Easter 2010

We had a great Easter 2010. The entire Day clan invaded Pawleys Island and we spent the weekend on the beach, going to church, and enjoying Easter with the twosome!

The Easter Bunny Came! Both Smith and Addison got new lovies (see, the Easter Bunny knew that Mom wanted to be able to wash their existing ones, and so backup lovies are a necessity, especially in this post pacifier world!) They also got personalized beach towels!

Addison enjoying a reeces cup. I think she liked it.

After the family all left on Sunday afternoon, we got the kids dressed BACK up in the Easter outfits and went into the back yard to get some pictures.

So proud of his stick.


Sitting is hard.

I love BUBBLES!

Beach Afternoon during the Winter

Since we moved to Pawleys in July of 2009, our late summer/fall was really spent in getting settled and figuring life out.

Both Krissee and I love the beach, so we want to ensure that our children do as well, so we started taking them early this year - on a Sunday afternoon in late March, we braved the beach at Huntington State Park. It was slightly warm, although you'd never know that from the bundles that Mom made everyone dress up in!

Smith lost in thought

Addison LOVED chasing her shadow up the beach. The only problem with that is when it was time to turn around and go back to our spot, there's no shadow. She didn't love that part so much.

Dad and Addison taking a little stroll.

And the next Day - they did this all on their own. Please don't call social services on us. We're good parents. Look at how proud they are!

When its nice, we park

For the first time in what feels like forever, its sunny and warm at the beach (Remember, last week, there was snow on the ground.)

So, we went to a local park to enjoy the outside time.

Addison ran around and had her own little party.Everything was fun, as long as dad was relatively close!

Smithenjoyed himself too, but was more interested in exploring how the swings worked and the ladies on the tennis courts. We made friends with someone who brought bubbles, and he LOVED that.

(For those wondering about the pacifiers - we're golden! The first nap on Monday was a no go, with the expected tears and cries. However, after that, everything is relatively back to normal. They're not napping quite as well, in that many naps are now quiet time rather than actual sleeping, but they're not screaming. Nighttime has been perfect. Just like one would expect of our children! :) )

Pacifiers - its been a good run

We knew this day was coming - and have been putting it off as much as possibly could.

Both of our pediatricians (the one we used in Columbia and the one we use here in Pawleys) told us that 18 months was the cutoff for pacifier use. And we've been planning on when and how. We were going to do it after new Years, and then the next weekend, and so on and so forth.

Finally, at their 18 month appointment, we asked the doctor again (thinking we might get a different answer?) and were told, again, that 18 months was the upper limit for pacifier use without potential orthodontic affects.

The decision was made that after the following weekend, on Monday morning, the pacifiers would be gone. Krissee felt that since she had the luxury of staying home with them, at least it wouldn't ruin OUR weekend, just maybe her day(s).

So, after everyone got up this morning, Dad collected the pacifier's and took them to work. (I like the idea of doing something with one or two of them - maybe putting them inside a build-a-bear?)

(Please don't let the attached picture fool you - these were ALL the pacis that were in the house, and many of them were already in the bag in a cabinet, not being used!)


So long pacifiers. We've had a good run. But my big boy and big girl don't need you anymore!

Snow in Pawleys Island

It figures that the year we move to THE BEACH, we get snow!

We (Krissee and Daniel) had an impromptu date night on Friday - Applebees and a movie. On our way into the 7:20 movie, the snow was coming down pretty good. The weathermen were calling for 1-3 inches, but the being the pessimistic southerners, we didn't think it'd actually come to pass.

Well, WRONG! On our way home, there was already a pretty good dusting, and we woke up this morning to find even MORE snow on the ground. As of this writing (11:30 AM), its already well underway to melting, but of course we had to get out and play in it!

Smith wanted to walk - we were pulling them in the wagon at this point, but he wasn't having any of it!


Addison really loved it. I mean, really.

Really
Smith, on the other hand, wasn't QUITE so sure about it. But he did have a good time.

Dad built a quick Snowman, and we got a picture of it - a few hours later, the poor snowman is dead.

We had a great time in the snow - but the Day's are certainly beach bums and look forward to the lazy days of summer to be spent on the beach!

A week away

For those keeping up at home, Krissee, Smith, and Addison are spending this week in Rock Hill with Chap, Heather, and Winn while Heather goes back to work.

Smith and Addison had a Skype date with dad on Monday - their 18 month birthday! Its hard to believe that they're next big milestone is 2 years old. Anyways, I enjoyed seeing the family via Skype - Addison just sat there and laughed. Smith didn't seem too sure of seeing his Dad in the computer - but he finally came around. It got me thinking about how they'll grow up - and that they will grow up Skyping with friends and family - and that will just be normal to them.

Dad is certainly ready for them to get home, but know they're having a good time up there.

You should see the other guy!

The Day parents have recently undergone what we understand to be a parent of toddler's rite-of-passage: The black eye.

Last week - Krissee called while she and the kids were out and about running errands. They were near my office, and wanted to come by and get a quick visit in.

They came in, and of course were a huge hit! We then took them upstairs to our conference center so they could run around. Everyone was having a great time, and then, all of a sudden, Addison was on the ground screaming.

Neither of us saw what happened, but I can wager a guess, as the desk/tables in our largest room happen to be eye level with the twosome. We then noticed quite the little whelp on her eye and knew we were in for it.

Fast Forward a few days later, and this is where we're at. It doesn't seem to be bothering her at all, but its quite gnarly looking and I think we'll all be a little more at peace once it goes down. (If you really want to get up-close and personal with Ms. Thang's black eye, you can enlarge the below picture).

In the effort of fairness, Smith's has transformed into full on little boy the past few weeks - I caught him here entranced with Mickey after a day out at the playground and riding around town!

Santa Claus Came!!!

This year for Christmas, we all went to the Day's house for Christmas Eve and Day. The entire family had a great trip - we went to Christmas Eve service at the church that Daniel grew up in. It was then back to Nanny and Poppa's for dinner.

The next morning, we all woke up to see that Santa had visited and brought Smith and Addison some great new toys!


It was a great holiday all around, and we're lucky to have been able to spend it with family. (And for those of you keeping count at home, we spent the previous weekend with the Rollings family and celebrated Christmas there - unfortunately, there weren't too many picutres from that event - but we enjoyed that weekend just as much!)

Addison crawling through the tunnel!

Smith being Smith. 'Nuff Said.

This is what we walked into Christmas Morning - Santa had come and brought with him some fun fun stuff!

He even organized into sections - here is Smith's stuff.

...and Addison's stuff.

And finally - the stuff they have to share!!!

Scary Ghost Stories

It looks like someone was telling one of those scary ghost stories of Christmases long long ago!! I'm not sure who looks the most frightened - Smith, Addison, or Santa???

New Favorites

This is Addison's (and Dad's, especially) favorite new YouTube video.

Really y'all - around the 1:40 mark, my little girl gets to bouncing and grinning.

"now you know what Ms. Patti's gonna do? She's going to do it again!"

Welcome Cousin

Smith and Addison's first younger cousin arrived today - Winston Bruce Rollings arrived at 7:47 AM weighing 6 lbs 12oz.

Welcome Winn! Smith and Addison have lots to teach you.

Fall Festival

Today, we went to the fall festival at Brookgreen Gardens. It was a great day to be outside and play.


Addison...always flirting with someone.

Smith really enjoyed the wide open spaces to run around and play in.

A rare family photo, and we're all basically looking at the camera!

Lost in thought.

sorry buddy

i call this one, "sorry buddy."

Yes, that's Smith on the left and Dad on the right.

little things

I know, I know. You don't have to say anything. Slack blogger. Dad's been busy and Mom doesn't blog. We've also misplaced the camera's cord, so getting pictures off is not possible now (although we've got a workaround solution en-route, so hopefully we'll get some pics on here soon enough!)

I have been thinking lately though, with the awesome twosome getting more and more personality every day, that one of the unsung joys of parenthood isn't the BIG picture worthy moments. While those are certainly important (You know, birthdays, firsts, cuteness to the nth degree, etc), the real joys are the tiny moments:

• The peakaboo games that Smith now plays with you when he has his hands on a blanket.
• The sight of Addison running into the room holding "my first purse" like a 90 year old grandma (you know, the purse sitting on her forearm).
• The Sunday mornings where mom and dad can put smith and addison in the bed, and they move all over the place and have the time of their lives.

These are just some of the small moments of the past few weeks that make us, as parents, just sit back and be thankful for.

We are one year old!!!

Okay okay okay, Dad's done a piss poor job on getting this entry out in a timely manner. BUT, there is a perfect excuse...since we knew that we'd have our hands full with the awesome twosome, we had a friend of a friend come in and photograph the event for us. It took us a couple of weeks to get the photos in. In fact, the CD containing the photos just arrived a few hours ago, and here I am posting them now.



Anyways - the big one year old party came and went, it was a success in our eyes!

Krissee made party hats for all the children there, so you'll see some of those in these photos. At the end, I've also posted a link to ALL the photos that were taken, since I thought they all turned out so great.

To see all the photos , check it out here!

11 Months

Y'all - it is becoming increasingly difficult to get two almost-toddlers to sit still and have a picture taken. And forget about the laying down beside the stuffed animals. So, we're officially discontinuing those pictures, and we have just one more of them together (I CANNOT believe my babies are almost a year).

In lieu of the photos with the rabbits - here are some candids of Smith and Addison.

The Condo to beat all Condos

So those of you who keep up with Krissee and Daniel via facebook may know that we recently bought a condo in Pawleys Island, SC. This is part of the aforementioned move.

As of today, our house in Columbia hasn't sold yet. We started weighing the pros and cons and the stress the travel was putting on both of us, and decided that it'd be smart to go ahead and buy something in Pawleys. Obviously, two mortgages ain't fun, so we opted for a condo that we found for a STEAL. Its never been lived in, and the owner just wanted out.

Here's the place from the back "yard."



This is the view from the front hallway. Behind this are two bedrooms, a bathroom, and the laundry room.

Dining/Kitchen area.

Yes, its much smaller than our current home. Yes, we will not be able to fit everything we own into this space. We know that. We're excited about that. We're simplifying. We don't plan on this being the end all be all home for us. But we're going to be here for a while. Its in the school district we want, the payments are a steal, and I think both Krissee and I are looking forward to a new place and no yard work. And a pool for the twins. And Dad home every night. And our family together in a fun and exciting new place. These are the important things.

As of now, we're hoping to close the week of July 15th, and move that weekend. If that doesn't work out, it will be mid-August before we move, due to other commitments and plans.

Now, if you know anyone who would want a great house in Columbia, SC.......

Millions of Peaches

Last weekend, we went to Daniel's home, the metropolis of Trenton, SC, for the 39th annual Ridge Peach Festival.

Smith loved the parade, but not nearly as much as his Pappa did. Here is his auntie Ame with him at the parade. I thought this was a great picture of her (and of course of my lil' guy!)

Nanny and Pappa have a great pool, and the Daybies LOVE to swim. Here is Addison, being Addison. I'm sure she'll hate me for this in the future.

Ten Months at the Beach!

Yeah...we've been busy. Really busy. So busy that its now the middle of the month and we never shared out beach trip, nor have we even taken our ten month pictures.

Rather than cheat and give you 10.5 month pictures, I'm gonna do a little double duty and repurpose a couple of beach pics as month pictures - just this once!

Crawlers

Thats right, friends and family, Smith and Addison are official members of the crawling club.

Addison is just doing the army crawl - but smith has mastered the full on big boy crawl.

Regardless, they're both mobile, and into everything they shouldn't be and have no interest in anything that is clearly for them.

Please excuse the jerkiness of the camera at the beginning - i had to bribe them with an electrical cord (which appears later in the video), and Smith was on his way before I could get back and pick the camera back up.



We'll be spending the next week on a family vacation at Edisto Island. Nanny and Poppa, Ame, Woody, and this Day family are renting a place and we should have some awesome stories and photos to regale you with after the fact.

Create a breakdown in your child in 4 easy steps!

1) Step 1 - Create interest in an object that I will want to touch. In this case....the camera. (But it really can be anything - camera, remote control, pine cone...really, the list is endless)

2) Step 2 - Watch as subject makes a break for the object.

3) Step 3 - Observe Subject make a play for object

4) Step 4 - Deny object, and watch the fireworks.