Sand, Seahorses and Surgery.... a very random post

Goodness... where to start!

We finally got our saltwater tanks set up. We have one in the kitchen with 2 precious seahorses and one in the playroom with clownfish. We've determined the seahorse tank is too small and have already purchased a bigger home but it's gonna take a while to get up and running. Aren't they cute!?!

We paid extra for "yellow" seahorses.... and they were this vibrant yellow when they arrived... for 2 days. Who knew seahorses change color to match their environment. They are now a greenish tan to match the plants and rock but weren't they beautiful for 2 days!?!

Parker had his last day of 3 year preschool. On the 1st day of this schoolyear, I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he answered "a cow." On the last day, mama didn't have it nearly as together and someone was in no mood for pictures but he did tell me when he grew up, that he would be a "butterfly." When aked why, he responded "I just do." So there's that.... a man of few words unless confined in a car or when I need him to be quiet. haha

Here's the best shot of Parker I got on his last day of school.

Avery, on the other hand, was in photoshoot mode and I got 15 GREAT pictures of her in the same position. I'll spare you 14 of them but I couldn't resist sharing at least one!

Miss. Avery had her 2 year well check on Tuesday where we discovered that she's still a peanut. The doctor said her only "problem" is that she is skinny. What a problem, right? Sign me up.

The official stats

After her well check, the kids and I packed up and headed to Charleston with Tabitha and Makenna. Dean was working in Charleston for the week, so we all crashed in the Embasy Suites and enjoyed the beach, junk food and Tanger. Turns out.... 2 double beds + 3 adults + 3 kids doesn't equal sleep. We did have a fun day at Isle of Palms, though!

She is just too stinking cute!

Parker found a buddy and they spent a lot of time catching fish (and a starfish!) in the tide pools.

 

Sweet Makenna enjoyed running laps on the sand.

After a fun morning at the beach, we headed back to the hotel, showered off and went to Tanger where I hit up every children's store with all 3 kids in tow. Kuddos to moms of 3 toddlers.... it was ROUGH!  I had planned to go back by myself for a little "Taylor time" but we decided to head home while the kids slept in the car.

 

While I was bummed to go home, I could tell Tabitha really wanted to go. The Lord works in mysterious ways because while packing up, I started to feel odd pains in my chest. They got increasingly worse as I drove the 3 1/2 hours home. About 45 mins from home, I decided something was NOT right and no amount of children's chewable Tylenol was going to do the trick so Daniel met me in our garage and drove me straight to the ER. Thank goodness we were home instead of in Charleston because I needed gallbladder surgery.... and morphine!

 

For your viewing pleasure, here is a picture of my gallbladder which was 3 times the normal size and 2 gigantic gallstones.

WORST.PAIN.EVER.  Thankfully, while sore, I'm recovering well. :)

 

That about sums up our last 2 weeks. Next up... Great Wolf Lodge!

It's officially pool season!

It's officially pool season... for my kids that is.... I require a minimum of 10 more degrees before I venture out of ankle deep water. I believe the 1st pool day was 60 degrees and rainy so we held off until it was at least 80. Well, yesterday was 84 according to my car so we loaded up the wagon and headed to the pool. It was cooollllddd but they had a great time splashing around with their buddies. They both played more on the side of the pool than in the pool but both did swim for a bit. I kept to my rule and monitored from the side with a little "mom juice."

Lock up your sons.

Squirt gun fun!

Typical Avery... floating around

I think this picture looks like she's about to do water aerobics. I'm dying over that sweet polka dot Target hat!

Makenna also enjoyed her 1st dip of the season.

Jumping right in!

I think this officially means my summer has started!

Oak Island - May Beach Trip

Last week the kids and I packed up and headed to the beach with my parents. They rented a house in Oak Island, NC a few weeks throughout the year and last week happened to be one of them. We were sure we'd have high 70's/low 80's and beautiful beach weather.... but... we got low/mid 60's and clouds. Boo. But, one thing is for sure, regardless of the weather, my kids will wear bathing suits and play in the sand, blue lips and all. Thankfully, we did get some sunny moments here and there and I got my fix of sandy toes and umbrella drinks. Daniel was supposed to meet us Thursday and stay through Sunday but since it was so windy and calling for rain, we just headed home to warmer weather and our own beds.

Waterwheel fun.... Best $1.50 I've spent in a long time.

We played on swings and scouted out places in the movie Safe Haven (filmed in Southport next to Oak Island). Sadly, I did not see Josh Duhamel.

We took the ferry to Fort Fisher and went to the NC aquarium. It is beautiful and we really enjoyed our time there.  Funny note about this picture.... my dad is smiling.... at an alligator trying to attack the lady cleaning its habitat and the other lady with a broom trying to keep it away from her. Probably not the safest way to clean glass... just sayin'.

No vacation would be complete without ice cream! Side note.... did that sedan park on the bumper of the SUV?! I just noticed that!

Playing at the park in Southport.

This crazy girl wanted to swim SO badly but the water was breathtakingly cold!

Chasing waves is a super fun game!

I love this iPhone picture of Avery!

A framer for sure!

Just us, some seagulls and a fisherman (from the town daniel grew up in! What are the odds?!)

 

A fisherman near us would call us over every time he caught something so the kids could touch it.

A hammerhead shark! It was pretty cool. I actually touched it and it felt like sand paper.

 

The pictures uploaded in a weird order but we're gonna roll with it. Despite the not so beachy weather, the kids had a wonderful time and I came back relaxed. Oak Island is a bit sleeper than I'm used to (I'm a Hilton Head snob) but I couldn't say nicer things about the residents of Oak Island and Southport. They are geniunely sweet people. It's a safe and clean beach that we look forward to going back to in late June. Fingers crossed for mid- 80's with a slight breeze! :)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Avery!

Avery Madison, tomorrow you are 2 years old! Tonight, as usual, you "went to bed with Parker" and then 5 minutes later appeared in my room, ready to be rocked and put to sleep in your own bed. I sang through all 3 stanzas of your "go to" bed time song "All Creatures of Our God and King" (more on that later!) then sang "Come thou Fount," followed by "Doxology" but I just wasn't done snuggling you tonight! Randomly, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" came to mind and you closed your beautiful green/blue eyes and fell asleep. What a perfect song to fall asleep to on the night before we celebrate your 2nd birthday! You and your brother are my miracle babies, the loves of my life and the answers to my most desperate prayers! "Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me!" Amen!

The last month has been my favorite month ever with you! You are in the sweetest stage! Within the last 2 days, you've started calling us "mommy and daddy" instead of "mama and dada." We LOVE it! You know how to work your eyes to get what you want. Your facial expressions are classic. At the beach last week, when you wanted a bite of poppi's Klondike, you slowly walked over to his chair and put your chin and cheeks in your hands in the most angelic pose you could muster. It worked! We still giggle about that! Where did you learn it?! I am soaking in every moment with you lately! Please never stop being this sweet!

You talk up a storm and if you don't know the word, you take my hand and take me to what you want. You have a high pitched, girly voice. I need to do better about video taping you! You answer most questions asked of you. You frequently use the words "mommy, daddy, stuck, oh no, it broke, a snack (anything to do with food, really), bye bye, and I pooped." We're so smitten with you!

You are 20lbs and 31 inches tall. You wear a size 3 diaper when you wear one but you're still doing pretty well going on the potty. Clothing you is becoming difficult. You have a size 6-9 month waist, 18 month torso and 12-18 month length pants. Needless to say, you're the queen of dresses or seperates. Dressing you is still my most fun hooby!

You FINALLY sleep through the night. We've found a nice routine that works for us. You take a bath (your favorite time of the day!), watch 1 Curious George episode in my bed and then we read a story with Parker in the guest room. You like the Thomas book that sings "The wheels on the bus" and any Curious George book. We kiss Parker goodnight and then go to your room. We rock in your chair and you fail around until I sing "All Creatures of Our God and King." I have tried every song I know and this is the ONLY song that calms you down. I have NO idea why! I was so hoping you would love "You are My Sunshine" like I did as a child but when I sing it, you point at me and yell "NO!" Apparently, you like hymns before bed and that's just fine by me (although I'll admit sometimes I have to google the lyrics to the lesser known stanzas!). You usually sleep 7:30 or 8 until 6:15ish. Sometimes you'll crawl into my bed in the morning and snuggle me, fading in and out for a bit.... those are my favorite mornings!

You are the most amazing climber I've every seen for your age! I'm not exagerating. You're scary good. You're also an adventurous eater who grazes all day long and is eating me out of house and home. You're a typical sweet/spicy red head who lives by a "no bow, no go" policy. You light up a room and are a blessing to all who know you!

 

Avery Madison, you are my littlest love. I kiss your sweet face all day long! Although I feel like you were only a baby for 9 months, you will always be my precious baby girl! I am so proud of the sweet toddler you've become and can't wait for you to wake me up in the morning with your famous bear hugs! I love you, Avie!