Happy Mother's Day!

Today was Mother's Day and what an absolutely beautiful day we got - perfect for celebrating! Mother's Day is, of course, a day to honor your mother as well as the mother of your children, but it is also a day for mommies to be so incredibly grateful for the little lovebugs. I am so thankful for my two sweethearts who make the role of motherhood fulfilling and so much fun!









My morning started with a most luxurious sleep-in...Anna finally padded in at 9:00 (9:00!!!!!) to announce "Allllllright, Mommy, bacon!!" and to hand me my glasses and to sneak in bed for a quick snuggle. Steve had cooked us all a wonderful breakfast of bacon and eggs and delicious coffee.







Maddie and I got a chance to play together after breakfast while Steve took Banana Bean shopping at our favorite store, Pike's Nursery. I had assured him that I didn't need jewelry or gifts for Mother's Day, but that I would love some more flowers and plants for the yard. Being a mother has turned me into such a plant nut, it's ridiculous. I crave them like you wouldn't believe and no matter how many flowers and plants we have out there, it's never enough! So my thoughtful husband decided to plant my hanging baskets for me this year, and then he even surprised me with more hydrangea bushes and a new dogwood tree.


We were very pleasantly surprised to find these roses in our yard - aren't they beautiful!







After my two shoppers came home, I went to meet my sister for some pampering and shopping. We treated ourselves to a decadent mani-pedi, and I finally got the chance to try this gel manicure that everyone is talking about. So far I am impressed, and it felt good to get out and do something girly with my best friend sister. Plus, she brought Daniel and I loved having the chance to show off my snuggly nephew! He is quite the shopper and he even managed to pick himself out a new toy from Barnes & Noble.







Steve had encouraged me to do a little shopping and although I didn't see too many clothes that caught my eye, I did add a new Southern cookbook to my collection. Allyson and I took full advantage of the beautiful weather and stayed out for four full hours of relaxing - a definite luxury!

I came home armed with provisions of snacks, beer, and sugary treats for my troopers who somehow all survived without me for that long (haha). We spent the rest of the afternoon planting our new flowers and playing in the yard. I was thrilled to capture some more pictures of my beautiful children and we all got the benefit of some fresh Spring air.















Mother's Day is really such a special day. Motherhood is a very exhausting, very not-glamorous job (Anna painted her room in poop yesterday, by the way), but I wouldn't trade it for the world. This day is not about the gifts, it's not about the attention. And for heaven's sake, it is not a Hallmark holiday. It is a day that is set aside to thank mothers for all they do for their families, for their community, and for the next generation. And as my friend Sue recently said, "The world needs more moms. People need a little more kindness, a little more doting." So, mommies, I want to end my post by saying:

Thank you.
You are important.
Your work is important.
You are appreciated.
You are doing a good job.
You are making a difference. 
Your family loves you.
You are making the world a better place.





I also have several friends going through fertility treatments right now and their journeys have been on my mind and heart lately. Friends, every single one of you is going to be a fantastic mother one day, no matter when or how. It is going to happen and I will be the very first in line to give you a hug and say congratulations. I know the journey has been hard but I consider you all to be mothers, and I am wishing you a Happy Mother's Day too and sending my love.









Happy Mother's Day, everybody!

Summer Bucket List

We have had a busy Winter and Spring, having signed up the girls for both music and gym classes, along with Anna's Mommy's Morning Out. We all loved having such a varied but consistent routine, but it's about to all come to an end at the end of May as Summer starts. While I will miss our schedule, I am very much looking forward to having more flexibility for play dates and new adventures.

I found myself pondering our summer time schedule the other day and I came up with a bucket list of things that I was excited about for this new season. I would love to hear yours too!

1. New Classes at the Gym - our gym has an extensive list of classes that they offer and for months, our schedule has made it impossible for me to make any of the classes that piqued my interest. I can't wait to drop these kiddos off and try some new workouts!!

2. Splash Pads - I was out of commission for the bulk of the summer last year and I am dying to take the girls to try out the splash pads (a toddler-friendly area with fountains and spray equipment) nearby. I have heard of several good ones and I think Anna and Maddie would get such a kick out of them!

3. Ink Children's Museum - another attraction on the list that I have heard such good things about and have never made the trip up to visit. Plus it has the benefit of air conditioning - a definite advantage in the Georgia summer heat!

4. Stone Mountain - Georgia readers will be familiar with this one! While I am not sure this will be the year to take the girls to the laser show, I would love to spend a day at this park enjoying a picnic, a cable car ride, and maybe even a boat ride if they still do those. Stone Mountain is such a beautiful park and I think it would be worth the drive!

5. Georgia Aquarium - we had been members of the Aquarium for years, but let our membership lapse for the last couple of seasons. The zoo always seems so much easier and cost-effective, but I have been itching to take the girls so I am sure this will be on the list for summer. And again, air conditioning, haha. Sorry, Zoo Atlanta.

6. Tanglewood Farms - you all might remember this one! Steve never got the chance to go with us to see all of the miniature animals, and I think Anna would be thrilled to go back.

7. Peachtree-Dekalb Airport - this might sound like an odd one, but my friend Erin told me about this place at least a year ago, and I have kept it in the back of my mind. Apparently this is the 2nd busiest airport in Atlanta, and they have built a playground nearby so the kids can watch the planes take off and land. Anna is obsessed with spotting planes and I think this would be a fun place for a picnic!

8. Southeastern Railway Museum - trains are another new fascination, so this place seems like it would be a slam-dunk!

9. Farmer's Markets - there are several wonderful markets nearby and Anna seems to really enjoy them. I have them all marked on my calendar and hope to be able to catch them frequently throughout the summer. I have also been itching to get better at some of the traditional Southern dishes, having received a bunch of fantastic Southern cookbooks for Christmas, and the farmer's markets are perfect for locating a lot of those fresh local ingredients. Strawberry rhubarb pie, here we come!

10. Road Trips - we don't have any solid plans yet but we have tentatively talked about a few weekend trips. We would love to go visit our friends up in Chattanooga (and go to the Aquarium up there again!) and also to go visit Poppy and SuSu in Charleston, and maybe a visit to Raleigh. It's usually logistics-heavy to get our bozo brigade packed and transported anywhere, but I think these could be worth the effort. And even though Atlanta is full of fun, it's always nice to get out of town for a few days! Add in some time at the lake and the beach (of course!) and I think this is gearing up be a fantastic summer!

10 Months Old!

Our Maddie-girl is 10 months old today, big monkey! She is such a joy in our lives and I love every single minute with her.





Maddie has turned into a total squirmy crawler and is fully mobile. It is hilarious watching her follow me all around like a little puppy, and seeing her eyes light up when I crouch down in front of her.







We have abandoned pureed baby food and have moved on to Baby-Led Weaning, which we also used with Anna. It's much easier than having to spoon-feed her, especially when Anna keeps trying to steal the spoon, and Maddie seems to really enjoy getting to try all of the different foods. Watermelon is a current favorite and she also loves our normal deli chicken and cheese. The Cabot vanilla Greek yogurt is also a top on her list - she loves that stuff, just like her sister. She even got to sample a sweet potato fry the other day and made quick work of it!







Maddie babbles up a storm and chatters away to her sister. They take baths together now and both girls think it is the most fun thing in the entire world. Anna even helps me soap up her sister and hands her all of the best bath toys.

Maddie Magoo had her one month anemia check-up today at the pediatrician and I am thrilled to report that she had a significant improvement! We are going to continue the supplements for two more months and her doctor assured us that she should be perfect after that, and that they would re-test her levels at 2 years old. I was so happy and relieved. We did get the expected confirmation of a double ear infection, and just for a bonus we took Anna back this afternoon and guess what - she's got a double ear infection too! So fun times around here, and both the girls have started their antibiotics.









I finally got around to uploading some of our videos too - I love watching these girls together!







This is what Maddie does when she wants to eat:



Happy 10 Months, Maddie Magoo!!

Derby Days

The weather here in Atlanta this weekend was chilly and rainy, so we kept at home and chased off the last off the nasty virus that we all managed to catch this week. By the end of Saturday we were all bored out of our brains and driving each other nuts, so we decided to throw ourselves an impromptu Derby Party in honor of the Kentucky Derby. These pictures are far from the greatest, they were taken very quickly with a very dirty phone, but we had such a good time that I hate to not share!





I pulled out my hat stash (because what Southern girl doesn't have a hat stash?) and Anna helped me pull out all of the horses and horse toys. Steve got into the preppy spirit with a tie and Anna and I put on our "fancy" shoes.


I have no idea if that orange toy is a cow or a horse but for the sake of our theme we are going to go with horse.







We played bowling and bean bag toss to help pass the time until the big race. One of my old party playlists put a fun beat into the background.




See Maddie trying to squirm her way over to Mommy?

Bean helped me make some strawberry cupcakes while bartender Steve made us some mint juleps.













We watched the race and Anna got a huge kick out of cheering on the horses.



Anna loved our party and woke up this morning asking for "Hats? Shoes? Horses? Party!" This might have to become an annual tradition!