Glass, Strawberries and Birds

We haven't really done much this week. Just a lot of sitting and sleeping. I guess that's all you can do when you have a newborn! Lee's been busy doing edits on his dissertation (yes, still doing edits) but he's been able to stay home a few days and that has been SO nice!!

I cleaned out the fridge yesterday and while I was putting a glass shelf back, it slipped from my hands and shattered into a million pieces.

The real kicker, was that I was sitting, bare foot and with shorts on, in front of the fridge, so all the shards went into my lap and all over me. Lee and Amy went to run an errand, so it was just me, Will and Tyler. Thankfully, Tyler was asleep, but Will was rather curious. I had a slight panic attack thinking, "What do I do??" While I was sitting there, covered in glass and at the same time trying to keep Will away. Eventually, I got up quickly, put Will in his crib and cleaned everything up. My legs and hands have tiny cuts all over, but thankfully it wasn't anything major. Whew! What a mess!!!

I bought some bok-choy yesterday (for stir fry and smoothies) and Amy wanted to try it. After trying it, she decided she liked it and continued eating a raw piece. She's so funny!

Yesterday our birds were getting bigger, all of their eyes were open and they seemed quite healthy. Momma came often and fed them and it was so cute watching all of their little heads pop out of the nest when she came.

This morning Amy noticed one of them on the porch and after a little research we decided that it was either learning to fly, or it fell out of the nest and Mom would still continue to feed it.

Amy, Tyler and I then headed out to pick strawberries. I had heard about a great place about 30 minutes away and I couldn't wait to go.

The strawberry farm was really pretty, with a big, old antebellum type home and acres and acres of strawberry and blueberry patches. There were also farm animals- which of course, Amy loved. Ducks, chickens, cows, goats and even their own beehives.

Amy has her shoulders sunk down here because the ducks kept running away from her.

She was really good at picking berries! And only picked the best ones. Although she did get distracted..... have any idea what it's like picking berries with a botanist??? Or more specifically an entomologist?? Yes, that's right, every bug, every moving thing get examined and questioned. Sigh. In some aspects it was exhausting.

Tyler didn't love it so much. At first I had him in a carrier, on my chest, but that and trying to lean over and pick was killing my back. So then I moved him into a stroller. But he didn't really like that either. Plus, every time he tried to fall asleep, I moved him and he didn't care for the bumpiness of the field.

I'm not sure how many pounds this was. But I think it was around 2 gallons. They were delicious! We also picked a treat from the store, I got freshly made strawberry ice cream and Amy chose a strawberry honey popsicle. They were both delicious! We also bought some strawberry bread that was still warm. Yum!

When we got home, Lee informed us that he thought the bird on the porch was dead. I went out to check, and yep, it was. Then I checked on the nest and sadly, the 2 other birds were also dead.

We are all so sad!! We have no idea what happened. Yesterday they seemed great. Chirping, eating..... it did get a little cool last night, in the 40's, and Lee said maybe they got too cold. But we have no idea. So sadly, our bird watching only lasted 11 days. sniff, sniff. It's such a sad day around here now!! We couldn't wait to watch those little guys fly! Now we won't get the chance. sniff, sniff.

Our Birds, the Doctor and a Clothing Swap

Our baby Robins are getting bigger by the day. Today we noticed that we can see their little necks poking up from the nest, in search of more worms! The Mom (and sometimes Dad??) feeds them non-stop. It's also fun to see her fly up there with a beak full of worms, distribute them, and then fly off to get some more. Amy LOVES watching all of this. Well, we all do. It's been so much fun!

Friday morning Tyler had his 2 week check-up. Amy also got 2 more shots for school, so I made Lee come with me. There was no way I could do it with the 3 kids, knowing Amy was getting those shots. She was brave, but has reminded us since that she doesn't want to get any more. She also limps around, favoring the leg they put them in, so we laugh because she looks like a duck all the time.

So little Tyler is not so little anymore! When he was born he was 7 lbs 9 oz and 20 3/4 in long. When we left the hospital his weight was down to 7 lbs 4 oz. The day I got his jaundice rechecked, his weight was 7 lbs 6 oz. Now, not quite 2 weeks later, this boy weighs 8 lbs 8 oz!! (I actually thought the scale was wrong!) And is 22 inches long! Wowsers!! The nurse actually rechecked his height because she couldn't believe he grew that much. And gaining over a whole pound!!?? In just under 2 weeks? WOW! Now people are teasing me about my super powered whole milk. haha. He's doing great and we haven't wanted to give him back yet. :)

Later that day, Will had fun watering my porch plants.... (he's such a cutie!!)

Friday night, Amy and I went out for a little "girls night." We went to the bakery for a treat. She chose a cupcake, I got a petit four.

Then we got our nails done. I have to admit- doing this "girly" stuff with your daughter is SO much fun!!! (and she thought getting her nails painted was waaaay fun!)

On Saturday, Granny came. She drove this time and said the drive was pretty good. The kids have had a ball playing with her. Today, I overheard Amy teaching her how to play "Thumb War." (thanks to my mom!) Then Amy taught her how to play rock, paper, scissors, lizard, spock. I was shocked when she actually remembered most of what beats what. Lee was a proud papa, listening in from the other room.

Last night I got to go out for a girls night. My friend, Talana, hosted a clothing swap. Throughout the week we all brought stuff and the night of we looked around and put stickers on the things we wanted. It was mostly clothing, but also housewares, books and jewelry. I didn't really need anything (though, I got rid of a ton!) so I picked up a few gardening magazines, some earrings and a dress. I didn't get a picture of me- I got distracted by all the fun we were having. I know I sound like a broken record by now, but I just love these ladies!!

That's all we've been up to this weekend. Sherlock (on pbs) started back tonight and that was fun to watch. You've gotta love PBS/BBC tv shows! (Downton Abbey was another that we loved) Here's to a great week!

Tyler and Birds

I just can't stop taking pictures of our little Tyler! His little face is filling out- he's such a good eater! Although, right now he has that baby acne, it looks so awful. But I know it'll go away soon.

Yesterday, it was hot out and I needed to do something with the kids. So I pulled out our little pool and let them have fun. I thought the water was cold, but kids don't seem to know "cold." I also made snowcones- which they really loved!

You can't tell too well here, but Will is all muddy. Only my kid would have a clean pool to play in, and yet, still find a way to get muddy. 

While they played, Tyler snoozed in my lap.

 I even caught him laughing in his sleep! Something he actually does a lot.

While out there, I checked on our nest. We were curious if the birds had hatched yet. Nope!

Today Lee stayed home, which was SO nice! And truthfully, he cleaned the house while I took a nap! He even mopped and vacuumed! What a guy I have!

He took the kids outside to play in the pool and he and Amy noticed a broken egg shell on the porch. So I checked on our nest. This time, there were baby birds!!!

The nest is high and deep, so its hard to see in it. I have to hold the camera way up and point it down to even see what's in it. So we think there are at least 2 birds, but hopefully all 3 hatched ok! I'll check again in a day or two and hopefully we can see them better.

Lee and the kids were outside for a long time, so since we knew there were babies, I suggested we go back inside so the mother could come back and feed them. (she won't come when we are out there). Sure enough. we walked in the house, and 2 seconds later, she was back, tending to her little ones.

Yesterday we got 2 wonderful gifts in the mail! The Anderson's, our friends from Carrollton, sent the kids all something and Tyler some adorable onesies. And Aunt Lynn/Uncle Steve sent some stickers books, toys and Uncle Steve even made a blanket for Tyler! We love it! To both- Thank you SOOO much!! Today I had to take some pictures of Tyler and his new blanket.

We've been so lucky with meals this week. A friend of mine took it upon herself to arrange meals for the entire week... and half of last week! Even our neighbor brought over a meal today. People are just so kind!!

My Table

So finally my old door coffee table is complete! It really didn't take that long, I could have had it done a long time ago, but under orders from my husband, I had to sit still and let the projects sit for awhile. :)  The other day I was finally able to add coats of polyurethane and then voila, it was done!

Mom and Dad gave me one of the old closet doors from their new house (they decided to buy some new ones, as opposed to using all the old ones). It was already white, so I just kept it that color. I sanded it down really well and I love how you can see all the different layers of paint in certain places.

I cut 32 inches of the bottom, and then took that part and cut it in half, making 2 16 inch sections. Then attached it (as the legs) with mounting brackets.

Then I sanded it down again and added the polyurethane. Dad helped me straighten a leg that was crooked. It's very sturdy, Will jumped on it the other day (while it was in the garage) and it didn't budge. Not that I will let them jump or sit on it.... but it's nice to know if they do, it won't break!

I just love it. It's SOOO nice to finally have a table within reach. I love that it looks old and worn. I love that I left the place for the door knob- it adds a little character.  I would have left the door knob, but Mom and Dad kept those for their new doors. I love that it was practically free. I love that I'm finally making this place "my own."

Anyhow- another project complete! Woohoo!

Flower Power

Oh how I love flowers! They make me so happy. I love dirt. I love color. I love watching something grow. {sigh} I am a true gardener at heart. And I dream of the year I can finally take the classes and become a "master gardener...." maybe next year.... anyhow, I have to admit, the lack of being "able" to garden (since we've been renters) the past few years has pained me.

My neighbor had a yard sale yesterday and I wandered over to see if I could find any treasures. She had this great plant stand and I quickly snatched it up.

Since the last thing I need is one more uncompleted project, I decided to start work right away. I was going to spray paint it brown, but once I started, I didn't like it. I happened to have a turquoise can of spray paint and decided to be bold and use it.

Mom had generously bought me some plants when she was here, but they weren't enough. So since I had to go to the store anyway, I picked up a few more. Soon, my yard sale find became something pretty.

I love it. I think it's such a happy and inviting statement for our front porch.

Don't you just want to come visit?? (which if the answer is "yes," then get over here!)

At the yard sale, I also saw this interesting rocking horse. I thought it was different, and I like different. I also knew the kids would love it. I was right, I don't think Amy has gotten off!

Tyler wasn't a great sleeper last night. Well, he just wouldn't go to sleep. That was fun while I got to watch "Dear John" on tv, by myself. But by 3am, I was over it. He dozed on and off but nothing substantial. So this morning, I was way tired. Lee took all the kids and let me go back to bed. I slept from 7am- noon! It was wonderful! After that, I felt much better. So today is a tv/pajama type day. So yes, this is the kids (at 4:30pm) in their pj's.

We have been so lucky the past few days. My wonderful friends have been bringing us meals. We don't "need" them persay, but it's nice that my friends don't listen to me, and just take action. I have to admit, the meals have been wonderful- and delicious! I've already gotten some great recipes. Today my friend, May, came by and it was great to visit with her for a few minutes.

So that's been us the past few days. :) Just adjusting, adjusting, and a project. :)