birthdays.

We've celebrated lots of birthdays in the past month. P's favorite thing about going to a birthday party? CAKE! Funny story. We went out to dinner for aunt Jenny's birthday a couple of weeks ago and P asked at least a hundred times, "Where is her cake mama? Is that man (the poor waiter) bringing aunt Jenny's cake? Where her cake is?" The restaurant did in fact catch word that it was aunt Jenny's birthday and brought her a small slice of chocolate cake, and I think P ate half of it. A birthday is not a birthday unless there is a cake involved, right?

Cousin Tommy turned one in May, so we headed up to Cumming for some fun in the sun. I actually brought my camera to this birthday party. Amy had so much cute stuff for the kiddos to play with, including a sand table and splash pool. The party guests were all family, so it was great to just hang out and catch up while letting the kiddos play.

P is always fascinated by the bubbles. Check out that expression of interest. How can something as simple as soapy water be such a hit with kids?


Nicholas kept spraying Allie while she was playing in the splash pool. She just rolls with it. Always such a trooper. P would have had a fit.


The birthday boy loved his cake.


A little blurry, but this smile was just too cute. He was so excited about his new ball pit.


P's version of ring toss.


Awwww. Tommy and his Grammy. (If you're confused, that's my mom's twin sister, Mary. Can you tell they're identical!?!)


Just a swingin'....


Tommy was pooped after his party. Check out that thumb, or lack thereof.


Happy first birthday, Tommy! We had a great time celebrating with you.

busy mom.

This mom is busy. So much going on these days. I feel like I'm drowning. I like being busy. But my blog may not like it. We've been enjoying our summer to the max. Playing outside, going swimming, working in the garden. Just wish the temperature was not in the high 90's every.single.day. This pregnant mama can't take this heat all summer long. Speaking of pregnancy, I only have four more months until this baby girl is expected to arrive. We still have a lot to do to get ready for our new little bundle. The room is primed, but not painted. The bedding and the crib have been ordered. But that's about it. I kind of had a panic attack last night when I realized how much we have left to do. I'm calmer today. It will get done. And if it doesn't, it will be okay. (Gosh, I'm so different than I was with P.) A lot has happened since the last time I posted. My cousin, Rachel, was given only two to three months to live. This has not been easy for me, since she is practically my sister. I've been doing a lot of praying and thinking and I have tried to visit her as often as possible. She is kind of beyond wanting visitors, so I may not be making many more trips to see her. I just wish she wasn't suffering. But God has a plan. He's in control. Also, our lake house is flooded. Ruined. It's a disaster. Long, long story, which I will post on here with some pictures real soon since I really should document these things. Maybe one day it will be funny. But at the current moment, the whole situation just stresses me out. Let's see, what else? P is talking up a storm. Bossing us around, telling us what to do. This is the best age. He is HILARIOUS! I just love him to pieces. Taylor and I celebrated our five year anniversary in May with a trip to the Ritz at Lake Oconee with some friends and dinner at Bistro Niko in Atlanta. Oh, and I'm turning thirty in less than a week. Oh, crap. I don't know about this. Everyone keeps asking me what I want for my birthday. Another year in my twenties has been my response. I know it's just a number. But like a girl told me at work the other day, it's a big number.

So, let me post a few of the hundreds of pictures that I have piling up on my hard drive. These were all taken on Mother's Day. We celebrated with Taylor's mom at an Irish restaurant in Morrow and then with my mom at the lake with a picnic. And then my celebration was a trip to the ice cream shop. I don't even like ice cream, but I knew P would thoroughly enjoy it.

P and aunt Jenny. He loves her so much. Talks about her all.the.time.


And daddy is his very best friend.



Gosh, he looks so grown up here. I was looking at my blog header picture and I hardly recognize that baby boy. He's such a little man now.


We got ice cream at Marble slab. I really wish I liked ice cream. It's one of those things that I try to make myself enjoy. Every American should like ice cream. P and his daddy sure do.


I'm that mama that always takes pictures of their kids eating. It's the only time P sits still for more than two seconds.


He makes the funniest faces when he eats. I think he really enjoyed his bananas foster ice cream. Who knows what all they mixed in that concoction. But P and his daddy ate every last bite.


That's all for now. I've missed this blog. I'll try to visit more often.