Charlotte Morris

July 31, 2011

Last Day in July!

I love summer but I can't get it over with fast enough. It's been hot and sticky and I'm embarrassed to say I am looking forward to Rowan being in Preschool. She's bored and needs to interact with more kids. Yesterday she crashed on the couch and I took it as an opportunity to do a photo shoot with Ben and Ava in the yard...
Of course I had envisioned all these beautifully composed shots.. Easier said than done! I should have known better. The babies don't look up when I say their names, they were doing the crab crawl all over the yard, eating twigs and bark, Ava kept getting dirt on her face and moving all over the place.. What a nightmare when your trying to learn how to shoot manual... At least its good practice. If I can master Twin one year olds constantly moving and looking away I think I could handle just about anything that's thrown at me.


 Joe is turning 30 on Wednesday! Be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday.


I think Joe and I figured out that Aug 17th would be exactly 6 Months since he started training!!!!

Whoo  HOO!! 

Almost halfway there. Just trying to keep a steady pace.

July 25, 2011

Walking, Talking and Climbing!

Rowan just saw me staring out into the rain after I put the babies to bed..
She came over, stopped and put her hand on my knee and said
"mom when daddy gets home you can go out to dinnow, just you and Daddy... wif no kids! Just gwown up time."  
 
Oh she knows me so well... Who needs a shrink when you have an intuitive 3 year old.

It is official!.. Ben is walking.  Really walking. No more crawling. He is upright and mobile and I'm in trouble.
 So far this week I've found him.
1. scaling the couch in order to climb up the bookcase (it is mounted to the wall)
2. climbing up the chair and onto the kitchen table eating Rowan's left over cereal.
3. climbing onto the toy chest so he can bang on the window at our neighbors Bob and Lois.
4. climbing up onto my desk and sitting on the laptop looking for his dad inside the little camera. 
         "wha" "da da da"! Wisit, gerbeish fishibt"  that is Ben's own personal language
           (Joe says it is obviously Germanic)
5. and lastly- This time he had a partner in crime.. (don't freak out)
 I couldn't find the Twins... First I thought they had gotten outside but that is impossible since they can't open doors.. Turns out they had scaled the stairs and traveled down the hall into Rowan's room where I found them wrestling on her bed and trying on her clothes. Giggling back and forth at each other and how clever they were. (this all happened in only 30 seconds without supervision) I accidentally left the Baby Gate open! Last time that happens!!!

My personal update..
 I'm tired but happy.
too busy to be lonely, and grateful for any help I get! Tim surprised me Saturday night with a last minute visit before heading back to Charlotte. Heather a few weeks ago showing up unexpectedly with Groceries and easy meal ideas, Anna's help weekly, Juliana's last minute babysitting, neighbors bringing me veggies and books for the kids and John Robinson's surprise visit today to bring me a Trampoline and set it up! I can't complain. I've got it good and I feel loved.

I have to admit whenever there is a surprise knock at the door my heart leaps and thinks it could be Joe surprising me with an early return... even if I just spoke with him on skype twenty minutes earlier. I'm living in a fog where i don't know which way is up or down. Oh well. The kids are so cute, thank God, or this would be a lot tougher.

Enjoy the pictures. They are growing fast.
~Dor

July 19, 2011

Loving my Camera Class!

This is week two, of my "Rock Your Camera" class Each week I'm improving.. It's so nice have things make sense... And it seems to be happening fast.  Once something clicks, that's it, you know it from then on and it forever changes the way you take pictures.  I'm addicted as much to this as I am gardening now.. They seem to be the best coping mechansim I've found to deal with the time apart..  Oh FYI..... Rowan is currently running around the living room singing Justin Bieber!!! Oh yes.  That time has come. 

 "baby baby baby ohhh. Baby Baby baby OHHHHHHhhh, bay-buh  bay-buh  baby OHHHHhh,   I hoped you'd always be mine.. Mine!"  YEAHhhhhh!"  -Rowan

When we were at the Shorehouse we'd have a daily impromptu DANCE PARTY!   I said to Tim "Shhh just watch this...." I put on the Beibster song..  Slowly the music reached the other room..... First it came as a low rumble in the floor then soon a stamped of little girls screaming and running around the room busting little wild dance moves to the music. It is hilarious!!!!  Oh and of course Heather, Tim and I joined in and Anna and Jessica..
Now I must purchase the Biebster on itunes.. As per Rowan's request.  Don't judge he's a very talented little fellow. And he has fabulous hair.

So back to daily life. I'm sending a Birthday Package to you tomorrow. I apologize if it doesn't reach you in time for your birthday. I tried numerous times to get to the post office. Tomorrow is the Day.

Nothing else exciting happening here.
I don't know the countdown anymore..
Miss you. -Love Dor

July 11, 2011

At the Beach With Ro

What a treat to spend some time at the beach just me and my little Ro.
I always forget how little she is when we're around the twins.  Taken out of our usual setting she looks like a tiny little cherub on the beach.  Epecially standing next to the big wide sea. It was fun to watch her today. Running, playing exploring and of course the occational spontaneous dance routine to no music, always a favorite. She likes to shake her booty at things, its like a replacement for sticking out her tounge.. Like fist pounds have replaced the 'high five'...  She had an admirer today. An adorable little guy named Martin. He was having a ball attacking the water and every so often Ro would catch his eye and he'd circle around her with a funny little flirtatious grin.  Right before  we left the beach the boys dad came over and said "my son Martin would like to know your name?"  Martin was hiding behind his mom's leg with one eye on us. So freakin cute! I wanted to take him home.

Update: Benjamin is now a biped.. Sort of... he's starting to let go of the furniture and see how far he can get.. Five or six steps and then he laughs so hard he can't stand up anymore and he does a belly flop. Adorable. Try to get some pick of that tomorrow.. Ava is a sweetie p ie.. when she wants to be. When she's up she's really up and as yes you guessed it when she's down, well you know. Very very cute though. Vocabulary to date: "Whhh aa t?" "Uh ohh", "Ma" even though were not Italian and "Ne Ne Ne"  which is "No".. and her latest really cute thing is to blink her eyes shut and then wait a moment then open them to see if were all still here, then she laughs like it's a joke only she gets, totally Ava. Well that's the latest.. Don't know the count till Vieques, will check and update it soon..

xoxoxo -Dor

June 27, 2011

A few simple moments for Daddy to enjoy.

Funny Quote of the day!

Rowan and Renee are watching Sleeping Beauty. It's near the end of the movie when Maleficient turns into a dragon....

Renee says "Rowan isn't this part scary for you?"
Rowan replies "No watch this, he's really gonna screw her up!"
 
Oh my my where does she get this stuff?!

Other cute notables from today... This one is for Daddy..  I was putting Ben to sleep tonight, rocking him in the chair while he drinks his milk and he reached up and started pinching and stroking his own eyebrows  ever so gently.  This probably doesn't sound all that interesting to anyone else but THIS is a Joe trademark.. So many times in college after studying to long Joe would get sleepy he'd do the exact same thing in the exact same way. It was incredible to watch such an exclusive manerism passed down to the next generation. Adorable.

Ava also shares a Rowan mannerism.. Anna was rocking Ava to sleep across the room from where i was rocking Ben and she was singing and humming to Ava and Ava was rotating her ankles in unison with the singing. So cute ro would do the same thing as a baby. Wonder if I did to. Guess I should ask my mom.

150 Days...

June 26, 2011

4 Days at the Beach.

        Needless to say four days is not enough time.. I'm still aching for the sun. Rowan and the twins loved every minute down the shore.  The sand, the sun, and the sea air. It was overcast on and off but we tried to enjoy the sun while it lasted.  Ben and Ava loved the beach.  I still don't understand why babies like to sample the sand. I guess it looks like big piles of sugar.  Even after a few samples they still keep trying it just to be sure it's gross. Then once they are over it they scavenge the rest of their surroundings to find anything else edible... Which there is not. And once they are done snacking on the scenery they decide to barrel on all fours toward the loud crashing plile of water up ahead. All in all it's quite a nightmare! 
       Rowan however is the perfect age to appreciate the beach and all it has to offer... She loved the waves. Singing, dancing, playing and otherwise being shamelessly unaware of anything other than a moment of pure childhood bliss. Carefree and one with nature the way childhood is meant to be.  Honestly I was a little jealous. I did enjoy it but I couldn't help but stare across the water and feel how painfully far away you are. Oh well, I will keep trying to fill their little lives with moments of Childhood joy in hopes of passing the time till you're back with us.  

(PS I don't have the time or training to care about run on sentances or miss-uses of punctuation and other horride editing issues. Sorwee... oh and typos. ; )

~151 Days till we are on the BEACH with DADDY!!!~

June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

    Hi Da Da,
   We miss you very much. Ben keeps taking my bottle and Rowan wont let me play with her Crayons.  I really want mommy to let me climb the stairs but she keeps closing the gate and I get mad. Can you talk to her for me.  Da your going to have to have a talk with Ben when you get home.. He's such a tease. He keeps flirting with all of mommy's friends. I just sit in my highchair and roll my eyes. I don't know what to do with him.  I supposed this will continue right through college.  Guess i'd better get used to it...
    Love you,  little avey
   da Da da, Oh my gosh i love standing up it's so cool! I'm totally brave too I keep trying to stand up in different places and balance it's the greatest. Oh by the way Rowan is so confusing.. One minute she's hugging me and the next minute she say's "mom i don't like benny and then she pushes me!" I don't understand women.. But they sure like it when I bat my eyelashes and turn my head to the side and act shy. Wow their faces turn red... It's my favorite trick besides standing up without holding anything! I miss you soo much, can't wait to restle with you.. Oh and my two front teeth are halfway in so soon i can bite people for real, it's gonna be great! Well miss you and Happy Father's Day. Love Benny Boo
   Rowan says, "I love you Daddy. I'm gonna draw another picture for you and i love you. "

Happy Father's Day Joe,
   Today kinda stinks because you are such an amazing Dad and I wish I could see it in action. I promise to give the kids extra smooches from you today.
 We are constantly talking about you and thinking about you. Wishing you were here.
Love, Dor

158 Day till we squeeze daddy!

June 15, 2011

This one is for Everyone!

I dont't know if anyone noticed but so far the blog entries have been written to Joe... Well since He's not getting the best internet over there in 'Ghanistan", as Ro likes to call it, I decided to expand my audience.  I'll save the special not to be shared moments with Joe through email so this is just a sneak peak into the crazy not so glamorous but completely rewarding life of a SAHM and Army Wife.  If your about to unsubscribe to this blog because that last sentance didn't have you at "Stay At Home Mom".( BTW Army wives have to take a crash course in translating acronyms because that's the lingo) Please give me a chance.. I don't intend on boring anyone to tears using this as a no holds bare venting venue.. I promise to edit carefully so that only the most entertaining hilarious moments make it in. They occur daily and I've notice my sense of humor has improved already. It has too! No sane person can actually handle this Sh*t with a straight face so Enjoy!

One other insentive to check in... I've taken up Photography as a hobby, maybe even as an aspring professional, so if nothing else you can see (and please comment) on the photojournaling of our little brood. Joe will be able to read your comments which I'm sure will make him feel closer and more a part of our lives. Love you all.  -Dor

June 13, 2011

Happy Father's Day Joe!

Hi Honey,
 Here is your father's Day present. Sorry it's not something that you can enjoy right now.. I thought you would appreciate that it didn't cost much.. Just the price of the Perennials which will come back every year! All the stone was here already, along with the paver's and bricks.. We even split some other perennials around the yard and brought them in.  Nancy, Jason and Heather made it all possible! They worked very hard and Nance even got stung 3 times and continued to work. You  are much loved and appreciated. Now everytime I look out there i think of you and how much I can't wait till you can come home and enjoy it.. It's going to continue to get more beautiful as the flower's fill in. Soon enough we will be sitting out there together wondering where the time went.. It's going to be great!
I love you.
Happy Father's Day

Only 164 DAYS TILL VIEQUES!

June 10, 2011

From: Ben and Ava

"Hi Daddy, We had a nice Birthday. Mommy, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt wuggie, Merdith, Jessie and Glory came over to Celebrate our Birthday. We had fun outside and in our new pool. Then we had some delicious birthday cake.. What the heck? You guys have been holding out on us. We thought all there was to eat was all that mushy crap you've been feeding us... Now This! Delicious.. Yummy Yum. We wish we could send you some. Mommy got our cake from a bakery in town. Hopefully she doesn't go there too often while your at work because if she does she will get Fat and have to go on the Fat Show.. We love you Daddy and Miss you very much. Hugs and Chocolate Kisses." ~Benny and Aves

1st Birthday Cake!

Happy 1st Birthday Ben and Ava

June 6, 2011

Elle's Baptism

Well Ro and I caught up on some much needed sleep. We went to bed at 9:15 and slept till 7.. And so did the babies! Ahhhh, that felt good.

Well Ro and I had a nice time in New Jersey. Katie asked me to photograph the baptism. So I did my best. I Still need to get a handle on the camera. There's a tutorial coming up on CM (clikin moms) that's the website I joined. The class is called "the Best darn beginner course ever". Sounds like exactly what I need! It starts July 13th and I Can't wait.
I keep imagining the pictures I will be able to take in Vieques.. It will help me build the Travel portion of my portfolio. Awesome!
         I Got to catch up with a few people at the after party.. Therese Floyd is such a sweetheart. She says "Hi Joe, prayin for ya".  She's working at ST. Joseph doing high trama Pediatric Nursing. Crazy stuff. She is so amazing, dealing with anything from gunshot wounds, stab wounds, victims of domestic abuse and just about anything else along those lines that you can imagine.. She says she feels sick every time she drives to work but once she gets there she's exactly where she suposed to be. And she just got back from her 1st vacation, that wasn't a mission trip, to Rome. She plans to come down to visit me and the kids soon. Father Peter says "Hi", and that he will add you and I and our family to his prayers. He performed the Baptism.
  I talked with John and Laura Miller, Elle's Godparents. They are really cool. I could hang out with them. We chatted about our various experiences with the Army. They are moving to Charlotte sometime between now and January.
 


Just before Bed Ro made this remark,

"sometimes when you wanna do somethin but somebody else is twying to do somethin.... and you really wana do somethin alone.... that's fwustwated. That's bein fwustwated!"

Oh my, my, she's too much! Someday I'm going to write a book with all these little quotes.

Well that's it for now.

Only 171 days..

June 2, 2011

The Fat Show

Hi there darling.. I don't have much to report. Just sheer exhaustion. I must say the days are going quickly for me. Kids have a way of fast forwarding your life. I really hope you feel the same way. I will try to send a care package asap.. If you have any special requests make it known now or it wont make it till next time around.


Here's one cute thing Ro said today in the car.

"mom do we have the fat show?"

"You mean The Biggest Loser? No sweetie pie that show is over now.?"

to which she replied...
"if you lose something, you'll probly find it."

I pretty sure she though they lost something since the show's called biggest LOSER..

I really don't make this stuff up.. Her little brain is just workin everything out.
Genuinely cute

175....

Avey smiles at Ben

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