Road Trip

What is a family vacation without a road trip to your destination?

We set off for the beach with a little trepidation since Sarah does not generally enjoy car rides over 7 minutes. She has improved considerably with age and we waited all summer to test her stamina. All summer, while every man, woman and child we knew headed to the beach. All summer, while we viewed everyone's sand castle pictures with jealousy. All summer, while we roasted in Greenville and had to stay inside to feel the cool breeze of air conditioning. Finally, it was our time, and we were off to the ocean with Mimi, Babba, and Aunt Stephanie!

And look who was ready to drive!

Max was anxiously awaiting the trip not only because he wanted to see the ocean and play on the beach, but also because it was his first opportunity to use the DVD player in our new car. We told him from the beginning that it was only for long car trips, such as going to Louisville or the beach. Honestly he quickly lost interest in the movie and was happy to read and play games like he has always done in the car before.

Although it is difficult to see, this is a picture of the giant half of a tree that fell in front of our car approximately 1 second before we reached that spot in the road. I think the limbs brushed the bumper of the car in front of us. We are so, so fortunate that it did not land on us. However, a falling tree almost smashing your car is not the best incident for a 3 year old to witness, especially one who has been traumatized by storms, falling trees, and fires over the summer. We held our breath to see how Max would respond since he has been waking up fearful of storms. Surprisingly, he took it in stride and was more interested in the efforts to get past it.

Unfortunately, the tree blocked the road onto Kiawah Island, which according to the car behind us, was the only route to the island. Traffic immediately began to back up and Jason and some other stranded motorists attempted to push the tree out of the way. No luck. Finally, everyone began to detour around it through some poor guy's front yard. And the trip continued...

Loving on animal blankets must be a family trait.

Hah! Fooled you.

The Max is definitely not sleeping.

We began to smell the marsh and the ocean, and we knew we had arrived!

Beach Blast

The best reason to come to the beach at the end of the summer.

Someone was happy to be back.

Sand, Waves, Exploring, Digging, and Building....a few of Max's favorite things.

One of Mommy's favorite things...

Kiawah's exotic animal population

Cooler temperatures led us to search out other activities,

but no one seemed to mind too much.

The Bay-Bay was ready for her own taste of the beach!

Sand Angels

Making a house of sticks for the Big, Bad Wolf to blow down

Sarah wanted a stronger house to protect her

What she got - Sarah's Cabana

Frisbee Time

Beach Bums

Happiness.

Cousins

"Other things may change, but we start and end with Family."

Five Months

Dear Sarah,

The date of your five month birthday has both happy and ominous associations. We celebrated your grandmother's (and namesake's) birthday, but also commemorated the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. As I watched the ceremonies on television, I was continually drawn to the children of the victims, whose fathers or mothers do not get to see them grow and change. I cannot thank God enough for the opportunity to be your mother and to be a part in shaping and observing your life. Parenthood is an awesome responsibility and gift.

Your primary preoccupation as a five month old is not the current state of the world, but instead a subject a little closer to home: your toes. You cannot get enough of your feet. You wave them through the air so other can admire their shape, fold them together like you are in prayer, stroke and caress the toes, taste them for flavor, and then slam them onto the floor in sumo-wrestler fashion. The sumo motif continues as you travel up your body with giant rolls of fat decorating your legs and a large, white diaper. But the chubby legs are attached to very narrow little feet. Every time I look at them I am reminded of the description of Aunt Pittypat in Gone with the Wind and cannot wait to hear your feet going pitty pat around our house one day! Well, I can wait. The benefit of being the second child is that we are in no hurry to rush through your milestones!

Another body part obsession may have a genetic component: noses. You are a nose biter. Not only do you love to touch and grab noses, but you seek to insert a nose into your mouth at every opportunity. Mommy, Daddy, Max, Mimi, Sophie the giraffe, the sunshine face toy, stuffed animals, the trunk of the pink elephant blanket - all have fallen victim to your voracious appetite for noses. As Max says, "I think she's hungry for a nose today!" The elephant blanket may become the prized lovey because the trunk is so enticing! It is the same brand and type as Max's pelt blanket, so it makes sense that you would develop an affinity for it. Maybe it could be your elephant hide instead of your tiger pelt?

Music, singing, and whistling always make you giggle, and naturally you love to read. Everything goes into your mouth at this stage and you are drooling approximately a gallon of liquid per day. You have proven that you can roll and sit unassisted (for a few seconds), but seem to have little desire to do either - you'd rather be held. We have come to believe that your trademark 45 minute naps are merely a ruse to have Daddy hold you for the rest of your snooze. I will not complain too much because you continue to sleep well at night and the short naps are often due to the constant interruptions we inflict upon your schedule.

My favorite part of each day is watching you and Max together. You constantly reach for him and try to hold his hand (or his ear, hair, eyeball....you aren't picky). Sarah, you put up with his silly antics and his attempts to "entertain" you with a smile. When he looks at you and says so earnestly, "I'll protect you, Bay-bay", I can hardly catch my breath. I truly hope that you and your brother will be close friends and confidants one day. For now, I will settle for hoping that he does not put his thumb into your mouth.

Thank you for all the happiness and light you bring to us and to the world, baby girl!

Love, Mommy

Time for a Change

Sharpened pencils and new boxes of crayons

Temperature below 90 degrees

Pumpkin scone arriving at Starbucks this week

College football on TV

Who is ready for Fall?

My little Paladins are!

Sarah's reaction to Furman's performance -

already learning about the agony of defeat.

The Moments

Treasuring these moments...

I arrived home from work to be greeted by an unhappy baby and a hyper boy. We decided the best option was to take a walk before dinner. Sarah quickly calmed down as we began to stroll, and Max chattered happily while jumping on and off his boogy board. As we rounded the last corner on our block, Daddy called to see where we were. I told Max that Daddy was waiting at home and Max ran down the sidewalk and straight into his father's arms in the driveway. The four of us proceeded to camp out in the front yard. Sarah was laughing and cooing while Max twirled in circles and called out for his family to watch him. Contentment.

****

Hurricane Irene may have been wreaking havoc along the East Coast, but Greenville only got beautiful sunshine and a strong breeze - perfect weather for a kite. A last minute picnic at the park was the perfect opportunity for Max to use his kite again. Sarah and I watched the kite soar through the sky as Daddy helped Max steer. We waited with open arms as Max came running towards us, beaming and eager to share his happiness. Joy.

****

After saying bedtime prayers, Daddy and I told Max how special he is to us and how lucky we feel to be his parents. Max said, "I want to live with you forever. I don't want to go away from you." We assured him that he would always be our son and he replied, "I always want to be with you." Love.

My heart sings with love and thankfulness for this family.

Rock and ROLL

Sarah rocks, rocks, and.....ROLLED!

Bay-bay is on the move!