Pumpkin patch

Ventured to a local pumpkin patch on Sunday. Enjoy the gratuitous amount of pictures!

Grant's first real bump

After a run-in -- face first -- with the foot of the rocking chair. As it turns out, jumping off the toddler bed is not a good idea.

Special slippers

Now that the weather has cooled down, it's once again slipper season (especially on our tile floors!). I took Evan out shopping for a new pair of slippers. He was really excited -- another demonstration of how easy it is to please a 3 year old. He wanted to wear them in the store. I compromised; he wore them once we were in the car. And all day long, he talked about his slippers, showed them to me, showed them to Grant, showed them to Jason. And when Jason and I went to check in on him before turning in, this is what we found:

Now debuting, for the first time ever: King Evan I

Evan & I braved a cool and blustery day to hit a local Halloween fest. It provided the perfect opportunity to test out his mom-made king costume. When asked what he wanted to be for Halloween, Evan replied, "A king." And like a good crafty mom, I made him a king costume. I have to say, I am pretty proud of the outcome, especially considering that his king robe was repurposed (go ahead, make your jokes) from a Christmas table runner! Comes close to rivaling the homemade Bamm Bamm costume from 2 years ago.

Train table, resurrected

For approximately 8 minutes, the train table was brought back to life. See how nice it looks in the picture? Now it's completely dismantled and in the Rubbermaid bin. At least we tried!

Grant's new no-no

Climbing onto the train table:

Florida trip... making new friends

Last weekend, we took a road trip down to Florida to visit our friends Chris, Misty, Cole & Caia. Chris is Jason's good friend from college days. The kids got along so well with one another, which made for such an enjoyable trip. And despite our drive home taking about 10 hours (we did stop at the Rollins campus for a quick visit), it was a fun trip.

Oh yeah-- the reason for our trip was a sprint distrance triathlon that Jason raced with Chris. This is the one-and-only picture I took of the event.

Can you believe that it was warm enough there to be in a pool? It's freezing in GA right now!

Oh, and Grant was there too.

Yeah, yeah

I know it's been days since my last post, but you're just going to have to wait a little longer. Still recovering from a weekend road trip and trying to psych myself up for a 15K race (9 miles) on Saturday. I ran 7 miles yesterday... for the first time since beginning training, whoops! But the run came easily, so I'm hoping adding 2 more miles won't be an issue. I'll have pics and more updates as soon as I can!

Tipping the scales

Today is the first day I can truthfully say that the number of times Evan was [genuinely] kind to Grant outweighed the number of times he was not. A few examples: a kiss on the cheek in the stroller on our walk; a hug for no reason at the playground; and giving up one of his last few grapes after Grant had already eaten his. I'm realistic -- I know that there will always be times of conflict and bickering, but it sure is sweet to see days like today.

Some photos

This post is for a certain grandparent (you know who you are!). I've been told that I'm slacking on posts, but I have a hard time remembering what I post on Facebook and what I post on the blog. So if you're on Facebook, check out my pics there too!

Evan, rocking out on his "harmonica." (Yes Papa, he still has his real harmonica; this one is just a whole lot more quiet.)

Happy Grant.

Grumpy Grant.

Cinderella, take 2

Some of you seasoned readers of In the Moment may remember last year's Halloween where I dressed as Cinderella. Turns out, that's the perfect costume for a "princess party." Notice the updates: blonde wig, altered sleeves. The things you do for kids! And no, I don't plan to go bleach blonde anytime soon (or ever)!

J-E-L-L-O

3 isn't ALL bad

When Evan shoots me smiles like this one, when he tells me "You're the best mom ever," (with no hidden agenda -- he's too young to understand that) or when he gives me hugs and kisses for no reason, I get a glimpse of the sweet (and sometimes sensitive) little boy that he is. That goes a long way to make up for the other not-so-sweet times.

Saying "yes" for a change

I can't tell you how much better it feels to say "yes" to your kids when they ask you things like, "Can I get in the crib with Grant?" Saying "no" becomes so commonplace and expected; it's so much more fun to give in to the whims of children.

My, how they grow

Seeing the pictures from the post below reminded me of a similar scene of the four kids back in January. Amazing what 9 months can do!

In other news...

A couple of days before the hospital excursion, the boys and I spent the night at my friend Heather's house. The four kids played, ate, fought, played some more and slept mostly through the night.

Update on Grant

Thanks everyone for your well-wishes, comments and phone calls. Grant is doing very well. He slept most of the day -- well needed rest. He was cranky and tired, but perked up this evening and started playing again. No more fever or breathing issues, just a healthy, productive cough. We go to see his pediatrician tomorrow morning for a follow up.

Ambulance rides are fun!

So, Cara, how did you spend your weekend?

Well, dear reader, let me tell you.


Sunday morning started at 6:30am with Grant having severe breathing difficulties. After a trip later that day to the after-hours care and a diagnosis of Croup, we were ushered quickly to the local ER. After oral medication and three breathing treatments, we were admitted to the hospital. But not the nearest hospital, mind you -- they had no more beds left. No, instead we were transported by ambulance to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, about an hour north. After finally getting a room at 11pm, Grant and I settled in for the evening. He was released today with a mostly clean bill of health, much improved breathing and just a few minor symptoms lingering from Croup. Grant and I arrived home (after Jason drove us all home in a torrential downpour -- have you heard about this?) around 4pm today. Grant went to bed at 5:30 and why I'm still awake, I have no idea! A photo essay from our adventure:

In the ER, receiving treatments. Grant just LOVED the breathing treatments.

And he got so tired, poor thing. Thank goodness for his thumb -- it has never been more helpful than it was the last two days!

Grant's room.

A picture of the sad little boy, complete with baby hospital gown, electrode wires strung here and there, and prison-quality metal crib. He was still so cute despite looking so darned pathetic.

Beachy fun in Hilton Head

Here are the pics I promised from our Labor Day weekend in Hilton Head.


Grandma Soon spent her childhood at the ocean and she loves sharing that enjoyment with her grandkids.

Aunt Heather in the baby tent with Connor. Can you believe this woman had a baby less than 3 months ago? She looks great!

Grant being picked up and returned to our campsite for the 45th time that day.

The boys building the traditional sand hole/wading pool.

Apparently my mommy bag-o-tricks doesn't work on every kid!

Grant attempts to bond.

Grandma Soon and the newest boy in the Terreri grandkid brood.

Baby gear giveaway

Hey readers, a friend of mine is hosting a giveaway on her blog for a baby bib and "splat mat" (if you have a highchair-bound child, you probably know what that is!). If you're at all interested, check it out and enter! (ps- no strings attached here, just a giveaway!)

http://www.randomneuralfirings.net/contests/great-giveaway-win-a-splat-mat-and-matching-bib

Slight mental breakdown

Oldest child is not napping. At all. I knew this would come but was hopeful that he would be like the other kids (that BabyCenter writes about) and would take naps dutifully until the age of 5. This is sooooo not cool. And yes, we can do "quiet time" and all that, but it's just not the same. Just not the same, I tell you!

Too busy!

For those of you only looking for pictures, this won't be your favorite post. Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but it's been busy 'round here! In a nutshell...

Pre-school for Evan and Morning Out for Grant, which means... making lunches, having clean (and presentable) clothes, bringing in snacks, filling out forms and Scholastic book orders (can't believe I get to do that again--love it!)

Kids are home with me (and only me) now three. full. days. per week, which means... activities, arranging naps, playing referee, art time, library time, park time, errands with kids-in-tow, lunches to make, snacks to hand out--and lots and lots of coffee.

Work, work and more freelance work, which means... late nights, early mornings and fading brain cells.

Training again for a 15K race, which means... struggling to fit in at least 3 runs a week.

Oh yeah, and then there's the boring day-to-day of dinners and house work (which lags waaay behind). But you get the general picture, right?

We did take the time this past weekend to take a nice trip to Hilton Head to see G&G Terreri and Uncle DJ, Aunt Heather and new baby Connor. It was a great weekend-- the weather was beautiful! Wish we could still be there! Pictures to come...