I was unloading groceries and came out to find Will "fixing" my car....I love that he is already looking out for me!

First good picture of a smile. She always smiles at the bathtub Thomas squirty

Dinner waiting on the table and my busy bee quietly left the room for a cat nap in the play room

Rarely get this big of a smile for a posed picture!

Proudly showing his tulips behind him

6 weeks. Yes her shirt says "miss february" thanks Katie!

I have had so many intentions of weekly updates with pictures and our progress, but after both kids are in bed, I am not far behind leaving my blogging to the way side! With that being said, our days are starting to become routine and definitely feeling more feasible. I think we have our system some what figured out and hoping it stays put for a solid week or so. It feels good to catch my breath. Will keeps me on my toes and reminds me daily to enjoy the simple things in life and I know these days will be distant memories far too soon. I love watching him discover bugs with the magnifying glass, master his skills at hopscotch with the neighbor girls, ride his bike to his simulated sounds of a motorcycle and best of all, hold Claire in the mornings while singing to her. Life is good!

Philip's sister Alicia came to visit the weekend of my birthday and spoiled us with goodies, birthday pancakes and yummy chocolate cake! Thanks Auntie Weez for bringing me some sanity! So nice to catch up and talk with an adult for more than 10 minutes!!!!

Our local friends, Juby's, have been spoiling our family with dinners, playmates for Will and arms to hold Claire. I am so lucky to have them so close to watch out for me and the kids.

I feel like a hyped up junior high girl to brag about the general's wife stopping by the house to bring a meal and a gift for each kid. I was a bit nervous to say the least to have her come over but she was delightful and gracious. The same day I received a phone call from the general Philip is working for in Iraq...the same general who wouldn't let Philip come home. While I had to bite my tongue when he stated he was hoping to make it to his daughter's high school graduation, I commend him for calling as it was late his time and I know he feels bad about the decision he made in Feb. Let's face it, why else would he be calling a major's wife? Honestly, I was just hoping both kids would start screaming and make it sound worse than it really is! :)

We have been spending more and more time outside as spring turns the corner. After I dropped Philip off at the airport in Nov., Will and I planted some tulips to keep busy. I told him that day after the tulips bloom and go away, daddy will be so close to coming home. Last Monday we saw the first signs of a yellow tulip blooming and I heard my echo "mommy, daddy coming home soon?" I can't believe how much he remembers. This is after he went to his playroom yesterday, grabbed his "cell phone" (hasn't touched it in months) and told me he was calling daddy. I simply said ok and further eavesdropped on his conversation. It brought a flood of tears as he said, "I'm fine. Are you ready to come home yet, daddy?" I quickly gathered myself and explained once again that daddy didn't choose to leave us and that he was in Iraq to keep us safe. I don't really know how much he understands at this point but he recently has been asking for Philip daily. This has brought some trying days as we all miss him immensely and can't wait for his return. It feels so close yet so far away! argh!!! Oh a funny note, we are still in the progress of toilet training as we took a few steps backwards after Claire was born. I know, to be expected and I really shouldn't have been so fast and furious about it but I felt the time was right as he was recognizing the urge to go. So recently we started from square one and I quickly added that when daddy comes home they are going on a man's camping trip. I also added he needed to be a big boy before doing this trip which meant wearing big boy underwear like daddy because no diapers or pull ups camping. We have had huge progress this week and I'm happy to announce I have not had to change a depends size diaper of poo all week!!! I'm not too confident to let him go without a pull up at bedtime so after I read books and leave the room, I hear him get up and fumble around. Later when I turn his lights off and tuck him in, I find him fast asleep with is big boy underwear on, backwards and all. He once told me the "pocket" on the underwear goes in the back just like jeans. How can I argue?

Claire continues to do well. She started intentionally smiling at 4 wks. She probably was sick of seeing my mug as we were in her face all day encouraging her to shine her two dimples. I just couldn't believe it as I felt it was a bit early. She is a great eater and shows it with the endless thigh and ankle rolls.....I LOVE them all. Just takes a while to dry her after baths as we can't forget one fold! She is laid back and loves to be cuddled. Philip is going to savor this! We have had so much fun dressing her and when I say we, I am talking about Will and I. Will picks out her clothes every morning and I have learned to love what he picks regardless of matching or not. This is his contribution to caring for his little sister and looks forward to it every morning.

This about sums up the household business. I always will think of things to write while we are out and about then have a brain freeze when I sit down to write. Hope everyone is well and starting to enjoy spring as much as we are....

love,
Jami and kids (wow, plural!)