Fourth of July Fun!

Our three-day Fourth of July weekend was a lot of fun. Instead of tackling my ever-growing to-do list, we decided to forget it all and just hang out with the kids! We were invited to Joe's cousin's pool (it's so nice when you know someone with the pool- all the benefit, none of the work!) so we went over there. On Friday, we got there around noon and left around 7:30. The boys loved every minute of it. Last year, Joey was a fish and wasn't scared of the water and jumped in numerous times. This year, he's old enough to know to be scared so it took him a long time to warm up to the water and swimming with us and knowing we won't let go! He stayed on the stairs mostly and played with his spidermen. He was so super good. He even got out of the pool numerous times to go potty. At one point, he burst out in tears and told me he went in the pool! Funny! Maddox did great, too. He was so content just hanging out in the baby rafts and floating around. He loved it. The kids were just so easy there, which made it so nice for us. On Saturday, we were invited back for round two. I could tell Maddox wasn't himself and it turns out he has a cold. He's coughing now and his nose is running so fast we can't keep up. Poor Kid. anyway, here are some photos from the weekend! We were lucky to have Gma and Gpa Coppola and Cary, Ali and Carter at the pool, too!

Here was Joe and I's schedule last night:

10 p.m.- We're in bed sleeping.

12:30 a.m.- Maddox is up. I go in there, pat his back, put his paci in, he's back to sleep.

1-1:30 a.m.- Maddox is up again. Joe goes in there and attempts to get him to sleep.

1:30-2:30 a.m.- I go in with a few ounces of bottle, hoping that will slow down Maddox's cough or loosen it up a little. Change his diaper.

2:45 a.m.- Joe goes in and Maddox has pooped his pants. Joe gives him tylenol, changes his pants and attempts again to put Maddox down. I walked out of Maddox's room to find Joey in the hall. Has completely peed himself but wants to go downstairs to "play".

3 a.m.- I get sheets changed and Joey down and I go back to bed. Joe brings Maddox in- can't get him to settle down.

3-3:30 a.m.- I take Maddox and finally get him to sleep and the cough is now slowing down enough to let Maddox sleep.

3:30 a.m.- We go back to sleep - or try to until....

3:35 a.m.- Joey comes in our room. "Mommy, can I sleep with you?" I'm exhausted so put him in bed with us and tell him he has to be quiet and go to bed. He did good for a while but eventually began talking and playing with his men.

4 a.m.- Joe takes a crying Joey back to his room to go to bed.

6:15 a.m. - Maddox and Joey are both up! Time to start our day!

As Joe said, "What did we do to deserve this????" Actually, I may not be a perfect mom, but I'm surprisingly overly-patient when it comes to sick babies who can't fall asleep. I just rock them and hold them and cuddle them and think about all the really, really sick babies in the hospital whose moms can't make them better. And, I think about all the sick babies who don't get held or rocked or spoiled and how sad that is. So, I enjoy my moments with them and try to be thankful it's not any worse, and that for just a moment, I can make them feel a little better!