Sullivan the Storyteller

Sullivan is becoming quite the teacher, mother and teller of all stories. She delights in fairytales and re-telling and re-weaving them into something new. It is really fun to have a conversation with her these days as her imagination is really evolving. Here are a few photos of her interacting with Sawyer and some recent quotes:

-While the news and seeing images of Kate and Will, I try to explain that the royal wedding just occurred and that the husband and wife are a prince and princess...Sullivan responds:

"No mommy...that is a ballerina and a daddy."

-Approaching her school, which is in a church with a steeple, Sullivan announces, "Look, Mommy! It's my school castle! My school castle! And Cap'n Hook and da pirates are there!...Eating cookies!"

-Sullivan has recently taken to reading baby picture books to Sawyer, her monologue goes something like this as she answers her own questions:

"Sawyer, ya wanna read book? Read a book, Sawyer? Kay! Let's do it. Ooooh! Look, dares a cookie! Dares a cup! You have cup, Sawyer, you gotta cup. Ya like dat?....Sully like dat...."

Adventures in Potty Training: Costco episode

In April, a Monday, 11am.

Mom enters Costco with the two girls, heads straight to bathroom.
Roaring hand airdryers and V6 engine toilet flushes cause both girls to wail, terrified.
Sullivan refuses to pee. Mom knows this makes shopping quite risky.
Mom decides to make a speedy 20 minute run through the store.
Mom finishes shopping, beelines to checkout, 18 minutes later.
Sullivan announces she needs to potty.
Mean check out girl won't hold items so Mom can run her to bathroom.
Mom attempts check out.
Mom sweats profusely.
Sullivan begins to pee, wants to flee from it and leaves a trail of urine in her path.
Mom quickly pays, abandons $100+ of groceries.
All 3 run into bathroom, Sullivan in a puddle of tears.
More roars and violent flushing.
Mom changes Sullivan's clothes, Sawyer wails again.
More roars and flushing.
Mom hopes groceries are still there, not stolen.
Mom carries both girls out, quiet now, retrieves un-touched groceries.
Mom sighs, avoids glances from Mean Checkout Girl.
Man at exit needs paid receipt.
Really?
Mom finds it cruppled, wet; hands it over.
Makes it 200 yards to car. Decides she needs a huge, delicious Diet Dr.Pepper.
Returns home safely.

Sawyer's Baptism

Sawyer was baptized this past Saturday evening at St. Mary's Church. Here are some highlights of the weekend:

-My parents and Lee's mom were able to come up.

-Lee's mom sent me on a major shopping spree on Friday...so deeply appreciated.

-Chris Tomlinson, Lee's dear friend from Furman, came down from Charlotte to be Sawyer's Baptismal sponsor.

-Weather was spectacular, breezy and cool.

-We toasted the baptism on Saturday night with some delicious, very special champagne, thanks to my parents.

-Brunch al fresco on Sunday morning at Mary's downtown was so pleasant and tasty.

-Sawyer wore a baptismal gown and cap that is so special to us...it is made from the lace that both my sister and I wore when we graduated high school. Sullivan wore it also and the inner layer has each child's name and birthdate embroidered. It is our Murphy heirloom!

3 going on 13

Tonight, as I was rewarding Sullivan for a very successful day using the potty, I ask: -Sullivan, what would you like tonight as your surprise for staying dry ALL day? -Sullivan: A car! (Thankfully a chocolate chip cookie did suffice for tonight!) A bit later, while attempting to brush her teeth, sheet shouts in protest: - I need to cry tonight! I cry tonight! And finally, as I leave her room, she joyfully coos: -Happy Easter Day! Is she only 3? Really? Lord, help me as to what is to come!

Jackson!

We just found out this morning that Lee matched in Jackson, MS, for his fellowship in Sports Medicine! We are so excited (and I am so proud!) as this was really what he wanted! So, onward we march! This move won't be until late June/early July of 2012, but that is truly around the corner. Do you have any advice, favorites places, or"two cents" about Jackson? Any suggestions for a pre-kindergarten for Sullivan? A pre-school or Mother's Morning Out for Sawyer?

Priceless

This was the attempt at taking a professional photograph of my neice, nephew and two girls. I love how Sullivanwatches Sawyer topple over, while Sawyer is crying and pulling at Josephine's hair. Priceless.

Survival of the fittest

When the days are tough and my personal and familial survival are seemingly hanging on by a thread, it helps me to count all the things that keep me tethered and grounded. A few things that help me are as follows: 1. Prayer, prayer, prayer...Will I ever pray enough??? Lord help me! 2. Time with dear friends or Key phone calls to loved ones. My mom always is "the counselor on call". 3. Taking a walk. Any exercise. 4. Taking a shower. This doesn't happen enough. 5. A long drive. This is shockingly a relaxing escape and a break for me, as the girls are quite happy and quiet in the car and need no physical care from me. 6. Grande Coffee Light Frappacino from Starbucks. 7. Something fun to look forward to or plan or finally enjoy: visits from loved ones, Datenight once a month, Mom's Night once a month, playgroup weekly... 8. Indulgent take out. I will miss Greenville's Frodos Pizza, Joy of Tokyo, Thai restaurant... 9. A good cry. Maybe a scream of two in my driveway. 10. Organizing or cleaning something. The quick accomplishment of a bit of tidiness is satisfying. What helps you? Here's to motherhood! Here's to us who are wives of surgeons! We can do this. May the force be with you.