Help Wanted?

Anyone out there need an assistant?

I'm not a morning person, have the math skills of a 3rd grader, not a people person, have no sense of direction, not street smart or business savvy... 

Any takers?

On the other hand, this girl is smart, very much a morning person, confident, debt-free, friendly, a real team player...

And she thinks outside the box even when she's in one.

Act fast to take advantage of our buy one get one free limited time offer.

You won't regret it!

No internet. What's a girl to do?

Augustine Court will soon be back online.  The day our modem died, we all died a little on the inside.  It's not that we can't live without internet access on our home computer (our phones work fine but it's not the same) but it sure is nice to be able to do things like blog and google Downton Abbey*, play video games online (Phillip), and for Ellen, watch Netflix on the iPad.  Not only are we getting faster internet service, we will have AMC again so Phillip can start watching the new season of Breaking Bad (already in progress), which I feel is the real driving force behind the switch (he denies this).  Regardless, we will all benefit from the service call that is to take place between 8 and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

*Speaking of Downton Abbey, I finished Season 2 last night and all is right with the world.

In other news, Lilly has her first tooth.  You can't see it yet but Phillip felt it Sunday morning as he and Lilly were playing in our bed.  Apparently he feels her gums regularly (what?!).  I had no idea.  He also discovered Ellen's first tooth so he was putting on airs like no other.  She is sitting up on her own (with only the occasional fall), drinking less and eating more, trying to crawl, likes to rock, went to Sunday School for the first time (1 year old class)*, likes to scratch at things... the pattern on her sheets, the pages of books, my face... she has a lot going on!

*She and I attend a Babes in Arm class but my teacher was out of town (we don't have a typical cradle roll class).

Ellen is as cheeky as ever... she's starving, she's bored, she doesn't want to take a nap, she wants to take showers instead of baths.  New development: she needs (must have!) music to help her go to sleep at night.  She is constantly pushing the limits.  But she is also the best big sister.  And anyone who tells me I look cute in my glasses is A-OK in my book.

I have pictures to post once we're up and running.

Momento from a memorable meal

McBrunch

Phillip, Ellen and Lilly met Kendra, Laurie and Russ at Cracker Barrel for brunch on Saturday.  Ellen snagged a piece of Kendra's bacon with the pick up line "I like bacon."  She's good.  Plus Kendra is nice :) 

After brunch, Phillip stopped by the office so he and girls could hang out with me during my lunch break.  Ellen wrote me a note and drew a picture of Lilly as a toddler.  I will cherish them always.





May I take your order please?

We met Russ and Laurie at Marco's Pizza last night (Russ is in town for a wedding).  Ellen loved this sign.  She played around it before and after dinner, even pretending to take our orders as Chef Marco.  Her Italian accent was very authentic :)

They sparkle like in the Orbit gum commercials

I had to change a poopy diaper on the bathroom floor at the dentist's office yesterday but let's not let that outshine how great Ellen did at her appointment.  So proud.  She chose orange flavored toothpaste and walked away with an Arm & Hammer Spinbrush, a light up toothbrush that makes brushing fun for the whole family... she loves it, so we love it.  After just one use (last night before going to bed) she exclaimed "I'm going to brush my teeth again first thing in the morning!"  Now that is the kind of enthusiasm I like to see and hear.  I will never again question her commitment to good oral hygiene.

Center up, people!

Lilly had her 6 month check up this morning.  She is almost 18.5 pounds (84%), 26.5 inches long (74%) and her head is 16.5 inches (43%).  She got 2 shots.  We go back in 3 months for her 9 month well visit.

I was introduced to pretzel chips (or pretzel crisps, as indicated on the package) while on vacation and we all love them, especially me and Ellen.

I (finally!) started watching Downton Abbey and I am hooked.  It's right up my alley.

We're not enemies we're just bad friends - said by Dr. Doofenshmirtz on Phineas and Ferb

I think my office is going for the "so cold you can hang meat" mark on the thermometer.  It's no pants weather in our house but I dress for winter at the office (and I still freeze).

Ellen and I played I Spy while at Lilly's doctor's appointment today.  Instead of saying I spy with my little eye, Ellen made me say I spy with my big eye.  Ha!

Lilly does not like anything green (so far).  She eats everything else like a champ but when we put a bite of peas or green beans in her mouth she just lets it fall out as if she has no idea what to do.

Ellen is trying to teach Lilly to say Sissy.  Good luck with that!

I did not realize my Instagram account was being shared until Caleb told me (he's one of only a handful of followers).  Upon hearing the news I immediately started to panic.  I don't take racy pictures but it caught me by surprise.  Andrea did tell me that she wondered if I knew they could see my pictures when she came across one of me breastfeeding Lilly.  Yeah, that would be a sign I had no idea!

My stomach said, "Stop eating Ellen. Stop eating." - Ellen's explanation as to why she couldn't finish her dinner last night.

I wish I could take credit for the title of this post but I must give credit where credit is due.  Sara Jo yelled this to the cars around her who were riding close to the line.  I think this could be applied to other scenarios in life and plan to use it when applicable.

Our modem died over the weekend so we are no longer connected to the internet.  We are hoping to resolve this issue soon (it can't be soon enough!) but we are in the process of changing our internet/cable/phone provider so it could be a while.

Phillip's hours are now officially 8-5.  He was 8-6 but had to leave early every day to pick up the girls (and take 30 minute lunches).  He can now take his allotted hour lunch break and doesn't have to rush out of the office in order to make it to daycare before they close.  This is a very good thing.

Ellen has a dentist appointment in the morning.  She told me she likes being able to pick out the flavor of toothpaste they use to clean her teeth and she likes when they squirt water in her mouth.  Fingers crossed that she has yet another good experience at the dentist.

I am the kind of person who eats a bag of M&M's and then a couple of hours later thinks something sweet sure does sound good and I haven't had anything sweet today.  Only remembering about the M&M's after eating the chocolate chip cookie.

We saw a double rainbow Saturday night.  The rain was much needed; the rainbow was much appreciated.

Why so pretty? Why so cute?

It's best for me to stay away from retail clothing establishments until further notice.  Further notice = forever.  Far away.  Far, far away.

In other news, Lilly is 6 months old today.

So pretty.  So cute.

Wish these weren't fuzzy!

Memories made by the sea last forever

Photo courtesy of Caleb Clauset

Memories made by the sea last forever were words I read several times each day while we were on vacation at Seabrook (they were hung over the sliding glass doors that led to the screened in porch).  So true.

"I caught the speediest wave"

The way Cade said "Lilly" (they were cute together)

Swinging on the porch

The Show

Ashling's provocative dancing

Kid's table

Charleston magnet (my requested souvenir)

Lilly "eating" and licking the float

Teaching Cade to play memory (or trying to!)

Playing dress up

Drip castles (under the direction of Uncle Caleb)

The long trek to the beach from Walk 2

Crabbing dock

Slide shows

Fireworks x 2

Outdoor showers (for the kids)

Glow necklaces

Aunt Andrea + Lilly = true love forever

Lilly at almost 6 months

Sunday, July 8th

Doing what she does best

Carrot face

Daddy opening wide, showing her how it's done

Lilly (or Lils, Lilsey, Lilsa) likes playing in the exersaucer, squeals and screams, is ticklish, gives big toothless grins, has eaten green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, apples and bananas so far (she's a good eater), puts anything and everything into her mouth (tried to eat a pile of laundry a couple of weeks ago), likes to sleep on her side clutching a blanket, rolls back to front and front to back, wears 6-9 month clothes and size 3 diapers, drools a lot, very interested in food (our food), can't quite sit up on her own but it won't be long, drinks 8 ounces of formula at a time (just started this last week), would rather "stand" than sit, is an early bird like her sister (but she wakes up happy), usually in bed by 9:00 p.m., mindful of George and Lucy, loves taking baths, blows bubbles, saves her biggest and best laughs for Ellen, makes da da sound as of Monday (Ms. Eady sent us a video), gives high fives... we love our Lilly!

Last of the vacation pictures... maybe

These girls loved the pool

Hanging out in the Atlanta airport, an unexpected layover

Finally on our way after a 3 hour delay

So happy to see Daddy! 

 These two went on a date Saturday night... dinner at Blue Coast Burrito, ice cream at Pinkberry and then to the theater to see Brave.  She got scared a few times :(

It's good to be home!

July 4th, Parade and a Concert at Seabrook

On our way to the pool we stopped to watch the parade.  I loved all of the decorated mailboxes.  Some were simple and others a bit more elaborate.

That afternoon we drove to Patriots Point in Charleston to watch the fireworks.  It was a good show but Mom said the ones at Seabrook on Monday night were just as good (Lilly and I stayed in that evening).

Ready for fireworks

The kids put on a show for us one night.  It was so funny.