~carly

Evidently the peas were just what she needed. For weeks she’s been rolling onto her side, only to be stuck in place by her lower arm. By Wednesday, she had mastered the technique of rolling from her back to her stomach. We couldn’t be more proud…it’s the little things.

One more first for the week. It was the first time Car was able to get enough of Mary Reese’s hair together to hold a bow. I think this is more of a milestone for mom than for our little girl.

g

I believe that the holiday calendar is out of synch with Mother Nature’s seasonal calendar for one holiday – Christmas. The weeks of cold weather, combined with the tease of spring we got last weekend have led me to this conclusion. Christmas and spring are just too far apart.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love cold weather, and I really love the snow. I love to ski. I love to watch Sadie get excited and run around in huge circles kicking up snow in every direction. But after a while, you get tired of having to put on several layers of clothes just to walk outside. If you live in an old house like we do, you get tired of the wind blowing right through it. If you have gas heat, you get tired of having astronomical bills each month even though your house never seems to get any warmer.

Ideally, everyone wants a white Christmas. It’s both a song and a movie for a reason. But once Christmas is over, there’s really nothing to look forward to, except spring. Imagine a world where Christmas is the grand finale of winter. The anticipation builds throughout the cold days and nights, leading up to the climactic celebration with family and friends. You no longer open the last present or attend the last party thinking I can’t believe it’s over. Knowing that spring, with all its energy and color is just around the corner, carries you through the last few days of winter.

Examples of holidays that work:

• Memorial Day – spring is in full effect and summer is coming soon.
• Fourth of July – summertime, the beach, grilling, fireworks
• Labor Day – last chance for a “summer” vacation
• Thanksgiving – food, family, football, and fall

“spring” time on the porch

On Saturday, we enjoyed some of Bill’s burgers while Mary Reese experienced her first bite of cereal. Car came prepared with a silver spoon and the very same bowl that was used for her first meal. Unfortunately, Mary Reese was not that impressed by the effort. After a few bites — well, sips of mush, she decided cereal was not her thing. We didn’t quite have our proportions down yet, and let’s just say it was runny. We’re still working on the mix, and she’s still trying to decide if she likes it.

Gran C and Big Daddy went to church with us the next day and Mary Reese had yet another first, attending the church nursery. We dropped her off in a pretty, white dress and picked her up in a green burrito. I thought I could swaddle…

After the service, MR had to endure another round of cereal and a 30 minute photo shoot. We just couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures before changing her. She was patient at first, but soon realized she could use that pretty dress to hide form the camera (as you can see below).

A few days later, she went to the doctor for her four month shots. Car’s efforts to continue breast feeding while student teaching were validated…Mary Reese weighed in at a healthy 15 pounds and 12 ounces. She is now 25 1/2″ long and is in the 90th percentile for her height, weight, and head size.

By mid week, we were all looking forward to a relaxing weekend of family and food. Unfortunately, it was not to be. On Thursday night, I became the first one to fall victim to a horrible stomach flu. That’s right, Mr. Mom found his kryptonite. Within hours, Carly joined me in misery. After a long night, we confirmed that Julie, Max, and Bill also shared in our pain. Gran C was the only adult left standing. The girls dodged the worst of it, simply sleeping the day away with their parents.

Gran C was gracious enough to make a grocery run for her ailing kin, studiously driving up in her green, cable-knit sweater. Her look was deceiving. When Car opened the door, she was greeted with Soulja Boy Crank That kickin’ on the cd player. For those of you that may not know, the Bulldawgs made Crank That a household standard this past football season. Especially at the Blackout. By far one of the funnest games I’ve ever been to. I still get chills watching the video.

Our readers in Georgia might have been safe given the distance between our sick house and their own homes, but this bug had legs. Gran C became victim number six shortly after arriving home. In case you weren’t counting, that’s six for six… Any weight we might have gained from the meals Gran C put together all week was easly lost in half the time.

g

More pictures from the snow day on our pictures page.

g