Almost September already...

I think the best idea is just to start into this blog as if it hasn't actually been about 85 days since we last blogged. No one noticed, right? Not like anyone has been busy...
I'm guessing your family is a lot like ours: one minute you're enjoying spring flowers and looking forward to summer, and the next thing you know school is back in session and the mornings are getting cool again. Well that certainly happened for us again this year. There's been all kinds of things to talk about...trips with family, lots of studying, stressful jobs, Reece pooping in the potty, etc., etc., etc.
The best thing would probably be to just let the pictures do the talking.... (and these aren't all...we need to post some from Davis family vacation, and several other things later)

We're alive and blogging...

Life has been crazy, but we know we aren't the only ones who can say that. I am making time, to maybe not write as much as I should, but I will post a number of pictures. Since I am finally getting a post up, quit sending me hate mail! :) Actually, I love that so many of you keep up on our family and appreciate you following the drama of our life. Thank you for caring and cheering us on. We are blessed to have such great family and friends.


Reece will turn 18 months tomorrow. Wow, where has the time gone? He is a fast moving, Mickey Mouse loving, giggling big boy. He started attending the Children's Center with me yesterday and loved it. He was so worn out that he slept for 4 hours afterwards. He has continued to be such a joy, even with the addition of the whining stage (ugh, this is like fingernails on a chalk board to me). We go to the doctor on Friday for a well visit so watch and see what our newest stats will be and I will post some more of his latest antics. In the meantime, Joe has been studying for his month away at school and I have been working a lot more than I thought I would be. I have been putting in hours on multiple projects, enjoying the work and challenges but finding myself working long days and nights and still trying to find time to enjoy moments with Joe and Reece. I will catch you up more very soon.

To Grandma's House we went...

Last weekend we headed south and stayed at Great Granny D's house, Joe's Grandma. It is always a treat to see her. Not only does she make the most amazing food - the best corn bread, potatoes, baked chicken, peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, eggs, oh my I am hungry again... but she also makes us feel right at home.

Grandma also tends to always give Reece whatever treats he wants and then gives him a few more when Joe and I aren't looking. :) Is that a grandma and great grandma given right- is there a contract that you sign somewhere once you have grandkids that no matter what you will spoil, spoil some more, and then come back and add a little more spoiling? Anyway, Reece loved it. He loved the ice cream that Granny D gave him and then the two of them had a great time hysterically laughing as she tried to feed him with a 'flying' spoon. Thanks Grandma Davis for a wonderful time.

Baseball and friends...

After a morning of being not so stellar, I was really worried about taking Reece out to the Ravens ballgame. Especially since it looked like rain and could quickly turn chilly. What a worrisome mom I am. Reece absolutely loved being outside among friends, family and even better - ballpark food! The weather stayed perfect and as you can see, Reece found a new girlfriend. I have posted pictures of Bella and Reece before, but this is a keeper. Not be left out, Sam was there and it is always so much fun to see how well Reece and Sam get along. They are old pals who seem to know each other so well. What a gift that is. Speaking of gifts. Joe and I both caught up with friends from college. I was able to sit and relax with my girls (as we laughed at the little ones). I cannot tell you who the Ravens played or what the score of the game was, but I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening!

Yay - outside pictures! We're so glad to be able to get out and about around the neighborhood with Reece. We kind of forgot that last time it was nice enough to be outside he wasn't really old enough to walk yet - so he's literally never walked outside before last week. Which kind of explains why he can't get enough of walking around the neighborhood now. We've spent some time in the back yard watching daddy move around mud and dirt, and lots of time circling the neighborhood in the stroller and in the Radio Flyer wagon that Nana got Reece for his birthday.


Other events of the past two weeks include an all-day party at Paul and Janelle's with all five kids and three stressed moms, several Reece tantrums, trips to work with Mom, and blowing chunks all over the car seat on the way to Lowe's. All in all a relatively tame couple of weeks. Hopefully you enjoy some of these random shots.

Knock, Knock...

Who's there - you ask... Well, let's just say that if you want the short story, then I was knocking and Reece was locking me out. Yes, Reece has learned how to open, shut and lock our doors. And to top off his feat - we didn't have any keys to open the door. However, he is out and fine.

Now, if you want the longer and always dramatic side of the story - then I'll do my best in telling it: Reece and I were at home playing in his room, I gathered up his dirty clothes and headed out the door asking him to follow me. Typically, I can count on hearing his laugh and steps right behind as I flow into the next room. However this time I heard the laugh followed by the door shutting and a click. I didn't even have time to place the laundry basket down before Reece had locked the door. My heart start pounding, Joe and I had just discussed the fact that we couldn't find the keys to any of the doors and how Reece was opening them more and more on his own --- we really were going to go and get child proof door knobs to prevent him from locking himself in somewhere. My stomach was literally in my throat, luckily Reece was in his room and not in the dark bathroom or laundry room where he so often likes to hide. I immediately looked for a paperclip, coat hanger and a screw driver. Anything that might help me in this nightmare. Our door knobs are the kind with a small hole that need a skinny long key - so I way keeping an eye out for anything that might fit. I also ran my hand over every door frame again just in case we had missed that key we thought we hid long ago..nothing. My heart is still pounding hard and fast at this time, but I can hear laughter coming from the bedroom (at least he has toys to keep him busy)the paperclip isn't working, okay I am now calling a neighbor to see if they have a key, the coat hanger isn't working.. Ugh, my stomach is going to come out of my throat... The neighbor doesn't have a key... That's it, I am taking the door handle off... Okay, it is coming off - wait Reece is trying to take the door knob off on the other side - no don't do that ( and is that his pajama drawer that I can see now spread all over his room as I look through the little space in the door knob, ugh!)... Okay, deep breath, think. think. think (now I am quoting a Winnie the Pooh cartoon -- Lisa concentrate)... Get another screwdriver and drive the hole again... I run down to the junk drawer - and HALLELUJAH I have found a key (where was this earlier)... I run back upstairs (literally tripping up the stairs) and YES it worked! Reece is out! Wait, Reece doesn't seem to care as much as I do. Oh well, at least now I won't have to get sick! And why is it that now I find 5, yes 5 keys in the junk drawer -- I know those weren't there earlier. Welcome to our crazy world!