Sweet farewell, baseball and a swimmer to be.

This weekend Hardin and I went to the Skilling Farm for the last Memorial Day celebration before they move.  I've been going since 2003 with the exception of the year we were on our honeymoon, and it was certainly bitter sweet leaving a place that holds so many crazy and wonderful memories.  But, there wasn't much time to get sappy chasing H all over creation.  Jason was on a golf trip with Justin, and I was very thankful Ali, Austin and Olivia were such a big help with Hardin.  Hardin's been talking about "Ohlibia's farm" for a few days now.

Daddy came home Sunday and we took it very easy lounging around.  Monday we went to the park and Hardin was in for an unexpected treat.  There are a few great parks around here, but whenever we give him a choice, he ask to go to the Baseball Park.  He loves to watch the big kids play ball in between his monkey ways.  The big field was empty and Jason asked him if he wanted to go run the bases.  Needless to say he took off running and didn't stop.  He ran them a few times and loved every second except getting dirt in his shoes.
http://youtu.be/J3WQcvT0KM4

Today, Hardin started his much anticipated swim lessons.  We've been talking up "miss Christy's pool" and learning how to swim for a while now, and the first lesson blew both of our expectations out of the water.  His instructor only teaches Monday through Thursday, 11am-2pm, but I was lucky enough to sneak away to take him.  I literally said a teary eyed prayer standing right there in the pool room thanking God for my career that allows me to be there for these experiences.

I am always proud and impressed by his can-do-anything attitude, but today was just so awesome.  He clung to my leg when we first got out of the dressing room, but the second I handed him over he was all about it.  Both instructors were genuinely impressed he was so trusting of them during the first lesson.  They said it normally takes a week or so before the crying stops and listening starts.  Not this water baby.  The difficulty with him is getting him to stand still until they say it's time to jump.  And he was NOT happy about leaving.  Fortunately they have horses on their land and the kids are welcome to feed them when they are done.  I bought a huge Costco bag of carrots so he and Jason will be prepared tomorrow.  He'll go 3 times a week for 20 lessons, and I can't wait to see him at the end!
http://youtu.be/IE9PLPqgMCE

These two videos may be my favorite ever!

Splish Splash

I've been dog tired, and still feeling the first trimester yuckies.  I'm trying to ignore it and keep trucking along as normal but around 8:30 every night it catches up with me.  Coincidently that is when Hardin goes to sleep.  For some reason I was delusional to think round two would be easier, but it turns out I'm still tired from the inside out, and have a two-and-a-half year old and even busier office to take care of. 

The excitement is still MUCH better than anything else.  I also got a gut feeling this week this little baby is a girl.  I've been wrong a lot, but just putting my blind guess out there. 

Hardin had a little chest infection he couldn't shake this week, and ended up with a little inhaler to clear it up.  He thinks he's really something special when he gets to use his super hero mask twice a day.

And in honor of one of one of his favorite things in the world right now... here are a couple of pictures of him in MOMMY'S BATH!!!! 

God bless you.

The past two nights, I have been sitting downstairs long after putting Hardin to bed, thinking he was sleeping peacefully.

Both nights around I sneezed around 10pm.

Both nights he didn't miss a beat in hollering GOD BLESS YOU MOM-MAY!!!!!!!  And then again until I said thank you.

While I sure do wish he had been sleeping that late, I sat down there just grinning at his thoughtfulness. I couldn't love that little stinker more if I tried.

Commentary on the big news.

I forgot to mention Hardin's responses to the news of the baby on the way.  We just started talking about it about a week ago, but here are a few responses to me or Jason saying there's a baby in mommy's belly...

I gotta baby in MY tummy.

Yea!  The werms (worms) are spying on us.  But don't worry mommy, they are good spies.  They are good werms.

I want some supper. 

I'm a big boy, not a baby.  Where's my saber? I'ma save the day. 

We're not going to press the issue much more until I'm showing, although I'd love to just to hear his responses. 

Two favorite mama moments.

First things first, we are expecting our second sweet baby, and we are SO very excited!  I'm 9 weeks today, and everything is looking great.  After talking dates and taking measurements my doctor pushed my due date out almost a week.  We'll be expecting this sweet baby sometime around December 16th.  When I first told my mother-in-law we were thinking about #2, she said she felt a Christmas baby coming.  How do wise southern women know these things?  Seeing that heart flickering away is definitely one of my favorite mama moments to date. 

In other news, our big boy is almost done with his first year of preschool.  I can't believe he'll be out soon, it feels like just yesterday I was peeling the little saran wrapped child off of me at drop off.  Now he hollers You found it!  You found my school! as soon as we pull up, and RUNS inside.  Last week was teacher appreciation week, and Hardin's teacher wrote the sweetest little thank you note.  Reading it will also go down as one of my favorite little mama moments as well. 

Road Trip, Mimi and Birthdays

Last weekend we went to Mary Ellen's, and I'm pretty sure Hardin wouldn't have enjoyed Disney more.  They have just about everything you could imagine for a kid to play on.  He and Liddie played and played and played and played some more.  He stayed up later than he ever has, 10pm, and had the time of his life.  His favorite was the gator.  Pretty lady, cool ride, the kid was over the moon.  I had just as much fun soaking in time with one of my favorite people in the world. 

Wednesday Mimi arrived, with a BEAUTIFUL chest that belonged to her mother.  Pictures to come once one of Jason's friends can come help him get it inside and put the mirror on.  The plan was to use it in Hardin's big boy room, but after one look we all agreed it has survived over 100 years in this family, no need to destroy it in a two year olds room.  We are going to use it in our guest room until the play room can be a piano room.  My family doesn't have anything like this precious chest, so I am very thankful to have something so special for our house.

Thursday I took a half day and kept Hardin out of school to hang out with Mimi.  Friday night we had dinner out at Double Zero with Mimi, Cat, Justin, Roddy and Sharron to celebrate Mimi's birthday.  Roddy's brave baby sitter took on all 5 cousins, but she had two awesome helpers in Stella and Olivia.  When I told Hardin it was time to go home, he didn't hesitate to say you go home, I need to stay here.  Those kids know how to have a great time. 

Saturday was Cawley's FIFTH birthday party at Leaping Lizards.  After a second day with the girls, Cathy and I were ready to split up Olivia and Stella and take one home each.  They were SUCH a great help with the little kids.  They showed them all around the jumpy houses, climbed the slides, helped them up and down, they were great.  I know it sounds a little crazy, but sometimes I get sad that my brother and I will never have kids the same age.  Seeing how much fun and how close they can be, even with 9 years in age difference, makes me happy at the thought of a different relationship. 

After all of that we slept.  4 hour naps yesterday and 3 hour naps today.  We worked in a little grocery shopping, a new tennis racket for daddy, and a park play date as well.  I've taken a page from Hardin's book lately, running full speed or asleep.  It's been nice.