When I Grow Up...

Tommy cleaned out the trunk of the car tonight and laid out all his baseball stuff in the grass. Tyler had dressed himself and was yelling, "Look at me!" in about 45 seconds flat.

Orville Redenbacher's New Dessert Line

Tonight Tyler was eating corn on the cob and was carrying it around by one of the stick holders stuck in one end. Tommy asked Ty what he was eating and Tyler responded, " A corn pop."

Carson Gets Accessorized

I left Carson on the bed with Tyler for about 30 seconds while I went to find some books to read for bedtime and this is what I found when I returned. I am guessing that Tyler thought Carson looked lonely. Blue bear and George the Monkey do make good company.

12 Weeks Old

I must have blogged after a poor nights sleep because I posted Carson was 12 weeks old last week- when he was only 11! I corrected the blog and wanted to show a full body shot of him this week. We are amazed that he is fitting into size 3 diapers-looks like we are going to have a husky boy. Tyler is also big- but very tall and lean with broad shoulders. Carson's build is almost making us wonder if he is going to be stockier with not as much height. Football, here we come?

Life Is Pretty Good

As Tyler likes to say, "Carson Happy!"

Toliets Are Not Just For Flushing

Question: What do you get with a precocious little boy in an unsupervised trip to the bathroom to "wash his hands"?

Answer: See picture to the right. Should I have clarified we wash our hands in sink water?

Better Than Books

Since Tyler was getting in bed a little later than usual last night, Tommy gave him a choice: Read two books or hold Carson. Tyler choose the latter. It was incredibly heartwarming to us that Tyler would prefer to sit with his brother for a few minutes rather than hear his favorite bedtime stories.

** I should disclose that as Tyler was put to bed after holding Carson, he pitched a fit and a half to also read 2 books.

No Pot of Gold After All

Who knew Walmart was at the end of the rainbow.

On a side note: I'm excited because I'm "mobile blogging"!!

11 Weeks Old

Ijams Morning XIV

Another gorgeous morning, another day taking the boys to Ijams Nature Center to hike. I remembered everything on trip but my camera, and the day was saved when Tommy reminded me that my new cell phone took great pictures. I think the theme of the day was "turtles". Tyler wanted to play forever on the cement turtle at the entrance, and then we found one on the trail during our hike. Ironically, as we were all taking turns examining it, one of the nature specialist came by and told us this particular box turtle was a boy (turn over the turtle- if there is an indention in the shell, it is male). Before we were educated on how to sex a turtle, Tyler yelled out that he though the turtle was a girl! The end of the morning was spent exploring the pond for frogs. Pretty good day for a boy...of any age.

I've Got You Little Brother!

Does This Count?

We were all in the bathroom tonight as Tyler was getting out of the bath. As Tommy and I were talking, we heard a funny noise- almost like a hard stream hitting plastic. Turning around we saw Tyler had flipped over his Dora the Explorer stool and was peeing into it. Almost like a potty. Confused on how to respond, we just started clapping wildly. Close enough.

Picnicing With The Reid Family

A few weekends ago, we headed to Nashville and had the chance to meet up and picnic with some of our best friends that we used to live across the street from in Spring Hill. Brooks is infamous for scaling my fence right after having a baby herself in the rain when my water broke and we rushed to the hospital to bring me my overnight bag! (That kind of friend is a keeper for life). Since we moved to Knoxville, they have added one more member to their crew. It was awesome to get to hang out with old friends and for Tyler to get to play with their kids. We miss you dearly and cannot wait for the next get together!

My favorite picture of the four of us. So desperate to capture the day, we had Gavin, all almost 5 years of him took this picture while standing on a picnic table Whoops. Sorry Chris.

The look on Tommy's face is priceless... almost like he just realized he and Chris got stuck toting the babies while Brooks and I caught up.

Tyler wrestling with Gavin. This scene lasted for about an hour.

Tyler, Meet Abram

Today was a very special day for me. One of my dearest and longest childhood friends came to visit for the day with her son Abram. The last time I had seen Abram was in the hospital when he was born (needless to say, we need to get together more often). Not only was this the first time Beth got to meet Carson, but also the first time our kids got to play together. It is funny how a few blocks and construction hats can bring boys together. We had a wonderful visit Beth, even with the boys skipping a nap!

Bonding over blocks

And Beth said Abram was not into hats...

Beth, Abram, Me, and Ty

Carson Rolls Over

Last night Tommy carried sleeping Carson into the living room for his last feeding before bed and put him on the changing mat lying on his back. I was sitting in the chair and as Tommy stood up to get a diaper, Carson rolled over from his back to his stomach. Tommy and I just stared at each other not believing what we witnessed at only 11 weeks of age. Tommy ran for the camera to at least document the position where he ended up...all while still asleep.

I Love My Daddy

*Tommy asks readers to pardon his "bed head" do.

10 Weeks Old

A Little One On One...

Day At Sprout Studio

Today we ventured out to try new ground for Tyler to stomp in Knoxville- Sprout Studio. It was a cool indoor activity center for kids with everything to explore from an art studio to a dress up stage. Tyler's favorite stations by far were the air maze (tubes flowing with air that allowed the kids to stuff scarfs and balls into a hole and watch it spit out at a fast speed by there head- right up Tyler's alley) and the giant water table. After 2 hours of non-stop fun, we called it a morning and headed home for naps!

Tyler waiting for his ball to fire out of the air maze

Eating corn in the play kitchen

Testing out which ball travels faster in the science station

Water table- Tyler jumped in within 30 seconds of playing and had to be fished out

Carson at the nap station- he stayed at this station for the entire 2 hours

Happy Mother's Day

Sure, we are a couple days early, but with Jen out of the house to visit Michelle and her new baby, Tyler, Carson, and I couldn't resist a little arts and crafts Mother's Day present. (In hindsight, I think I could have resisted it and I have the video evidence to prove it ... Not so easy putting Carson's hand in finger paint while feeding him - all the while trying to convince Tyler that he does not need to go back inside because he "needs tea." Perhaps a video post is in the near future.)

We ended up with a very respectable poster board for her present, complete with the artistic abilities of a 2 1/2 year old and a 2 month old.

Happy Mother's Day Jennifer!!

Not Quite Ready to Give Up the Tee

Here's the scene: Rainy night on the sun porch - Tyler trying out new auto-pitch batting trainer after we decided he was too advanced for the tee. Maybe we should rethink this ...

Pitching Machine from Tommy Hodges on Vimeo.

9 1/2 Weeks...Not Just The Movie

Where Have You Been...Again????

I have been horribly neglectful of the blog as of late. Unfortunately, with our house on the market, we have been spending the majority of the day either cleaning or leaving the house for it to show. We have already had 15 showings and 2 offers- but are still waiting for the right one!

An update on what we have all been up to lately... Last weekend was spent in Nashville visiting Tommy's parents. In addition to the boys getting to play with and be held by their grandparents all weekend, we also went to the zoo and had a picnic with our good friends and their children. I am still waiting for pictures and will post as soon as I get them (hint hint Brooks).

Loving on the goat at the petting zoo

Running through the giant snake at the zoo playground

I did not have my camera with me half of the time and am embarrassed to admit the only pictures I have of the entire weekend are of the zoo, and the majority of those were of a monkey that came in close enough range get good shots. I am afraid to offend anyone by posting a picture of a monkey, when I did not get any good pictures of the boys with actual people we love. I promise more good posts and pictures are coming in the near future- bear with me!

I could not resist.