Chocolate

Jemma had chocolate candy in her Easter basket from a party that we went to last Saturday. She asked if she could have a piece last night and I agreed. She told me, "Chocolate is good for you, you know." I replied, "Really... how?" She said, "It makes your brain feel good." Yes it does... straight from the mouth of a 3 year old! She may be a Daddy's girl, but there is some of her Mommy shining through!

"Favorite" new word...

Saturday morning Jemma and Amy were sitting on the couch and Jemma said, "Darn." I thought I heard it, but ignored it. The second time she said it, I asked "Where did you learn that word?" She said, "Granny." I explained that it was not an appropriate Jemma word and should only be used by grown-ups. She then said, "Darn rhymes with barn." I had to agree.

Absolute melt down...

The kids and I were very happy to be back in our home yesterday. They played and we ate dinner then went to the grocery store. It was a quick trip just to get milk, bread and fruit for the next couple of days and the kids both enjoyed it. We did get a bag of donuts, as a special treat (per Jemma's request) since they were both so good! When we arrived home and I announced it was time to get them into their pjs for bed, Jemma started saying "I want my Daddy." Her simple statement turned into a whine then into tears then into a full fledged sobbing meltdown. I had to put James into his crib because I needed to hold and console Jemma and James was on a mission to get into anything and everything at that very moment. I was finally able to get Jemma calmed enough to put on her pjs and crawl into bed... we cuddled for a bit and talked about Daddy's job and how he had to be away sometimes and he would be home soon... oh, boy do I dread when he is gone on deployment! She is such a daddy's girl... it nearly breaks my heart to have her so upset and I know that it has to just kill her Daddy to know how much he is missed!

Once Jemma was in bed, I nursed James and put him in bed. I thought Jemma was asleep but I was wrong... she was just waiting until she heard my footsteps on the stairs! I went in with her and snuggled and we read books and she finally drifted to sleep about 8:30.

James woke about 10... I rocked, nursed, walked, sang and tried to sooth him back to sleep... it was almost 11:30 when I made it to bed myself. Thankfully, both kids slept through the night and so did I! I had a really hard time getting myself going when my alarm went off at 6 this morning. But I knew that I had to get up and get moving!

James was awake at 7. Mya come over about 7:30 because Scout had an appointment this morning. I told Mya that she could go wake Jemma... she went to Jemma's room and the girls snuggled and giggled for 15 minutes before I went up to dress Jemma for school. Then we all came down and had cereal for breakfast. Even though James had eaten a banana and his yogurt/oatmeal mixture, he still wanted to eat what the girls were having! The kid can put away food when he is hungry. I had to make Jemma finish her cereal and James had two bowls... kids can be so different! Now, both girls are at school and James is napping and I'm off to do laundry and clean the kitchen!

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I'm so glad that I can blog because apparently none of my emails are getting through to Jim on the ship. They keep bouncing back as "undeliverable" or "failed attempt" but he can access the blog! I did get two brief emails from him this morning and it just absolutely makes my day to have an email from my husband! I miss him so...

Home, sweet home...

We had a great Spring Break and now we are home. James cried for the last 30 minutes of the ride home (it was a long, rainy ride), but as I backed into the garage he started giggling! He was so happy to be home!! The kids are pulling out all the toys and causing chaos, so I'm off to supervise/play too!!

More later...

Three sisters

Amy came down to visit us today in Raleigh. It was so nice just to spend the day with both of my sisters! It does make me feel a little sorry for Jemma... she will never have a sister to share days like this... of course, I'm hoping that she and James will be close and be able to share quality times together!

There was an American Idol recap on TV, which captivated the attention of both boys.

Jemma was singing into her "microphone." Aunt Amy danced with Logan:

James and Amy playing: You'll notice in this picture that Jemma has on her pretty white dress shoes. I put her in bed for a nap with no socks and shoes. When I woke her for dinner, she announced that she was ready for ballet class. She had emptied (yes, taken everything out) the suitcase, put on her socks backwards (so the bows were in the front and not the back) and white dressy shoes.

I tried to get a picture of the kids with Aunt Nicole and Aunt Amy... these three are the result of my effort:

Jemma had another night of tossing and turning with lots of teeth grinding and episodes of crying... I'm just beyond tired. I hope that the kids sleep well tonight because I need sleep before driving tomorrow!

The lack of communication from my husband is driving me crazy... I truly feel sorry for the women (and men) whose significant others can't communicate for long periods of time. I love living in the era of cell phones and emails so I can hear from my husband often. I hope that they get the ship's email up and running soon!

I'm off to bed... I'll try to post from home tomorrow evening! :)

Conspiracy!

These two angels of mine are consipiring against me. Last night Jemma slept awful. She was grinding her teeth and toosing and turning and had episodes of crying. This fitful sleep began about 11:15. I got out of bed three times to move her back into her sleeping bag, then finally put her into bed with me at 2:30 when she sat upright and asked for water. She slept only slightly better in bed with me but I got virtually no sleep. Thankfully James didn't wake. (We are all three in the guest room. James is at the foot of the bed in the pack and play to the left and Jemma is on the floor near the head of the bed to the right.) James woke at 6:15 this morning and Jemma slept until almost 8. Then James went down for his nap at 8:30... so, at least the kids are getting some rest! I love being here and visiting, but it will be nice to get the kids back into their own beds!!!

Great day in NC!

It is 80 degrees and sunny! I love this weather!! We went to Pullen Park today and had a picnic, rode the carousel and the train. It has been a splendid day so far. Now, James and Logan are napping and Jemma is resting. Nicole went out for a haircut and to get everything we need to grill burgers for dinner! What a great day.

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We dressed the boys alike yesterday, but getting a good picture was nearly impossible!


Yesterday at Marbles, the Children's Museum

Jemma "driving" the bus:

More playing at the museum:

Our picnic today at the park:

Aunt Nicole watched Logan and James while I took Jemma to ride the carousel first. It was nice to have some Mommy and Jemma time! Then, we took the kids on the train. Everyone loved the little train ride:

Logan liked sitting on the carousel until it started to move. Then he wanted off! James just laughed and grinned and had a blast!

Jemma, my big happy girl!

Tired...

We have had a great day. I love being able to just spend time with Nicole and Logan... overall, it was a wonderful day. But after James' lack of sleep last night, I'm just wiped out. I'll try to post pics tomorrow when I'm (hopefully) well-rested! I miss my husband more than words can express. And Jemma and James both miss their Daddy...

Raleigh

We made it to Raleigh yesterday afternoon. We had a good visit with my parents and relatives in South Boston and here are some pictures from our trip!

Riding Cocoa with Papa:

At Jane's playing:

Visiting Amy and her dog, Dallas:

Making biscuits with Granny:

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I don't know what was bothering James last night. He was tired... overtired. He went to sleep easily, but woke at 10:30 just crying and unhappy. I gave him some Tylenol at 11:30, but he was still unhappy so I am guessing that he had a tummy ache. I finally put him in the pack-n-play at 3:30 and he slept until 6:30 this morning. I'm a little tired. Jemma did great. She went to sleep on her sleeping bag and slept until 7:30 this morning! Now that we've all had breakfast, the kids are playing with Logan's toys and Jemma is watching TV. We are going to have a nice, relaxing morning and maybe head out later.

Greyson

Congratulations to Kat and Troy!! We can't wait to meet your new little bundle of joy!

Greyson Marshall Hunter

3/20/08 10:33am

20 in, 6lb 12oz

Happy Easter!! :)

Kat and Troy sent two big chocolate Easter bunnies to the kids. I let them enjoy some chocolate after breakfast. (Jemma has the ears!)

We are heading to South Boston then onto Raleigh for a few days... I'll post when we return next week. Have a very happy Easter and Spring Break!

Fouth molar!

James' fourth molar finally came in yesterday! Yeah!!!

Tea party!

Jemma had a tea party at school yesterday. The kids all got dressed up and here is Jemma in her new dress, shoes, hat and gloves. She and all of the kids were so, so cute!!!

Blowing Daddy kisses...

A part of their celebration at school was an Easter egg hunt. It was a little chilly yesterday, so the kids wanted to get inside as soon as they found their eggs!

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We said good-bye to Aunt Amy and Jerry yesterday... we didn't want them to leave. In fact, Jemma told Jerry that he was going alone and Amy was staying with us. She even grabbed Amy's sweater to try to keep her from leaving.

After Amy and Jerry left, James took a nap and I took a rest while Jemma played in her room upstairs. Then the kids played outside... it was a beautiful afternoon. After dinner, the kids watched the Wiggles while I laid on the couch. Jemma was exhausted from her big day and went straight to bed. She did try to get out of bed once for a snack, but I sent her right back to bed because she did not finish her dinner so she did not get a snack! James was harder than normal to get to bed, but still not too bad. I went to bed as soon as the kids were asleep!