Leo and his Shoes

Leo loves wearing shoes.  I don't know where he got it from, I sure don't love it.  He walks around the house all day saying "shoes."  He has even started finding my shoes and bringing them over.  I guess that means he's ready to go outside, and in this lovely 100 degree and humid weather, that's exactly what I've wanted to do.

Last night, Heb was getting Leo's jammies on and he nearly lost it when he tried to take his sandals off.  It's been a little crazy around bedtimes lately with all of the company we've had at our house.  Anyway, the only way he would calm down was for us to put them on over his footy pajamas.  Sometimes, you just do it.

Heb snuck in hours later to take them off and he woke up, started crying and tried to put them back on.  Ah, he just loves wearing shoes. 

The South

I am in love with the south.  The pre-Civil war era of grand plantations and fancy gowns. The Scarlett O'Hara before the war, you know what I'm talking about .  Not the whole slavery issue, of course, but the gentile parts.

We live in Virginia which is technically a southern state.  Ok, the D.C. area was part of the Union, but I'm claiming the South, but once again, not the slavery part... 

We visited a Plantation Mansion today.  It was one of those, we've been driving forever because I-95 traffic stinks, let's stop at this National Park that we know nothing about.  It actually really worked out. 

The Chathem House, built in 1771 right near Fredricksburg, had quite the history.  Most of the drama was during the Civil War when it was taken over by the different armies, turned into a hospital (home to Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross, for a while), and pretty much completely vandalized.  I just kept picturing what it would have been like in it's prime.

Leo was happy to be out of the car and running around.

The Big News

The blog here has been pretty quiet lately.  Ok, so it's never been this quiet.  We have been working hard on a new project. 

Very early next year, we are expecting a baby.  Our family of three will become four.  We are so thrilled.  

I saw the new little one in a sonogram today and they waived. 

I've been very sick.  Like, can't get off the couch sick.  And we've had so many visitors.  Bless them for letting me sit on the couch for much of their visits.  Which is why I haven't written but we're so excited. 

SAHM: Reflections

I was reading a listserv email that I couldn't believe this morning.  I'm on a few mom listservs - you know, we email around with questions or events.  Anyway, one of the moms was looking for a baby sitter to come to her home from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 to get the baby ready and bring them to the regular day care facility at 7:30. 

Wow, that's rough.  I understand that there are situations where moms need to work outside the home, even those that want to work (there are days that I can really get that), but this was one that kind of broke my heart for her and her babe.  I'd never make a judgement because each person's situation is so unique, and what works for one wouldn't work for another.

I won't be a stay at home mom forever but I sure am glad that I can do it now.  It's a tough thing.  The days are long, the messes are many.  It's difficult to maintain a sense of self independent of motherhood.  But I wouldn't trade this time, those small moments dancing in the rain or reading stories together.

Oh, and a big shout out to Heber who makes it possible for me to be home.  He works so hard for us.