The End of an Era

It is the end of playgroup as we know it. I know that we will only expand to a bigger and better group, but the changes to come do make me a little sad. Molly is going to have her baby this week, and Caroline and I are soon to follow, so our group will be expanding to toddlers and newborns. Yikes!

As a new mother, I quickly realized the only way for me to survive infant-hood was to rely on other mothers for support. I had several friends that had babies around the same time as I, so I decided to start a play group. We started with many, and eventually became a group of about 4 regulars. We've had many trickle in and out and always welcome new players. Our regular group consisted of Lily (26 months), Margaret Anne(28 months), Thomas (24 months), and Mills (26 months). Mills had to leave us for a while because of his busy social calendar, but we hope to have him back soon. Porter (22 months) finally gave up his morning nap and has now become a regular player too. This fall all the kiddos will be starting school in the mornings, so we will have to figure a time in the afternoons that works for everyone, because we will continue on. These children and mothers mean so much to me and am truly blessed to have each of them in my life.

This is one of our first gatherings. We didn't have a playroom at the time, so I threw down some mats and we just let them roll.

Once the kiddos became mobile, I realized playing on mats downstairs wasn't going to cut it. We sacrificed our work out room (such a sacrifice since we used it about once a month) to make a playroom. This was the best thing we ever did. We now spend A LOT of time in this room. This shot was taken In October of 2006 of Lily, Margaret Anne and Thomas.

Of course we had to dress them up in their Halloween costumes together.

Where did Margaret Anne go? She's never been one to stay still for too long.

This shot was taken in March of 2007 of Mills, Lily, and Margaret Anne. There goes Margaret Anne again.

These shots were all taken today. One of their favorite things to do is to get all the blankets (and she has a lot) out of Lily's room and bring them into the playroom to play night night. I sometimes shut Lily's bedroom door to keep all the tots in one place, but this backfired today when I heard Lily saying, "help, help, Mar Anne, help me open the door." So much for that.

Margaret Anne and Porter playing night night.

Thomas, Lily, Porter, and Margaret Anne

Wait, Margaret Anne, where are you going?

The future playgroupers. We are going in reverse order this time with Molly's baby coming this week, mine coming hopefully in June, and Caroline's coming in September.

Three Down, Two To Go - 33 Weeks

I had another good doctor's visit today. I was a little surprised, thinking there may have been a change. I was very much relieved. My doctor said two more weeks of bed rest. I can't wait. Meanwhile, I am getting a lot of knitting done and trying to soak up the rest.

My parents left us on Saturday evening when James got home. They had a blast with Lily, but I know they were relieved to get home after a long week here. I don't think I hardly saw Mom sit down, and Daddy was quite the entertainment for Lily. Mom cooked two of my favorites while she was here: country fried steak with mashed potatoes and pancakes. I can make both of these pretty well, but I still haven't mastered it like she has. She also kept me well stocked in sweet tea. Thank you Mimi and Papa for a wonderful week.

Doncie and Snookie have returned this week as our keepers. Lily is loving all of this time with her grandparents, and I know this will be a time both she and they will always cherish. Lily has adjusted beautifully and transitions from one person to the next so easily. She is an amazing, well rounded child, and am very blessed to be her mother. She is talking more about the baby now, and even bringing the baby little things now and then. She will be a wonderful big sister.

Congratulations Aunt Nette!

James' sister was recently honored as one of Charleston's Forty Under Forty.

From the Charleston Regional Business Journal:
"Forty Under 40 recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are making an impact on our community. Our judges selected the winners based on both professional achievements as well as community service. With this award we want to honor young professionals who take community service to the next level. These people are the future of our community and we tip our hats to their awesome commitment to their professional, personal and philanthropic endeavors."

Kinnett is one of the hardest workers I know, and she is very dedicated to her career. She has overcome many obstacles to be as successful as she is today, and is on top of her game in a male-dominated field. However, after seeing her bio, I personally think she missed her calling as a model. (Love the shoes by the way.)

Check out her bio on the web. Kinnett, we are very proud of you. You 1000% deserve this honor.

Lily's New Pink Chair

We are trying to make the transition to sisterhood as easy as possible for Lily. We decided to move the rocking chair that is in her room to the baby's room, but we couldn't leave Lily without a chair. I ordered her a toddler chair, hoping it would be as cute as it looked online (remember I said bed rest isn't easy on the budget). She has been very excited about the arrival her new pink chair. We opened it this afternoon and had one happy girl. Please excuse the lack of clothing, but Lily and her daddy had just come inside from watering the garden, which usually means Lily comes in soaking wet.


Out with the old...

And in with the new. Lily immediately grabbed some books and jumped in her chair. She had no problems moving the old chair into the baby's room.

The new chair does sadly mean no more cuddling and reading books in Lily's room, but we figure that we will soon be reading books with her in her bed.

Mommy and Daddy each got an Eskimo kiss before bedtime.

Happy Birthday Maggie

Happy birthday to our sweet Goddaughter. We are very blessed to have you in our lives, and have enjoyed watching you grow up though the years. You are a special little girl and mean so much to us. Thank you for being a wonderful part of our lives. We love you very much.

Two Weeks Down, Three To Go.

I had another doctor's visit on Tuesday and everything has stayed the same. I still have to stay completely down until 35 weeks, but that's only 3 weeks away. I know I won't be able to go crazy then, but I should have a little more freedom and independence. I would love to have a few normal weeks with Lily before the baby comes, because I know there is no such thing as normal after that.

My parents are taking a shift this week. James is in Palm Springs, so Mom and Dad are here babysitting Lily and me. I've had to surrender the remote control to my Dad, the remote master, but it hasn't been too bad. So far, he has stayed away from Judge Judy and People's Court. I do tease him though, because he tends to watch the TV while flipping through the guide channel. So even though we have a 42 inch TV, you only get to watch the top 12 inch corner. We normally don't have the TV on during the day, but I don't think Lily's brain is rotting too much.

Speaking of Lily, she is doing fantastic. She has been the happiest little toddler the past few days. She is now excited to go to school, loving her mommy again, and making us laugh all the time. The other day we had a package delivered, which she gets really excited about. (We've been seeing the UPS man a lot lately. Mommy has too much time to shop online). I told her that it was new sheets for Mommy and Daddy's bed. She started yelling baa, baa, baa, thinking they were our new sheeps. She couldn't wait for us to open the sheeps.

Another Fun Daddy Day

James and Allan loaded up their bikes and trailers this morning and took the girls to the kayak festival and James Island County Park. James said they all had a great time. After looking at the pictures, is there any wonder why the girls have more fun with their Daddies?

Lily loves to ride in her bike trailer.

Quality time with Lovey.

Allan, Margaret Anne and Abigail.

Mr. Allan bought everyone ice cream!


Does anyone see where this is heading?

Yep, three wet little girls.

Thank you Daddy for another great morning.

Visit from Richmond

Our good friends Chris and Sandy from Richmond stopped by for a visit on their way to a wedding in Beaufort. Chris and James went to law school together and there was an instant bond when I met Sandy. They often laugh because James missed their wedding (almost 10 years ago) because it was his last week in Charleston and he and I had just met. I think they have forgiven him. They came in late Thursday evening and we had our usual fun catch up session. Unfortunately, James had a seminar all day Friday, so Thursday night was his only time to spend with them. Chris and Sandy graciously agreed to help out with Lily Friday morning until nap time. Here they are, on vacation, away from their own children, and taking care of mine. Now those are some good friends.


I was a little anxious to see how Lily would do because she hasn't seen them in a long time. Well, that just proves that I worry way too much. Sandy got Lily up in the morning and I don't think Lily stopped laughing until she went down for her nap. She eagerly went to the beach with them, had a blast chasing Chris around the house, and grabbed Sandy's hand to go upstairs for nap time. I am so thankful that she is so adaptable and easy going. It doesn't hurt either that Chris and Sandy are great parents and super with kids. I think they both enjoyed playing with a little girl for a while. I heard Sandy upstairs feeding the baby dolls. I don't think she gets much of that with her two boys, our Godsons.


Thank you Uncle Chris and Aunt Sandy for a wonderful morning.