My Super Sweet Sixteen (aka 30th) Birthday

My super sweet husband organized a super sweet birthday party full of super sweet desserts! The goal was 30 desserts for 30 years - I never had the opportunity to actually count how many desserts were there, but they filled several tables and every conceivable dessert category. And we will certainly be enjoying the leftovers for weeks to come!

Thank you to all my wonderful family, friends, and children who joined us for the celebration. I cannot imagine a sweeter 30 years of living!

Smalling in Crawl Spaces

Somebody likes to squeeze into tight spaces

just like his Auntie Lala!

And if Lala is unavailable for emulation, then Max is certainly happy to have dinner with her family - Mama Joyce and Christina (Babysitter Extraordinaire) - to hear tales of her glory!

Let There Be Light

Apparently, Max has not heard that there is an energy crisis. He is constantly insisting that we turn on the lights! And not just one light, but every light in the room. Eating will not commence until both the kitchen and breakfast room lights are on. He will not climb the stairs without first turning the light off and on several times. Immediately after waking, he wants the light shining brightly. Lamps prove to be frustrating because he cannot do those himself. Fortunately, most of our light switches are low on the wall which allows him to control the flow of light. 

And when we put him to bed at night, he is not sorry to see us go - he just reminds us to turn out the light.

The Streak

They call him The Streak

Look at that, look at that

The fastest thing on two feet!

He's just as proud as he can be 

Of his anatomy

He's gonna give us a peek!

Look out Warner Street, The Streak is on the loose!

Boys of Summer - Updated!

There are some sweet babies to welcome this July!

Hello, Henry!

Son of Meredith and Keith

Born on July 16th

Durham, NC

and

Welcome Owen!

Born to Beth and Jon

on July 9th

Chicago, IL

and

Little Perron!

Son of Julia and Stephen

Born on July 18th

5 1/2 weeks early and in the NICU

Please pray for them and all these new parents!!

Every time I hear of a baby in the NICU, it brings back all those feelings from Max's birth - the thrill, the fear and anxiety, and the outpouring of love for my new baby from me and Jason, but also from all our family and friends. I wish no one had to go through that period of anxiety, but it certainly makes you aware of the power of love and prayer. Congratulations to the new families and enjoy this amazing adventure!

Top 20 Months

Dear Max,

Lately, you have become Mr. Personality! You love to engage other people whether it is waving to passing cars or flashing your dimples at pretty ladies. The 65+ population positively swoons for your head of curls and squinty eyed grin. I have also noticed that you are purposefully trying to make me laugh and, like any great comedian, will pause to give me the opportunity. One of your favorite ways to be silly is to execute your wrestling moves, such as the full body slam onto waiting pillows. 

With summer in full swing, you have found a new love: the hose. You are obsessed with watering the flowers, playing in the spray, watching the water on your fingers, pressing it to your chest, and dancing through the sprinkler. We cannot go outside without you begging to turn it on. However, my flowers have never looked better! I think if we could bring the hose into the house it might compete with the broom to be your favorite item.

Construction vehicles are also a constant source of interest. Unfortunately, the demolition of our new house does not involve any fun vehicles (except the giant dump truck) and Daddy will no longer allow you inside because of all the dust. But, there are several house renovations on our current street, including one neighbor who is putting in a pool. Bobcats galore! As the unofficial supervisor of their project, you want to walk down the street approximately every 10 minutes to check on the progress. We have been spending a lot of time sitting on the sidewalk outside their house and sometimes other neighborhood kids join us in the ritual observation.

All these activities equal one tired baby. You have been sleeping later in the morning and several times, I have had to wake you up. What a treat! You are constantly asking for Mama and Dada lately (whomever is not around).  I think it is the best feeling in the world to hear you wanting to see me. Please know that we will always be there to hold our favorite boy!

Love, Mommy

Love and Marriage

Happy Sixth Anniversary 

to the only person who can make me   

share my melted cheese and chocolate!

Words of Wisdom

"Summer afternoon....the two most beautiful words in the English language."

- Henry James

Demolition Man, Part 2

Welcome to this week's edition of Demolition Derby. The fun continues downstairs as ceilings, walls, and floors were removed.

 Goodbye ceilings....

Goodbye kitchen walls...

Goodbye kitchen floor!

The party also moved upstairs where they began to really, really tear things out.

We decided to reallocate a bedroom on the second floor to create a master suite. The bedroom shown below will be the master, the bath will be MY closet (Jason gets his own), and the connecting bedroom will become our bathroom.

After scores of requests (in excess of 3!) begging for pictures of the 1923 toilet, I am complying with popular demand. 

Downstairs Power Room Toilet

(Can you find the flusher?)

Upstairs Guest Room Bath

(I think the blue stain adds a bit of charm)

I do not understand the two completely different styles (and colors) of tile, nor the center featured showerhead. But I do love that the knobs are labeled "Hot", "Cold", and "Waste"!

The destruction of the bathrooms was very necessary, but did not necessarily create interesting pictures. I like this one instead with all the bathroom features located in the bedroom! (And a member of the demo crew trying to get out of the picture!)

An additional piece of demolition is one of the house's two chimneys. We decided that having a fireplace in a toddler's bedroom was asking for trouble. The chimney also extended into the kitchen where it offered no benefit, but took up space. Goodbye, chimney!

It's hard to tell because I took this picture on my cell phone, but the worker on top is flexing for the benefits of the readers!

Demo should be finished soon...onward to plumbing and electrical!

Star Spangled Weekend

One of the hard things about having a young child is that it makes traveling much more difficult, even traveling to see family and friends in KY. One of the good things about having a young child is that you can coerce people to travel to see you instead! Jason's childhood friend Jasper (one of the many J's) and his wife, Amanda, undertook the long car ride for a star spangled weekend in the South! Jasper and Amanda experienced the Richards' Trifecta: Current house, New house, and Lake house. And, of course, plenty of babysitting practice with Max!

Fortunately for the Wards, we have enjoyed a multitude of rain lately, which makes the ramp to our dock at the lake much easier to navigate this year! No climbing gear required.

Last year:

This year:

The bright sunshine on the 4th of July was the perfect backdrop for jet skis, sunbathing, and reading trashy magazines!

Thank you for your invaluable insight into entertainment star gossip and the great company! Cheers to a great holiday!

Red, White, and Baby

Happy Birthday, America!

You Give Me Fever

Ok, ok, so Max has been running a fever for several days which offers somewhat of an explanation for him being such a cranky-pants lately. Unfortunately, we don't know exactly what is causing the fever, but the little guy is hot, hot, hot! Up to 104 degrees - enough to scare parents, but apparently not the doctor. Even while he had a fever, he still managed to sleep through the night. Yet, after his fever broke yesterday, he woke up four times that night! He must have sensed that some special visitors had arrived after he went to bed....

Mommy officially apologizes for the tone of her previous post. Even though it was all true!