Happy Berfday 'Merica!

Henry was excited and patriotic this Fourth of July. "Fi-ah-works! Wight up da sky! Stay up wate! Happy Berfday 'Merica!" John was, too, donning the red, white, and blue.

Friends invited us to an Independence Day celebration at their country club. Dinner was excellent. Henry ate his first (and second and third) helping(s) of corn on the cob. When dinner was done the boys ran and played and danced and bounced over and through fairways and hills and fans and castles. All that can get tiring. So Henry took a cotton candy break.  His sweet treat was as big as his head, so I was happy to see him share with Daddy.

Once the sun set, we sat down to enjoy the main event. Sweet John slept sweetly, even through the pops and booms of the fireworks. Henry was in awe, and the sight of his happiness and wonder filled my heart.

Botanical Buddies

Last week we enjoyed a playdate at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with our friends, Lauren, Colin, and Will. Henry and Colin spent most of their time frolicking in the fountains. And all that frolicking made Henry very thirsty. Later that afternoon, the baby boys enjoyed their strollers while the big boys enjoyed the slide. Then lunch. Then cookies. Then four hour naps. Lauren and I plan on becoming regulars at the Botantical Gardens.

Pizza Monster and Oscar the Grouch

Sometimes Henry loves to eat, and other times he can't be bothered. Last Friday, in 90 degree heat, he loved to eat. We went to our weekly neighborhood pizza party at the pool, and Henry ate (almost) three slices! Consider that John clearly loves to eat as well, and their teenage years are liable to bankrupt us.







To you and I, the word "toy" brings to mind a limited number of things. A child's mind is not so limited. Maybe next weekend Daddy should take Henry to the dump.

John is 3 months old!

Likes: Drooling, smiling, sticking my hands in my mouth, squealing and laughing (especially at Henry), sleeping like it's my job, bubble baths with my brother, driving on the highway (I fall asleep instantly), and grabbing the toys on my baby gym.

Dislikes: Not much. I cry only if I'm overtired and starving, so Mama sticks to a strict schedule to prevent my pouty lip and big, fat tears from coming out.

Growth: I weigh 15 lbs., and 1 oz., and I am 24 and 3/4 inches tall. This puts me in the 85th percentile for weight and the 80th percentile for height. Watch out Henry - I already weigh half as much as you do!

John's best bud

Exactly ten weeks and six days after John was born, his godfather, Matt, became an actual father. Last weekend, John and I packed up the car with chicken pot pie and banana cake (monogrammed, of course) for the tired parents, and we drove to Chattanooga to meet Luke. Luke Fisher Phillips is a darling boy, blessed with his Mama's eyes and his Daddy's nose. He was very alert and content, and his favorite spot seemed to be snuggled up on his Mama's chest.

When they are side by side, it is hard to believe that less than eleven weeks separate the boys. John looks twice Luke's size. Luke didn't let John's size intimidate him, though. John's shoulder became Luke's pillow until Luke decided our photo shoot was over.  I can't wait to watch these two guys become friends and see Henry boss the both of them around.

John rolls!

And I'm not talking about the cute, chubby kind. John rolled over for the first time today! The four of us were sitting in the playroom when Gus noticed John lying on his side. After a quick grin for the camera, he huffed and puffed and rolled all his rolls right over. Henry rolled over for the first time when he was about 4 months old. Since John is the size of a four month old at less than three months old, maybe it's not so surprising that he is already rolling.

Easy Peasy

Each day John eats five meals, takes four naps, sleeps twelve hours. During his rare moments of awake time, he is typically smiling, cooing, dancing, or staring at the craziness around him. One thing you won't find him doing is crying, bless his heart. As long as he eats on time and naps on schedule, he doesn't complain. I seriously looked at Gus the other night and said, "John never cries. Do you think something is wrong with him?" Gus' laughter answered my question. It's not always easy peasy, but I'm doing my best to take after John, and not complain.