My Little Gigglebox

I'm feeling a bit sad that I didn't get more pictures of Will on our vacation. He spent a big part of the vacation in the Ergo and it isn't always the most conducive to taking pictures. Will was also feeling a bit under the weather. In fact, our first stop after dropping off Nonna Carlotta was urgent care. Will had a double ear infection. After four days of antibiotics he is back to his happy little self.

He loves the cat and has been chasing Chewy all over the house. Once he catches Chewy he just laughs and laughs. He just can't get enough kitty snuggles.

This afternoon we celebrated the beautiful weather with a trip to the park. Will is beginning to really enjoy the playground. He loved crawling through the tunnel and peeking out to giggle at me. The problem is that it is near impossible to keep an eye on both kids by myself. The boys did sit together long enough to get a picture - I swear it is impossible to get a decent picture of the boys together! Unfortunately right after this picture Will fell over and got a mouthful of dirt. It won't hurt him too much,

right?

The Great Smoky Mountain Vacation

What an amazing way to begin our summer! Last Sunday Brian and I loaded up the car, picked up Nonna Carlotta from work and hit the road for our big summer vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains. The kids were troopers in the car - although if we heard the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song one more time I'm not sure the DVD player would have survived for the return trip.

We rented a beautiful cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee right on the edge of the park. We were way up at the top of a mountain and Max loved all the sharp turns we took to reach the cabin - Nonna laid down in the back seat until we safely reached our destination. The traditional log cabin was perfect for our adventure and we made ourselves right at home.

Much of our time was spent in the National Park. Gatlinburg is crazy busy, but very quaint at the same time. The park couldn't have been more different. On our first full day we packed a lunch and headed out to hike Laural Falls. The loop was apparently 2.5 miles and we thought Max could muster it, but with a very steep edge - and a pretty narrow path - we decided to end on a high note and turn around about halfway up.

Nonna and Max explored the trees and looked at all the amazing things growing all around them. It amazes me just how much Max loves nature.

We stopped for lunch at one of the picnic areas set up in the park. Max even found a lightning bug to join us for lunch. The picnic area was right next to the stream and Max couldn't wait to play in the water, but it was chilly!

After lunch we headed back on the road in the to Cade's Cove. We joked all morning that we were going on a bear hunt in the park and sure enough as we encountered a black bear on our drive. Nonna Carlotta was the first to stop it and we couldn't believe how close the bear was to us. It walked right by the car in front of us! Thank goodness we were in the car - I felt like I could enjoy our bear sighting without fear of being attacked.

The stops along the Cade's Cove route were beautiful! We got a couple good shots while Will slept in the car.

We stopped at the old mill to check things out. Max was intrigued by the water running to the mill and was determined to find out where the water was coming from. Luckily the source of the water wasn't too far upstream. He was all excited to show Nonna how it worked. At one point he put a leaf in the water and followed it all the way to the mill. It was pretty funny.

We spent one day in Gatlinburg. There are like 20 different Ripley's exhibits along the main strip of town. While I'm not to excited to show many of them to my children, I was excited to visit the aquarium. The shark tunnel was amazing - a people mover moves you a long a tunnel while you watch the sharks. We got there just in time for the divers to enter the tank and it was pretty amazing. Max was more excited about the more interactive exhibits. If there was a button, he was pushing it. But I think his favorite part of the whole thing was that we took a bus into town and back.

We spent one day in Ashville, North Carolina visiting the Biltmore. Brian can tell you all about the Vanderbilts - they even have a link to Anderson Cooper. Nonna was just excited because she had seen their summer home in Rhode Island. Max and Will were good sports and held it together for the most part. The house really was incredible, especially when you think that it was build in the 1800's. Crazy.

We headed into Pigeon Forge one night to see what it had to offer. Not really too much. Max was all excited to ride in a go cart with daddy - that is until daddy started driving around the track. He lasted one lap and he was all done. These little trucks were much more his speed.

One more day in the park to round out our vacation. The scenery was incredible. Clingman's Dome is the highest point in the park and that was our goal. We made the drive, but didn't quite think Max could survive the steep mile hike to the top. We were high enough. The view was pretty amazing - even though the boys didn't want to cooperate with our picture taking attempts.

I'm embarrassed to admit that we ended our trip with a visit to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. I'm even more embarrassed to admit just how much I loved it! The boys were both enthralled in the show. Will stood on my lap and clapped through the whole thing. It was adorable to watch them enjoy it so much.

All in all a fabulous family vacation. I'm so fortunate that we are able to take our kiddos on fun family trips. I'm even more lucky that Nonna was able to join us.

Pure Joy

What a wonderful Saturday we have had. Max had a soccer game this morning - I wish it was earlier because it is HOT out there watching him play at noon. We ran to K-Mart beforehand to buy a lawn umbrella for shade. Too bad the ground was so hard that we weren't able to get it into the ground. After soccer we headed to my school for the annual school picnic. Max had fun playing games and daddy had fun bidding on silent auction items. They had some good stuff!

It got pretty hot today so when we got home from the picnic we filled up the kiddie pool in the backyard so the boys could play after dinner.

While neither boy was too keen on the idea of actually getting in the water, they both had a great time splashing around and being silly. Max would run from one end of the yard to the other and slap the water to make the biggest splash possible.

Will just thinks his big brother can do know wrong. He clapped for Max as he ran from around like a crazy man. He even let go of the pool to clap. Little by little he is standing longer and longer. I can't wait until my littlest man is walking!

I just can't get enough of these little guys and their smiles. I'm so glad that school is almost out so I can have all summer to have fun with my boys. Looking at these gorgeouse grins, who wouldn't want to spend every summer day with them?

Backyard Fun

Just because I think my boys are adorable, here are a couple pictures of our fun outside tonight - the weather has been absolutely beautiful!

Will has inherited an old pair of Max's shoes. I actually tried to take him to get a new pair of shoes last weekend and they didn't have anything appropriate in his side. The lady was nice enough to tell me that these hand-me-downs would work for a month or two. After dinner We put Will's shoes on and headed outside for some fun. Little by little he is getting more steady on his feet - in fact I was even able to capture a picture of him standing without holding on to anything.

He does look pretty funny when he tries to push his little hippo though. He steps are huge and he just doesn't quite have it down yet.

Max had a bit of a rough day today. His teacher mentioned an incident at school this morning. He apparently knocked down some block houses two other little boys had made. When the teacher talked to him he just broke down.

Tonight he was a bit weepy. Eventually after bath he told us about knocking down Connor and Grady's blocks. We talked about telling them he was sorry and making sure he didn't do it again. We ended up writing them each a little apology note. I love how sensitive and thoughtful my little guy is. He has a huge heart and while it might make for some tough moments, I know it will serve him well in life.

My goodness, I love these little boys!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms - and almost or just like a moms - out there. This morning Max gave me this little gift that he made at preschool this week. It brought me to tears. My little man is just growing up so fast. I couldn't help but think about the Mother's Days when Brian and I were hoping for a baby and it just wasn't happening. I knew I would become a momma somehow, but those days were still incredibly, unbelievable hard. My heart goes out to anyone in that situation and unless you have been there you cannot possibly understand. Our struggles to conceive make me all the more appreciative of the family we have built. Every day really is my mother's day.

Here I am celebrating my fifth Mother's Day as a mom and I couldn't ask for anything more. My goal this morning was to sleep in, that didn't quite happen, but we did get to enjoy a fun First Watch breakfast together as a family. After breakfast we put Will down for his morning nap and we prepared to head out to the zoo. This was Will's first trip to the zoo and he hung out in the Ergo the whole time.

I love 'wearing' him. I get to look down and see this beautiful smiling face - who wouldn't love that? Will looked to cute in his too big Cardinal's hat, this was the first time he actually wore it. Every other time I put it on him he pulls it off within seconds.

Max, of course, couldn't wait to ride the train. We hopped on and took the train to the River's Edge. The whole time we were walking through and looking at animals Max was on the lookout for the train. He took few minutes out to pose for pictures with daddy and a cobra - I think he was trying to figure out if the snake was real. Lucky for him is wasn't.

He also cracked us up when he busted out the zoo map and tried to find where we could board the train again. The scary thing is he was able to figure it out. Max has a freakishly good sense of direction.

After our last train ride we headed over to Nonna's house to finish the holiday with her. What a wonderful Mother's Day, but as my mom reminds me all the time - everyday is Mother's Day and not a day goes by that I take that honor for granted.

Party Day!

Never a Dull moment --- I couldn't pass up the pun

Our wonderful family of four --- Max couldn't wait to help with the gifts

Daddy and Will show off the birthday pretzel

Happy Birthday to Will -- Max was more than willing to help with the candle too

 Today our fiends and family gathered to help us celebrate one year of Will.  It was wonderful!  There are so many people that love our little man.  We had a great dinner before we sang to Will.  Max was all excited that he was able to help Will blow out the candle.  I think he was a bit worried that Will might try to blow it out himself, so Max beat him to the bunch and blew the candle out before the song was even over.  It was pretty funny.  Will got the smile of the caterpillar for his cake and he loved it.  In fact he loved it so much that he needed a quick dip in the tub before he was ready to rejoin he party.

I love cake!

Not too sure about the cake yet

The Corso crew to finish things out

All in all a fabulous day with our wonderful family.  I know I say this all the time, but how did I get so lucky!?

Okay, on a side note, one thing I'm not so lucky with is Blogger's new picture upload system.  I'm having major issues with it and I just can't get things to lay out the way I like ---- very frustrating!

Happy Birthday Will!

Will loves his new toy, hopefully Max will let Will use it!

I guess I really need to stop calling him Baby Will - he is a big one year old as of 9:22 this morning. 

We had a great day together.  He loved his Cozy Coupe as soon as he saw it this morning.  He had fun riding as well as pushing the car all around the house today.

Max and I made a special cake for Will's big day --- funfetti of course.  Max was very proud of his creation.  Tonight we had a nice dinner as a family and then sang to Will and dug into the cake.  We have Will's party next weekend, so today was pretty low key. 

I find it so hard to believe that my baby is already one and leaving babyhood behind.  As I reflect on our first year as a family of four I realize just how much I have learned. . .

• In some ways number two is easier - I feel like I know what I'm doing, at least some of the time
• Babies are resilient
• Constipation is no fun for a newborn, or anyone really

  

  Our little Red Rocket all dressed for soccer
  

• Having a Carter's so close is dangerous
• Nursing was easier the second go around, at least for the first six months
• Onsies are fabulous for summer --- why did I always think Max needed pants on top of them? 
•  Laundry is a never ending process
• Bathing two kids together is tough
• Max is an amazing big brother
• The Ergo baby carrier is a must have for every mom of two
• Arm N Hammer scented bags are sooooo much better than a smelly diaper pail
• A vomiting baby is really scary
• Recovering from a c-section is tougher the second go around - I'm not sure if it was the stairs or the three year old

• 

  Two of my favorite boys
  

  Nursing was tougher this go around after six months -- Will always wanted to know what Max was up to.
• Yo Baby yogurts are the best
• Aden and Anais make fabulous blankets
• Not all babies are snugglers, but I have to say that when Will does want some snuggles it is even more special
• Costco diapers are the best -- but Sam's wipes are better
•  Grocery shopping with two kids is tough
• Two drop offs in the morning are rough
• So are two pick ups in the afternoon
• A bigger house means more places for babies to hide
• We have a tons of outlets within Will's reach
• No matter how hard I try to keep my floors clean, Will can always find something yucky to stick in his mouth
• Brian is a fabulous daddy
• Marriage takes work -- sometimes it is tough to remember that
•  Boys are fun, but their clothes still aren't nearly as cute as girls
• Using Max's old clothes isn't working out as well as I would have hoped

  

  Max was happy to help with the candle
  

• Being a working with two kids is soooo much tougher than working with just one
• Big boy toys are always more appealing than the age appropriate stuff mommy offers
•  Babies learn things quickly -- I really can't turn my back
• I'm still the luckiest girl alive
• A great big brother more than makes up for not being the only child

Yummy Cake

Clap if you love birthdays!

Will has brought so much  joy and laughter to our home.  He is usually very serious, but boy when you get him going there is no stopping that infectious smile and laugh.  Brian and I knew we wanted to grow our family but before Will joined us I didn't know how I could ever love another little one as much as I love Max. 


As soon as Will joined our world that thought was gone.  As soon as I saw those amazing lashes and that cute little dimple I knew he was meant to join our family.   I can't imagine a day going by without my littlest man in it.   We are so incredibly lucky and I count my blessing every day!