It's Great to be Two and more!!!

I am a bit behind in blogging, but the past six weeks have been so busy that I haven't even had a second to catch up everyone on the activities around the Pitstop.  I survived finals...forty pages of papers and two written finals....I wasn't sure that it was possible.  With a little assistance from Mimi and Mammaw, I got it done, and the kids survived too!  

In the meantime, our little man turned the big two!!!  It is so hard to believe that he is so big.  It seems like just yesterday when Scott and I were putting him on top of the dryer hoping that it would soothe him to sleep.  Now, we face the challenges of potty training and getting him to stay in his 'big boy' bed.  Time really does fly.  He is turning into the most amazing little boy, and his vocabulary grows everyday.  The words that come out of his mouth amaze me daily.  He is a little sponge that picks up everything.  "One, twooooo, hree, ourrrr, ive", he says, and my mouth falls to the floor.  His hugs are amazing, and he is truly the most loving child.  He is the sunshine in my life, and I am so grateful to be his mommy. 

We have been celebrating all month long with a big birthday bash at gymboree.  I highly recommend them for parties.  It was wonderful, and kids had the best time.  Mammaw did a beautiful job on the cakes.  'George' and 'Jeremy' replicas set the mood for all of our monkeying around.  We were no short on presents, and Will has been assisting Daddy with his new tools and workbench, which has inspired a few home improvement projects.  We had a great time, and everyone left with smiles.

We have also taken a few field trips to Daddy's office and to the aquarium.  "ishhhh!!!", he says over and over again!!!  He loved it.  Emma of course got in on all the birthday fun.  Equally growing and changing, "hey there" and "What's that" are her two favorite sentences.  She has taken a few steps and is well on her way to walking.  Growing is the theme of the Pitstop lately and with that we must say that "It's great to be two!!!"

   

Quotes from Halloween 2008

Excuse my journalistic instincts, but I think that these quotes capture Halloween '08....



1. "Momma, are we pickin corn?" Nikki Harris after entering the corn maze

2. "It's stuck!!" Will Pitman

2. "What's that smell?" Nikki and Victoria Harris

3. "That is the cutest thing" Aunt Leah

4. "Sir, can you pick up George so I can take your picture?" Random man in the neighborhood

5. "Walk!!!" Will Pitman

6. "Tweeattt!!!" Will Pitman

7. "At...!!" Will Pitman



As you can imagine, we had a wonderful Halloween full of fun costumes, pumpkins, corn mazes, and more treats than one boy could ever eat. I Want Candy!!! Pitman Halloween 2008

Finest in the Land...Again???

I know that I am falling behind on posting...so today while the kids play with Mimi, and I will try to catch everyone up!!! I decided earlier this summer that it had been sufficiently enough time since graduation that I could return to Alumni band without being completely lame. Out with the spandex and sequins (no one needs to see that post-two babies) and in with the a classic red Georgia t-shirt. Emma approved of my outfit, and thanks to Aunt Terra, the kids had a great day playing with Parker and Nikki. Scott and I enjoyed a trip down memory lane, and Scott got some good laughs at me trying to be 'the finest in the land' just one more time....man, it had been awhile, but it is just like riding a bike, comes right back!!! It was awesome to catch up with some old friends and to remember how much I loved being a Redcoat (I know, completely lame....) Last semester I wrote a nice nostalgia piece on my Redcoat experience and after my first homecoming I think it is the perfect time to share....enjoy!!!

Game Day

The sun rises over the horizon as I turn onto Board Street from my small but quaint apartment. Only one reason could wake me at the early hour of six AM on a Saturday. The streets are quiet with anticipation, and the crisp air that blows through my cracked car window seems to smell of the excitement. My red flag flaps in the breeze as its pole stretches the entire length of my small sports car. My sequined uniform hangs in the backseat window almost announcing the purpose of my trip. The town is painted red and black.

I arrive at my destination to find that 400 of my closest friends are also awake this early hour. The silver tassels that hang from their red coats glisten in the sun as they dot the curbs around the Coliseum. They await the start of this weekly fall ritual. I grab my provided cold cheese biscuit and make my way to my sisterhood of flag girls who are gathering in our usual location in front of the Coliseum. We greet each other sleepily and share war stories from the Tivoli party the pervious night. Red flags spin around us as we aimlessly amuse ourselves before the all important Saturday morning rehearsal begins.

The town is beginning to wake as one loud fan screams from a convertible, “We love the Redcoats!” It is apparent that his party either began very early or last night’s party never ended; nevertheless, these fans always provide a good laugh to start the day. The clock strikes seven thirty, and as always, we migrate to Woodruff Field. The Redcoats share this Astroturf practice field with the football team. We must wait for their practices to end before we can take the field.

The band circles around the fifty yard line. The sheer size of the group fills the entire field, and I always feel small when I see the enormity of it all. The drum major raises his arms, and the horns strike the first note. It serves as a wake up call for the tailgaters who make it an all night affair in the Coliseum parking lot. The hill in front of the practice field begins to fill with fans, family, and past Redcoats coming to reminisce. Depending on the game, the hill could be completely full of onlookers. Because of the this spontaneous audience, Saturday morning rehearsals had become a bit of a performance and are the best way to start Game Day.

I love the performance. The sound of the snare drum makes me excited to take the field. The marching band is a passion that developed early for me. As a young girl, I loved watching my two older brothers march in our high school band. I followed suit, but because I lack any musical talent, the flag team was the next alternative for me. I spent all four fall semesters of my high school years spinning flag. After seeing one Redcoat performance, I knew I had to be a part of the incredible organization. Saturday morning rehearsal feels like a reward for the hard work it took to get there.

The hour and half flies by and soon we are gathering around the center of the field to receive instructions for the remainder of the day. They are predictable. We will meet at the Tate center at 12:15 for the Dawg Walk. Everyone in full uniform and be ready to go. The 400 person huddle ends with a loud “Go Dawgs!”, and we all break for an hour and a half of coveted tailgate time. I load up my small car with as many Redcoats that will fit. Until this ritual voyage, I did not realize that a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse could hold seven people with baggage and flags. Feet and Georgia “G” flags hang from the windows.

My parents never miss a game, and I never miss their tailgating feast. News about the party and the incredible free food travels through the Redcoats fast, and my parents’ party often attracts at least twenty hungry members. This Saturday the red tailgate tent protects a feast of grilled ribs, shrimp, and chicken along with all the homemade fixings. My mother had been on campus cooking for at least two hours and spent at least three preparing at home. There is nothing like a home cooked meal that travels to you.

The hour and a half of cherished minutes fly, and it quickly becomes time to travel to the Tate Center for our 12:15 deadline. This walk is never predictable. Red-sequined halter tops and black stretch pants with a Georgia “G” flags in hand promise amusement. We approach Lumpkin Street, which hosts some of the liveliest tailgating parties on campus. The livelier tailgate party makes a passing group of flag girls more entertaining. We run through a drunken spirit tunnel. We are offered food or adult beverages for spontaneous performances, and we hear over and over “We have the hottest flag girls!”. The walk down Lumpkin never disappoints.

As we all begin to gather around the Tater Center, the parking lot becomes a sea of Redcoats. Everyone is scattered about making final preparations for the upcoming performances. We make our way to the curb to add the final touch to our uniforms. We never enter the stadium without Georgia red lipstick. It had been a requirement for as long as I had been alive I am for sure, and although I hate red lipstick, I do not mind wearing it on Game Day. Horn players migrate over to our corner hoping to steal a red lipstick stain on the cheek. They wear them as some sort of symbol of pride. I look for my lucky recipient. I have a soft spot for one particular tuba player.

The whistle blows, and within seconds, the excited chaos becomes dignified flanks. Four loud taps. “Hey what’s that coming down the track? A music machine that is Red and Black.” We chant with pride as we take our place to usher the Dawgs into their house. The Dawg Walk is a new tradition that often times puzzles me. Our flanks break into two lines that create a tunnel for the team to walk through. We essentially serve as a security measure for this new tradition protecting the team from the outside fans behind us. I am not sure how thirty five girls with pom poms are suppose to provide protection for the two hundred pound football players walking into the stadium. I think we rather provide distraction for the excited fans behind us. Let’s just say that my “three feet of personal space” rule has been violated numerous times during this new tradition.

The Dawgs safely enter the stadium, and most of the fans remain outside to hear the Redcoat pep rally. A few more rounds of “Glory” followed by “Hail to Georgia” and the crowd is ready to cheer the team to victory. These pep rallies remind me how much tradition surrounds this University and this organization. The Redcoats have been playing these anthems for many years and will continue to play them for many years after I leave. I realize that through song the Redcoats add to this University’s rich tradition.

We make our way into the stadium, and we soon find ourselves between the hedges in preparation for the pre-game show. The stadium is beginning to fill, and from the field, I am able to understand the meaning of 96,000 people. I can establish faces for the first few rows, but it soon becomes just a sea of red and black. The excitement of the event pulses through my blood, and I find myself standing in awe of the experience. We take the sideline in preparation for our entrance.

The whistle blows and we scatter to the field. My hands and feet assume auto drive as I had done this routine at least two hundred times. My thoughts focus on the experience. I stand on the lush field and look into the sea of red and black. It is amazing that something so simple can bring so many different people together. I know each person in the stadium has his or her own story, but today, they are here for one sole reason: to cheer on the Dawgs. For four quarters on a Saturday afternoon, nothing else seems to matter but this simple game. It is truly amazing.

The trumpet sounds from atop the Tate Center Bridge. The band halts in straight flanks across the field. Redcoats past and present will always stop to give the hymn the respect that it deserves. Only the highest director conducts this song and it serves as a symbol of our incredible organization. I remember the first time I heard the Redcoats play the Battle Hymn. I knew I was part of something larger than me. I was standing where many had stood before and many would stand after with the same feelings of pride and appreciation.

The rich tone of the brass line feels me with pride as the hymn crescendos with a resonating “Go Dawgs!”. The band breaks with one simple chant “Once a Dawg, Always a Dawg. How sweet it is!”

Nikki's Enchanted Tea Party

We can't believe it...Nikki's Four!!!!

Happy Birthday Nikki and thanks for the great party.....we had an "enchanted" time....

Disgustingly Southern

Could there be anything more Southern than a fair and a beauty pageant? We are in the South and I just couldn't resist this very southern tradition.

Emma participated in her first pageant this past week. In her mother's footsteps, she took the stage at Baby Miss Gwinnett County fashioning a Mammaw original. She was beautiful in her blue dress, but the organizers did not consult her bedtime schedule before deciding the time for the event. She was ready for bed and would not surrender one single smile on stage. But we were very excited when they crowned her Baby Miss Photogenic....Emma says, "Ha....see Will I can strike a pose too!!!" (See our earlier post Strike a Pose).

Nikki and Victoria also got in on this great southern tradition. They worked it in Wee Miss Gwinnett County. Victoria sparkled in pink and Nikki glowed in white. Both Mammaw originals of course. The girls did a wonderful job and Nikki brought home the Wee Miss photogenic crown.

With all the hairspray, make-up, and girly fun, we found the princess doing what she does best! So here's to Ferris wheels, meat on a stick, funnel cake, and everything else that is disgustingly southern!!!!

Once a Dawg...

Always a Dawg....



How Sweet it is!!!!!

"You have a such a pretty ring"

So, I am a bit behind...I know three weeks have gone by without a pitstop update. Shame on me.....

Well needless to say, life around the pitstop has not disappointed lately. I have returned to school and with it's start, life seems to have be turned a bit upside down. Yeah...I know...two under two and a full load of classes what can I expect.

Tuesday morning I find myself sitting in my Spanish class (yeah, it really has been eight years since the last one....hmm...lol), and the naive 19 year old next me says all dreamy eyed "You have a such a pretty ring". I laugh to myself thinking if she only had a clue. I wanted to respond with "yes sweetie, it is very pretty, but I have been puked on, changed three dirty diapers, and washed two loads of laundry and it's only seven thirty.....it's difficult to wear a pretty ring".

Lately, I have been so caught up in the challenges of everyday life. School, kids and more kids and well more kids, cleaning, laundry, dead battery in the car, husband healing from a "little" procedure......the list can go on and on that I really had forgotten that "I have such a pretty ring". The starry eyed 19 year old is on to something. Sure it is sparkly and pretty, but what it symbolizes is so much more. Giggles, kisses, hugs, and everything good in life. Even though it gets dirt on it sometimes, Tuesday morning I was reminded that I really do have such a pretty ring.

The Kitchen Sink

Scott, when is the last time we did the dishes?......Because, I think something is growing in there and my guess is that it's going to be expensive......

Beauty

My definition of this word has changed so much over the past two years. I used to believe that it littered the cover of magazines and required an entourage of hair stylists and makeup artists to achieve. Now, I see it differently.

Beauty is one simple kiss that begins something amazing. It is a boy and his father, and a baby girl with heart-piercing blue eyes. It is the simple things like a little old house filled with a lifetime of memories or grandparents with their great grandchildren.

This weekend Sara came down and reminded me of the simple beauty in my life. As always, she captured our family at its purest. Check out our slide show to see my new meaning of beauty.

http://saradharper.com/shows/pitmanfamily/

Thanks again Sara!!

To contact Sara check out her blog..... www.saradharper.blogspot.com

Let's Hear It for the Girls

I have to give a shout out to my girls this week. A little over five years ago, my brothers actually gave me something that I wanted as opposed to the torturous wet willies or wafting farts. They married two wonderful women, and I scored two awesome sisters.

Time, babies, and changes haven't afforded us as much time together over the past year and half, but within two weeks, we have managed rekindle something truly great. We have become quite a stroller posey at the Mall of Georgia, and we have discovered that everyone can fit in the Pilot minus one stroller. Yes, that is three car seats, two boosters, and three adults. Don't ask Terra how you have to enter and exit the vehicle. She is still trying to recover.

The kids are really starting to bond, and it so awesome to see Will and Emma's relationship with their Aunt Terra and Aunt Ya Ya (Leah's new affectionate name...thanks Parker!!) grow.

Last week, Mammaw's Fiftieth birthday presented us with the challenge of capturing all five kids in one photo. With a little mothering from Victoria and a ball for Will, we were able to get everyone in one place. Emma protested and in classic diva style and demanded a solo shoot. Two new teeth and some shiny gold earrings (thanks Aunt Terra), her diva status couldn't be ignored. The boys worked it in Ralph...real men wear pink, and after much effort, we managed to get everyone looking at the camera and for that, LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS!!!!!

Born in the USA!!!

Does it get any better than water parks, backyard barbecues, smores, and fireworks?

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Too Darn Cute...

Need I say more???

Strollers, Bows, Ice Cream and A Whole Lot of Fun

So Will spent the weekend at Mimi's before her big trip to visit Uncle Todd, Aunt Sihin, and Gideon. He had the perfect summer weekend with the perfect summer treat.



Meanwhile, Emma hung out with me and Daddy to do a little shopping. Last weekend we found Daddy and me new rides, so, it only fits that we would spend this weekend purchasing something new for Will and Emma to take out for a spin.



Yes, I finally broke down and bought the double stroller. I thought that it was unnecessary and that somehow I could manage with the two singles that I already had. Yeah....well, that lasted about four months. We haven't taken it out yet but I am excited. It seems to drive well and has lots of bells and whistles. I will let all the eager mothers know my review soon.



Emma enjoyed her alone time with us this weekend. She is now interested in playing, and has her favorites spots. She is most often found jumping or in her new pod watching Baby Einstein...Baby Beethoven to be exact. God Bless this video. Will loved it and Emma feels the same.



Emma says, "Dollies and bows are fun too!!!". Little girls are so much fun!!! I have been waiting for her hair to get long enough to put a bow in. Yippee!!! she will be sporting those more often.



Strollers, bows, ice cream, and a whole lot of fun....just another weekend around the Pitstop.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful husband and father in the world!!! I could not ask for a more supportive, loving man and I am so grateful that he is stuck with me forever. I love to watch him with Will and Emma. He is an amazing father and I am glad that he waited so long for me :). We had a busy weekend with the car adventure (see the previous post) and a trip to see Mimi and Pappas.

The kids showered daddy with a set of UGA coasters and some beautiful matching photos for his bare office walls. Mimi and I worked hard for the shots. Nothing like a 18 month old and a 4 month old in the portrait studio. Sara will be coming here for my next attempt at photos....totally worth the money!!!!! But we did manage to get a few usable shots.....

Am I cute??

Together at last

Just Hanging Out

This is all your getting people...

I'm so pretty

Happy Father's Day to our favorite Daddy!!!! We love you!!!!!

Dream Big...Right?

Let's face it...Scott and I are dreamers. If we weren't, I am certain that we would have never made it this far. It has always been our plan to find that perfect house that we would basically live in forever. After moving all of Scott's stuff (hmmm....do we really need all those camping supplies...I hate the outdoors...), I vowed that I would only move one more time. But, that perfect house is more like a five year plan. Well....we thought....

A couple of weeks ago, Scott and I happened upon this house that we both absolutely fell in love with. It really is perfect for our family and it started stalking both of us in our dreams. We simply could not shake our fascination with it. Five bedrooms, four and half baths, playroom, basement, perfect back yard...you get the picture right??? We could see ourselves living in it forever, but we are only a year or so into the five year plan....oops...

With all that said, we decided that we could not let it go even though we were pretty sure we weren't ready for the huge financial commitment. Scott called the mortgage broker and to our surprise, he wasn't laughed off the phone. We realized that we were closer to the dream than we thought and with a few changes we could get there a lot quicker. We had two large offenders in our budget that we had been ignoring for some time....a 2006 Saturn Vue and a 2006 Honda Accord.

Off to the dealership we went with the goal of getting a better deal. Emma offered to sell us her new ride, but couldn't come down on her price. To our surprise, the dealership could. I guess with the rising gas prices the car business isn't as grand as it once was and a good deal is a lot easier to come by.

As I crammed the strollers in the back of the Saturn for the last time, I knew that we needed something a little bigger....yeah, I know, I am the last person in the world looking for a bigger car these days....but we found out that those are the cars you can get the best deal on right now. I drive so little that the higher gas price doesn't off set the savings on the vehicle itself. Yipppeeee...I found my way into a fully loaded 2005 Honda Pilot. No more cramming strollers into the back. This puppy seats eight!!!!!

We found my perfect car rather quickly, but then spent the next hour or so wondering the lot looking for Scott's perfect fit. I test drove a cute civic for him....too small. Then there was the BMW with pimped out rims and a stereo system that consumed the whole trunk...too mid-life crisis. Then there was the red Taurus...government car. "I have a nice one for you," the salesman said as he walked us toward some station wagon. "Um...No!!!" we said in unison. "I have one last choice...good on gas", he said as he walk us towards a silver Honda Accord. We both laughed. "Do you have any other colors?" The salesman at this point had not seen our 2006 silver Honda Accord.

I guess the Pitmans are just suppose to have a silver Honda Accord because he got us the deal we needed on it. It's a 2007 and is exactly the same down to the interior color as our 2006. The only difference is that it has half the miles.

Two new (well, new to us) cars later, we are two steps closer to our dream. So maybe it wasn't this exact house, but we will keep dreaming knowing that we are making moves to be ready when we really do walk into that perfect house.

Just Your Average Day

Could it get any better???

Are you smiling yet???

Let Summer Fun Begin...

Last weekend we kicked off summer around the pitstop. Being Memorial Day weekend, we figured it was the best time for a little fun in the sun. We started off with Will's first trip to the zoo. With his affection for his own mini jungle, we knew that he would love to see all the animals. Our assumption was correct, and he was so excited. We saw giraffes, a few rhinos, and even the rare Emma breed. She was especially lively and by far the cutest. After conquering the wild jungle, Will enjoyed a rest and a ride on the very trainable "daddy" beast. We finished our safari with a visit with the tigers and a quick nap with the kangaroos. It was a wonderful day that left both Mommy and Daddy smiling.

We enjoyed a great cookout with Shayne and Amiee, and a little swim time at Mammaw's. With all this summer fun pack into one weekend, Will and Emma "demanded" that we spend Monday afternoon recovering.

Here's to Joe

With Joey's seventh birthday approaching, I thought that we should take a moment and appreciate our furry, ball chasing four legged friend. He is pretty much unforgettable for those who know him. Looking back I realize that was always the case.

When I first met him, he was chasing his tail endlessly much like he chases his ball today. I thought that it was the cutest thing I had ever seen...little did I know this was the beginning of an endless obsession to chase something. "Throw my ball, please?"..."Throw it"...."Throw it just once"....The ball flies over his head. "Sucker". You can see this thought process all over his face. But tonight as he sleeps at the foot of the bed, I realize that he is far more than a ball obsessed shit tuz.

The two of us have been through so much together. College...Joey discovered the fun of creating a snow storm with a roll of toilet paper and that Miller Lite was by far his favorite adult beverage. Meanwhile, I had the time of my life and learned that I was really clueless about life. The first few years after graduation...well...neither one of us want to talk about those....let's just say that we both had a bad relationship :). But we learned a lot. Joey says that he will only live in a one dog household and I learned to always trust my heart even if it is telling me to do something extraordinarily scary.

And then we met Scott. "Daddy" was the first thing Joey said when he met Scott and from that moment on, he stopped being my dog and became our dog. And now, I watch him chase Will as giggles radiate through the house. I know just as I have found my happiness, Joey has found his. I was always sure that Joey and I were the perfect match, and now that I see how wonderful he is with my children, I am so grateful that we found each other.

He is more than a dog, but is an essential part of this family, and to be honest, it is difficult to imagine this home without him. So, here's to our 'ball chasing', 'housekeeping', 'bed hogging', 'down-right perfect' dog.......

Welcome Gideon!!!

Will and Emma would like to announce the birth of their new cousin Gideon Dima Pitman. He joined us at 1:47 am in Dakar, Africa on May 19th. If he had been born in the states, he would have shared his father's birthday arriving at 10:47 pm on May 18th. He weighed in at 8lbs 14oz and from what we understand his arrival was eventful with Sihin delivering only thirty minutes after arriving at the hospital.

He is truly a beautiful addition to our family and his resemblance to Will is notable. What is in those Pitman genes??? See the photo of Will at the same age.....

Congratulations Uncle Todd and Aunt Sihin!!!! We love you and can't wait to meet him........

The Witching Hour

For some reason the hours between 4pm and 6pm have become the most challenging time around the Pitstop. I can have a perfectly quiet day and within 15 minutes it can go completely down the drain. With that being said, I have been working hard to find ways to make the two hours bearable. We have captured a few shots of my efforts.

Here is Emma in the baby bjourn. I have found that she likes to cook dinner with me and this keeps her happy for at least 45 minutes. This only leaves me an hour and 15 minutes left.

Will has also started helping with dinner. You can never have too many cooks in the kitchen. Hey...I take what help I can get!!!

And when the clock strikes 5:30 with no Daddy in sight.....

GRAB AND COLD ONE AND HOLD ON!!!!

The clock strikes 6:30. Everyone is fed and we are.....

EXHAUSTED!!!!!

We have affectionately named this time the "witching hours". So, when the clock strikes 4...let the fun begin!!!!!

Mother's Day Fun

I wanted to post a couple of pictures from Mother's Day. We had a very special day, and I am sure that I have the sweetest husband in the world. He suprised me with a dinner with all the wonderful mothers in my life. It was great to have my mom, my grandmother, and my mother-in-law together. We just enjoyed being together and the time was priceless....not to mention Scott had both of the kids in the bed by the time we got home. That is a feat worth much respect.

Emma was quite tired by the time we remembered to take the annual photo. She couldn't be bothered to get out of her carseat....(important mothering rule: let a sleeping baby sleep)

And of course, here is me and my cute little boyfriend :)......

I hope everyone enjoyed their special day!!!

They are....

The same breed....lol!!!! Which one is Will and which is Emma????

I'm Gonna Miss This...

While rocking Emma and listening to the lullaby sang by my Bissell vacuum cleaner, I began thinking about how quickly time is passing. I cannot believe that she is already three months old, and I watch Will in amazement everyday. He is changing so quickly.

I thought to myself how ridiculous it was that I was sitting in this beautiful tranquil nursery, but that the only thing that seems to soothe my daughter to sleep these days is the sound of the vacuum. It makes me laugh and sad too in someways, because I know these days are going to be over long before I want them to be. I know that I am going to miss the sound of that loud vacuum cleaner.

Will is turning into the most incredible little boy. He learns new words everyday and gives the best hugs. These past few months have been full of so much discovery and it is amazing to watch. "Pease" and "this" with finger pointing...I know that I am going to miss that....

The past few weeks have been trying for me. I am exhausted in a way that I cannot describe. The hours between 4pm and 6pm at the Pitstop are unpredictable, but can promise a lot of noise, some food on the floor, and that the vacuum will be running. Through the exhaustion and chaos, I know that I'm gonna miss this....

So my advice to all the new and expected mothers out there, slow down and enjoy. You will even miss the soothing sound of the Bissell Vacuum cleaner.

Strike a Pose

....There's nothing to it.....

Okay for those who know me very well would not expect anything less from me, but I have been eager to show off my "Little Man's" incredibly cute face (I am not biased at all :) ). I was so disappointed to find out that I missed the opportunity to submit him to Regis and Kelly's cutest baby contest (being eight months pregnant, it wasn't high on my priority list) with that being said, when Mom saw a promo on Fox 5 looking for Atlanta's Most Photogenic Babies, I couldn't resist. This was a fun event and the small entry fee benefited Children's Health care of Atlanta; so, why not.

Off to Discover Mills we went for his big photo shoot. I was sure that he would be the complete "Ham" he usually is in front of the camera, and he was looking especially cute in his "my mom rules" t-shirt. Well, let's just say things didn't go as planned. He spotted the carousel and it was over. He was not interested in having his picture taken and we were only able to get one usable shot (Mammaw was holding him).

The expression says it all for those who know Will well.

Never a dull moment at the Pitstop.

This weekend was the judging and the announcement of the awards. I could not resist going to check out his little face on the display boards. So, I made Scott ride with me over to Discover Mills for the awards and to catch a few snap shots of him on the board.

The contest had four categories: Most Beautiful, Most Precious, Most Comical, and Most Fashionable. I had entered Will in the Most Beautiful category, and to my surprise Will won the Judges' Choice in his category!!!!! Will is at Mimi's for the weekend so he wasn't even available to accept his award....lol. Scott and I had a good laugh and we wondered if they could reach him via satellite like MTV does on the VMA's.

Emma was along for the ride and later piped in to let us who really is the most beautiful....lol!!!!

Will says "Strike a pose. There's nothing to it!!!"

They have just added Will's photo to the Atlanta Winners link click to check him out. He is in the one year olds category. http://www.photogenicbaby.com/winners/atlantawinners.html

In the Jungle

So I am almost a month behind, but I wanted to post a few videos (thanks to Mimi for putting them together...Lord knows I haven't found the time lately) of my two angels.

Will has discovered the great outdoors, and we can't keep him inside. Sticks, rocks and a few yard ornaments are all he needs to have hours of fun. Oh..and you can't forget Pappas little red hat. It was actually Pappas' hat from when he was little, which makes Will's fascination with it even cuter. Will cannot be seen outside without it. It is the only hat that he will wear. Click to see Little Man in the Jungle.....

We are also preparing for football season. We have learned to call the dawgs and can point out the Georgia "G". With those two accomplishments under his belt, we are sure he will be ready to try out for the team by the fall. It is never too early to prepare for game day in Athens.....click to see our Little Dawg....

Now we must not forget the princess and believe me, she will not let you forget her. We have reached a huge milestone....SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! Yes, believe it or not, we have not asked "Where's Emma?" (see our previous post: Where's Emma) in two weeks. She finds her way to her crib at 8pm and is happy there until 6 am. She is growing and changing so quickly. Tuesday we visited the pediatrician for her two month check up. She has grown to a whopping 12lbs 6oz and is 23 inches long. We survived the five shots, and Emma says she doesn't want to talk about it anymore. It was very traumatic.

One last video from Easter. Uncle Todd visited from Africa to meet his new niece. It was wonderful to see him and we can't wait to meet our new nephew that is expected to arrive early June. We wish Africa was closer. Books, bunnies and a whole lot of lace.....Pitman Easter 2008

Once again thanks to Mimi for putting together these great videos!!!!!

Surviving Motherhood....

I haven't really taken the opportunity to blog about how I feel in all this craziness. Wow...how much has changed in my life in the past two years. It feels as though Scott and I have always been together, but actually, we will be celebrating our second wedding anniversary in July. This is really crazy considering how much has changed in those two years. I am now the mother of two and working towards a completely different career. I am so much further from what I thought I would be when I exited UGA's arches, but I could not be happier.

Life is strange in how it guides us to exactly where we should be. I love being mom even when the going gets tough. It seems when things become so overwhelming that I am sure I am not cut out for this, I am rewarded with the most loving hug from my little man and a coo from the princess. They are truly a gift that I am sure I am not worthy to receive. My only wish is that each day they know how loved and special they are.

I am not surviving motherhood, but rather living motherhood.

Where is Emma??

Okay....I know that I am a bit behind with posting, but needless to say, time is sparse around the pitstop lately. Let's see....I guess I should catch everyone up on the last few weeks.

The sleepless nights began. Sigh....Sigh...The newborn honeymoon could not last forever. Emma has let her presence be known, and Scott and I quickly remembered the joy of endless nights of crying. One valuable lesson learned from Will: where the baby falls asleep, the baby stays. This discovery has lead to many new sleeping locations for Emma. In the morning, this leaves the parent who enjoyed their coveted night of sleep asking "Where's Emma?".

There are a few popular choices though....(all highly recommended by Will)

1) Our Maytag dryer....(Emma seems to also enjoy the Washer...Will wasn't about it)

2) The Swing but only with the Bissell Vacuum cleaner close by and on (I must have vacuumed entirely too much in the third trimester)

3) The car seat

4) On Daddy or Mommy

Oh the joy of the first three months. Will has also gotten in on the act. He is good for a paci run from time to time and a good "shhhhhhh" especially when Curious George is on.

Lesson #1 for Emma: Do not bother a Pitman man during his favorite TV show.

Things seem to be settling in now, but I am sure we will be asking "Where's Emma?" for a few more weeks.

Jungle and Ocean Dreams....

I just has to post tonight as it was a first. My house is quiet. They both are sleeping peacefully. One in his jungle and the other in her ocean.

Tonight is the first night that Emma has gone to bed in her big girl crib. Hoping for a long night's rest....

Let them sleep......

Can't Resist.....

Taking them to the Picture People.....

Enjoy these shots from today's Easter shoot....

Another thought......

I just realized that I forgot to post the link to the beautiful slideshow that Sara created for our maternity shoot.

For a trip down memory lane.....click here

http://saradharper.startlogic.com/shows/bethpitmanmaternity/

A Moment of Silence...

Okay....So I know that I promised everyone pictures and a birth story a couple of weeks ago. Well, you can only imagine what adjusting to life with a newborn and a 14 month old is like. I have learned a few valuable lessons over the past two weeks:

1. Never leave Emma's bath water unattended because there will be a fully clothed Will sitting in the middle of it when you return. Ducky wash cloth and all......

2. Plan Ahead....Once you get breakfast cleaned up, you better fix lunch because you never know what might happen in between.

3. Diapers....buy lots of them. I think I can fill a whole trash can in just one day. I have never seen so many dirty diapers.

4. Bathroom breaks...remember to take them......

5. Will in, up or wherever first and out, down, or wherever last. Keep the mobile one restrained when unsupervised......

6. Last but not least, enjoy every minute of this as it is the last time they will both be this age :)

As you can tell, learning all these valuable “mother of two” lessons hasn't left me much time for blogging, but as they both quietly nap, I will see if I can catch you up......

Emma's birth.....
There's a story. Scott and I worried that we would not have any great stories to tell her about her pregnancy. We had so many with Will, and we just didn't want her to feel left out. No worries there.....her birth alone tops all of Will's pregnancy stories......

Mom and I had planned a morning out on Wednesday to return a couple of duplicate gifts and pick up the last odds and ends. We started early and had managed to stop at Walmart, Kmart, and Target. I had to run by the bank to make a deposit, and at that point, things got interesting. While standing in line, I started to have noticeable contractions. When I got back to the car, I told Mom that I thought that I might be trying to go into labor. So, we began timing the contractions and kept going with our plans. When we got to Discover Mills, they were uncomfortable and coming every three or four minutes. We decided to call my midwife for advice. They had me come in to be checked.....only to be disappointed with a centimeter and instructions to go home and rest.

I spent the rest of the afternoon at Mom's with contractions. By late Wednesday night, they had picked up again and I was sure it was time. At 11 pm, I called Jill (my midwife) again. She told me to come into labor and delivery. Surely, this was it right??? Nope, after two hours of walking the halls at Gwinnett Medical and laughing a screaming woman, we were only at two centimeters. This time I was sent home with a drug of some sort that was suppose to help me rest. Didn't stop the contractions, but did make me drunker than a night at the Firehouse during power hour.

We returned home at three am and settle in for the night only to hear my mother in law's car being towed from the front of our house. Our wonderful homeowner's association decided the night that I was in labor was the night to start towing cars. The crazy drug prevented me from getting too worked up luckily. $125.00 and a trip to the racetrak with no shoes, Scott was able to reclaim his mother's car. After all this, we just wanted to sleep and ignore the possibility of Emma's birth.

The morning came with even stronger contractions. At this point, I am in denial. I was not going back to walk the halls of the hospital. We would just have her in the bath tub before that would happen. I had another appointment with the midwife for an ultrasound at 1 pm, and I decided that we would hold out until then. By 12:15 I was on all fours in the hallway in front of the bathroom crying in pain. Truly indescribable!!!

The drive to the doctor's office was terrible. I just wanted drugs and for it to give me a break. We arrived and they began the ultrasound. The tech then realized what was going on and called a midwife immediately. They sent me back to the hospital and back to the triage room of the night before. I protested with a large quantity of profanity telling Scott that I refused to stay there and that he needed find me someone quick. The nurse came in and checked me immediately. SIX CENTIMETERS!!! "What did you intend for pain management, Mrs. Pitman?" the nurse asked. "A damn epidural!!!" I responded. They threw a sheet around me and rushed me to the delivery room calling for the doctor on the way.

Jill (my midwife) arrived soon after and stayed with me the entire time. She was truly amazing and I would have never made it through my almost, but unintentional natural child birth without her. The epidural came quickly, but seemed like a lifetime with the intense pain. Scott was great keeping the mood light and helping me deal with it. By the time the epidural started to take effect I was eight centimeters. Too much natural child birth for me. How women go all the way without something is beyond me.......

Emma greeted the world at 6 pm only an hour and a half later. It really was a beautiful birth and a special moment for both Scott and me.

She is a dream of a baby and she completes our beautiful family. Enjoy the video below....
Introducing Emma Marie Pitman.......

The Watch has Ended....

And it was a close call.....

Emma is here. Healthy and happy, 7lbs and 12 oz, but not without adventure. I wanted to post to let everyone know that she had a safe arrival and that we are home resting peacefully.

I will post the story and tons of pictures tomorrow as we are catching some much needed rest.

Big Brother Will is in love and is the best helper Mommy could ever ask for......more to come.....

Just Amazing....

So we actually got snow before we got Emma. Shocking......

Sara Harper came into our home today and took the most beautiful pictures of Will, Emma, and me. She is incredibly talented. Check out her blog to see her beautiful work http://saradharper.blogspot.com/. I just could not resist posting just a few of the shots. I have an incredible slide show to share but I wanted to wait to unveil it at Emma's nursery warming party next weekend, but here is just a taste.....

We have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow. Pretty sure we are getting close. Stay tuned....

Due to Popular Request....

I had to post this video of our artist at work in Emma's room. He is very talented, and in my opinion, is rather cute!!!!

No "Emma" sightings as of yet....

Emma's Princess Ocean

I know that I am so behind on the blog. We are so busy preparing for Emma's arrival. It is so very soon, and my body tells me this everyday. I have to finish my Christmas post with the amazing details of our holiday, but for the begging family's sake, I had to go ahead and post these snap shots of the progress in Emma's room. Mammaw has truly out done herself. There is something amazing about handmade baby bedding and the handcrafted decor. I hope that Emma inherits her talent for these things. Maybe it skips a generation????


The furniture is in route, and we have scheduled a maternity photo shot with an amazing photographer in a couple of weeks. Her work will unveil the finished product, but for now here is a small taste. We are getting excited.....Let "Emma" watch 2008 begin....