A Fantastic Easter Weekend

Easter was really fun this year. Emery was totally into egg hunting, coloring eggs, visiting with the big bunny himself, etc. Also, having Bodie with us this year made things extra special. Hard to believe that last year he wasn't even on our radar and this year he attended the annual Thornblade brunch and egg hunt with us!

Emery has loved the Easter bunny ever since her first Easter. Santa Claus gave her a bit of a fright briefly, but she has never been afraid of the Easter bunny. The egg hunt and brunch at Thornblade Country Club is my favorite event of the year at the club. Thousands of eggs are "hidden" on the grounds and the children have so much fun finding them. It's great for the little ones.

Of course we attended with the Bell family. Emery and Davis can't bear to be separated for very long! Neither can Ben and Reggie....hee hee. Those two are double trouble when they're together.

Once again all attempts at a family picture were disastrous. Bodie was wanting to nurse and neither Ben nor Emery are looking at the camera. Oh well....maybe one day.

We headed down to Atlanta Saturday evening. The Easter bunny paid a visit to my parents' house! Emery and Bodie each received fun goodies in their baskets. Emery's favorite gift was a new "brella." Girl is obsessed with umbrellas. She has destroyed several. This one is super cute--it's from The Palm Gifts and is monogrammed. Presh. She also got a Strawberry Shortcake dvd, dry erase markers for her easel, a chocolate bunny, a Hello Kitty toothbrush and strawberry toothpaste, gum and a stuffed bunny. I asked the Easter bunny to limit the candy in the baskets this year and he obliged. Emery didn't seem to care.

Sweet little Bodie got some new rattles, car seat dangly toys and a light up ducky.

The main reason we went to Atlanta was to witness Kelsey Claire's baptism! I am honored to be her godmother (and Hayes's godmother). The baptism was held at Brian and Alison's house and the ceremony was performed by Brian's Uncle John, who is also Brian's godfather. It was very special. Most of both families were attendance which meant lots of little kids running around. Everyone had a great time and the ceremony was beautiful.

Brian, Hayes, Alison and Kelsey

My dad with Bodie

This picture cracks me up. Jake, the goddog, was right in the middle of the action during the ceremony. We all just worked around him. Too funny.

Emery and her daddy. Emery was so tired from playing with all of her cousins that she slept the entire car ride back to Greenville and then some. She never naps anymore, so this was a rare treat. Bodie also slept the entire time. I managed to read a bunch of 50 Shades of Grey. Juicy!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Slagel Visit

Ben's parents, older brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew all came to stay with us for several days last week. We had a full house and lots of fun. The whole purpose of the trip was for Ben, Jerry and their dad to go to the Master's. However, we managed to squeeze in a day on the boat as well as some early Easter activities.
Jerry and Ben enjoying their sandwiches on Lake Hartwell's "Muscle Beach." This was our first outing on the boat for the year. Gorgeous weather, but the water was still chilly.

The cool water temps didn't stop Austin and Emery (and a golden retriever named Zoe they befriended) from swimming. CRAZY!

Bodie slept the entire time we were on the boat.

Emery kept trying to ditch her life jacket.

Alexa, Emery, Austin and Bodie--the Slagel cousins!

Austin and Emery were fierce competitors in the egg hunt.

After the hunt we colored eggs. This is best done outdoors and in minimal clothing--two of Emery's favorite prerequisites!

Emery thought the plastic eggs made great water toys.

Some of Ben's buddies from MI were also headed to Augusta in this huge motor home. They managed to time their arrival perfectly and joined Ben, Jerry and their dad for a round of golf at Thornblade Sunday afternoon.

This picture has nothing to do with the Slagel visit, but it cracks me up. Emery and Harper had a playdate at the mall the other day and were fighting over this much-too-big pink dress. So typical!

Already Summer?

Sand volleyball courts at Legacy Park (Verdae) = makeshift beach.

I keep waiting for this warm streak to end, but that doesn't seem to be the case. We've consistently hit 80 degrees or warmer for the past several weeks and the ten day forecast predicts much of the same. Fine with me! And Emery and Bodie. We have been living in the backyard. Our only form of water fun is Emery's kiddie pool, which is pitifully small, but she doesn't seem to mind. She even managed to get her float in there. Emery's two BFFs, Harper and Davis, come over regularly to join the fun.

Counting down the days until our REAL pool at Thornblade opens.

Mommy of Two!

My life is certainly much busier now--didn't think that was possible--but so much fun! Emery is finally coming around and acting like her normal self. Whew! Bodie is still a very easy baby. He just goes with the flow and seems to enjoy being carted around to all of Sissy's activities: playdates at the park, fashion shows at Club Tabby, gymnastics, Kindermusik, etc. Below are a few pictures of Emery and Harper at the dance party/fashion show at Club Tabby I mentioned. Club Tabby is such a cute store and the staff frequently plans various themed parties for the toddler set. Emery and Harper LOVE them some Club Tabby.

Bodie really enjoys his nightly bath...and so does Emery. She has rediscovered the baby tub and insists on bathing in it every night. Cannot be comfortable, but she refuses to take a normal tubby these days. I think the cute flower mat from Aunt Donna has something to do with it.

Settling in at home

Time is flying by. I can't believe Bodie is already eight days old. We've had a busy six days at home--mostly good! Bodie and I came home from the hospital on a Friday evening and then Ben's parents arrived Saturday evening just as my parents were leaving town. Emery has been thoroughly spoiled and I am thrilled that all of the grandparents were able to meet Bodie when he was still just a teeny tiny newborn. Ben and I have been well taken care of--lots of prepared meals from the grandmothers and neighbors and a very entertained Emery has made for a smooth transition to life with two children--for the most part. I guess all the preparation in the world can't truly offset a jealous two and a half year old. Emery has adjusted well in that she is super sweet to Bodie. I was so worried that she would take her aggression out on him (and she still may), but she has been nothing but gentle and kind to her baby brother. However, she has moments with Ben and me (especially me) that are extremely challenging. I keep telling myself that this will pass but my heart breaks to have to punish her when I know she's acting out because of all the change that's occuring in her life. We've let a lot of things slide this week but know that she's got to get back on track or life is going to be miserable! AUGH! At least Bodie continues to be the world's easiest baby: eat, poop, sleep. He is a total joy...and SO cute!

Dr. Emery tending to her baby brother

I try to pump every few days so that Bodie can be given a bottle. I want to make sure I can leave him for longer than two hours with a sitter!

Bodie and his Grandpa Slagel. I think Bodie tends to favor Ben's dad in the looks department.

First doctor's appointment--five days old. Though not back to his birth weight, Bodie had gained weight since leaving the hospital. Everything looks good!

Incredible weather this week. Ben supervised Emery, Harper and Davis while the mommies (and Bodie) had some girl talk time. Please notice that Emery and Harper are wearing a princess dress and a tutu (respectively) while digging in the dirt. Too funny.

Bodie--8 days old. My super talented and very kind cousin, Kriya, drove up from Atlanta with her sister (my other wonderful cousin, Alicia, who spent the entire afternoon putting together Emery's new play kitchen) and two young children to bring my family dinner and to do a photo shoot of Bodie. Kriya is an amazing photographer. She claims she only wants to do this as a hobby, but I think she should go into business. Anyways, I hovered around and snapped a few pictures with my camera as well.

Who would have ever thought I could take nearly naked baby pictures outside in February!?!?!? The weather gods were smiling on me today! 74 degrees and sunny. GORGEOUS! Emery played outside all day and went to bed super early. ;-) I love how fresh air tires out the kiddos.

Kriya in action. Thanks, Kriya and Alicia! I had a fabulous day!

Bodie James Slagel is here!

After a week of false labor (contractions HURT!), my scheduled c-section date finally arrived. Bodie James Slagel entered this world on Wednesday, February 15th at 12:28 p.m. weighing 7 lbs, 14 oz and measuring 20" long. He is absolutely perfect! I was expecting a bigger baby since Emery clocked in at almost 9 lbs, but Bodie is a pound lighter than his sister's birth weight. He didn't feel smaller in the womb, that's for sure! The c-section was a piece of cake and I left the hospital a day early because I was so eager to get home to Emery and start settling in with my son.

Big sister Emery and Granny seeing Bodie for the first time. Emery's reaction has been amazing. I was expecting lots of jealousy, but she's actually really sweet to Bodie and eager to help. We'll see if this continues.

Dr. Emery (Hayes is in the background meeting his boy cuz--my entire family came up to Greenville for the birth. Such fun!)

Nanny and her great grandson

Opa and Bodie

My children :)

Emery is a clone of Ben but I can't decide who I think Bodie resembles. He really just kind of looks like Bodie! I see some of Ben, some of me, some of Ben's dad, some of my niece, some of my nephew.....jury's still out.

Our family of four leaving the hospital. We had gorgeous weather the evening of our release.