Court

Well yesterday I had my first experience in court. I was subpoenaed to testify as an eyewitness for the accident that Rebecca T. had in front of our house. Althougth it wasn't exactly Law and Order it was still pretty interesting. I got sworn in and everything! It was pretty cool. The judge was blind and he had this little braille template thing and he was taking notes the whole time I was testifying, and I spent the whole time watching him, trying to figure out exactly how he was doing it. It was really neat. I figured that I would be very nervous- but I really like Rebecca (she's the Children't Librarian- I hope it helped her out) My neighbor Will Farris was there (another eye witness) so it was o.k. and the braille thing kept me occupied enough that I wasn't focusing on all of the people in there. Janet pointed out that it might not have been the smartest thing in the world to testify against NC's Department of Transportation. Between Will and I we'll probably have the road with the most potholes in Wilson. Elton suggested they might cite eminant domain and expand the road into our living room! UGH! This should definatly win me some good Karma points!

Rolling Over

#1 "I think I can, I think I can..."

#2 "Whoa"

#3 "What just happened???"

Scrubbing off Sweet Potatos!

Brianna is such a good helper. She has really got the routine down. After Shawn eats, I get the bathtub and fill it up and she gets the towel, wash cloth, and baby wash. I put him in and she runs and gets her "steppy stool". Today she accidentally splashed him in face, he was unphased but she got his little towel and dried him off, she is so loving with him!

Brianna- Future Hairstylist???

Shawn, Chris, and Bri

My boys!

I think its kind of funny to see them together. Chris is 6'5 and about 240 pounds. Shawn is so itty bitty!

Play-Doh Fun!

Play-Doh was still a big hit today. Bri played with it first thing this morning and later on this afternoon. This artist has found her medium! Lazy Sunday- straightened up a little, went to McDonald's and let B. play for 2 hours. TV, a nap, tried another baked Macaroni and Cheese recipe (one of these days I'll achieve perfection). House seems kind of empty without Katherine here. Shawn was an angel at McDonald's, there were tons of kids for Bri to play with and I had a nice time chatting with Chris. It's quarter after 8 and Elton still hasn't called to say he's on his way home- I feel so bad for him, its been a long time since 4 this morning. Hopefully Leiner will open back up soon. He really hates this job...

#1 Big Sister!

BriBri is becoming such a great helper! I love the bottom picture- "Rice Cereal??? BLECH!"

Environmentally Responsible Katherine.

Katherine has been bothering me forever about why we don't recycle. My answer was pretty pathetic..."Because a recycling bin didn't come with the house" I've just never bothered to call the city and request one. So she did. It was delivered on Wednesday, I cleaned off its place of honor on the back porch fridge. Good for you Katherine- I'm very proud of you.

Can"t wait for Pre-School...

Brianna is so excited about starting Pre-School this year. She often tells me "Hurry up I'm going to be late for school!" I wish Farmington Heights would hurry up and call me back, I'll feel a whole lot better when I know for sure that she has a spot reserved... I do not want to be rushing around at the last minute trying to find a different place. I guess I could go back to First Presbyterian (Chris went there and we were happy with it- it would also be very convenient- within walking distance) Katherine went to Building Blocks for Tots- which was good- but I think I prefer the church pre-schools. We have been working on spelling her name forever! I have even tried to bribe her with the promise of a toy when she gets it right. It didn't work- she always says B-R-I-N-N-N-A. Each of the kids has had their own little name spelling song. Christopher surprised me by remembering his and Katherine's. Katherine didn't remember hers... Brianna can however, spell Shawn's name. His name song is the only one that includes other words- perhaps because his name is so short. His goes to the tune of BINGO "There was a Momma had a baby and Shawn was his name-o. S-H-A-W-N- and so on...

Brianna likes the concept of spelling- I'll often hear her rattling off letters, so I tried some letter recognition with her a couple weeks ago- no interest in that whatsoever! I'll try again soon. She's such a smart cookie, knows her ABC's, colors, shapes, can discern same and different, I might have just caught her at the wrong time.

I think she will love Pre-school, she loves coloring and singing. The Hokey Pokey is her new favorite, but she is still working on the whole left-right thing. We must have done it 5 times yesterday. Katherine was a willing participant but surprisingly Chris refused to join in! LOL! He did however request the baby sling when I gave him Shawn so I could go work in the garden some. He very uncooperatively refused to pose for a picture- it was a precious sight!

Play Doh Rocks!

I realized a few days ago that I have been remiss in my motherly duties to Brianna. She is almost 4 years old and has never had Play-Doh! Since Katherine left last night on her Girl Scout Myrtle Beach trip (tonight she'll be sleeping with the sharks! ;0) ) and Brianna is incredibly depressed. She HATES it when Katherine is not home. I've probably heard 10 times already "I miss Sissy." Chris and I explained to her that Katherine is older and gets to do more stuff than she does etc. Then she breaks out with the "I never have any fun" complete with pathetic dejected look. So at Wal-Mart we bought Play-Doh- she wasn't too excited about it there. She did pick out which colors she wanted, but was more concerned with getting a Hershey's bar at checkout. Yes, I bribe her to be good at the grocery store- 58 cents is a small price to pay for my sanity. Sometimes we are there for a very long time...

When we got home I set her up at the kitchen table. She loves the rolling pin, a few days ago I saw her rolling out a washcloth on the coffee table, I think it was then I decided she needed Play-Doh! ;0) How sad! I also pulled out my cookie cutter collection- I have tons, and put her to work. She LOVED it. I think it kept her occupied for a good 2 hours- rolling and cutting and just having a great time! She would bring me each "cookie" for approval/praise. The best part was: "Thank you for buying me this, you're the best mommy in the whole wide world!" :0) Play-Doh Rocks!

Tummy Time!

This picture was taken this morning during Shawny's "Tummy Time" his happiness was shortlived- he hates it! He did roll over 3 times and then of course refused to do it after I got the video camera out! Little Stinker!

Our Anniversary

Well so much for Elton getting off work early. It was 9 pm by the time he got home. He had gone by the store and bought a frozen pie (I forget what kind it is, but it looks delicious- chocolate something...) we put it in the fridge and will eat it tonight for dessert. He had also bought ice cream chocolate cherry for me and peanut butter panic for the kids. Elton bought me a lovely card and not only did he sign it (he never used to sign my cards and it drove me CRAZY! ) but he actually put how many years we'd been married too! I was very impressed.

The card reads:

For my wonderful wife

I just can't imagine my life if I had never met you, fallen in love, and been smart enough to know you were the one... I could never do without the big and little things you do daily to delight me, surprise me, and make me happy. Give me forever, and I still couldn't find the words to tell you all the ways you make my life complete... But there's one thing I can do and do very well... and that's love you with all of my heart. Happy (9th) Anniversary. Love Always, Elton

How sweet was that?

He called me yesterday afternoon and said that they were not getting off work early- I was hoping that he was lying and was just going to surprise me, but I figured that I would make Chicken Bryan (his favorite) and Garlic Mashed Potatoes just in case... I love Chicken Bryan- its so pretty with the white goat cheese, sunripened tomatoes, and basil (from my garden!) the potatoes were the best I'vc ever made. I roasted the garlic in the oven first (I always do that- we LOVE garlic) added some garlic powder. I heated up half and half (I usually just use milk, but since I already had the half and half from the macaroni and cheese I made last week I decided just to use that) and butter on the stove first. I saw Emeril do that on Food Network. He said it makes creamier potatoes- something about pouring cold milk on hot potatoes makes them grainy. It definatly seemed to make a difference. I also added some sour cream and salt and pepper. They were red potatoes and I left the skins on- they turned out awesome!

Cookie Creations

Fruits of my labor!

Lake Royale

Last weekend the kids and I went out to Dad and Janet's trailer at the lake. We found it no problem but ended up coming home via Nashville! (NC NOT TN) Oh well, I found my way home and didn't have to call Elton or my Dad. Yeah me! ;0) LOL

Super Productive Saturday

Yesterday was a really good day. Woke up at 4, nursed the baby, picked up the house, got zucchini and yellow squash out of the garden, took a shower and had all 3 kids dressed, fed and out of the house by 8:30. Chris was spending the night at a friends. We went by the post office, Elton had some entry forms for Carolina Get Truckin' that he wanted me to mail off (Keep your fingers crossed!) A new F150 is not real practical when you have 4 kids, but the $ from selling it would be great! Then we went to the Farmer's Market. I have been meaning to go all year, this is the first year that Wilson has ever had one, and I have been anxious to check it out. It is very small, but hopefully the idea will catch on, and they can expand. The one in Raleigh is awesome and the one in Rocky Mount is really nice, but its too far to drive just for that, and we never seem to be there at the right time... I ended up buying a watermelon, some new potatos, corn, and 4 zucchini. Yes, I know its ridiculous to buy zucchini when I have 4 plants out in the garden, but these were HUGE- they were 2/$1, and my plants are far from flourishing... As much as we have been enjoying zucchini bread, I figured I should go ahead and get them and pass them off as my own! ;0) One of the vendors actually had figs- I didn't even know they grew here. Probably should have bought some- maybe next time. Tyler Florence made some proscuitto wrapped figs and they looked really interesting- they may have actually had cheese in them- I don't remember. I am so addicted to the Food Network! The girls got some homemade Oreo ice cream and loved it. Everyone was really nice, I had conversations with several of the vendors, and we had a really good time. On our way to Wal-mart the girls and I discussed the advantages of buying local produce. Not much to say about Wal-mart... Then we picked Chris up from Dylan's and went home. Shawn was hungry, so while I nursed him the kids brought in the groceries and put them away. Sounded like a good deal at first, but now I'm trying to find things, and stumbling across things and wondering "why would anyone put this here???" Oh well. We ate lunch and headed out for the second part of our day. First to Target- K. needed some new pajamas. Next Sunday she is going with her Girl Scout troop to Myrtle Beach, they are spending the night at Ripley's Aquarium "Sleeping with the fishes" and then going to some other attraction- I forgot the name of it. Sounds very cool- positive that she will have an awesome time! Found her some really cute pajamas- they have cupcakes on them- how fitting for the Ace of Cakes #1 fan ;0) Then to Harris Teeter. Bought 6 more boxes of the Toaster Streudels- just cannot pass up buy one get two free! They are still doing triple coupons, and I got some really good deals ended up with 2 bottles of anitibacterial Windex ( $1.50 each) 4 bottles of Spray and Wash. Yes, that seems excessive, but I had 2 coupons. They were $2.99, they tripled my 75 cent off coupon , so that made it 74 cents AND they were buy one get one free! Score! We also bought some plastic popsicle molds- which neither Wal-Mart nor Target had, and some V8 fusion to fill them with. Brianna has become a popsicle junkie- hoping she will like this healthier alternative. When we got home Katherine shredded all of the zucchini- she loves the food processor. We got it all bagged, labeled and into the freezer. Elton better hurry up and fix the electric line b/c I am now in desperate need of my deep freeze! Micahlynn came and spent the night. I made chicken fajitas and squash cakes for dinner. Paula Deen's recipe- shredded zucchini and summer squash, chopped onion, egg, Italian seasoning, bread crumbs, salt and pepper, and parmesean cheese. They were pretty good. I didn't have any parm. so I substituted monterey jack- which of course is a much wetter oilier cheese- probably would have been better w/ parm but I was not going back out again! The girls made sugar cookies, frosted and decorated them. They had a ball! There is probably 50 pounds of sprinkles tracked all over the house! Apparently the sugar had a staggerine effect, I went into the living room at 4:45 this morning and Katherine and Micahlynn were still up! I said "Daddy didn't tell you to go to bed when he went to work this morning?" "No, he just said bye." whatever... He never wants to be the mean one. I had no qualms about sending them off to bed. If I'm going to get up this early at least I'm going to have the benefit of having the house to myself!

It's our anniversary today. He said they may be getting off work early today, hopefully they will so he can cook my dinner! ;0) I bought some steaks yesterday and figured that we would eat those with some new potatos, corn on the cob, and watermelon. I guess we could do it tomorrow instead. It really doesn't matter. Last year I was in Washington and didn't even get to see him. He did send me a huge package of chocolate, and a gift certificate to The Lady and Sons. That man knows the way to my heart! The year before that we were in Williamsburg, mom watched the kids and we went to Le Yaca- which was a fabulous French restraunt. I think the year before that he surprised me with reservations to the Melting Pot in Raleigh. I had always wanted to go- I think the whole idea of an "all fondue" restaurant is sooooo cool!

Admittedly there are days when I would like nothing better than just to kick him in the head, but 98% of the time he is the best husband in the world. I'm so lucky to have him!

The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman By Nicole Johnson

It started to happen gradually. One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, "Who is that with you, young fella?" "Nobody," he shrugged. "Nobody?" The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, "Oh my goodness, nobody?" I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like "Turn the TV down, please" - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, "Would someone turn the TV down?" Nothing. Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, "I'm ready to go when you are." He just kept right on talking. That's when I started to put all the pieces together. I don't think he can see me. I don't think anyone can see me. I'm invisible. It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not! No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum ma cum laud-but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going she's going she's gone! One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees." In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:* No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.* These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.* They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.* The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Harris Teeter

I don't do much shopping at Harris Teeter. It's just too expensive to go in and do all your grocery shopping there, but they do run great specials. I'm a huge fan of the Buy one get one free philosophy! Wednesday night we had to go to Lowes to pick up our threshhold molding (Elton FINALLY got it down yesterday) and some rubber electrical tape to fix the line that runs out to the barn (didn't work- still no deep freeze :0( ) Brianna McLawhorn was spending the night and all 3 girls were playing (I'm always happy to get out BriBri free, but she wants to go everywhere, and usually guilts me into taking her along. I had my out- there was no way she was leaving sissy and McBarhorn.) So Chris babysat the girls and Elton, Shawn and I went to Lowes. I knew we weren't going to be in there long so I just left S. in his car seat- he was not a happy camper! I decided since we were already out we would go ahead and go to Harris Teeter. I put Shawn in his Poppy Pouch and he was an absolute angel- not a peep out of him. Baby slings ROCK! I had my grocery list of all the deals I wanted to take advantage of. Papertowels, lunch meat and cheeses, etc. They even had Toaster Streudels Buy one get 2 free! How cool is that??? Elton and I had the best time, just walking down all of the aisles and looking at all the specialty stuff that Wal-mart doesn't carry. We ended up with some pesto (love that stuff!), some hot mango chutney, olive tapanode (been wanting to try it) and some hummus. I've had hummus before, and liked it, but this stuff was incredible! We got Greek olive and roasted garlic flavors. It was buy one get one free also. The garlic is good, but the Greek olive is to die for! We bought some Triskits (spellling?) to eat with them and it was so good! Will definatly be buying that again! Harris Teeter is really trying hard to compete with Farm Fresh- they send out $20 off a $50 purchase coupons every week. My bill was $112, but with my VIC card discounts and my coupon it was &57. I would have done even better, but there were a few things I was out of and decided just to pick up- butter, oil, chocolate chip muffin mix for the girls breakfast etc.

My adorable kids!

Wednesday night Katherine's friend Brianna McLawhorn spent the night. BriBri refuses to call her Brianna, she insists on calling her McBawhorn- it is so cute! We had gone swimming at their house that afternoon and of course the girls couldn't just leave it as an afternoon visit. We had a great time, I love visiting with Buffy, and was thrilled to have some adult conversation.

When Buffy came to pick up Brianna yesterday, Katherine went home with them to spend the night. Brianna was inconsolable! She was literally hanging on Katherine's leg when she was trying to walk out the door! I was doing laundry and Brianna came in the laundry room and wanted something, I told her "not right now, I'm busy" and she looked up at me and said sadly "You're too busy to play with me?" How could I possibly say yes??? So we played magician and I made her disappear, then we had to go find Daddy so he could watch her make me disappear, then I had to make her disappear and then I had to make her disappear again then she was satisfied. She is so adorable, she delights me daily! Last night we were sitting outside and she put her hand on the table and said "I'll be the wall, and you be honky donkey" It took me a minute to realize she meant Humpty Dumpty LOL!

Katherine definatly has some competition as my kitchen helper. Brianna is becoming a "good cooker". Shle helped me make zucchini bread the other day and last night she helped me make Chicken Scampi. I would whack the garlic with a rolling pin and she would peel off all the paper- she thougth that was lots of fun- we made a big mess! I had not planned on cooking dinner last night- we still had left over hamburgers and several side dishes to choose from, but Elton had called his mom and she told him she was coming over and wanted to know what we were having for dinner. She has been planning her visits around dinner time lately. I guess she's finally tired of eating out or nuking something in her trailer. She came over and tried to keep Shawn entertained while I finished dinner, he was quite content in his bouncy seat on the kitchen table until about 10 minutes before I was done. He decided he was ready to eat and patience is NOT one of his virtues!

He was so good yesterday and I got tons accomplished (love those days) I nursed him last night and then gave him cereal. His table manners are atrocious and he eats like a pig. He loves to play with his bib and isn't content until he's covered with oatmeal. I thought I was being smart, and figured that "super feeding" would knock him out for most of the night. He must have figured out my plan because from 10:30 to 4:15 (hating Elton's early mornings!) he nursed twice and must have woken me up 20 times to replace the pacifier he knocked out of his mouth. Thankfully he sleeps with us, if I actually had to physically get up I'd be in serious trouble!

He is getting such a little personality about him! He loves his bath, is starting to like his swing. Still hates tummy time though! He's getting really tall! I put him in his Jumperoo yesterday and really realized how much he's grown, it probably helps that he's really good about holding his head up now. He can stand and fully support his weight for a long time, and scoots and wiggles like a little worm. I was changing him into his swim diaper at Buffy's the other day, and he wasn't too happy about it. He rolled over twice, back to tummy, which is harder. He was seriously trying to escape!

Katherine is doing great, we did our end of year testing last week and she did really good. I'm very proud of her! Can't wait to see her official test results. Glad to have that over with! She is growing up so fast.

Chris is actually enjoying summer school! I am enjoying the fact that he takes the bus ;0) I would hate to have to make 2 trips all the way out to Beddingfield everyday. I could definatly get used to this! He catches the bus at 7:15, so he leaves the house about 7. Sometimes I'm up, and if I'm not he comes into my room to tell me he's leaving. He got roped into helping with the Human Race last night, and came home filthy! I said "what did they have you doing?!?!?" He told us that some woman Grandpa knows was having problems with her car battery and he took it out for her. I guess it was a Buick so he had to crawl under the car to remove it. He's so grown up UGH- when did that happen??? He was complaining but you could tell her was secretly quite proud of himself. ;0) I said something along the line of "you're her hero now", and he said "yeah, she bought me Taco Bell". Well she knows the way to my sons heart! Now if she would only come and wash his greasy clothes!

Shawn's first oatmeal

It's a little early for Shawn to start solid foods, but when he went for his shots yesterday he only weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces. Brianna was the same way- tiny for the longest time, and finally hit her growth spurt when she was about a year and a half. I don't want another itty bitty baby- I don't want to hear all the "oh he's so tiny, was he premature?" comments. So I'm trying to fatten him up! He likes the oatmeal, and hasn't had any negative effects from it. I also bought some Fenugreek tablets from GNC they are supposed to boost your milk production.

Beautiful Big Smiles!

Shawn is developing such a great personality! I LOVE his big toothless grins!

Playing at the park

U.W. Campaign Video

Dad called this afternoon and wanted the girls to go to the Ag. Center and be in a United Way photoshoot and campaign video. He talked Elton into being in it. Chris and I refused. It took FOREVER! Shawn was so good- spent most of the time in his stroller, put him in his sling when he got fussy and he quieted right down. I LOVE the sling. Dad is supposed to get me a copy of the video (whenever its complete) and I'm going to figure out how to post it on here.

After the photo/video shoot we went out to the Burt Gillette playground and checked out the plaques that Dad bought for the kids (Shawn's isn't done yet) Thay were very cool. Kay and Debbie did a great job on them. The girls will really enjoy pointing out their plaques whenever we go to the park. After that we all went to dinner at Taco Bell.

Shawn's 1st Playdate!

My friend Jessica and her son Hunter came to visit yesterday. It was so good to see her and to finally meet him! Comparing the two boys its almost impossible to believe that there is only 3 weeks between them! I knew Shawn was a little on the skinny side, but Hunter is a little chunky monkey! It will be fun watching them grow up together.

Campground Fun

There have been tons of activities at the campground this weekend. The girls have had a ball!

Fireworks at Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens offered fireworks July 1=4. Thankfully we went and saw them on Wednesday, It was pouring down rain on the 4th.

Water Country USA

We've been twice this visit. The girls LOVE it- more than Busch Gardens I think. Much to Daddy's dismay, they have taken after me and are happiest when wet! Shawn loved it too, we hung out in the water at Rock and Roll Island while the girls played. We did NOT get a picture of Katherine riding The Funky Chicken b/c Elton was in charge of that ( I was in the water with Shawn). His exscuse: "I didn't think she'd actually do it." Of course she chickened out & wouldn't ride it a second time!

Baby Wearing Momma!

Well I finally bought a baby sling yesterday! I have been looking at them for months and finally got one. I think Shawn will really like it, he loves the Snuggli (which I hate- it always feels like its falling off my shoulders. It's one of the hotslings kinds- very versatile- from birth to 35 pounds. I like the pattern of it alot. Package tracking rocks, it is coming from Florida and has already left the Raleigh facility. Looks like it will beat me home! I guess I'll have to adopt the whole Hippie Momma mentality- start living green, whole organic foods, cloth diapers, not having my children vaccinated and become a vegetarian... NOT! If I like it as well as I hope I do, I've already got my eye on a ring sling. Hopefully its not a big let down like the Boppy pillow- I tried, honestly I did. I just don't see how its that great... I really like the pattern on this sling- not too babyish or girly...

Benefits of Baby Wearing: (I stole this from Wikipedia)

Mothers' progesterone (mothering hormone) is increased through physical contact with the infant, leading to a more intimate maternal bond, easier breastfeeding and better care, thus lowering the incidence of postpartum depression and psychosomatic illness[citation needed].

Infants who are carried are calmer because all of their primal/survival needs are met. The caregiver can be seen, heard, smelled, touched, tasted, provide feeding and the motion necessary for continuing neural development, gastrointestinal and respiratory health and to establish balance (inner ear development) and muscle tone is constant.[1]

Infants are more organized. Parental rhythms (walking, heartbeat, etc.) have balancing and soothing effects on infants.

Infants are "humanized" earlier by developing socially. Babies are closer to people and can study facial expressions, learn languages faster and be familiar with body language.[2]

Contrary to western cultural myths, independence is established earlier.[1]

Attachment between child and caregiver is more secure.[3]

Decreases risk of positional plagiocephaly ("flat head syndrome") caused by extended time spent in a car seat and by sleeping on the back. Sleeping on the back is recommended to decrease the risk of SIDS. Cranial distortion resulting from non-vehicular time in car seats has shown to be more severe than in children who develop plagiocephaly from back-lying on a mattress. [4] Concern over plagiocephaly has also led the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend that infants “should spend minimal time in car seats (when not a passenger in a vehicle) or other seating that maintains supine positioning. [5] None of the babywearing positions require infants to lie supine while being carried. Infants can even be worn while they sleep, also decreasing sleeping time spent in a supine position.

Good Luck Charm

Every once in a while my husband will say something that just makes my whole day. Today he made my whole month! Today we were talking about the VA lottery drawing tomorrow night and what we would do with the money. Yes, I know money can't buy happiness, but we are already happy- we just want the money to go along with it! ;0) Then he said to me "I should have you go in and buy the ticket." I asked him why and he said "Because you're my Good Luck charm. Everything thats ever been good in my life has been after I met you." Let me just tell you- that just blew me away! I think that is the single most sweetest thing I have ever heard! Major points for Elton- I guess you could say when it comes to husbands I hit the jackpot ;0)