Chef Rooster and Baby Oren (though not together)

Things have been crazy around here, but I still wanted to post a couple of pictures from the past week. Lil is really getting into little Oren, and Mae is always right there to point out his hair, eyes, "mouf," and toes.


For reasons we were never able to determine (not that we tried all that hard), Rooster insisted on putting his bathing suit on after his bath the other night. I don't know where he thought he was going, but he refused to change to help cook dinner - he just added an apron. I wish I liked my figure enough to cook in my bathing suit, but, sigh, those days have long since passed.

Come to think of it, that's never really been my style anyway.

Rex Hospital, 2nd Floor: The Invasion

Lil, Rooster, and I went back to over to Rex around lunchtime today to visit. Lil was delighted to get to hold him again, and Reid was kind enough to test out Oren's infant car seat (confirming that it was indeed too small for him). Unfortunately, once that was over, Room 211 turned into a madhouse. Little Oren somehow managed to snooze through the racket my children made while they rolled around in Aunt Lauren's hospital bed and hid from monsters and a T-rex.

I think maybe we won't be visiting any more babies any time soon - at least not the two of them together. Lauren's dear friend Maggie drove up from Wilmington this morning so she was also able to witness the drama of the Seck family in addition to that sweet baby.

Baby Oren is here!

Oren Mobley Cline arrived this morning - a month early, but still a healthy 7 lbs, 3 oz! Trey and I went over to visit this afternoon with Lil, Reid, and Mae. Lil really enjoyed getting to hold Oren; Reid really enjoyed playing with the privacy curtain by the door and the door itself. He did pet him a few times and say, "Aw, look at that cute little baby!" Mae wasn't sure what to think at first, but by the time we left, she'd given little Oren a few kisses.

Nags Head

We just got back from a week in Nags Head with Trey's family. Lil and Rooster had a ball with Grammy, Papa Harry, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Chris, Aunt Stacey, Uncle Shae, and their cousin Reilly. It was such a good time, and we miss everyone already.

Thanks again to Grammy and Papa Harry for a great vacation!

The mysterious case of the cross-dressing preschoolers

Lil and Reid disappeared for a while and came running back into the den dressed in each other's bathing suits. They were giggling, and Reid yelled, "I'm a girl, and Sissy's a boy!" Lauren, Mom, and I laughed so hard that they disappeared and returned in more of the other's clothes. Twice.

Should I be worried? And why do I spend money on toys when cross-dressing provides so much entertainment?

Rooster's mullet is no more.

I realized at the pool the other day that when Reid's hair was wet, he was sporting a full-on mullet so I took them both to get much-needed haircuts this afternoon. My little curly-headed porkchop doesn't even look like the same kid anymore! The sho-lo is gone - and he looks like he's 6. He's very proud of it, though. He keeps checking himself out in the mirror and telling me he wants his daddy to see it.

Rooster swims!

Frick and Frack in their matching bathing suits
Reid figured out how to swim (we use that term loosely around here) in the pool this weekend.... He is so proud of himself. He's never wanted anything to do with a "floatie," so I'm glad he's learned how to do without. It's not pretty, but it works!



(Trey, no need to panic - the camera did not get wet.) :)

Budding Photographers

Lil and Reid got my camera this morning and took pictures of each other. There were also numerous pictures of the dogs, toys, and me looking very unhappy when I discovered what they were up to. I got over it quickly - I'd much rather them band together in mischief than listen to Reid call his sister Flower Chicken (no idea where that came from) and chase her around the house while she screams.

Trey leaves for London and Vienna this afternoon for a week.... If there are no posts in the next few days, say a few prayers for me. I think I'm going to need them!

Happy 4th!

We spent the afternoon at the pool yesterday. Reid racked out in a lounge chair covered in towels for a solid hour, which did wonders for his disposition the rest of the day. The pool speakers were blaring and there were people everywhere, but it didn't phase him. I had "milky" in the cooler so he drained his cup and passed out.


Trey, Mitch, Lil, Reid, and I went over to the Clines last night for dinner. Neither of my children was all that cooperative when I pulled the camera out so I put it up after a few pictures. Bless their hearts, I think they are officially tired of being photographed.



Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Bob - I mean Reid - the Builder

Trey, Mitch, and I were in the kitchen earlier tonight when we turned around and saw Reid busy with his tool box. Safety is typically not his number one priority, but he had those goggles on (they do give him a more professional air, don't you think?) and was banging the stew out of anything that would sit still. He was kind enough to stop the hammering and sawing to smile for a picture. Don't be deceived - that brief "look how sweet and gentle I am" pose was the most peaceful moment we've had all day.

Thanks again to Stacey, Shae, and Reilly for the most-used tool box in Home Depot history!

"I want baby Mae to sit by ME!"

This morning, Lil and Reid had quite a battle over who got to sit beside Mae in the car. I ended up getting all three seats in the back row - no small feat, but worth the peace that followed!