Happy Early Birthday To Me :-)

I came home after bible study yesterday to find my husband grinning from ear to ear. He said look at the table I think there is an early birthday present from Tommy, and there sitting on the corner of the table was a memory card. Then he said I wonder where a present from Cyril would be, so I checked Cyril's room and sure enough sitting on his bed was a lens for a camera. Then he asked where a present from him would be, but that was a trick question because his gift was behind Cyril's bedroom door. It was a new Nikon digital camera! I was so excited I could hardly wait to use it. The camera got me a little more excited about turning the big 30 next Thursday. So here are a few of the pictures I have taken.

P.S. Just curious...who is viewing my blog from Russia?

Everything Is Big In Texas

This past weekend I went to San Antonio Texas with Susan and Amanda to visit Meghan and watch her try on wedding dresses. We had a blast. On Friday morning Susan and I arrived and went back to Meghan's apartment and hung out a bit before going to the first dress store in San Antonio. All of the gowns she tried on were stunning, but we were able to narrow it down.

We then went for a great lunch at Friendly's.

Then later in the afternoon we went to another bridal shop. Then for dinner we went to a really neat place called Texas Pride.

It was wild! You could watch someone getting a tattoo while you ate! There was also a live band there. Not to mention the bar-b-que was amazing! David and I split the hungry Texan, it was quite the feast!

I also tried pecan cobbler for the first time, and it was quite delicious! After dinner Meghan and Susan went to pick up Amanda from the airport while David and I stayed behind and played a basketball game on the Xbox. I found out quickly I am not very good at this type of video game :-) After everyone was back we hung out a bit before a late bedtime (late for me anyway...haha).

We got up kind of early the next morning and got ready to head to Austin for some more dress shopping.

The first shop was incredible, the staff was very friendly and helpful. We found a couple more dresses to add to the running. Like I said before she looked amazing, there were even two that brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait to find out which one she decides is her dream dress. We then had a fantastic lunch at a vegetarian restaurant called Mother's which was recommended by Carly, the woman that was helping Meghan try on dresses. Next was one more dress shop then we headed home.

 For dinner we went to an authentic Mexican restaurant called Mi Tierra, it was delicious!

Then we were home to pack up and get ready for our early morning flight. Susan and I were greeted at the airport by my boys. Little Cyril and Tommy had grins from ear to ear which was fantastic to see. I missed them a lot, but had a fantastic weekend.

It's Like Riding A Bike

I made it! After the first case, it felt like I hadn't had three months off but more like I had just worked yesterday. I felt I was able to get right back into the swing of things. At the end of the day it was a nice feeling to be back, and I was ecstatic to come home to see my boys! I was welcomed by Cyril crying over his spilled juice and a naked baby who had just spit up all the milk he had eaten. Welcome home Mommy! This is the life I love, my kids are amazing. There is nothing like being a Mommy, and I wouldn't trade it for a million bucks! So now I get to relearn how to balance being a Mommy and working. I made it through today, and am sure I will make it through tomorrow. Just taking it one day at a time.

Now I am enjoying watching my sweet Tommy take a snooze while Cyril and I play a game of cards (War). Tonight Cyril has his open house at his preschool followed by a picnic dinner. I am excited for him to show us around his classroom as well as see his work. It has been a long day, but so far I have survived. I plan on an early bedtime tonight!

Today Is The Day

I am headed back to work this morning. The sun isn't up yet, and I can't tell you the last time I had to get up before the sun...probably 12 weeks :-) I have been up long enough to shower and make a hot breakfast probably 4 times over. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get everything ready, but over the next week I should get it down to a science and know exactly what time to get up. So I have extra time this morning to blog, gives me something to do other than wanting to go and cuddle my boys because they won't be awake before I leave. I am anxious, nervous, excited, a whole mess of emotions. I am praying this day goes smoothly and I see that everything will fall into place. If you could say some prayers for me, it would be greatly appreciated :-)  Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work I go!

Mixed Feelings

I will be going back to work this Thursday. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off, and it seems to have flown by. I know I will miss the boys. I have really enjoyed dropping Cyril off at school everyday and picking him up as well as getting to spend all of my time with Tommy. But I knew this day would come, it just came faster than I had ever anticipated. My mother in law will be keeping Tommy on the days I work, so I know he will be well cared for.

On a positive note, little Cyril worked on riding his bike this weekend. He is really getting the hang of it. We don't have a great spot for him to ride, so I took  him to my parents and he was whizzing up and down the street. Before I know it he will be asking for the training wheels to come off.

As for Tommy he is working on sleeping through the night! He woke up around 4:30 this morning, but I think it might be because I kept going in to check on him because he hadn't woken up to eat yet. So for now we are down to one feeding a night, so we will be catching up on some much needed sleep soon. Also, Tommy will be getting baptized at the beginning of November, let me know if you would like details.

My husband Cyril went for his impressions this morning, he will be getting braces again in a few weeks. This is a lesson for everyone out there to WEAR YOUR RETAINERS! His front teeth have been separating for about the past 6 months. So this will be interesting for him. I am encouraging him to get black and yellow bands to support the Iowa Hawkeyes, we will see.

As for me, I am trying to make the most of these last days as a stay at home mom. It has been fun, but I guess it is time to get back to the real world.

Tommy Meets the Family

Before my maternity leave ends we decided to take the boys on a trip to the Midwest for Tommy to meet some of our extended family. Cyril's Mom Susan joined us for the ride. Our first stop was to St. Louis to see my maternal grandparents, Pat and Lorraine.

Cyril, Cyril, and Susan went to the St. Louis Zoo on Saturday while Tommy and I hung out with my grandparents at the house. They had a pretty good time, and even stopped for some delicious Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard afterwords...and were even nice enough to bring some home for us!

There was a baby Giraffe! Sorry I missed it, they are my favorite animal :-)

While they were at the zoo, Tommy found his thumb. Sorry the picture is sideways, having trouble getting the computer to cooperate :-)

 When they got home from the zoo, Cyril and Grandpa played a little golf

Then on Sunday Morning we headed up to Iowa to see Cyril's maternal grandparents, Jack and Margaret Ann, as well as some of his Aunts and Uncles

Fun times relaxing on the front porch

Tommy meets Uncle Tom whom he was named after

Cyril in the wood shop helping his Great Grandpa fix the croquet mallet he broke

Uncle Tom and Cyril about to roll down the hill backwards. It was so much fun they did it again and again and again!

More hill rolling

After multiple attempts I was able to capture a hummingbird at the feeder

Cyril was going to miss water fun day at school while we were on the trip, so we had our own water fun day in Iowa with the sprinkler and the slip 'n slide

Cyril tried many new foods in Iowa, and one of his favorites was sweet Iowa corn. Grandma had also gotten a lot of fresh raspberries from someone in town which were delicious. We enjoyed them so much we bought multiple bags to bring back to Tennessee.

Cyril teaching Grandpa how to play his Leapster

Auntie Lou, Grandma, and Susan shucking all the delicious sweet corn for dinner

Grandma and Grandpa have planted trees for all of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. As well as for their own children. Here is Cyril by his tree.

Cyril holding Tommy by his tree

Grandma and Grandpa with Tommy and Cyril

Auntie Lou with the boys

The following Friday evening we headed back to St. Louis to continue to visit with my grandparents and one of my aunts as well as some of Cyril's paternal side of the family.

Nancy with Tommy and of course Muffin who thought Tommy's ears were delicious!

Glenn teaching Cyril about fly fishing and showing him his flies

Matt and Amanda were able to come down to Glenn and Nancy's to join us for dinner. It was great to get to see them both. Cyril was very excited as well :-)

Little Cyril got a hold of the camera. Everyone say peanuts! Did you just call me a peanut?

Another one of Cyril's pictures. Cousin Rachael, myself, and Matt

Then on Sunday we left early and headed for home. Tommy was very good at sleeping in the car, so we didn't have to stop often. Little Cyril tried to stay awake every time we were in the car, but finally learned we would get there "faster" if he would go to sleep. We had a great time, it was so good to see everyone and introduce Tommy to the family.

Two months...really?

Today Tommy is two months old! So hard to believe how fast time flies when you are having fun! He is now smiling a lot and giggling some. He continues to get stronger holding his head up. You can also tell he can see farther, he likes to look at ceiling fans and the mobile on his swing. He also likes to hold on to my fingers and stand for exercise :-) Tommy is still sleeping well, for the most part he wakes up two or three times a night to nurse for five to ten minutes then is back to sleep. We are very blessed, he is an amazing little boy. Here are a few pictures from today!

Shark boy :-)  Thanks Heather!

Two month picture

Brotherly love

Little Cyril is doing great! He had picture day at school today and picked out his own clothes :-) I was asking my mom if I should pick them out for him and she said "Don't you remember what you did?" Then I was reminded of the time I switched clothes with my best friend Mekenzie on picture day because I didn't like what my mom had picked out for me to wear! I was about Cyril's age when I did that because it happened when I was in preschool! So I am glad I let him make the choice himself, he usually chooses what he wears everyday anyway so why should picture day be any different?! Cyril is still enjoying being a big brother and loves to help all the time. I sure hope they get along like this forever :-)

As for us...I am having surgery on my wrist tomorrow. I have a ganglion cyst that developed while I was pregnant, and it changes in size but is usually a little larger than a marble. So it causes pain when I bend my wrist back (like doing push-ups or anything where my hand is in the bent back position). I tried the old fashion trick of hitting it with a bible, but it only made it really sore (imagine that). I was informed by the hand surgeon that he doesn't recommend that treatment! So while I am off on maternity leave I am going to get it taken care of. Then on Friday we are off to go introduce our newest family member to his Great Grandparents (both Cyril's and my grandparents), as well as other extended family. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and hope for a relaxing week!