Spring has sprung. Time to let the Beast out of her cage and let her run wild. I'm a bit back-blogged from a busy May. Here's a somewhat abbreviated version of what's been happening.
The kids got a full set of chompers. The better to sink her teeth into all the gluten free food we are eating this month. We have been on a gluten free, no processed food diet this month. (We also did dairy free the first week. That was really tough.) We aren't trying to torture ourselves, in fact, its the opposite. We are hoping it will alleviate some health issues and after almost a month and very little cheating, all I can say is that we have just felt better overall and I personally have had more energy. Chris was a bit annoyed that he lost a pound and a half, telling me he didn't need to lose any weight. My heart really went out to him...
Yay! Nora completed her swim lessons and is a swimming machine. She may even be at a higher risk of drowning since she has a new found desire to get into any pool she sees now, unlike before when she had no interest at all. Luckily she and "Mr. Wall" have become well acquainted. She points out where the swimming pool wall is before she gets in. I pray she will never need to rely on the infant survival skills she has learned, but feel a little better knowing she can hold her breath, kick, and find Mr. Wall pretty easily.
We have a had a fun month getting together with friends. Cookouts, dinners with old friends and new, girls nights, date nights, with friends from childhood and friend who live halfway across the country. We love our friends and feel blessed beyond measure to have been able to spend time with so many of them this month. (Even the some of the shady looking ones in the picture below.)
This month we also traveled to Atlanta for my niece's wedding. (I know that may sound whack, but you can tell by the picture that she is of marrying age.) My dad is in the front holding a few of his great grandchildren on his lap. We drove my dad up for the wedding and he and Nora bonded during the 12 hrs they spent playing peek a boo, making farting noises, and napping together. Here is a picture of 4 generations of the Douglas family. I love having a big confusing family! Seriously, I do.
Speaking of which. While in Atlanta we also stopped by to hang with some cousins and meet their newest addition, Cameron. Which makes him and Nora second cousins, I think... What a sweetheart he is. If we hadn't already promised my dad a ride, I might have tried to take this kid home with us. Nora and Adriana had a blast parallel playing. I think they managed to at least lick, if not put every toy in the house in their mouth. We felt kind of bad about that, especially since my cousin had spent the better part of her day disinfecting all of the toys in the house.
One of the highlights of the month was taking Nora to the Georgia Aquarium. Nothing brings tears to a mother's eyes quite like watching your daughter clap and make dolphin sounds while watching her very first Dolphin Show. I was also incredibly proud of her for wanting to pet the sea anemone. Someone get this kid a No Fear sticker for her stroller.
My sweet Godson, Jones, and his mom Cami came in town this month too. We used this opportunity to work on our melanoma. While they were here we were able to go to lunch with our moms and the kids. It was so nice to all go out to eat together, except for the fact that my kid was being a complete pill. Hence why I handed her off and am seen smiling holding little Jones.
And lastly. We dropped Nora off at her grandparents house this weekend for her first sleepover. They live way out in the middle of nowhere so we thought it would be the best place for her to weather her first tropical storm. Chris and I went to see the Avengers in 3D. I had to wear the children sized 3D glasses because, like my daughter, I have a ridiculously small head. Then we stopped by Taco Lu's for some gluten free chips and tacos. We were celebrating Chris' 33rd birthday a couple days early. Then we headed home to relax. We went to bed right as Tropical Storm Beryl knocked out our power. When I woke up at 9:30 this morning (Praise the LORD for grandparents) it was already back on.
After a long day of working the land and feeding the horses, Nora slept soundly and comfortably thanks to Amma and Papa's generator. I promised Chris that June won't be as busy as May. So a little down time has been scheduled. Just a little.
