Happy Fall!

Since I last updated, Daddy celebrated his 65th birthday just as he'd requested: surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren in Highlands. It was the first time in quite a long time we'd all been together under one roof given our hectic schedules. We had a great weekend together, lots of chances to just chill and relax together since the weather left all other activities to be impossible! Terrential downpours all weekend meant books, naps, football, fires, wine and trying to explain to an 18-month old why he can't go "side" when it's lightning. But you know you'll never hear complain about doing nothing! And fortunately, the sun did break through long enough for us to get a great family picture to mark the occasion. Many thanks to Kevin for a great shot! PS - do you see the red hair on this child!

As you all know by now, those downpours continued not only in NC but into Georgia the whole ride home, into that night and well into the next few days. Luckily, we were unaffected directly by the flooding in Atlanta. Matty's school did have to close on Tuesday, like all others in town, and while I had planned on taking a personal day to chill with my son, work was such that I felt I needed to head in. So our good friend Caroline rescued me once again and kept Matty for the afternoon while I braved the back roads to head into work. Matty and Jake had a great time! Caroline even called Hilary and Davis to add to their fun and the boys enjoyed their partying together. As I recall, Matty crashed early that evening!

Look how happy this little guy is with gadgets...SO his father's son!

Friday night we were super excited to get a spend the night party with Jake, so his parents could go out to celebrate his Mommy's 29th birthday (again). Matty and Jake play so well together, it is terribly cute. And Matty ran to the door when the bell rang to greet his buddy. They were adorable in matching pjs, no that was not on purpose, watching Seasme Street before bed.

This fall weather has me inspired to dig in the dirt and do some work on the house. This weekend Mimi and Bop came up to help me "smook" some in our newly painted dining room and while the chairs still need recovering, it's a marked improvement from where we were. On Sunday I spent many hours prepping badly neglected beds and finally doing some planting in the yard. Doesn't look like much, but it's a start and that's enough for me right now!

Firsts and Football!

Saturday brought with it a long-awaited first: Matty's first haircut. I guess I'd been too afraid of letting go of those curls, and that somehow losing those meant he wasn't a baby anymore. Well, amazingly enough even with a good haircut, he was still the same little boy afterwards! And he did pretty good at Pigtails and Crewcuts too. A bit stircrazy by the end, but overall a great customer!

After his haircut and a quick trip to the park, we headed to Jake's for a playdate. This was the only occasion the whole time the two boys were sitting still long enough to be photographed. And thanks to Caroline's entertainment, they were looking at the camera!

Matty said "Auburn" for the first time this weekend, with a bit of prompting, and something else funny, with none whatsoever.

Couldn't resist sharing this. I only wish I had video of his reaction to Seasme Street 2 minutes before. It was WAY more enthusiastic. We've got a major Cookie Monster addict in our house.

Just a few fun pics to share

Patsy and Craig were in town a couple of weeks ago so the guys could work on a solar-thermal installation. Actually 2. We didn't see too much of them come to think of it, but Patsy, Matty and I had a great time! Swimming lessons, trips to the park and other family fun. God bless grandmothers, because I probably wouldn't have thought to start the fun in the kitchen sink that Patsy thought to one night before dinner but, oh the fun! Matty laughed sooo hard! And slept great that night, too, if I remember correctly!

Matty loves his Mama O and Daddy O! And they love him a lot, too!

This past weekend, Ben headed to Waco for some quality time with his grandparents, and Matty and I went to Macon for the long Labor Day weekend with Mom and Dad. I was so glad while I was there I was able to see my old friend Holly and get in a nice visit. Matty and Mackenzie are only about 5 weeks apart. It took them getting acquainted for a minute but they had a great time and shared really well for a couple of one year olds! I love this picture, but yes I know, Matty's in need of his first haircut! Those curls are a little out of control from all their rolling around! Saturday he'll get his first boy haircut and I'll try not to cry...in front of him!

Busy Busy Busy...

As Summer days are getting fewer, Matty and I seem to be trying to cram as much in as possible! And loving every moment! Two weekends ago we headed to Macon for my college roommate, Laura's, baby shower. She is due to deliver Olivia Kate Heacox any minute now! (Sooner based on some of the guesses at the shower!) And making Rachel a very proud big sister! Theresa was also there, and let me tell you, it was a rare pleasure to have my two roomies under one roof. We manage that about once a year for about an hour! Aren't they pretty!? :)


Rachel was not about to have the whole party be about Miss Olivia though. A rather dumb-founded little girl, she walked up to Laura, tooth in hand, saying, "um Momma, I lost my tooth." It was her first tooth to loose! We all almost teared up. Atta girl, Rachel!

After the shower, heart pounding, I went to Isabel's, a popular boutique in Macon. Somehow I managed not to throw up on the owner, while I told her all about Screw Cancer Eat Cake. Her husband having recently been diagnosed with a rare abdominal cancer, it all resonated deeply with her. And in a couple of weeks, you can stop by and purchase SCEC at Isabel's!

While I was showering and not throwing up, Matty spent a couple hours with Mimi and Bop and had a blast! I came home to a very happy boy! He loves his grandparents so much! The next week all I heard everyday was "Mimi? Bop? Mimi? Bop?" So it was good fortune that we had to go to Highlands last weekend for Ben to finish a solar job. 70s all weekend, we can't complain! Something about Highlands. I'm able to unwind there like nowhere else. It's simply heaven!

Also, just have to show off the newest member of our family! We finally had the yucky old gate and fence to the back yard ripped out and a beautiful new gate and arbor built. I can't wait for fall when we finally plant and the jasmine starts crawling up the trellice!