Room to Play

The boys' room is (almost) done! The only thing I will probably do is make some curtains for it, but as far as the boys are concerned, it's done! They've now got a great rug in their room and have lots of floor space to play.



The pictures over the dresser are cross stitch projects their Mimi did for them when they were born. She's the one that just celebrated her 88th birthday. She had 3 great-grandsons born all within the last 7 months, and she has made one for all of them. She's incredible. I don't even think I could do that at 26! If you enlarge the picture, you'll be able to see them in more detail.

Project Makeover

Little did I know a project that I did for Samuel's room when he was born would be able to be recycled for Joseph as well. It's from the same fabric that I made Samuel's quilt from. It's like an African jungle theme.

Samuel has 6 letters, and coincidentally, so does Joseph. I think we noticed this before, but now it has only really mattered!

So, take S-A-M-U-E-L, and take out the S-A-M. That leaves me with with U-E-L. So I cut off a part of the U to make a J. I've already got the E that I need, all I needed to make was an O, and I've got J-O-E!

This just makes me happy in so many ways. Let's list them:

1. It was FREE.
2. It was very quick!
3. I was able to reuse something we already had.
4. I enjoyed so much making this for Samuel and have so many great memories of decorating his room with my friends.
5. I love to make crafts, especially for loved ones.
6. Samuel now can read the names and he loves seeing them up on the walls.
7. This makes their room more personal.
8. It's so neat to have my little set of boys and know they'll have each other forever.

A Wonderful Day

Thank you to those of you who made my birthday so extra special! I had a great 26th birthday.

I woke up to a beautiful card and a present I couldn't wait to get my hands on. Andy said I had to wait until Samuel woke up, but he wasn't up as Andy was leaving so I begged if I could open it up, and of course he said 'yes.'

Andy had made the card and had made the box my present went in. It was a gorgeous origami box tied up with a ribbon. He is so sweet!

I just love birthdays :)

Inside was a write up about a class Andy had registered me for at the University through their continuing education program, called, The Power of Food: Nutrition, Policy and Local Food. It's a 7 week course that meets Wednesday evenings for 2 hours. I am so excited about it! It starts Sept 17th.

I just love birthdays :)

And also in the box, from the boys, I got the most beautiful necklace I have ever seen. Andy got it at the Farmer's Market here in Charlottesville. It's so gorgeous.

I just love birthdays :)

Then for dinner we got take out at one of my favorite places here in Charlottesville, called Sakura, a Japanese restaurant. And then for dessert we got an array of mini cakes.

Samuel's favorite part was dessert! In case you couldn't tell.

Joseph tried to sneak a little too. Little bugger!

It was such a special day. It was my first birthday with Joseph, and only my second or third birthday with Andy out of the 8 years we've been together! And to top it all off, my sister (in law) Julie was here to celebrate with us as well! This year will be hard to beat.

Can't wait for next year :)

Happy Birthday to Mommy

She's 26 today!!!

I Love New York

Last week the boys and I took a trip up north to visit my friends and family in New York. We had a wonderful time. The boys got to meet so many family members they hadn't met before. They have 7 living great-grandparents, and now they have both met them all. Quite an accomplishment for Joseph is his short 6 months of life!

We stayed at my grandparents' house on my mom's side. My grandma has quite a green thumb and has a gorgeous garden. I'm posting some pictures for my fellow gardening friends.






Samuel loved sitting on Grandpa Jack's lawn mower. Typical boy.

And Joseph loved getting his baths in the kitchen sink by G. grandma.

The main reason why we decided to go up north when we did was to see an aunt that was visiting that I hadn't seen in years. My dad's side of the family got together so I could see them all. Here are the boys with my dad's mom. This was the first time both boys have met anyone on the Migon side. We had an absolutely wonderful time visiting them all.


My dad's parents and us

Samuel playing the piano with Grandma.

Samuel and my first cousin. They are only 8 months apart.

Playtime with Aunt Gill.


So precious!

Another visit with friends, Maria and her son Andy. Hadn't seen them in years! A true treat!

And my favorite cows.

On our way up north we stopped in MD to say with Gigi and GranRan to break up the trip. On our way back we decided to stay for an extra night because Mimi was coming to celebrate her 88th birthday. We didn't want to miss that! Here Joseph is on his 6th month birthday with Mimi on her 88th. Priceless.

What an amazing trip we had. Can't wait to go back.