Visit with Grandma

Yesterday I took Maggie and Tuttle to visit my grandmother at her retirement home. She is 92 years old and still lives almost independently in an apartment at the retirement home, despite her blindness and other minor health issues. My cousin, Anne, came with me and helped out a ton with the kids. Maggie is such a squirmy wiggle worm now that having a conversation with an adult is near impossible, but we loved spending time with Grandma. Tuttle fed the fish with Anne, ran in the big field beside the patio, and impressed everyone at the table with his prayers and knowledge of Heaven.

We love you, Grandma!

Memorial Day Weekend

We enjoyed a busy and fun Memorial Day weekend! We grilled out steaks on Saturday with Grandmommy, Grandaddy, and Aunt Peach. Sunday we finally made it back to church after several weeks, and the Thorne ladies enjoyed spa pedicures on Sunday afternoon.

Today we headed over to the Burke's house for a cookout. The Pooles and the Rajevacs joined in on the fun, too. Tuttle spent Sunday night with Grandmommy and Grandaddy, so it was just Jay, Maggie, and me. I brought deviled eggs and a banana pudding poke cake that I found on Pinterest.

Paul and Val are ALWAYS the best hosts, and we love visiting their beautiful home.

While Maggie was a little sleepy after only getting a quick nap in the car, she had a great time exploring the Burke house and yard. She is so close to walking and does not want to sit anymore.

We could not be more thrilled to welcome another baby into the group around Thanksgiving. Congratulations, Stephanie and Jonathon!!

We are extremely lucky to live in the United States and enjoy our freedom with such sweet friends. Our family is thankful for all the men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Happy Ten Months, Maggie Ruth!

Margaret Ruth Thorne has been a part of our family for ten months now.

At ten months, Maggie

*** This was the ONLY successful picture with the sticker. She was not going to leave the sticker alone long enough to get a good one! :)

• eats 5-6 times a day (with an early morning bottle in her crib between 4am-5am). She eats solid food (no more baby food!) for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Her drinks 3-4 bottles during the day, usually in her crib before naptime or nighttime.
• is very specific about what foods she likes the most: eggs, bananas, peanut butter, crackers, green beans, waffles/pancakes, puffs, and yogurt.
• throws her hands up to block any food she does not like or if she is full
• has started to independently eat 
• wears 6-9m, 6-12m and some 12m clothing
• goes to bed between 7:00-7:30. She clearly lets you know she is ready when she begins to fuss.
• is completely off Prevacid for her acid reflex- YEAH!
• crawls very quickly wherever she wants to go, pulls herself to standing, and cruises around furniture as well as takes steps with a walker (A true walker is in our VERY near future!)
• stills takes a 30-45 minute nap in the morning (usually in the swing, carseat, or stroller) and an 1.5-2 hour nap in her crib in the afternoon
• has almost four teeth with the top two just poking through. Luckily teething has not been an issue with either children.
• has started to REALLY want to be where Tuttle is playing and desperately wants to touch his toys. Tuttle would prefer to be left alone, and he is not afraid to let Maggie know that!
• takes a shower with Mommy each morning after breakfast
• still loves to be outside
• gets the biggest smile and wants you to acknowledge her success when she gets a toy to make noise by pressing a button
• is the sweetest and prettiest baby ever!

 

Both Tuttle and Maggie LOVE our neighbors' tree in their front yard. I took the opportunity to snap some sweet pictures of Maggie in her seersucker dress.

 

 

We love you, Maggie Moo Bear!

Tuttle's Last Day of Preschool

Today was Tuttle's last day of preschool before summer vacation.

We have had such a great year at Oglethorpe Presbyterina Preschool. Tuttle has learned so much from his teachers. I am constantly impressed how high his teacher's standards are for the kids and how well planned the lessons are each week. His teachers expect the students to become engaged in each project, and each final product came home with an explanation of how Tuttle was directly involved as well as the background lesson leading up to the project. Since Tuttle is moving to the M/W/F class next year, he will actually have the same teachers. I am excited to see how much they can stuff into his brain next year!

The class had a party today to celebrate the end of the school year. The moms that organized the party created the CUTEST panda sandwiches and cookies. The panda was the class mascot for the year.

Although there were significantly more girls than boys in the class, Tuttle was constantly talking about his buddies at home.

Jack, Tuttle, Niko, and Louie

Side Note: The toy that Louie is holding spurred a fight between the boys, and Tuttle earned himself a "Time Out" after he started to hit right after this photo was taken. This caused Tuttle to miss the class picture. :(

 I cannot believe how little Tuttle looked at the beginning of the year compared to now. He is definitely not a baby anymore. 

We are ready to start our summer vacation! :)

Swim Lessons

Tuttle started swim lessons this week at the local YMCA. I was very eager to get him into the water independently, so I grabbed the first session of lessons when he turned three. He could not wait to start learning! His group meets twice a week for thirty minute classes each time.

His little class started with five students, but the instructor quickly recognized that two kids were more advanced and moved them into a new class. I hope the class stays small, so Tuttle can get more attention. :)

The first class consisted of Tuttle warming up by kicking his legs in the water, blowing bubbles in the water, being led through the water with support from the instructor, and jumping off the edge into the pool to the instructor. 

The girls and I watched from the window and had a snack. Maggie took observing her big brother very seriously! :)

We cannot wait to go back and watch Tuttle turn into a little fish!

Zanna and Daniel Tie the Knot!

This past weekend Jay and I headed down to Fort Walton Beach to celebrate the marriage of my best friend Zanna to her fiance, Daniel. Zanna and Daniel had been dating for almost 10 YEARS, so this was a huge event! I was so honored that Zanna asked me to be the matron of honor. Jay drove his new Wagoneer down to Florida, so that was an adventure alone! :)

We arrived just in time for the rehearsal. I was so proud of Jay because he helped out a lot organizing the wedding party for the big day.

Zanna prepared a yummy rehearsal dinner of BBQ, slaw, and corn. She hosted the dinner at her and Daniel's new house. I absolutely loved the house. It had so many interesting details, including a shower with all the jets in different directions. I took a shower in it the next morning and swore I would make the drive just for another shower! After dinner, we kicked the boys out of the house and had a girls' only sleepover. Zanna presented her bridesmaids with the cutest monogrammed pajamas!

The next day we spent time getting beautiful for the big event, including pedicures. Jay and I did slip off for a little lunch date at the Crab Trap overlooking the beach. We thoroughly enjoyed some oysters and watching beach volleyball.

 

After the beach wedding, the guests went upstairs at a local restaurant, Anglers, and had the entire top floor for the reception.

 

 Rachel made another fabulous creation for the Groom's Cake: A Craps Table!

 One of the biggest hits at the reception was the photo booth inside the elevator. As you can tell from the following photos, we know how to make a fun and memorable picture! :)

Zanna's new sister-in-law caught the bouquet! We had such a good time celebrating Mr. and Mrs. Martin. Jay and I will never forget this special event.

Congratulations Zanna and Daniel!

Preschool Water Day

Tuttle's preschool held a water day last Thursday to celebrate the end of the school year this week. I found out last minute that the girls and I could watch the fun, so we packed up the stroller and headed over to the school. Tuttle could not get enough running, sliding, and splashing despite the weather being a little overcast. Several students thought it was too cold to play, but Tuttle did not want the water day to end! :)

Although the girls were happy in the stroller, I took Maggie out for a minute to stretch her legs while I held Ellie. 

Before I knew it, she had made her escape and found the baby pool.

Maggie was not timid about getting in on the fun with the big kids. She was crawling and cruising through the muddy grass and kept attempting to go for a swim. My mom is convinced she will be a tom boy like she was! At least she will always have a bow to match!!

The day ended with bundled up babies and popsicles. I cannot believe the year is coming to an end! Tuttle has learned so much from his sweet teachers and friends, but I am looking forward to spending every day with him this summer.

This past weekend Jay and I enjoyed a beach getaway for Zanna and Daniel's wedding in Florida. Post to come soon!

Spring in Atlanta

We are loving picnics at the park

Barefoot exploring

and soaking up the sun!

Three Year and Nine Month Check-Ups

Tuttle and Maggie visited the pediatrician Friday for their checkups. Since Tuttle has literally not gotten sick in a year, it was his first time seeing the doctor in a while. 

Maggie had to dress up for the doctor and nurses. She wore a smocked dress that once belonged to her mommy! :)

It was a successful visit for both babies. Here are the stats for each:

Maggie

Height: 27 inches (18%)

Weight: 15 pounds, 12 ounces (11%)

Tuttle

Height: 40 inches (94%)

Weight: 34 pounds, 13 ounces (78%)

They both had their skin pricked for hemoglobin tests, and Tuttle had to give his first urine sample. He thought it was absolutely HILARIOUS to pee in a cup. 

Maggie is still battling an ear infection, so we are trying another new medication. The doctor gave Tuttle a gold star for the typical three year old concerns (picky eating, potty training, and behavior issues). We have such a good boy.

We ended the day Friday by creating Mother's Day gifts for the grandmothers. I painted Tuttle's hands to make flowers and Maggie's feet to form a butterfly. (Ellie made one for her mommy, too!)

We were able to spend time with Gram and Grandmommy today. The babies and I took Gram her gift and played at her house this morning, and the Thorne family celebrated Mother's Day with dinner at Longhorn. (Side Note: Maggie is OFFICIALLY at the age where restaurant eating is a struggle!)

I am so very lucky to be the mommy to my sweet babies. :)

This and That

This morning Maggie and I attended the Muffins with Mommy event at Tuttle's preschool. I always love a chance to be at the school and watch Tuttle with his sweet friends. Tuttle entered the room before me and handed me a card and a little bouquet of flowers when I came in. 

All three of us enjoyed some yummy treats. It was the perfect way to start my morning. I love my big boy, and it melts my heart when he responds, "I loves you, too, Mommy."

This week is kind of a blur, but the babies have done some memorable things.

Maggie has started to walk across the room with a walker. While her walking has no specific direction, she is impressive with her balance, her ability to bend down to explore something and get back up, and her energy to go again and again. She loves when we cheer for her!

Tuttle has rediscovered his love for his trains. I pulled them out and showed him how he could make a track that zigs and zags between rooms. He is now 100% independent and wants to create a long track everyday that starts in the kitchen moves through the dining room and ends up in the front living room.

We found a new park that will be a regular activity for us: Little Nancy Creek Park. We met one of Tuttle's school buddies for an impromptu playdate this afternoon and had a blast. The playground is very unique complete with the tallest slide I have ever seen. Tuttle was not intimiated one bit! There is also a little creek with stepping stones across that Tuttle and Niko crossed and threw rocks in the water. I cannot wait to go back!

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!