bbrrrrrr!

Posting will be a bit thin for a couple reasons this week:

If you've seen the news, you know Kentucky is covered in ice and snow. Wilmore included. These pictures might give you an idea of what all the ice looks like (and what it's doing to the state). We have power, but our internet has been spotty.

Also, Ryan is remodeling the bathroom. The kids and I have graciously been hosted by some friends to get us out of the house while there is sheet rock dust and plumbing parts everywhere. This weekend the potty (in our only bathroom) has to come out for a few days. Needless to say, we'll be spending lots of time somewhere else! :)

More when I can...

better now

The first few hours of being home were bliss.

Then I came down with a tummy bug. Yuk. I'll spare you the drippy details. It's enough to say that Ryan was on his own with both kids for about 24 hours.

But I'm better now. :) Kids are great. Athan has been particularly animated today, and Morgan has been dressed as either a fairy or a princess about 75% of the time at home so far.

Off to get ready for a baby shower.

made it

We're home. [read "ahhhhhhhhh"]....

Just wanted you all to know we made it. Trip was good. More soon.

every parent's dream?

Ok, so we were eating lunch today at Grammy's, just Morgan, Athan, and me. I fed both kids, and as they were eating dessert, I started my own lunch. It was bout 12:20. Normal.

Then Morgan walked away from the table, announcing "I'm going to bed Mom."

Huh?!

So I followed her to our room, watched her gather her "night night" things (1 bear, 1 blanket, 1 book), and lay down on her bed.

"Morgan, are you ready to take your nap?"

"Yes. I'll stay on my bed unless I need to go tee-tee."

Baffled, but smiling, I closed the door behind me, wondering if she would really stay in bed (she did - over an hour now). I walked back into the kitchen, where I found this:That would be Athan sound asleep in his high chair (but still holding the remnants of the graham cracker, of course). I gently removed the cracker, unbuckled him, and carried him back to his bed for a more comfy nap.

Seriously? Did both my kids just put themselves down for an afternoon nap?! :-)

spoke a bit too soon, I guess

Not much sleep last night. Because of the way he acted when he was awake, I still think we've helped ourselves by moving the med. But we've also got to stay attentive to the other factors. Last night I think he was hungry...

Morgan has had a great day! Relaxed with Grammy and Pappy, had a good nap, and then got to go ride Taco (that would be a horse) this afternoon with Uncle Layne and Dad. I think Nana was there to take pictures, so I'll post some when I get a chance. Now she's playing with more of her adoring fans...

Ryan and I are still enjoying the constant help. It's a great break for us to let someone else feed, bathe, clothe, entertain, and sooth our kids some of the time. I think I'll be a better parent for taking a break while we're here! :)

I'm hesitant to get my hopes up...

but Athan seems to be sleeping better. Yeah! :) We adjusted his med schedule a bit (moved his growth hormone earlier in the day), and both days we did that, he slept better. Wednesday night he slept from 11:30 to 5:45. Wow! Last night he was up for 2 hours, but then he slept in until 8:30. And both days he has taken a 3 hour nap. So..... maybe... maybe.

rest

Wow, did we need this. We're sleeping (at least more than if we were in KY). We're off the hook on planning or cooking meals. We're talking, reflecting, writing, reading, and even the work we're doing seems restful because it's different.

Morgan is so surrounded by the people, places, and pets she loves that she hardly knows which to choose.

Athan, sweet boy, is still as smiley as ever. He's still not doing great at night, but with travel, that's to be expected, I guess.

Of course, with Nana near, there are lots of cute pics. I'll get more up when I take time to pick a few.

More soon...

Wedding 2 - the father/son series

Wedding 1

rehearsal dinner

With the bride- and groom-to-be (Josh and Mitsi):



With the still-single twin, Jeremy:
Eating salsa to clear the sinuses:

Lamenting the sicklyness:

rehearsal

Preacher practice:

This looks so serious...:
Morgan found her favorite toy:

Gotta love Grammy!:

cute kid moments

I will get pictures up asap, but until then, I thought these quotes would be fun:

Morgan: "I JUST NEED to go to Grammy's, Mom. I just NEED to..."

Athan: (when asked "Can you say 'I'm cute'?") "Ahhm toot."

Morgan: "Tomorrow will be my birthday, and then it's Christmas, and I'll be 5 and Santa will be 5, too!"

Athan: "DADDYYYYYY!" (only funny because that's what he says when Mama walks into the room)

can you hear the relief from there?

We made it to Clovis. Whew. No more driving across states for a couple of weeks. Yeah!
We left Austin and drove to Abilene, where we got to have some good face-time with Bailey and the Boren fam. Thanks to them both for hosting us. Then Ryan and Athan stayed there to spend the night with Bailey, while Morgan and I hitched a ride to Lubbock with Uncle Jordan and Aunt Brittany (en route home from Dallas post Cotton Bowl). It was good for Mama to get a solid night's rest with Morgan in Lubbock, great to hang out with Jordan and Britt, and good for Ryan to have some time with Bailey. Athan had a pretty good night, I hear. Asleep by 11, up once for about 30 minutes, and slept until a little after 6. Yeah for boy!
The boys came through Lubbock today to pick us up, and now we're settled in and relaxing at Nana and Papa's house in Clovis. My sinus infection seems to be clearing up little by little, but each day has been an improvement. Ryan still has a nasty headache and sinus pressure. But there's hope - he seems to be 12-24 hours behind me, so tomorrow should be lots better for him. :)
We're anxious to get well and see all the friends and fam we've been missing for months.

across Texas

Last night was a little better, thankfully. He was still up and unhappy for a while, but we did get some consecutive hours.

We're about to pack and load and head out for Clovis. It'll be great to relax at Nana's house for a few days! :)

rough night 13... or 31... or 311... i've lost count

Poor baby boy. He just doesn't sleep well. Constipation, this time, in addition to whatever else might be contributing to our sleepless nights. We're in the midst of a long process of trying to figure out which variables to adjust and which causes to investigate to help him sleep better. Right now, with travel and whatnot, that process is paused - it introduces too many new factors to really know.
Ryan seemed to be feeling better this morning. He's on his way to Dallas to go to the Cotton Bowl with his fam.
Morgan is eating a muffin and watching the Doodlebops. She's great.
I'm feeling a better. After Ibuprofen, Tylenol for Sinus Pain, Vitamin C, sinus massage, neti pot, a handstand, hot salsa, a short jog, steam showers, and a shot of spicy rum, my congestion has at least been chased to only the left side of my face. And it seems to be shrinking more today. :) Maybe this is almost over...

sleeping it off

No hangover, but hopefully we can sleep off the sickly-ness some today. Mom took both kids to the family (late) Christmas deal, and Ryan and I are resting at the hotel for the afternoon.

Also, a very joyous welcome to Eloise!

4:30a.m. in Austin, 1-1-09

Athan is finally back asleep, but I'm waiting on my meds to kick in so I can crash, too. Might as well write a bit...

The wedding was beautiful, of course. Bride and Groom were all smiles and glowy-ness. Ryan's homily was honest art. Athan was handsome in his mini-tux, and he had great fun "manufacturing cute" (-Uncle Josh) all evening. Morgan danced every song right through to ringing in the New Year. She is spending the night with Nana and Papa, and may well sleep until next Tuesday...

Me? I was breathing, upright, smiling, and mostly nice to people, I think, in spite of this nasty sinus infection. I got to dance a little, hug a lot, and be in my little brother's wedding. I'm calling that Success with some snot...

Happy New Year, faithful friends and family. You've loved us generously through a difficult year, and we're grateful.

In 2009, may you all have power, together with all the saints, to know how long and wide and high and deep is the Love of Christ. Amen.