Phillips Phamily Phive: 03.11

It Was a Dark and Gloomy Day

We're having severe thunderstorms here in Florida, which means a dark and cloudy and loud day indoors. Having lost many limbs off the old oak trees, our yard is littered with Spanish moss and leaves. We're drenched, but our grass is LOVING it.

In honor of SJ's seven-month birthday today, I took him to his room to snap a few current photos to show you what a big boy he is! Despite the dark conditions, we got some keepers:

Sitting all by himself, with lovie in hand

What an expression!

No doubt, being entertained by HJ

I want to smoosh those cheeks!

He's turned into quite a little blondie with the sweetest smile.

And here's where every photo session ends up!

A sweet moment during the craziness of three kids in a crib

AE is batting at the mobile, and HJ looks like she's throttling SJ while he plots his escape!

Ready for nap time and over the pictures

Our 18-pounder is doing well, sleeping through the night, eating up anything that comes near him and watching every move his sisters make.

He's sitting up really well on his own now. He reaches for our faces, toys and anything he can get his hands on.

He's a raspberry blower. Big time. During meal time, even. What a mess!

He's moved on to size 12 month clothes and 6-12 month clothes.

He'll sit outside in my lap for the longest time taking everything in.

He plays peek-a-boo and laughs when he pulls his lovie off his face.

He's a bouncer. He's a good stroller. He's snuggly. He's perfect.

Back From Wherever

I'm exhausted and overwhelmed.

In short, I'm having some health issues and some mental issues. Not sure which is causing which! I kid, I kid.

Really, my blood pressure is STILL high, and if you'll remember the reason sweet, SJ joined our family a few weeks early, you'll know that I've been battling this problem for a time now.

Exercise and diet have not helped so far. I think it is a matter of stress and genetics.

So I went to the hospital today, and I've got a doctor's appointment early on Thursday morning. Please pray for me to calm down, relax and let some of the unimportant things GO.

In other news, the kids are great. I'm slowly making the shift from saying "the girls" to "the kids." We survived our 9-hour drive to Atlanta and back, with the help of Nana on our return trip. She's keeping me sane and ironing everything that will stay still enough to be pressed. God, love her!

I've got SO many posts stored up in my head, but I think many of them are falling under the "unimportant things" category that I'm battling right now.

In the meantime, we've got some cuties:

The girls at Nana and Papa's house on St. Patrick's Day.

The boy on our picnic today.

It's Been a While...

Last Friday, I went crazy and drove all three kids by myself up to Atlanta. It took nine hours, but the last week here has been wonderful, and full of family time, friend time and SHOPPING time.

Yes, I left The Daddy alone with The Crazy Dog. For 10 days.

I've got one more weekend "on vacation" with the kids before my MIL and I make the trek back to Central Florida.

One reason I headed north is I have two girls and LOTS of girl clothes to get rid of. Three good friends took advantage of our LOW, LOW prices, and now I'm selling the rest at a huge consignment sale here in Marietta. I took 223 items to sell.

And that was just spring/summer items.

I'll never look at a wire hanger or safety pin the same again. It was a LOT of work to get everything ready, and I'll be so glad to have it over with.

Until the fall when I do it again.

Not sure how many of y'all celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but before our epic journey to Atlanta, our family of five enjoyed a parade through our little downtown.

I took pictures:

AE had her class mascot, Christina for the weekend, so NATURALLY the stuffed dog came with us.

Sweet HJ always covers her ears at the beginning of a parade." TOO LOUD!" she says. At the end of the parade, she was dancing!

SJ got to watch the parade from his perch on The Daddy's chest.

Man, he looks good with a baby strapped to him!

As always, the parade started with the fire engines.

Then came the awesome antique and vintage cars:

All decked out in green:

Of course in Central Florida, Mickey and Minnie are always invited to the party:

Look at the charming little suitcase riding on the side rails:

Love the trunk on the back of this one:

If you look closely in the background of the picture above, you can see the Amtrak that goes right through downtown.

I really wouldn't mind taking this sweet, silver ride home with me: