Happy 1st, Grey Adam

Today we celebrate 365 days of life with our little Bubba. Charlotte Lily made me a mother, but Grey Adam has doubled my life's joy and been my consolation on the days in which my three-year-old has made me forget how much I love this role. He is the sweet to her sassy, the calm to her rambunctiousness, the sweetest little man a mama could ever hope to hold in her arms. It has been so fun to watch his little personality begin to manifest itself. His sweet hugs and kisses (especially the ones he saves just for his mommy) especially melt my heart.

Happy birthday, my precious baby son. I love you so very much. Thank you for coming to this family. Thank you for being gentle and easy and kind even when those around you aren't. I can't wait to see the great man I know you will become. xoxoxoxo

P.S. Grey, if you want to start walking soon, that will help out Mama a lot. You are such a big boy now she is developing back problems. Thanks, son!

Happy 3rd, Charlotte Lily

Three years ago today, I became mother to a very beautiful, very kind, very strong woman trapped inside of this tiny body. It has been a joy and a privilege to watch her grow, learn, and begin to manifest who she is over the past 1059 days that she has been a part of my life. My only fear is that the coming years are going to go by so fast that I won't be able to fully enjoy them before she is all grown up.

My sweet daughter, you have made my life better each minute you have been with me. I'm so thrilled to be your mama today and every day. Happy birthday today, my Bitsy Beans. Thank you for being mine. xoxoxoxo

Here's the "strong" part I was referring to ...

... and here is the sweet!

Sunday Morning Photo Shoot II

Sunday Morning Photo Shoot

Ride Little Pony

Naked baby + Little Pony = Perfect photo opportunity!

I LOVE that tongue!

Snaggletooth

Nope, that is not a piece of rice stuck to his gums. Grey has finally decided that teeth are a good idea. (Thank heavens I just figured out how to make pictures bigger on the new blogger template so that you can actually see how it is just starting to poke out.)

My First Wood Project

When I married Adam six years ago, I also became the proud owner of a very old bed with a wood headboard that had been his when he was a little boy. I finally got around to sanding and repainting it when my mom was visiting at the end of July. Sanding and painting + July in Houston = lots of sweat and lots of showers and lots of clothing changes. But the guest room looks so much better now!

Since I was too lazy to sand out all of the notches and dings, I keep telling myself that the "weathered" look was what I was going for the whole time.

Circus 2011

Adam and I went to see Barnum & Bailey in Raleigh when I was pregnant with Charlotte and the whole time I was thinking about how fun it was going to be to take her someday. Someday finally came this July when the circus hit Houston. And our little Bitsy was every bit as enthusiastic about it as we hoped she would be.

In the car about to head downtown. Does she look excited or what?

Anxiously awaiting for things to begin.

Of course, we sprung for the $15 glowing necklace. (And the bonus credit card identity theft that came along with that transaction at the circus. But that's another story.)

Some of our best friends, the Stewarts, came to enjoy the show with us. Little Jake got his nose painted like a clown.

Some of our favorite parts: The singing ringmaster ...

The massive, beautiful elephants ...

The tigers

The motorcycle posse who rode around in the cage-fighting ball ...

and the Chinese dudes who did tricks on multiple trampolines.

Yep, I'm already excited for when the circus comes around again next summer.

More July

Between circuses and weddings (is there a difference, really?), we managed to squeeze in some home time this past month. I've collected some of the best pics of my cute kids in their natural habitat here.

Famous post-nap hair

My boys

Yep, she is still sleeping with her binkie. But doesn't she look peaceful?

Just got up

Look what we found in one of the trees in our front yard!

Ready for church

With Grammy on a trip to the museum

I always get great pictures when I wear this shirt. I should buy five of these and wear them every day. (Thanks, Boden!)

Maxim #1 concerning the photographing of kids: When one looks, the other one looks away.

While Grammy was here, we made our second trip out to the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory in Brenham, Texas.

Charlotte was ecstatic. She insisted on wearing her hat the entire time.

Grey's favorite part: eating ice cream at the end.

"Little Mommy" likes to take care of her baby

Making bread with Mom

And last but not least ... someone started standing up all the time.

Hope your July was as fun as ours!