These Are the Days

After watching our three year old grow so fast, Chris and I are taking advantage of these fleeting infant moments.  When once we were tempted to not hold the Presh Head while she slept, we know that Everett won't be in our arms for long.  It's funny how notions change with baby number 2.  I stressed so much about milk production and staying on a 2 1/2 hour- 3 hour routine with EB.  Not so these days.  

This:

 becomes this:

way too fast.  

So, we are holding the little man as much as we want.  We are seeking to cherish the good, the bad, and the poopy because it goes so quickly.

Little Man and the Presh Head doing their thing.

They Say It's Your Birthday

Whether she liked it or not, it was, in fact, her birthday.  Her second to be exact. 

While she wasn't a fan of the singing or the candles, she was a huge fan of the cupcake. 

So were her friends.  

We jumped in a castle to celebrate.

And we looked on with curiosity at our friends who played in our yard.

We ate well.  The cupcakes, made by Karen, were phenomenal.

We can hardly believe she is two.  What a wonderful two years it has been.

 The Presh Head had some eager helpers while opening gifts. 

They could hardly wait to see what she received.  The anticipation was intense.

The morning after, she was quite tired.  And in love with her new toys.  Especially the dog that knew her by name.  

Here's to a great two years!

Slow Progress for a Slow Process

When you are working on one of these:

And you have one of these:

accomplishing this feels great:

I guess I'll keep her around anyway. 

Or I might get the stink eye.

The Manny

Uncle Jamey is one of our favorite regular visitors at Chez Maslin.  He comes around every four months or so to pay us a visit and to escape the ridiculous Florida heat and lame grad classes. 

We made sure to prepare EB for the visit by training her to say "Jamey."  Of course, she opted for her favorite name currently, Amy.  As in Amy Berry, her other mother.  She refused to call him by his real name the entire visit.  It could have something to do with her inability to pronounce the "j" sound, but I prefer to think it is a choice she makes.  It's much funnier that way.   

Even with all of our preparation EB still responded to Jamey's arrival with this attitude:

She has become pretty good with the stink eye.  (PS- don't you just love her hair?  If anyone knows how to convince a toddler that she wants her hair brushed and pulled away from her eyes,  I am open to suggestions.)

Pretty soon, however, she warmed up.  It may have been the tossing in the air that did it.  

Or maybe it was the deep conversations regarding the latest celebrity appearance on Sesame Street. 

I'd say his attempts to get her to warm up worked.  Wouldn't you?

Uncle Jamey, there's a job waiting for you this May if you're interested. 

The Perks of Biltmore

Last Sunday was an incredibly beautiful day in the mountains of western North Carolina.  We were inspired to be outside, but because of all the work in and onour yard and deck recently, we really needed to go someplace different.  Fresh.  Not covered in sawdust.  Or weeds.  

Thankfully, Chris works for a place that happens to offer some pretty nice perks.  Like free entry.  We packed up the presh head and made our way to the Biltmore Estate.  Not a bad way to spend a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.  The flower carpet is on display on the west terrace.  (It will be there through Sunday, September the 12th).  Captivating!

It is designed by a team of artists each year and then carefully crafted pretty much overnight.  It is mainly a mixture of mums and coleus.  Too bad our yard is so small.  I was really inspired. 

Ella Brooks says, "Go.  Now.  Seriously."

The view from the west terrace is breathtaking. 

After exploring the terrace, we took the presh head over to the Italian garden.  She couldn't get enough of the huge koi swimming in the first pond.  She kept saying, "ish! ish!" over and over again.  One day we'll work on the 'f' sound.  But for now, it's precious. 

If you have some time this weekend and are in the area, be sure to stop by the Biltmore Estate to see the Flower Carpet!

Summer Fun in Folly

In August, Chris, EB and I packed our bags, loaded the car, found ol' Ez a place to reside and made the trek down to Charleston's finest beach.  The Dudley's had a great place near the pier and a little extra room for us to join in.  (Thanks y'all!)  

The Presh head kept saying "beach, wa wa, beach wa wa" pretty much the entire drive down.  We knew that the most important thing to do the moment we arrived was to march her antsy little legs on down to the water's edge.  The child loved everything about the beach.  

 Except for the waves.  And maybe the sand. 

Daddy was there to provide a little stability and TLC. 

By week's end we had a little beach girl on our hands.  Her inexplicably blond hair was blonder.  Her baby skin just a little more tanned. Her ears full of sand. 

And mommy and daddy were very relaxed.  And very well fed.  And very grateful for Folly Beach.