Remembering Scott...

Seven years ago, I lost my dear friend, Scott Brown. Scott was walking home after a night out with some friends. He had a few drinks and knew walking a few blocks was the right thing to do. He made it to his driveway. As he walked up the drive, a girl who had not made the same decision as Scott misjudged the intersection and hit him.

Scott was always doing something to make me laugh. He was incredibly smart and friendly. All of us who knew him well know he earned the nickname "Slothy." A few days before he died we went to grab dinner and catch up. I had wrecked my car a few weeks before and he was teasing me about it. We always joked about one or the other of us falling or doing something embarrassing. Seeing if we could predict the "bad things" that might happen to the other. Out of no where he looked at me and said, "Stella, you know I only wish good things for you right?" I just laughed and said I knew.

The girl who responsible for Scott's death was not much older than he was. She made a choice that so many people of all ages face often. I will never understand why people make this decision. I know, it is not a matter of the cost of the cab or the hassle of getting your car the next day. Many times, it is something deeper within the person. Please, don't drink and drive and be aware of those around you who might. We don't need more people like Scott taken from us.

Conversation with Moses' Sunday School Teacher

Me: How did he do? Was he well behaved?

Teacher: He was great! He's a really sweet boy.

Me: That's great!

Teacher: You really have to watch him don't you?

Me: Yeah, he can get into things....why?

Teacher: We turned around and he was standing on the table.

Yes, that's my child

Three Dollar Pillows

Well, sort of! I was with Emily and Amy a few weeks ago. We were having lunch and then going to the Patsy Aiken Tent Sale. After we finished eating, they wanted to look at a store beside the restaurant. We were directed to the back where they were selling their "scraps" of fabric for a dollar each.

This was BEAUTIFUL fabric. Some definitely big enough for pillows and even valances. I picked up a bunch with plans of beautiful pillows. Luckily, I know a wonderful seamstress! Penny helped me put the fabric together. The rest was all her. I knew that she was great, but I had no idea they would come out this great! I spent three dollars on these pillows, and they look like they should cost three hundred. Thank you so much Penny!!!

Play, Play, Play!

The past few days we have done a lot of playing in new places. On Thursday, we met Penny, Stephanie and Miles for a little shopping and some play time. The play area at Triangle Town Center is so nice and Moses got out a lot of energy. He is doing much better with behavior. I think the teething really did have more to do with it than I thought. (PS Penny finished my pillows that I will share on another blog.)

Friday, our playgroup met at Marbles. It is the best place I have ever se

en for kids. Moses and his friends had the best time. There was so much to do and play with. Moses did not want to leave! I think we will be spending a lot of time there when it gets colder outside or if he needs to burn off some energy. If you take your kids, get a good night's sleep before. You will be just as tired as they are!

100th Post

Wow. That's a lot of posting! What am I going to write about? Nothing earth shattering, just an update really.

My sweet little baby boy, the light of my life, is turning into a toddler. I am very proud to say that he has been over three weeks since he last nursed. He actually weaned himself. I had stressed out about it for the last two months. It was remarkably, dare I say it, easy! Since pumping had been an issue, he also does not get a bottle. He drinks only whole milk and water and LOVES both. Big praise for this.

With the good, does come the...not so good. Moses has always been busy and into everything but now he is definitely letting us know that he is not happy if he does not get his way or we take something away from him. At the same time he is cutting at least one tooth and napping has been off which does nothing for his temperament. It has however made him cuddly which is nice because a part of me does miss nursing him.

This brings me to a question to my fellow mommies. How did you guys handle/are handling discipline at this age? I correct him by saying "that's a no" or "dangerous." I have also gated off a little time out area in the hallway which he now uses to run laps and giggle. In public (i.e. today at the doctor's office) I do what I affectionately refer to as the straight jacket hold. Usually this is to calm him down, but I do not want for him to associate sitting in my lap as punishment.

I have been assured that we are doing all the right things and he will "get it" soon enough. Whew. What a whirlwind. He is a sweet boy though. I think we'll keep him!

Beach Bound Again

Friday morning we piled in the car and headed to Emerald Isle for a little Labor Day fun. We had lunch with my mom and then I spent the afternoon in her salon getting my hair done. It was a much needed treat!

Saturday was actually my 28th birthday. Since dad was still recovering he stayed close to home, but Brett and I decided to take Moses to the real beach for the first time. We have taken him out on the boat and to the little islands several times but never to the ocean. He had a great time playing in the sand and watching the waves. However, he did not understand that all the toys he could see on the beach were not for him.

After he was ready for a nap, mom came and sat with me for a little while. It was WONDERFUL. Since my parents have moved, we always go out on the boat which is great, but I didn't realize how much I missed the real "beach." I might be doing that again soon!

Game Day

Well, things did not go as we hoped. But we still had fun tailgating and spending time with friends. Moses stayed home because game time conflicted with bedtime, so Brett and I met friends at Carter Finley to tailgate. My good friend Erin and her boyfriend came from Charleston and we were joined by Travis and Julie and lots of other friends. We LOVE our new parking spots. As far as the game, well I think things will be better. I think we have good kids on the team, excellent coaches, and the best fans in the ACC. Optimism is always best!