Wined and Dined

co-sleeping.
There are times when I can't wait to get all settled in our new house just so that I can get a decent nights sleep again. One without Avey pulling my hair or pushing her tiny feet into my back. Then there are times like tonight where all three of us sleep--touching in some way or another. Avey tucked away in the crook of my arm, holding Brady's hand. Brady and I find each other at the foot of the bed beneath the covers-- ankles interlocked with shins and feet and toes-- tangled until I don't know where he begins and I end.

I woke up at 5am and I knew that I had finally received my definite answer to my pregnancy inquiries. After asking myself how I felt about it a half dozen times I realized that I'm okay-- it was for the best-- it wasn't meant to be right now. There are these times when I am so glad that we co-sleep because at 5am this morning I really didn't want to be alone and I needed a reminder that one baby is plenty for now--that one baby is perfect right now.

I got back under the covers. I took Avey in my arms-- she snuggled into my body and slept on. I tangled my feet in Brady's legs--he gave me a light little leg rub in his sleep. Put back together again-- I'm glad that we have a family bed. I know it's what is right for us right now. Soon she will be in her own crib, in her own room, but not tonight. Tonight she sleeps in my arms, while she holds Brady's hand, and provides comfort for a momma who needs it.

bunco. 
My Grandma has a bunco group and when they're short a lady she invites me to play. Well last month they were short two so Brady played. Fun was had by all.

Grandpa watched Avey. He was a good sport about it. It was during her fussy time so he took her on a couple walks outside around his garden. Finally she crashed in the sewing room.

alabama. 
There are some friends you have for life and friends that you have for now-- all of them serve their purpose--all of them are important. But sometimes you meet someone who is so much like you in so many ways that even distance and time can't tarnish the bond.

I was overjoyed to get to spend sometime with my friend Tana--one of the few who befriended with no questions asked when I moved to Texas. She loves me and she digs my kid. She's a keeper.

Avey was a champ at the airport and all the way home she'd talk so loud she'd send herself into a coughing fit. I tried to recorded it while I drove 70 mph down the tollway but it just wasn't happening.

graduation. 
It's strange when everyone starts growing up. There are moments when I'm sitting alone where I have to remind myself that I'm a grown up-- I have a kid-- and a husband... and then I start to wonder when that happened. What happened to childhood? Riding bikes and stopping at trees--pretending like they were gas pumps where you'd stop to fill up with your moms expired credit card that she let you keep in your Pocahontas wallet.

When did this girl go from binky sucking, diaper wearing, little sister. To 18 year old, taller than me, graduate?

One day you're playing house and the next day you're living it. Heck she's kissing boys and I have a 6 month old. Life drug on forever when I was a kid and now it's sprinted past me and I'm trying my best to just keep up with it all.



My parents were right-- about almost everything.

Bethany and our cousin Gabriel were born one day apart in the same hospital. Our families have always been very close and it was neat to see them graduate from the same High School. We are so proud of them both.

visiting. 
Brady's parents came out to Dallas to drop his sister at the airport last weekend. We were able to meet up with them along the road to say hello. Brady's sister Aubrie is spending a few months this summer in Middle Asia-- teaching English.

It's her birthday today!

Wishing you the best Aubrie in all your travels on this very special day. We miss you and our thoughts are with you often. Happy 23rd birthday!

Brady's parents spent Memorial Day weekend with us at my Grandparents house. It was a nice little visit-- we were excited to show off Avey and all the ways she's grown.

Brady's mom and sister Aubrie.

sweet little darling loves to wave.

His parents were awesome-- Brady and his Dad slaved away prepping the concrete for stain at the duplex. His mom literally fanned me for an hour while I nursed Avey in the garage in hundred degree heat. She is always giving, kind, and eager to help. It was a lovely weekend.

winery. 
Remember that winery I mentioned? While Brady's parents were here we decided to go for a tasting. I had never been to a wine tasting before so it was an exciting new treat. The owners were so welcoming and kind. Very patient with our childlike questioning.

We spent a couple hours learning about the process of making wine and the ins and outs of the business. By the end of it all I was ready to jump in with them.

"Sometimes you have to watch someone else love something before you can love it yourself. It's as if they're showing you the way." *Donald Miller

They didn't just grow grapes. They had a garden with strawberries, bell peppers, wheat, flowers, beans-- you name it!

nap time.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Cardinal In May

woah nelly.
I started this post two weeks ago. Time has not been kind to me. Everything lately is taking longer than I think it will--or should. Between our work schedule on the duplex, the slowest internet connection in the world, and friends coming in and going out of town-- my life has been a fast paced wreck lately.

Laundry baskets piled high in our itty bitty shared room at my Grandparents. The bed remains unmade. The dresser remains clutter central and our home is still unfinished. In the midst of all this life has gone on. We have been with my Grandparents for a month now. Avey is a half year old now. I know how to hem a pair of pants and use my Grandmas embroidery machine now.

Though hectic--our crazy, unordinary life is pretty great. Carnivals, honey stores, quilting shops, a vineyard down the street that I am still dying to explore-- life has been busy and exciting and unyielding this past month.

We have been living with two people that work harder and longer than most I know. I have been inspired to work harder myself. Spend less time online and spend more time connecting with people face to face. We are learning a lot-- wipe stain off as you go, oil based paint will leave you with semi-perminate henna-like tattoos, Avey hates it when you say "woah-nelly", and sewing faster does not mean sewing better.

We are learning together--lessons I'm glad we're learning now while we're young and have the energy to take it out and do it again--though not always the patience. We're working on that--I pray that the Lord will always give us something to work on.

hi.
Two Saturdays ago-- after Brady and I got home from working at the dulex (Brady working--me watching) my Grandma took Avey and I sat across from them, waving. To my surprise--after every time I waved she'd put her right arm in the air and wave her hand around.

Sister is smart.


Since a week ago I have caught her waving at herself countless times. Open-close hand movements, turned toward her face as she watches--transfixed. I haven't been able to get a photo yet but I will--mark my words.

Sneaky!! She is laying right next to me waving right now and of course my camera is in the other room!

ave.
She likes to look at me when she topples over. She'll be playing one minute, toppled over on the floor the next, and every time she looks at me like "What just happened? Am I okay? What now mom?" Sometimes I freeze too--waiting for the cry that I am sure she is about let out. Most of the time I cheer and then she laughs, rights herself, and continues to play.

friends.
My Grandparents invited us to a little carnival that their church was putting on for the volunteers and their families. I jumped at the chance and Brady went along with it because he knew I was so excited. We had a ball and bumped into a couple familiar faces.

minus.
Last month my cycle returned (oh joy). It was strange and unexpected. I felt like a 12 year old again. Last week  (If I had regular cycles) marked when I should have started again. Since Saturday I have been obsessing over ovulation trackers, due date calculators, and the chinese gender chart. I said time and time again that I didn't want to get pregnant until I lost some weight but when I saw that if I got pregnant in May that I would have a boy (according to the chart) I got all excited and hopeful.

We aren't using contraceptives. It's a choice that we made together after several uti's from using spermicides and a visit with our doctor where in a round-about way she admitted that all contraceptives (except for condoms and spermicides) can be abortive. We discussed it and decided that we were ready to have a family and we wanted to place it in the Lords hands. A month later we found out we were pregnant with Avey.

After I had Avey I expressed my desire to never again start out a pregnancy over 200 lbs. It was very taxing on my body. I am still about 5 lbs over and I have a ways to go before I get to my goal weight but there was something that excited me at the prospect of being pregnant again and conceiving a little brother for Ave.

So when I saw that little minus sign on the pregnancy test my heart sunk a little.

trist.
My  brother Tristan celebrated his 11th birthday last week. To celebrate Avey got all dolled up in a pretty dress and accompanied him to cold stone where she slept through the joys of candy bars incased in ice cream and brand new 11 year olds whose eyes are bigger than their tummies.

water bottle.
The return of Avey's water bottle love affair. No joke-- if anyone even walks by her with a water bottle she goes nuts-- reaching, stretching, moaning, shaking-- sisters got it bad.

sweet dreams.
People like to nap around these parts. It is such an enjoyable past time-- one I am lucky enough to share in on occasion.

big baby.
Avey was bottle fed for the first month of her life. We began breastfeeding around 2 months old and we haven't looked back. Because of her obsession with water bottles we decided to buy her a sippy cup so that she could drink water instead of spill it all down her front.

Sippy cup day one and she was working it like a pro.

She still refuses to take milk out of anything though. Bottle-no. Cup- no. Water bottle- no. She knows where that comes from and she's hooked. I don't mind. :)

cardinal in may.
Look what we spotted in the backyard the other day...

Life is good.