Nana gives Well's a bath.

Babies in sinks.
     Is there anything more traditional and just plain cute? I dream of owning one of those deep farm sinks sometime in the future. If I'm lucky it will happen before all my babies are grown and too big to fit.

(He's got some great man boobs!)

     Nana came down the weekend of our anniversary to allow Gray and I the chance to get out without kids. Not only did we get a chance, but we got multiple chances. It was such a blessing. Another opportunity to realize just how spoiled we are by her amazing selflessness.

(Water in the eyes, haha, not a fan!)

     The only downer of the weekend was the fact that I tweaked my back. I have never done that before and my oh my do I hope it never happens again. So painful and so frustrating. You don't realize how important something is until you can't use it. Not being able to pick up my babies without feeling a knife stab my lower back was hard. I'm and so thankful Melody thought to get me a massage. It made the pain tolerable and eventually helped to heal my back. So wonderful.

     The original plan, before I tweaked my back, was to go to Charleston for the day. Even though it didn't happen, in hindsight, it was a good thing. Instead, we hung around the house and enjoyed the normalcy of routine.

(I debated whether or not to keep this picture colored, he has the prettiest deep blue/gray eyes.)

     Gray and I went to a new restaurant in town for our anniversary dinner. A Brazilian grill, Tucanos. Think buffet with lovely fixings for salad, soups, breads, etc and then endless skewers of meat being brought to your table to try! So yummy. We ended the night watching Blacklist on the projector at church. There are definitely some perks to being the worship pastor.

(That tongue! Haha)

     One of the nights Nana was here she gave Well's a bath. I don't think there are many babies who hate baths, I know that mine doesn't. He thoroughly enjoyed the warm water (except on his head) and I enjoyed his funny faces.

The whole family goes to Lake Jocassee.

     This post is mostly a photo dump from a trip we took to Lake Jocassee with our dear friends the Isley's. It was two weeks after Well's arrival and we decided to bring Tobias with us. Even though we had never brought him before we took a chance, and the gamble paid off! He loved hanging out with the Isley girls, chasing them and swimming with them, basically mimicking their every move. He was the energizer bunny, going and going, because life at the lake is so diverting, there is always something to do!

     We didn't really have any issues until we went to leave and he had a meltdown. I get it, lots of sun, continuos play, no nap and a fast approaching bedtime can wear you out before you realize it! Thankfully Paw Patrol and his paci calmed him down and five minutes down the road he was passed out. The ride home was quite peaceful!

(Well's and Wood's the youngest members on board, 2 and 3 weeks old)

     Well's did really well not to my surprise. Newborns sleep so much he was really only awake to occasionally eat. One of the reasons why I thoroughly enjoy those first several weeks. 

(Rowan and Elizabeth enjoying the ride from the back of the boat)

     The day was beautiful. Slightly overcast and just hot enough to not be miserable. The boat rides to and from jump rocks, beaches and waterfalls were my favorite part.

     It ended rather abruptly due to an impending thunderstorm, but the end couldn't have come at a more perfect time (I would rather have a meltdown in the car than on the boat)! It was such a beautiful, and relaxing family day, I am so thankful everything worked out!

(Grandpa and Nana Beatty the best boat captain and co-captain!)

(my handsome hubby)

(Toddler bums in Finding Nemo swim diapers and chunky thighs=love)

(Why drink out of a sippy when you can drink out of dad's water bottle? Too big for his breeches!)

(Showing us their yoga stretches!)

(Elizabeth demonstrating her superb big sister skills!)

Getting Away

     Gray and I were able to get away for a couple days in May thanks to Gray's parents. It was a quite little hotel near Gatlinburg, not too close to anything major, situated on a two lane highway in the mountains. There was a cozy fireplace inside and a stream with a hammock out the front door. Down the road was a little book/tourist shop with great coffee and books that were literally stacked up from floor to ceiling. The hike was short but fun, the food yummy, the shop gazing diverting and the conversation a blessing. No little one in site to entertain and wait on hand and foot.
     There was a lot of talk about names. Our list at this point included, Emry, Damen, Theodore, Reuben, Simeon, Jude, Desmond, and Julian, none of which made it to the end. There was dreaming about what life would be like once this new one arrived. There was talk about finances and praying that God would provide for our needs (because having babies isn't cheap). There was talk about the future and grad school and what we saw ourselves doing in five years. It was the kind of conversation you don't want to forget. In all, it was a great two days, a break from reality, and a wonderful connection point for me and Gray.