Great Mommy Moments

Some days, I feel that I don't do much right as a mommy. Like any other mom, I struggle with juggling kids, a husband, a house, and work. Tonight though, both Lily and Joshua did little things that really touched me and reassured me that I am doing something right! Such an answered prayer that I really needed!

Story 1:
Tonight, Josh was working late so I was home alone with the kids. After a quick dinner at Cody J's, we came home and decided to play outside with Lily's new sidewalk chalk. We had not been outside on the front porch long when Lily stumbled and fell face first on the brick stoop. She cried so hard and I could tell she was hurting. Her nose, lip, and chin were scraped and swollen. We went inside and I cleaned her up, held her, and kissed her "boo-boos". Within 15 minutes, she seemed to be feeling better.
Later, when Josh came home, he asked her about her night. She proceeded to re-tell him the story with no prompting from me (which I found amazing for a 2 year old).
"Daddy, I fell down."
"I hurt my body."
"My mommy fixed it and it feel much better."
How sweet - I fixed her and she remembered! My heart smiled!

Story 2:
Joshua's nightly routine is bath, bottle, put down awake in crib and soothe self to sleep. Tonight, Lily was occupied watching cartoons in our room, so I stayed in Joshua's nursery for a few minutes after laying him down to see if he'd settle down without crying. He sleeps on his stomach and I put my hand firmly on his back. He fussed for just a minute or so and then put his head down. Every 15 seconds or so, he would rise up, turn his head, look at me, smile, and then would lay his head back down. This lasted for about 5 minutes or so until he finally fell fast asleep. The smile on his face each time he saw that I was still there with him definitely let me know that he loves his mommy!

At the Lake

On Sunday, we spent a wonderful afternoon on the lake. After church, we met up with the other McWhorters to spend the afternoon on the boat. Josh has gotten to use the boat quite a bit this summer, but we haven't had the best of luck with the kids. Lily especially has seemed frightened each time we've taken her out.

Sunday was so much different - she loved it. She smiled and laughed as we sped out to find a good cove to park in. As soon as the anchor was out and the boat set, she wanted to swim! I wasn't sure if she'd like it once she got in, but she did. The rest of the afternoon consisted of Lily in the water, Lily out, take a bit of sandwich, and back in the water. Mommy is not a huge fan of the lake water, but she was having so much fun that I even got in with her - so not me!

So much fun - maybe we'll try it again this weekend!

My little fish

Sleepy Boy!

Kid's Rooms

Most of you know that Josh loves the University of Alabama football and that we call our little Joshua "Bear" after Bear Bryant. We were talking about babies and nurseries the other day at work and no one could believe that we have an Alabama themed nursery. It was a joke during my pregnancy that if this baby was a boy, Josh could decorate the nursery. I didn't really think he'd follow through on it, but he did - crimson paint and all. A mishap happened while painting, which resulted in the huge football field rug in Bear's room. Here are a few pictures of it - houndstooth hat, football helments, elephants, and a collage of Bear Bryant over the crib! Let's just hope Bear likes Alabama as much as his daddy.

And not to leave Lily out - here are a few of her big girl bed and room! I got to pick the pink in her room :)

Splish, Splash It's Bathtime

Tonight was bath night. I've been so lucky that both Lily and Bear have enjoyed getting baths and have never really been afraid or fearful of bath time. Lily loves to play in the water and would sit in a cold bathtub for an hour if you let her. If only I could teach her to keep the water in the tub, not all over the bathroom floor.

Now that Bear is sitting up steadily on his own, I've started letting Lily play in the tub with him. It not only entertains both of them for quite a bit, but I get both baths done at the same time! She loves to help me wash Bear's tummy and hair.

Some nights I'm tired and I really dread the chore of baths, but watching them play together tonight made me realize they won't be small for long and that I really should cherish these moments. I know one day they'll be so embarrassed to know I posted these pictures on my blog, but they're cute and I wanted to share.

A Week at the Beach

Today we arrived back at home after our yearly trip to Daytona Beach for vacation. We had a great time with family and the kids are now officially spoiled rotten!! Josh's family has been going on vacation together to Daytona, to the same hotel for 40+ years. Joining this tradition has definitely been a perk of becoming part of the McWhorter family.


Josh got to play a lot of golf with his dad, brothers, and uncle while the girls and Bear played in the pool and ocean all day long. I'm so surprised at how well Lily and Bear did. I had my doubts that Lily would enjoy the pool or the ocean after our attempt at swimming a few weeks ago, but she ended up loving it and spent each day hopping between the kiddie pool, big pool, and "sand", which was her name for the beach. By the end of the week, she was jumping waves in the ocean and building sand castles with her "magic wand". Bear loved to watch what his big sister was doing and taking naps while being held by Nanny.


Here are a few pictures from our week at the beach!

Bear on the beach

Lily in her bikini Lily's 1st trip to Putt-Putt


Bear at the Boardwalk
Lily in the waves
Flooding the sandcastle