, even though I miss the baby snuggles. Adam, dear boy, is probably less rested, but is tolerating us sweetly nonetheless.

Avery woke up with a fever of 102.2 and is in the running for the most pitiful baby in the universe award. Can we get a break already?!

Gracen is busy being attached to her Uncle Sheppie. He may need a vacation from his vacation.

A beautiful mama friend came over last night to watch the ladies so that Adam and I could both go out on the town with some friends. Thank you!!! I'm not sure if I have a stomach bug or just a little hangover. Mama's a lightweight these days.

Adam and Robert will be going to the UNC vs. Duke game tomorrow. Preparty started at noon today. These boys are ridiculous, but I love them.