December 17

Several days recently I've found the boys both in this rocker in Hamilton's room. They love to sit together and rock--eventually turning the chair over. Tonight in their winter pajamas from Mimi, we struggled through a photo session. Most of today was a struggle: I really should get the boys out of the house in the morning when I know we'll be home by ourselves that night, too. (Mr. Morgan and Claire are at her viola concert.) I like the interaction in this picture because the boys do love each other and like one another's company. My heart smiled tonight in the bathtub when Hamilton hugged Collier and said, "I love you, Collie!"

July Round-up

After I was concerned that I had too many activities packed into this day, we woke up to find a crying Hamilton who fell back asleep while waiting the remaining ten minutes for his alarm-clock light to turn green. The second time he awoke crying I asked him if he felt OK, and he said his throat hurt. So this morning has been drawn out with lots of TV watching, some throwing up--mostly in the toilet, feeling revived and heartily eating breakfast, and finally back to TV watching with his feet covered up by the blankies that normally must stay in his bed.

I found him like this when I walked back downstairs after checking on Collier: Hamilton was fast asleep on the hard floor on top of the dirty towels. Yes, that's a barf bucket in the bathroom--just in case.

Since our many activities have been postponed or canceled due to Hamilton's sickness, I now have a more open day which in some ways makes me feel good. And I'm having time to sit down and blog. I still have some pictures left to post from our trip over the July Fourth holiday.

Swimming Lessons
Hamilton's been in swim lessons this week and last week, and he's learned so much. While he used to be tentative around the water--sometimes taking up to ten minutes to even get wet--he now jumps right in. He puts his head underwater, kicks his feet, jumps in from the side, and tries to swim. I'm thrilled with his progress.

Here's a picture from our trip to Mountville when we spent a late afternoon at some friends' pool. It took Hamilton several seconds of encouraging to jump into the water into Pops's arms--and he definitely didn't want his head to go under.

Now he confidently jumps into the water by himself and then swims toward the adult catching him. Sadly, I planned to wait until his last day of swim lessons (today) to take my camera. So I have no pictures of his cute little class, which included Grady and West.

The Pacifier

The "paci fairy" came to visit Hamilton--and take his pacifier--on his third birthday while we were at the farm. We opened the special prize that she brought just before bedtime.

I started talking about her visit the week before, and Hamilton really obsessed over her coming, her taking away his pacifier, and her bringing him a special prize. Once I'd encouraged him that the paci fairy would bring a special prize, I had to actually think of something to bring him. I thought I had a great idea: A Thomas the train pillow. My thinking was that he could have something in his bed with him that he'd love and would help ease him through pacifier withdrawals. While he did like the Pillow Pet at first, he turned a little hostile toward him after asking repeatedly for his pacifier but not getting it. He told me, "Take Thomas downstairs. I don't want him."

Those first few nights without the pacifier proved hard for Hamilton to calm himself down and go to sleep. But after a week or so, he went back to his old habit of going to sleep within minutes of my telling him goodnight. (The pacifier was a wonderful crutch for helping him sleep these past three years, but I was thankful it didn't take long for him to adjust to going to sleep without it.)

Greenville Day Trip

During our stay in Mountville, Mom and I took the kids one day to the Children's Museum and to Falls Park on the Reedy. We'd read on Aubrey's blog about how fun the Children's Museum was, and it was indeed fantastic. Claire loved the museum, and so did the boys. This climb-able sculpture was super cool, and Claire was much braver than Hamilton as she climbed through tighter spaces and closer to the skylight above.

Then Hamilton discovered these mirrors, and he loved jumping and running on them.

We perused the shelves at the "local Bilo." I'm so proud that my son mostly filled his cart with fruits and veggies first.

Mimi helped the boys with the climbing wall.

The farm exhibit was such fun for the boys, since it was for kids under five. Mimi and Claire explored other floors, while I watched the boys play in the farm.

After a rejuvenating lunch, we walked to Falls Park, so we could see the cool bridge and play in the sprinklers. And the sprinklers even had a train--much to Hamilton's delight. We had neglected to bring a swimsuit, so we pretended Hamilton was a little European boy with small swimming trunks.

It was a beautiful area of the park, and the best part was the shaded benches for the parents.

Our Students

We've spent every Sunday this summer with our adopted college students, and Hamilton has grown attached to Alex and Trevor. Last Sunday he literally cried tears after they left. They're so sweet and wonderful to him, and he loves for them to come play each week. We talk about them a lot during the week, and nearly every night Hamilton thanks God for Trevor and Alex.

Grady's Birthday
Hamilton loved Monkey Joe's for Grady's third birthday. Amanda planned well because not only was it military night and we all got in free, but tearing the boys away would not have been easy unless we were headed somewhere equally fun like "Chik-ih-lay."

Collier even joined in the fun.

Hamilton (in red) and Grady (in orange) climbed up the big wall before sliding down the other side.

At Chick-fil-A the big boys sat by themselves in a booth, and they looked so old.

Amanda made the cutest cupcakes with grass, asphalt, and cars on them; and the boys picked their favorite color car.

West and Hamilton stuffed their faces with cupcakes.

Grady and his cousin Tyler did the same.

My Hiatus

Though the party brings my pictures up to date, it's hard to believe I haven't posted anything in three weeks. I'm sorry, dear readers. I'm hoping to pick back up with my beloved writers' group this fall, which was a great source of inspiration and accountability for writing and blogging. Lately I've felt so busy with other things--two active boys and extra church duties as we fundraise--that blogging has taken a serious backseat. Even when I have a snippet of time, I sometimes don't feel motivated. I'm hoping to work through this "writer's block" and be back to posting regularly soon.

Sharing

Many afternoons after Mr. Morgan gets home from work, he and Hamilton share a snack while watching the news. Mr. Morgan's new recliner, which we got in December, comfortably holds himself and a kid--one of his requirements for his new chair.

Even Earlier

THE BARKING COUGH
Had I known I'd have been up even earlier this morning, I might have tried harder to go back to sleep on Saturday morning. The first time Hamilton woke me up was 12:30 am on Sunday; he was crying and coughing. I went in to calm him, and I realized his coughing was worse than it's been the last week or so. He quickly calmed down, stopped coughing, and began breathing more easily while lying on my chest in the glider. Back to bed he went just a few minutes later.

At 5 am he woke me again with more crying and coughing; only this time his coughing was much worse. He was also having trouble breathing, with each breath sounding ragged. So into wake Mr. Morgan we went, and half an hour later we three were on the way to the emergency room. (We weren't sure why Hamilton was having trouble breathing, since he'd been fine all day. But, he'd eaten shrimp for the fish (ha!) first time Saturday night, so part of me was afraid he might be having an allergic reaction.)

THE TOO-EMPTY ER
With few cars on the road, we arrived quickly at Trident to an empty ER-waiting-room. One problem: It was also empty of nurses to check us in. Hamilton was breathing better by this time, so I wasn't frantic; but I probably would have been if he was any worse. The security guard came out after a few of my shouts of "HELLO!!" He told me the nurse should be back soon, which is not reassuring when I've just come to the ER in the wee hours of the morning with my little one.

Eventually both nurses did come back to the check-in station, and we got taken care of right away. By this time, Hamilton wasn't really exhibiting the scary symptoms he'd had at home, so the nurse said, "OK, tell me again what's wrong with him." Once we saw the doctor, he asked the same question since Hamilton was acting like his normal, happy self. I made Hamilton lie flat on his back for about 20 seconds, and the labored breathing and coughing came quickly then. The doctor immediately said, "Ah, sounds like croup."

THE SMALL-BUT-BIG MERCIES
For you parents out there who've had children with croup, you understand how scary the symptoms are especially if you don't know what's wrong with your child. I was so thankful that Hamilton only had croup, whose symptoms can easily be alleviated, instead of a shellfish allergy, asthma, or other scary respiratory problem. We were in and out of the ER in about an hour, and since Mom and Dad were here we didn't have to drag Claire out of bed too. The Lord protected Hamilton while he slept last night, since in my parental ignorance I didn't know what I should have been doing to help him.

Hamilton took two good naps today and seemed almost normal for much of the day. We set up a humidifier in his room to moisten the air and help with his breathing, so I'm hoping he'll have some peaceful sleep tonight--so Mama can too!

Reflections

I discovered January Reflections ’11 at Aubrey’s blog, and I figured it would be a great event to help keep me blogging and writing more. I’m making progress today, at least, on two of my three resolutions—and there’s still time in the day for a bit of housecleaning.

My writing prompt for today is a favorite moment from 2010. I know there are many good moments from 2010, but there were times during the past year when I thought, this has been such a hard year for us. My heart was dismayed and disappointed over many issues within our family, our church, and our friendships. So many times I didn’t respond to my children the way I know I should or the way I want to. So many times I was faced with the harsh, ugly reality of man’s sin, manifested in the divisive selfishness and pettiness of believers within the church. So many times my heart broke at disagreements and misunderstandings between friends, my lazy attitude toward reaching out to new neighbors, and inevitable goodbyes and moving days that have come too soon.

Yet I know God is good and faithful through all things. Though I am weak and ineffectual, He is strong and powerful. His sanctifying Spirit has not finished with me, my family, or my church. And, He is faithful to complete the good work that He has started.

Looking at the thousands of pictures we’ve taken over the last year, I’m reminded vividly of special moments, good times, and precious people. One moment I clearly remember is from July 2010 when our family went on vacation with the Taylors to Cades Cove. We spent a day at Dollywood, for we knew Claire would love it. I remember as a child that amusement parks were literally the most fun thing I could imagine doing, and I loved seeing Claire have the same reaction. We enjoyed beautiful weather, small crowds for summer, and a contented one-year-old who even napped in the stroller. Claire was beside herself with enjoyment the whole day and so grateful for our having taken her.

It was a fun day to be a parent. Not all days can be amusement-park fun, but those days remind me that my cup truly does runneth over.