treading water

I feel like I have been treading water for 10 weeks. Some moments I am under the water, trying to get back up to the surface. Other moments I am on top of the water and I can see the edge of the pool but I am not quite there yet. Most nights, dinnertime is the worst for me - two tired and fussy babies + hungry husband and dog + hungry yet picky toddler = several hours where I literally feel like I can't breathe. I try to take deep breaths but I often tell Gus that I can't breathe.

I know it will all pass and we won't remember it but when you are in the middle of it, it is hard to see it that way. I try to get supper fixed earler and we take long familiy walks in the evenings to relax everyone, but still it can be suffocating.

Just keeping it real.

For those of you curious about Gus' dad, he is doing great, home from the hospital and is recovering well at home. He will have another surgery and another (shorter) recovery but he is in such great shape and has done so well considering all that he has been through. A reminder to all of us the importance of staying in shape! Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Number One

Look mama, Baby has a little foot!

Gentle, Thomson, gentle!!
When Brooks started smiling, he only used one side of his face. I thought it was so funny and cute (but you know I asked Dr. G about it when we visited at 6 weeks, just to be sure . . . If you read the Athens Banner Herald, Gus was officially voted the #1 DOCTOR IN ATHENS! We are very proud of him! Patients have noticed how he really cares for them and wants them to have the best outcome possible. He takes his time and he listens.

And if you turn the page he was also voted #1 Husband of the Year, #1 Dada of the year, and #1 Son of the year for 2011. We have been through a lot the last few weeks but we are starting to see daylight ahead. Brooks is sleeping better at night and is very happy all day between his long naps. If you could hear him beside me right now - I just got his play mat out of the closet and there are all sorts of cute critters dangling over his head. He coos every time I bump it and they all start to move!

Thomson is so sweet to Brooks, he attacks him with kisses and hugs every time he gets a clear shot. We are lucky that Thomson loves him and has not tried to hit him (like lots of my friends' toddlers). I think Thomson thinks he is a small puppy because he makes this really funny noise when he leans down to "hug" or kiss his baby, he sounds like a purring cat. (See picture #5 above). But when Thomson is tired and fussy, he always wants me to hold him and if I am holding Brooks, he wraps his arms around my legs and cries "no baby, no baby".

That's all for now. Just trying to be superwoman over here!

A quiet house

The house is quiet. Mom took Thomson this morning for a weekend of "Camp DeeDee Happy" and to give Gus and I a nice break. It is such a strange feeling - not worrying about locking cabinet doors or putting the remote control up high and out of a toddler's reach. It feels strange that where I put Thomson's toys they will stay for the next few days (unless Bates decides to take a turn). Thomson is heading over to Lee's house (he calls him "Bee!") and then to the Marietta Blue Devil game to see Happy in the press box. I am sure there will be some cute pictures!

Here is a picture of what I will be missing this weekend - Thomson loves to play in the pantry, close the doors and get out the dog bones.