WayfaringStrangers

So, we've had some big changes occur 'round these parts. After living with us for a year and a half, Hannah moved back to my parents' house in Maryland. It's so weird to go from having her here to not having her here...but all 3 of us knew it was for the best :) We talked about it in November and all just felt it was time- time for Behn, Graham and myself to be our own family. Time for Hannah to continue her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend, and to be nearer to him, and to be able to focus on finishing school. As a sister, I especially will miss her. I always looked forward to her coming through the door at 2 p.m. MWF to keep me company, make me laugh, and help wrangle babies. We had some fun times- dinner out at Macados, playing in the river, watching chick flicks. I love the relationship she's had with Graham, and he with her. They love each other! When we all decided that this was best, we were bummed because we can't afford the rent on this house wit

A Philosophical Post for You: Today as I was driving, I was listening to NPR as usual (no tv at home, so any chance for 'news' and I'll take it). It was "Science Friday"- not my interest- but still caught my attention. They were interviewing a brilliant astrophycisist, a woman who was a professor at MIT. Her life's goal was to study the moon- it's origins, what it's made of, what's inside of it. She was enthusiastically explaining all these theories of how the moon came into being- that maybe the earth was collided into and then the moon broke off. And maybe there were once 2 moons (um, where'd the other one go??). She was overseeing a big project that sent up some kind of satellites that were gathering data to answer some of these questions. I turned off the radio after a few minutes because it was overloading my brain. Some of the thoughts going through my head were: How much do these projects cost? And how will the answers they find h

What a fun past 5 days!! It was a whirlwind, but every minute was worth it. You can tell I'm not a 'real' blogger because I totally skipped out on blogging during our trip. I was waaaay too busy enjoying family :) I'll post a recap and pics of the festivities soon. It was weird being back last night. Behn and I always enjoy coming home after a trip. There's something nice and fresh about being in our home again. Of course, there was not much food in the house but we probably ate enough in the last few days to hold us over for a while :) Anyway, lots of Christmas cleanup to do, laundry and writing a grocery list. Will post pics of the holidays soon!

Trying to kill a few more minutes before we can LEAVE FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK!! Yippee!! Random thoughts: Longest day ever. Oh the anticipation (the advent, really) of a trip to see family! We had a 3-poo day here. One from my guy and 2 from his buddy. Just love  3 poo days. Especially when one of them includes a wardrobe change. Lovely, mild weather! We romped around in the yard, went for a walk, and enjoyed the nice temps. Doesn't feel like December but that's OK with me :) Cheaper utility bill. I just pulled a dried macaroni noodle from my hair. The hair I just had cut today, for the 1st time in 3 1/2 months. Graham can take 5 steps now. He is just so proud of himself! Graham is wearing his new plaid shirt today. NOTHING like a baby boy in plaid. I think that's the reason I wanted a boy: so I could dress him in a plaid flannel shirt. And speaking of plaid, just wait until you see him in his Christmas outfit.  Lots of pictures to come. Should be packing. Can't fi

It's pretty hard to describe my 'typical' day with these two boys...but I will try! I try to stay on a general schedule, but every day is different. Some days we have playdates, some days we don't. Some days we're outside a lot, sometimes we're inside more. Some days they nap well, some days they don't. Some days I want to give up, pull my hair out, lock them in a cage (just kidding), or sell them to a circus (kidding again). Some days I delight in their giggles, kisses, and silly antics. Frankie gets here around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. Graham is always excited to see him. They usually play for a little bit while I inhale coffee and say bye to Behn. I try to have Graham's breakfast over with before Frankie gets here, so that I can focus on giving Frankie his breakfast. Of course, when one kid is eating, the other wants to eat too. We play for a while or go for a walk, then around 10:30 I try to get one or both of them down for a nap. Then I spring into

I posted his birth story...it's a few posts below (lots going on lately). It should have published today, because I wrote it yesterday but published it today. Oh well, silly Blogger. Anyway, I just can't say enough about our little Graham. As a 1-year old, here's what's up with him: -He is standing without holding on to anything! He'll stand for several seconds, all beaming and proud of himself, but no steps yet! -He's become a bit of a picky eater. Will literally hold food in his mouth for up to half hour so I can't give him another bite. LOVES avacado, cheerios, grilled cheese sandwiches, chocolate (bad idea to let him ever taste it), mac 'n cheese, bananas, goldfish, yogurt, and sometimes peas. It's hard to get him to eat fruit and veggies, therefore, he's been a little constipated. He also has begun having some whole milk, and is accepting the bottle pretty well. But much prefers me, of course :) -Says 'ball' in reference to the ball,

These past few months have been full of extreme sanctification for me. Lots of battles going on in my heart. I think I just reached the peak. I just turned down an amazing job offer. It was in foster care. I would have been able to 'use' my college degree (the one I'm still paying for every month). It was my ideal 'dream job,' the one I told people I wanted when I was studying social work. It paid more than Behn and I have ever made. And they picked me. They wanted me to work for them, to help kids in foster care. It hurts so much to say no to this. I even cried. But it was the right decision. I didn't feel 100% at peace with it. It was a long commute, and having to put my boy in daycare would be hard. I know moms work careers all the time, and maybe I will too someday. I even hope so. But not now. I can't put Graham in a daycare of someone I don't even know. And drive 2 hours in the car everyday. Things are so tight financially and we are frustrated and

For Behn's account of Graham's birth, click here . I cannot believe this year has come and gone. I always wanted to be a mom, and was thrilled when God allowed me to become pregnant. And now my little baby can stand, has 4 sharp teeth, and loves to play with a ball. He still kind of looks and acts like a baby, but even those days are vanishing. A year ago today, I was 39 weeks, 1 day pregnant. I was ready to have him. I hadn't been having contractions (that I knew of) and had no idea when he'd come. I got up and went to work. I worked nearly every day of my pregnancy, as I'd had no complications. I was SO tired of working, but didn't have a physical reason not to, so I plugged away. That day they were calling for snow in the evening. I sent Behn this text, "It's supposed to snow- I hope I don't go into labor. I heard weather can cause labor to start." I wonder why I didn't want to go into labor? I think I actually did, but I was just scare

Good weekend so far! Emily (my sister) and Seth (Behn's brother), who are married (for any readers who don't know about that), moved from cold Fort Drum, NY to Greensboro, NC this weekend!! Woohoo! They are only 3 hours from us now- this is awesome! Behn's parents and Em & Seth all met here on Friday night and then yesterday Behn, his Dad, and Em and Seth made it to NC to move them in. (Is this confusing?? Seems a little confusing). Anyway, Mom T stayed with me to help/play with Graham and we've had a nice quiet time together. Just look at my baby all dressed for church and standing on his own: I decorated the house for Christmas a couple of weeks ago. I didn't do as much this year. Little fingers can reach many places, and also I felt like it can be a lot to clean up after the holidays, so I kept it a little simpler. It still has a nice touch though. Our little tree (out of reach): The mantle. I LOVE our fireplace: Got these stockings on clearance last year af

...stomach bug! What a stinky (literally) weekend. Behn came home really, really sick from work on Friday morning. He was in bed (and bathroom) with a stomach virus all day. I kept the babies downstairs and prayed the rest of us wouldn't get it. Friday night, since Behn was sleeping, I put Graham to bed and then Hannah and I went out with some friends for dessert. This mama NEEDED a girl's night!! When we got back, Hannah and I watched a movie, talked and then called it a night around 12:30 (VERY late for me). I went to check in G before turning in, and he was peacefully sleeping...in a puddle of puke! Poor, stinky boy! Behn helped me change the sheets and wash him, and then he slept with us the rest of the night, so I could monitor his stomach. He seemed fine, but in the morning threw up again. Anyways, long story short, I thought he was doing better, but last night and this morning, he has experienced the "other" portion of the illness. Needless to say, I'm not