Bedtime

Ignore the clock, the power goes out so much I stopped setting them.

This is how Maddy sleeps. Watching Reed.

Eggs

The doctor said to slowly introduce eggs.

Reed said... This was slow.

Elsa and Anna?

Of course it is!

Papa Knows Best

Fun on the Farm

Even though it approached 90-degrees most of the day, we tried to make a Fall day out of it! Maddy invited her cousins, and we met Jaime. Brody, and Kathleen for a sticky, humid pumpkin hunt.

Grandparents Day at School!

...and so it begins.

Tonight has brought me instantly back to middle school. Sitting in class, peering out the window through my thick pink rimmed glasses, and feeling left out. I remember feeling like anything that occurred in school was the ultimate worse case scenario, and that nothing would ever get better. But, then it did. I learned that the cool kids in school usually were just as broken, and just as lonely. Now I need to somehow teach that.

Maddy came home from school today very crabby. Refusing to do anything I asked, and promptly announced that she must throw away her Barbies. She then screamed and shouted until I put her in a warm bath and let her just have a fit. Once she settled down she looked up at me, and with tears in her eyes told me "the Abbys" were mean to her. Instantly I wanted to push the Abbys into a puddle of mud. Maddy told me that they were playing dolls, and when they told Maddy she couldn't play Maddy told them that was not nice. They then said the dreaded phrase... You can not be our best friend. Ugh. So Maddy is being excluded not because of her pink rimmed glasses, acne, or weight.... It's because her name is not Abby. How do I protect her from that?! While the thought of changing her name to Abby skimmed through my mind... I put on my bravest face and told her what I think I would need to hear at her age. That she is loved. That is special, and smart, and creative and if someone did not want to be friends with someone like that, then she is better off without them. I told her that people are sometimes mean. I told her that anytime that happens though, she can know in her heart that her mom and dad are on her side. That her mom and dad are waiting for her to get out of school so that we can love on her. That her mom can be her safe place, and that anything upsetting that happens can be erased. Once she is home, she can take a deep breath.

After that Maddy seemed to be past it, talking about how I need to join PTA and that we need to make sure to bring a DVD in the car. But, as she fell asleep tonight I cried for the little girl that I want to protect. I have not gotten past it quite so quickly. ....and this is only Kindergarten.

Fall with the Lewis Munchkins

A special trip to George's Island

And lunch with my favorite girl.

We are family!

And we party with Pru and Cheryl on their special day.

We are family!

Get up everybody and sing!

9 Months!?

Being the mom of a little boy is more breathtaking and scary than I could ever imagine. He continuously scares the crap out of me with his pulling on things, choking, and rolling, but the love I have for his little face absolutely blows me away.

Small Victories

My defiant, strong willed, stubborn, sweet little girl showed me a victory today. Since we have begun our lifestyle transformation Maddy has made huge leaps and bounds. Earlier tonight she sat with her dad for almost 20 minutes and did homework! Then later she kicked over Reeds treats... Accidentally... But I jumped up and just overwhelmed from the day and a little under the weather quickly started picking up the treats. Maddy said she was sorry and I snapped backed that sorry would be better if she just would help clean up once and awhile. Now any other night, any day, any time she would have either become hugely sensitive or snapped back at me. (Probably like I deserved.) but this time she didn't... She got up and helped me clean. I have never felt such pride in my grown up little girl.

Good Morning Baaaaltimore!

Ray and I got away on a little anniversary trip thanks to Nana, Papa, Mimi and Casey! We had a blast!

Why Mimi is No Longer Allowed in the Kitchen

It's Starting to Look Like...

Reed is going to take after his sister, cuckoo.

Tooth 3!

Braves, Sleepovers, Rainbows and Minivans

This weekend was a busy one!

Maddy's next adventure is... Tee-ball! We are giving it a shot, and Maddy is on the Braves.

Maddy is in LOVE with the minivan. All.she.wants.to.do.is.drive.around. And switch seats, and try the gadgets.

We had another cousin visit, and sleepover. We also caught a glimpse of this beautiful double rainbow.

 And finally, Sunday night came and Maddy was exhausted. Her one request? Turning her brother's pack n' play over on its side and sleeping in it. With the baby monitor. She is a silly, crazy kid.

Some bonus shots from the past few weeks. 

Maddy "hills" (a trick she learned from Papa)