Friends, thanks for celebrating with us at the park yesterday. Riley was my big helper. She mixed the cake, helped me decorate it, and watched as I prepared the tomato, basil, and mozzarella skewers. What can I say? The girl loves her parties!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
All About Adrian
Yesterday, Adrian turned one. I cannot believe that last year at this time, I was in the hospital with my little man, Shawn, Alli, my dad, Riley, and visiting friends. What a blur this year has been. And how grateful I am for Adrian in my life! Riley was an easy baby, but Adrian is easier. He has a mellow disposition, his default demeanor is a smile or laugh, and he seems to be bursting with energy, especially now that he is mobile. He now has three teeth, can clap, wave, and gobbles down pretty much any food you put in front of him. Balls are his favorite toy at the moment, and he's got a pretty good arm for a lil guy. I love his exciting run to me when he hears my voice at daycare. I love, love picking him up out of his crib in the morning to cuddle and smile together. I love watching him chase after Riley and sometimes run away. I love the way his hair poofs and grows and grows and grows. He fits our family so well and adds so much to it. Adrian, I love you so much. Happy birthday, kid!
Friends, thanks for celebrating with us at the park yesterday. Riley was my big helper. She mixed the cake, helped me decorate it, and watched as I prepared the tomato, basil, and mozzarella skewers. What can I say? The girl loves her parties!
Friends, thanks for celebrating with us at the park yesterday. Riley was my big helper. She mixed the cake, helped me decorate it, and watched as I prepared the tomato, basil, and mozzarella skewers. What can I say? The girl loves her parties!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
School of Letters Graduation
A week and a half ago, I returned to the University of the South for my graduation. I now hold my MFA in Creative Writing from Sewanee's School of Letters. The weekend is among my all-time favorite weekends ever, and here's why:
1. Family. I was thrilled to be surrounded by Shawn, Riley, Adrian, Allison, CE, Claire, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma Toni, Aunt Marybeth, Uncle Scott, and Brendan (who was a surprise guest! He flew in Saturday morning! So cool!) What a crew! It was awesome to have so many family members around me to celebrate graduation and enjoy a weekend on the mountain. Thank you all for coming! It meant so much to me!
2. The School of Letters. It was great to see John Grammar, Meg Binnicker, and nine of my classmates. Yes, we, the SOL class of 2011, all stood out as the old ones among a sea of undergrads, but it was great to catch up with everyone and hear about the exciting changes in their lives (new jobs, new babies, etc.). And John and Meg are two individuals I admire so much. They are wonderful, warm-hearted people. I am so glad I had the chance to celebrate with them and thank them for everything these past five years. Our School of Letters party was an excellent way to cap off a great weekend.
3. Dinner at High Point. I think it was my second summer at Sewanee that I had dinner with a guest speaker and a group of speakers at High Point. I knew then that I wanted my graduation dinner to be there, and I cannot believe that dinner has already come and gone! But we had a great time! A three-hour meal filled with conversation, and laughs, and good food. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for an amazing celebratory dinner!
4. Sewanee Adventures. Though the weekend was short, I still had the chance to go to Stirlings, the bookstore, the Lemon Fair, and a new ice cream place in Sewanee. We also enjoyed fried pies and live music at the Smokehouse! I feel so whole and full when I am on the Domain. As we were driving up Friday night, I could feel my excitement grow. I told Shawn that Sewanee was my favorite place to be. I hope one day to get back there.
5. The ceremony. Sewanee's Commencement Ceremony is mostly in Latin. So cool! Shawn and Dad "walked" with me to receive my diploma and hood, while the rest of the gang watched the kids and the ceremony from big screen televisions. The speeches were solid, and I especially enjoyed the Vice Chancellor's parting words for the graduates. He talked about Memory and Hope, and how those forces work to make life meaningful. I also really enjoyed the hymns. Two interesting observations about Sewanee undergrads - they leave their robes open and they don't wear caps. All in all, the ceremony was beautiful, and I cannot express how great it felt to walk out among the cheering faculty proudly holding my diploma and wearing my MFA hood.
It is hard to believe I started Sewanee in a dorm room without any kids. My mom was the first to stay with me. We spend a week filled with walks to the Blue Chair, evenings rocking at the dorm, nights watching House, and adventures all over the area. What a great start! By the end of my time, I brought two children to the Domain, Shawn stayed the whole summer, family visited frequently, we had a weekly basketball game, I had read thousands of pages (a couple thousand in the last summer alone!), I had written nine stories and six major essays, and Sewanee felt like home. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive husband. Thanks, Babe, for making my dream possible.
These past five years have inspired, challenged, and fulfilled me. I am not only a better writer and reader and thinker now, but a better person. To my family, to Sewanee, to the School of Letters, to my peers, to my teachers (especially Ellen and Michael), thank you!
Now I have a thesis to publish and new adventures in the near, near future. Stay tuned...
1. Family. I was thrilled to be surrounded by Shawn, Riley, Adrian, Allison, CE, Claire, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma Toni, Aunt Marybeth, Uncle Scott, and Brendan (who was a surprise guest! He flew in Saturday morning! So cool!) What a crew! It was awesome to have so many family members around me to celebrate graduation and enjoy a weekend on the mountain. Thank you all for coming! It meant so much to me!
2. The School of Letters. It was great to see John Grammar, Meg Binnicker, and nine of my classmates. Yes, we, the SOL class of 2011, all stood out as the old ones among a sea of undergrads, but it was great to catch up with everyone and hear about the exciting changes in their lives (new jobs, new babies, etc.). And John and Meg are two individuals I admire so much. They are wonderful, warm-hearted people. I am so glad I had the chance to celebrate with them and thank them for everything these past five years. Our School of Letters party was an excellent way to cap off a great weekend.
3. Dinner at High Point. I think it was my second summer at Sewanee that I had dinner with a guest speaker and a group of speakers at High Point. I knew then that I wanted my graduation dinner to be there, and I cannot believe that dinner has already come and gone! But we had a great time! A three-hour meal filled with conversation, and laughs, and good food. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for an amazing celebratory dinner!
4. Sewanee Adventures. Though the weekend was short, I still had the chance to go to Stirlings, the bookstore, the Lemon Fair, and a new ice cream place in Sewanee. We also enjoyed fried pies and live music at the Smokehouse! I feel so whole and full when I am on the Domain. As we were driving up Friday night, I could feel my excitement grow. I told Shawn that Sewanee was my favorite place to be. I hope one day to get back there.
5. The ceremony. Sewanee's Commencement Ceremony is mostly in Latin. So cool! Shawn and Dad "walked" with me to receive my diploma and hood, while the rest of the gang watched the kids and the ceremony from big screen televisions. The speeches were solid, and I especially enjoyed the Vice Chancellor's parting words for the graduates. He talked about Memory and Hope, and how those forces work to make life meaningful. I also really enjoyed the hymns. Two interesting observations about Sewanee undergrads - they leave their robes open and they don't wear caps. All in all, the ceremony was beautiful, and I cannot express how great it felt to walk out among the cheering faculty proudly holding my diploma and wearing my MFA hood.
It is hard to believe I started Sewanee in a dorm room without any kids. My mom was the first to stay with me. We spend a week filled with walks to the Blue Chair, evenings rocking at the dorm, nights watching House, and adventures all over the area. What a great start! By the end of my time, I brought two children to the Domain, Shawn stayed the whole summer, family visited frequently, we had a weekly basketball game, I had read thousands of pages (a couple thousand in the last summer alone!), I had written nine stories and six major essays, and Sewanee felt like home. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive husband. Thanks, Babe, for making my dream possible.
These past five years have inspired, challenged, and fulfilled me. I am not only a better writer and reader and thinker now, but a better person. To my family, to Sewanee, to the School of Letters, to my peers, to my teachers (especially Ellen and Michael), thank you!
Now I have a thesis to publish and new adventures in the near, near future. Stay tuned...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Life with Little Ones
We've been really busy, and pretty soon, I will update on our summer plans. For now, please enjoy the following pictures. These are just a few random shots from recent weeks and our trip to the beach for Mother's Day. I had to put a picture of sad Adrian on here because he is usually so happy. Oh, and Riley's scrunched face is her boy face.
This weekend, we had back to Sewanee for my graduation. Can't wait to get back to the domain.
This weekend, we had back to Sewanee for my graduation. Can't wait to get back to the domain.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Recent Happenings of Riley and Adrian
Riley:
1. She can't wait to teach Adrian everything. We've made a list. So far, she wants to teach him how to cover his mouth when he coughs, how to say yes and no, and how to have manners.
2. She has been really into plants recently. She loves watering them and talking about what they need: dirt, water, sunlight, and singing.
3. Eating. I occasionally will get yelled at if I do not put enough food in her lunch. And when we get close to running out of something she enjoys, she is quick to remind us that we have to get more at the store. Fortunately, she also knows that most things we don't buy unless they are on sale.
4. Videos. She asks me to film her all the time! She tries to think of funny things to do and loves to sing with the camera on. It's awesome.
5. Circle time. She tries to get me and Adrian to sit in a circle with her for story-time. Adrian and I get reprimanded if we talk or laugh, though. "You need to be quiet or I'm not going to read this story to you, Mommy." Cracks me up.
6. She started calling me Mama again, and I love it. Of course she usually uses it when she wants something, but it is so cute. I thought those Mama days were behind her. So glad they are not!
Adrian:
1. Now he can stand up straight from a sit.
2. Finally, his second tooth came through!
3. This week, he's been gobbling down ham. We also started trying him on whole milk.
4. He loves to play in the little yard pool that we have. He climbs in and out, and usually that involves a face-first plunge into the dirt. Pictures to come! He is such a boy!
1. She can't wait to teach Adrian everything. We've made a list. So far, she wants to teach him how to cover his mouth when he coughs, how to say yes and no, and how to have manners.
2. She has been really into plants recently. She loves watering them and talking about what they need: dirt, water, sunlight, and singing.
3. Eating. I occasionally will get yelled at if I do not put enough food in her lunch. And when we get close to running out of something she enjoys, she is quick to remind us that we have to get more at the store. Fortunately, she also knows that most things we don't buy unless they are on sale.
4. Videos. She asks me to film her all the time! She tries to think of funny things to do and loves to sing with the camera on. It's awesome.
5. Circle time. She tries to get me and Adrian to sit in a circle with her for story-time. Adrian and I get reprimanded if we talk or laugh, though. "You need to be quiet or I'm not going to read this story to you, Mommy." Cracks me up.
6. She started calling me Mama again, and I love it. Of course she usually uses it when she wants something, but it is so cute. I thought those Mama days were behind her. So glad they are not!
Adrian:
1. Now he can stand up straight from a sit.
2. Finally, his second tooth came through!
3. This week, he's been gobbling down ham. We also started trying him on whole milk.
4. He loves to play in the little yard pool that we have. He climbs in and out, and usually that involves a face-first plunge into the dirt. Pictures to come! He is such a boy!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Really Walking Now...
So last weekend marks Adrian's official jump into the walking world at 10 months and 3 weeks. Riley beat him by only a couple of weeks. It is so funny to see him make his way down the hallway by himself now. Enjoy the videos!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)