What is it about boys and this noise being so funny?

Who's Who?

Camden is actually a good 6 weeks older than Carter in these pictures.

Still Really Sick

Dan is still very ill. His fever oscillates between 101 and 104 and this has been going on for the past three days or so. Please keep us in your prayers! We have been canceling patients left and right, and that is NO good!

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Good news first... Carter kicked his fever within 24 hours, and seems to be as good as new. Bad news? Well, Dan has fallen victim to the flu bug. He has been ill since Friday, and his fever spiked up to 104 last night. And me? I'm not sick... just REALLY tired! Camden has turned into a super-human baby that has required little to no sleep for the last few weeks. (Chris, could you come up with a good name for our little superhero? A little humor just might be what the doctor ordered!) I made my way into Dan's room (he's still sleeping in the Man Den) this morning to drop off a wide awake Cam around 6:30 this morning and go back to bed. But instead, Carter woke up and Dan went back to sleep- forcing me to function. So, we are quite a sad sight. I think it is safe to say we need a vacation badly. Again, I hope you are all healthy! I promise I'll do my best to ensure my next post is a happy post...

Ten Things I Love To Do (Lauren Made Me Do It!)

10. I love to save money! Now, this will be up for serious debate with my husband. But, seriously, I can't resist a good deal. I am the second hand Queen! I have been known to make a killing at garage sales and on Craigslist (Thanks to Matt and Lauren for introducing Mr. Craig's list to me). Also, just so you know, don't ever get in your car with intentions to make a purchase without going online and printing out a coupon first! There are also tons of promotion codes you can use for all those online purchases. If they're there, I WILL find them.

9. I love to watch movies. After a busy day, week, month, year...etc, there is nothing like a good 2 hour escape from reality. I think I will plan on escaping this weekend sometime now that I mention it. Ahhhhh, so refreshing.

8. Speaking of refreshing, I LOVE to go swimming!!!

7. I love going to the mountains. I really enjoy the beach, but there is nothing like vacationing in the mountains. The cool crisp evenings, the deafening silence, the wildlife...the mountains are so rejuvenating. I was born in the Catskills (NY) and when I moved down to NC, I left a piece of me up there. A few of my favorite places are upstate New York, Colorado, the POCONOS, the Appalachians, and Squaw Valley California.

6. I love to walk away from church feeling moved by the message. What a great feeling!

5. I love to be present during a birth for a couple as their doula. It is such a wonderful and seriously humbling privilege. I love to read and talk about anything pregnancy, labor and childbirth or just plain baby related.

4. I love a good ROAD TRIP! Not that kind of road trip that lasts for 17 hours to attend a funeral, the kind that ends with a few days in Orlando...Disney World anyone? Dan and I always make a yearly trek up North to the Cleveland area to spend some quality time with his family and to do some serious vegging! We are counting down the days... Here we come Michele! Hope you are ready for us.

3. I love spending time with my friends and family. We are all loud and obnoxious! There is just no other fun quite like our family get-togethers. Spending time at my parents' house is a vacation unlike any other. I love spending time with my Mom, and my Dad cracks me up. Not to mention that when there is a bunch of people around, there is always someone to help watch the kiddos!

2. I love to watch my boys sleep, cuddle with them, and smell them!!! (Yes, I know that's three- cut me some slack)

1. I love to spend time with Dan. Any kind of time, but childless time is always preferred. He doesn't realize it, but just having him in the same room is comforting. I am so bored, lost and confused without him being around. (He would probably say I am always lost and confused!) But seriously though, I just love being with him even if we are both lost in the stressful shuffle of parenting.

That's it? Wow, I should have made the list Twenty Things I Love To Do. Maybe next time, there is sleep to be slept. Now it's my turn...I tag you Christine, Ava and Tara! Write those lists. Hey, and would it kill you AMY to update your blog for the first time in six months?!?!?!?

Not Again!

Holy Bananas, this poor kid can't catch a break! Carter is sick again. I should have realized something was not right when he told me he was cold, he is usually always warm like I am. THEN, this should have been the flaming red flag, he refused the complimentary kiddo sugar cookie at the grocery store. When we returned home, he was pale, went straight to the couch and started running a fever of 102.5. So, we hunker down waiting for the next wild fire to ravish our household. I hope all of you are healthy!

Some Before and Afters...

Thanks to Craigslist for some great furniture finds!

Motherhood

Some things I have learned recently about motherhood:
1. If you are having a slow day, and don't care if your kids throw tantrums, they won't. (Hmmmm, maybe there is a lesson to be learned here.)
2. Kids will eat ANYTHING as long as there is enough butter or ranch dressing on it.
3. You cannot, I repeat CANNOT, teach a little boy to keep every last molecule of sand in a sandbox. It just cannot be done, deal with it.
4. DO NOT get your kids a sandbox unless you enjoy your kitchen floor reminding you of all your favorite times at the beach.
5. I need a ROOMBA, badly!
6. Sand and bubbles can be pretty therapeutic for adults.

Easter Celebration

My parents, my brother, and both my sisters came with their families for an Easter celebration at our house.
Here is a shot of Little Bo Dan.
The Easter Bunny FINALLY brought Carter a REAL sandbox (no more playing in the dirt!). This was a real lifesaver...it kept the kiddos busy...and out of the house!

My sister Laura with Squish.

The big bunny also brought Carter a bubble blowing machine.
(I think he really brought it for me though.)

My Mommy with CamCam

My parents

Bunny Squish

Little Bo Bonnie

And...after everyone was gone, and the kitchen cleaned, this is where Carter sat until it was time for bed. He would have slept here if we had let him.

The boys often take baths together now that Camden is getting older. Carter doesn't seem to enjoy it very much, but he tolerates his little brother's presence.

Carter has been very desperate for a sandbox. Here, you see Dan's substitution...dirt in a box. As you can see, Carter doesn't mind.

Dan took Carter to see Diego Live last Saturday. He LOVES Diego and Dora.

Carter thought coloring Easter eggs was great! His favorite part was pouring the dye out into the kitchen sink.