bonus baby pic

The closest I've gotten to catching a smile. 

It's tough when you're trying to cause and capture the smile at one time!

a filmstrip

Cooper has really gotten into laying on the pillow next to Annabelle. For a minute.
I think he realizes how happy it makes me to see them together.


Check it out; a filmstrip of sorts...

Poor, sweet Annabelle... how will she ever survive? :)

a new era

It was really hard to sell and leave our home in Knoxville. We had invested so much in that house: money, weekends, sweat (mostly Curtis') and tears (mostly Katie's). Over the last 5 years, it had been a huge part of our story. The sweetest part of moving has been finding a home in Greensboro... one that seems to truly fit our family and the way that God is shaping our story.

If you're interested, here is an album of pictures we took of the house before we moved in:






We love so many things about it... the family-friendly neighborhood, its age and corresponding character, the garage (aka man-space), the functional wood-burning fireplace, the fenced-in backyard, the sunroom, the updated plumbing and electrical systems, and the big kitchen. Just to name a few. :)

Of course, there are a few things that are not quite as great... the roof, the tiny/lame master bath, the lack of square-footage (more on that to come), the uber-red walls everywhere, the drainage issues, and the run-down gravel driveway.

Now, here's the exciting part. Within days of closing, we had already made major progress. How?

It's called HIRING IT OUT. What a gloriously new concept to us. So, welcome to the new & improved version of our before and after documentation. The kind where we don't do ANY of the work! Yipee!!

Before:  (looking down the driveway from the backyard)

The driveway was gravel and came only as far as the back of the house.

This is the back of the house and you can vaguely see the driveway's end on the left.

If the driveway had not stopped, it would have extended to meet this detached garage, located in the backyard.

During: In come the professionals! Woo hoo!

First, they ripped up what had been there, including the piece of concrete leading to the road. 

 Then they brought in the big guns. Cooper was in heaven. Curtis would have been too, if he hadn't been at work. 

Note: This picture is a bit blurry, mainly due to the fact that I took it through the window so as not to look like a freak.

They laid out the wood parameters (do you like how I'm trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about?!) and, while the kids and I hid out at my parents' house, laid most of the concrete!

I cannot tell you how fabulous it felt to come home and see this. Isn't it beautiful?

They weren't done! Using this giant wet-saw contraption, they cut lines/grooves into the concrete. Who knew that those happened after the concrete was laid?  

Note: Curtis was not afraid of looking like a freak.

It wasn't until the next day that they were able to finish out the front portion of the driveway (maybe called the apron??), but it was an amazingly fast process as far as we were concerned.

After:

The finished product, and a happy toddler!

Can't you just picture Cooper riding bikes down it?

Just imagine a backboard mounted to that garage... pick-up game anyone?

 Contrary to how it appears in this picture, there is still big backyard available for all manner of grass-fun. The best of both worlds! 

We are just going to love this. 

if you're happy and you know it

There are a lot of things in life right now that just plain make me happy.

Warm weather...

There's nothing that makes Cooper more excited that going "adside".

Even Annabelle was ready to lounge in the sunshine!

Baking...

 

In the last few weeks, I've also made a sheet cake, chocolate chip cookies, puppy chow, seven layer bars, and this cake for a friend's shower. I'm not sure what I love more- the making or the eating.

Chubby thighs...

After the stick-like limbs of my first baby, I am just loving the rolls on this one.

Smiles...

 I'm not sure which is better: Annabelle's sweet smiles or the ones we use to coax them out of her.

Home ownership...

Last week, we finally signed on all the dotted lines and we now OWN our house!

(No worries- an abundance of posts to come on this charming little bungalow)

A taste of freedom...

 

Annabelle took her first bottle today... like a champ.

Blooming flowers...

Simply gorgeous. And in my backyard. 

Family time...

 Curtis and I are so thankful for the sweet time we've had together lately, just the four of us. Like this morning, sitting around, watching a cartoon, and hoping Cooper decides to poop in the potty. 

As always, this face...

Oh, and then there's this one...

siblings

About 2 weeks ago, Cooper randomly decided he wanted to lay down (what?!) next to Annabelle on the bed. I immediately grabbed my camera, which was handy from taking the pile o' pink photos just before. Once I was able to look past Cooper's post-nap Conan O'Brian hairdo, these pictures reminded me of a deep longing I have for my children.

Growing up, I always wished I had an older brother. This was probably due to the fact that I had all other sibling options- older sister, younger brothers, and younger sisters- and, as you know, "the grass is always greener...". Regardless, I envied the relationships I saw (including some in my own family) where big brothers would protect their sisters, look out for them, advise them, and lead by example.

I pray that for my children.

Dear God, let these two enjoy living life side by side.

 

 

 Let them trust each other with their secrets...

 ...and make each other laugh often.

Let her look up to her big brother and be his biggest fan.

 

Let him cherish his baby sister, defend her honor, and long for her good.

Thank you, Lord, that you gave them to each other. And to me.

preschool

It was a big day, both for my baby boy and for me... Cooper went to his first day of preschool! Curtis and I have been tossing the idea around for awhile, but have been more and more encouraged to go for it with each passing day. He is so active and so interested in any/all socializing that we knew preschool would be such a gift to him. And, let's be honest, it will be such a gift to me (and Annabelle) as well! Check out our first day of school photo shoot:

 

Possibly the only still shot that I got. 

Because, then there was this...

 

...and this...

I think he really loved his 3 hours there... he was literally singing a new song when I picked him up and there were no reports of screaming tantrums. Phew.

 

Yeah. He was happy. 

As for me, I got to clean both bathrooms and do lots of paperwork. I was happy too.

molly ringwald, look out

It's no secret that I've been beyond excited about having a little girl and all of the pink that goes with it. I had to laugh the other day, though, when I dumped a load of her laundry on the bed... 

 

"Pretty in pink" may be an understatement.

 

She really wanted her paci and- don't worry- it fit right into the color scheme.