Weekend Getaway

I must start with saying that doing two blogs in two weeks is quite an accomplishment for me these days. You're welcome. :)

Last weekend Ethan and I snuck away for a quick weekend getaway to the beach. I was a bit nervous to leave Evan behind with Nathan. Not because he couldn't handle it, but because we've never done that before. Evan and I have never split up with the kids. We usually do everything together as one big happy (or unhappy) family. Not this time. I was at a mom breaking point. I needed a getaway. I needed a change of scenery. I needed a change of pace. We've all been there. As dad's or mom's. At least with one kid, I would be needed half as much as I would be with two. The thought of that sounded pretty good. So off we went...

We are very fortunate that my parents have a place at the beach- which also means a free place to stay. We spent the ENTIRE day on Saturday outside. Going back and forth between the beach and the pool. Playing in the sand, jumping in the pool, jumping waves, and collecting sand crabs. Ethan wore himself out enough that he needed a mid-day nap, which meant even more time for ME on the beach. I say ME because that's a word I am unfamiliar with these days. Nothing is about ME. Nothing. I'm a mom. I give, and I give, and I give some more. I give until the point that there is nothing left inside me to give. So join me in understanding how amazing these two hours in my life was. A chair, the sound of the waves, and not ONE single person needing me. Sometimes it's nice to not be needed, and I needed that.

We later ventured into Beaufort with my parents, my sister and her husband, for a very yummy dinner on the water. Ethan did great and minded his manners (double bonus). After eating, we walked around town for a bit and did a little shopping.

Sunday was a mostly a repeat of Saturday except we had to leave early to get home. Evan and Nathan did great, and Evan did a fantastic job taking care of Nathan. I was eager to get home and hold my sweet baby.

It was just what I needed. Some vitaminSEA, some time with Ethan, and some re-charging. It's been a long summer, but we're almost there!

July

I sit here staring at this blank page, and I find myself struggling to know where to even start! I know it has been a while since my last post. I have been meaning to sit down and blog for weeks now, but there are just not enough hours in the day.

July...simply put was crazy. It was a very tough month for me. It started out great until we went to Nathan's 4 month check up where he received his normal round of vaccinations. One of those vaccinations is an oral dose of the rotovirus vaccine. For those of you not familiar, it is a live virus given to babies to help develop immunity to the rotovirus, which is a horrible gastrointestinal virus that used to put babies in the hospital.  He had his first round of this at his two month visit, with no problems. After he had the second round at 4 months, it gave him diarrhea for 15 days straight. I'm talking 6-8 times per day for the first week, then tapering down a bit the second week, until it finally went away at day 15. IT WAS TERRIBLE. In fact it was so bad we thought something else could have been going on. After MANY visits to the pediatrician, and several stool samples later, it was ruled that Nathan happened to have a more serious reaction to the vaccination. He had the worst diaper rash I had ever seen in my history of babies. We had many long nights, that lead to exhausting days, and more long nights. Most days felt like an eternity. It was so hard to do anything, or go anywhere. That whole thing shot my nerves into a million pieces. I was worried sick about Nathan. He had open sores on his bottom that hurt him so badly. It is a miracle that he didn't end up dehydrated, and thank goodness he didn't loose weight.  That little guy was such a trooper. I AM SO GLAD that is over. So...that was pretty much my month in a nutshell. Sounds fun, doesn't it?!

Anyway...Nathan has been better for about 2.5 weeks now, and we are moving onto better things! Despite the diarrhea, he has been busy learning new tricks, and trying new things. He has mastered rolling over onto his stomach, and then rolling back over onto his back. He had rice cereal for the first time, and now we have moved on to oatmeal. He really enjoys sitting in his highchair, and eats great out of a spoon. Dinners have been especially fun now because Nathan gets to sit in his highchair and join in on the fun....which he loves.

Ethan finished up two weeks of swim lessons, and has been enjoying his last few weeks of summer before preschool starts up again. He has been busy with play dates, and enjoying seeing his friends. He has been so great over the last few weeks about hanging out at home with momma and Nathan. I am so proud of him for being patient and understanding that its just too hot for Nathan to be outside. On the days it hasn't been too hot, we have been going to the park, and hitting golf balls at the driving range. His new favorite place is "Jumpstreet" which is a trampoline park. Ethan has been growing and changing right before my eyes. I have seen such a huge change in him over the summer. He has developed into a very independent little boy. I am so proud of him. It is hard to believe that in just a few short weeks he will be starting his LAST year of preschool.

Oh yeah. There is something else. In the midst all the craziness that has occurred over the last month, adjusting to being a mom of two, and feeling completely overwhelmed most days...there have been recent moments that make it all so worth it. I have noticed in the last couple of weeks the interaction between Ethan and Nathan. Nathan lights up when he hears Ethan. He smiles and laughs the most when his brother is around. Ethan will have conversations with him at the dinner table and it just warms my heart to see how much Nathan adores him. Ethan loves his brother, and has such a desire to play with him. It makes me incredibly happy.

I have a lot of pictures to share, because I wanted to be sure I didn't leave anything out! Starting at July 4th, and progressing from there.

Hopefully my next post will be sooner rather than later!

PS- Nathan turns 5 months old tomorrow! :)

Ethan really enjoyed the 4th of July party this year. He was finally big enough for sparklers. 

Love this one!

4 months old!

He enjoyed swim lessons, but golf is his game. 

Loving the high chair!

That cereal is good mom!!!

Rolling over to his tummy!

Sweet brothers this morning watching cartoons.