Birthday parties and ballet

We had a very full weekend June 24-26, with our annual resident picnic and two birthday parties! We all had a very nice time and enjoyed it as much as possible, as this coming weekend marks Lee's transition to fifth (and final!) year and as Trauma Chief from July 1-September 1. It will be a marathon, indeed. But back to this past weekend...

We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Jackson's, Roger's 1st birthday party at his home, our picnic at the Adams' and River's 2nd birthday party at the park. The parties were particularly fun for the girls as they were each themed: Roger's followed The Very Hungry Caterpillar and River's was a train theme, complete with a live Thomas the Train for us all to ride on! Hats off to Kaitlyn and Laurie (Roger's and River's moms, respectively) for your creativity and accomplishment in such a great kid's party! We all had a blast! Thank you for including us!

We also had a great time at our annual picnic, welcoming our 4 new residents into the program. Danielle, thank you for hosting! Your home was perfect for the event and everyone ate well and enjoyed the afternoon. The barbeque was delicious!

In other news I would like to document, I am working on getting the girls to share a room at night. As many of you know, we have a 2 bedroom home and it has been challenging (but functional) with the sleep situation. Over the last 16 days or so, I have put them down together in the nursery (still at different times!)...I haven't been getting much sleep as they wake one another up, either with Sawyer's teething pain or Sullivan's nightmares. I have faith that we will get to peaceful nights soon with time...but I am paying the price for the moment. One day, when we are in a larger home,I will really appreciate it. For the time being, I am making the most of small, snuggly, cozy home.

3 Little Dinosaurs by Sullivan Murphy

(Opens a travel book on Hawaii and begins to tell Sawyer and I her first complete story...)

Three Little Dinosaurs goin' on a Bear Hunt! Ooh!
One dinosaur lost its baby.
Gotta find it. Oooh. Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
One dinosaur find a chesure dress ("treasure chest") and got a surprise
there in dah water!
The end.



Thankfully, we shared this super sweet moment just before her quiet time today, as we had a less sweet experience at our local library today with our playgroup (which involved high-pitched screaming, an unsuccessful time out, an intervention from a library employee, canceling our lunch order and leaving the building abruptly.) Sigh.

All in a day's work, huh?

3 in 1

Three key items of note for us this past week:
1. Sawyer is 9mos now.
I can hardly believe it! She is 15lbs and doing great. She babbles and "talks" up a storm, but isn't interested in moving, crawling or getting herself in motion yet. She does stand supported well and grabs things easily. She is a lot like Sullivan was as she has great fine motor skills, but slow-developing gross motor skills. She continues to delight us...she is very chill and tranquil and just goes with the flow. The poor child can sleep in any bed or pack'n'play, as she has always been tossed about into a variety of cribs as we play "musical beds" in our small home. She is our cherub.

2. This past June 18 marked our 6th wedding anniversary. I am still learning about Lee, even though we have been together 8 years now...He is a man of mystery and allure to me even now; in many ways we are still "courting". I am so grateful to be his wife and smile as the future awaits us. Bring on trauma rotation in July! Bring on a challenging fellowship next year! A new practice to establish in two years! We can do this.

3. The 2011 Orthopedic Roast was held this past Saturday. Above you see our class of rising 5th year residents. Have we really been here for four years already? What a journey it has been! I will always treasure this rich experience...where we made great friends, had babies, juggled the crazy schedule and explored Greenville. To my girls here in Greenville, Oh! How I will miss you!

Swim Lessons in Montgomery

Honey and Sullivan in the pool.
Even big kids need bear hugs. Colleen and Randy (Lee's parents), Sawyer, Victor and AnnaLee Ingalls.

Last, week the girls and I had a nice week at home with family in Montgomery. It was jam-packed with family time, daily swim lessons with cousin Josephine, a datenight with my sister and even a spray tan and a bit of shopping for me! Ha!

Priceless

Twelve toys thrown onto the floorboard.
One broken dvd player.
Five closed lanes on I-85 through Atlanta.
Three cups of caffeinated beverages.
One blowout diaper than scalds one tiny backside.
Eight cds of somewhat painful children's music.
Six days with energetic, helpful grandparents.

Worth it.

Killer Angels!

Hollywood

The girls have gone Hollywood!

Here you see Sullivan daring in her sunglasses, riding horses at a friend's birthday party (and feeding a rooster?! Yikes.) and Sawyer gazing as well. We certainly have our share of drama from these 2 little girls!