51st St.

Bug

2012-01-24T09:55:00.003-05:00

A girl selling ceramic curling irons in the mall stopped us the other day and offered to give Bug a princess hairdo for free. The top picture is the result. It would have lasted longer, had Bug not been rained on that night.
Also in an attempt to lessen the number of things I do and give the kids more responsibility, about once a week I let the kids pack their own lunches. Here is Elsie packing her lunch: sandwich, juice, spaghetti, feta. Excellent.

Lately

2012-01-17T09:16:00.003-05:00

Elliot had to complete a diorama for 1st grade. It had to depict a wild animal in its natural habitat. Of course he chose Siberian tigers. We learned a lot about them in the process. Here you see the label for his project and the tigers themselves. I think Michael had as much fun helping as Elliot had making. It's good that we have a creative papa in the mix. I'm not much for creating things, unless they're songs.

Yesterday Elliot and Elsie decided to make this tower of cups for Ezra to knock down. Isn't this what big brothers and sisters do? Ezra liked it...

New Year

2012-01-09T09:50:00.002-05:00

Every year this wonderful thing happens where Michael's parents keep our children for a couple of nights over our anniversary (January 1). Michael's childhood best friend, David, and his wife, Aly, join us for those nights. This year we even had a free cabin from one of David's sisters. We had a couple of nights kid free, and then decided to gather our children for the last night. They LOVED it. Here you see our kids with Asa, David and Aly's 4 year old. He warmed up to Ezra whom I think really liked him. The lake was beautiful and the weather was perfect.

Can't believe we've been married 8 YEARS. 8 years, 4 houses, 3 children, 2 jobs. 1 marriage. Good stuff. I'm thankful.

Christmas

2012-01-02T19:43:00.004-05:00

Here is a PR photo for Mary. She's going on her "Mothers of Peace" tour soon. And here is one of her looking entirely too old next to the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Later in the day she had a tea party with her new tea set. Elliot and Ezra enjoyed their first bath together at Yaya's house.

Haircut!

2011-12-20T11:13:00.002-05:00

Ezra had his first haircut yesterday. My back door neighbor has a friend named Kevin (pictured here with the clippers) who comes over and does her boys' hair every two weeks. He agreed to do Ezra as well. So, we all crossed the alley to our little kitchen barber shop, Ms. Thelma's house (better known as Ezra's black grandmother, as she calls herself). The girl in the picture is Ms. Marsha, Thelma's daughter, Ezra's adopted auntie.

Ezra did well for the first few minutes, curious, quiet, looking around. It was only when I asked Kevin to take it down a little bit more that he started to cry. But it was short-lived. And now we have a VERY grown up looking little boy, whose face looks fatter now that his big, puffy hair is gone. Elliot cried all the way back to our house about how he missed "Ezra's fluffy hair". Elsie decided she didn't like it either. I kind of miss it, too. BUT, I can actually see his scalp now, and it doesn't take 30 minutes a day of picking, lotioning, conditioning, etc. to get the kid ready to go every day. It'll grow back, and maybe I'll be fully functioning by then!

Ezra's 1!

2011-12-18T17:18:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to Ezra's one year birthday party! And here area couple of pictures. The Gordon clan celebrated at a beach house on Tybee Island. The three sisters made the bear cake - beautiful. Ezra loved it all.

Lately

2011-12-15T16:36:00.001-05:00

Lately Elliot has been saying funny things. He said to Michael the other day, after (I'm sure) talking about Kwanza at his public school,

E: Papa, did Ezra used to be African American?

M: Um, he's still African American.

E: Oh. Well, when he was with his birth family, did he celebrate Kwanza?

Today on the way home from school, Elliot and Elsie decided to plan a party. After some debate in the back which I couldn't hear, Elliot told me they had come up with the menu:
E: We're ready, mama.
Me: Ok, what are we having?
E: Cheese, buffalo, and beer.

Elsie, also has been imbibing the public school koolaid. The other night we were praying, thanking God for things he had given us during the advent season.
E: Thank you for mama, and Ezra, and Papa, and me, and Elliot...
E: And thank you for Hanukkah.

The above is a hair styling chair Elsie got for her birthday. Ezra fits in it nicely. It's almost time for his first haircut!

Elliot quote

2011-12-06T14:11:00.001-05:00

Elliot got a birthday party invitation in the mail today from Amanda. He was VERY excited. Then he started talking about friends and how he and Amanda are friends.
Me: So is Amanda your best friend?
E: Well, she is my best friend here. We're friends. It's a connection. ...(?)

Latest quotes, in no particular order

2011-12-03T09:55:00.001-05:00

On the way to school Friday,
Elliot: Mama, mama! There's the Bud Light truck! Yay!
Me: Why do you care about that? What's Bud Light?
Elliot: It's the official beer of the NFL!

While putting together a foam nativity,
Papa: Can you help me by getting Mary's dress?
Elsie: What is taking Mary SO LONG?

Before, during, and after

2011-11-30T15:09:00.001-05:00

Here is what the corner looked liked before we started.

Elsie models her one antler.

We did the lights and they did the ornaments, mostly.

Ezra cheered us on with his antlers on.

Papa helped with the high ones.

And they finished up. They LOVED it. What is it about being a kid and decorating a Christmas tree? Elsie told me that was the "Best day EVER."

Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T09:05:00.001-05:00

These are some of the people I am thankful for. I saw them over break as we drove the 220 miles to Griffin, then the 600 miles to St. Louis (yikes). Michael gets the gold star and probably several more yet to be determined rewards in heaven for stopping and getting a HOTEL room for me because I was dry heaving into a bag while he drove somewhere in Tennessee. He let me sleep long enough to push through 5 more hours. Then while in St. Louis I think I gave my stomach flu to the Ryans, who are now sick. Fabulous.

The kids had a great time, playing with new people, new toys, new places. It was really good to see everyone. I am thankful that we got to go home, though it was bittersweet. I think St. Louis will always be home for me, no matter where I live.

What? You mean she's staying?

2011-11-15T16:42:00.001-05:00

Sometimes this is how Ezra looks at Elsie when she talks, dances, yells, jumps, and does any number of outrageous things to get his attention. We kind of look at her the same way - in wonder and disbelief.

For Tirzah

2011-11-12T10:32:00.001-05:00

So, I'm still down from the hip surgery. Long story, but I am now on 3 kinds of drugs and not standing or walking much. So Michael bought me a Goodwill wheelchair last week. Awesome. My very creative, artist friend, Tirzah immediately knew that such a chair must in fact be decorated, by my children. So an envelope arrives, and the kids went to work. Here is the result - the most beautiful, happiest wheelchair I have ever seen. Note the flowers on the legs supports.

My confinement necessitated a visit from grandma, who graciously offered to fly down to help. She just left this morning after catching up our laundry, feeding children, giving rides, cleaning up, and generally spoiling my baby. Here is a big thank you to grandpa for letting her come down here - we really needed the help!

Between Yaya, Grandma, and our friends here in Savannah, we have gotten through the last 3 weeks ~ all of us alive, fed and happy. Thank God for all of them.

Halloween

2011-11-11T15:32:00.001-05:00

So I know Halloween was a while ago, but I've been down for the count since then. So here are some pictures. Elliot was a pink princess for her day at school, and transitioned into a purple princess for the night activities.

We walked down 51st Street for a bit before we went to the church party. You should have seen people stopping to look at Michael. Ezra was a very warm little pumpkin.

Siberian tiger

2011-11-03T10:50:00.000-04:00

One of my piano students' mom made Elliot this "Siberian tiger" costume. You can't see it in these pictures, but it even has a wonderful tail. He was a very happy little tiger. I started mentioning wanting to get to a fabric store to look at simple patterns, but not wanting to drive because of the pain. The next time I saw this woman, she has fabric and a pattern for me to "ok". As they would say here, "bless her heart". We love the tiger costume.

BIG Big Bird

2011-11-01T12:15:00.004-04:00

Before we took the kids to the church for the Presbyterian version of Halloween last night, we walked a bit down 51st St. trick or treating. You should have seen the cars stopping, honking, looking at my 6'2" husband as Big Bird. Just part of why I love him.

Red Ribbon Week at Heard

2011-10-27T16:31:00.000-04:00

Elliot has been wearing things all week to show his solidarity against drugs. He explained to us last night that he wore his Braves hat to school yesterday to show that he was going to help "put a lid on drugs. Because we have to stop drugs. We are AGAINST drugs. Definitely.
...
Mama, what are drugs?"

Love it. Now is obviously the time to indoctrinate the child.

Saturday

2011-10-25T17:03:00.001-04:00

Why would a 3 day post-surgical person get in the car and go to the Bamboo Farms and Coastal Gardens? The Pumpkin patch, of course! And the Halloween festival. And funnel cakes, really. That's the real reason. Hot grease and sugar with flour. Who wouldn't get out of bed for that? We all went. The kids loved the pony rides, the food, the flowers, the rose garden, the huge bamboo. I still think it's crazy that I live in a place where bamboo grows naturally. Yaya bought us pumpkins on the way out. The crutches about killed me; I think I'm done with them. But it was a beautiful day, and Ezra got to sport his, formerly Auntie J's, Bama shirt. Roll Tide.

More bamboo

2011-10-25T16:57:00.002-04:00

This is what happens

2011-10-24T14:39:00.000-04:00

when art students get ahold of your baby.

Hangin' out in the crib - literally

2011-10-17T17:05:00.001-04:00

All the kids like Ezra's crib. Elliot gets in it from time to time. Elsie loves to jump in it. Ezra's just happy to have the company.

Quotes

2011-10-12T11:17:00.002-04:00

From this morning. Elliot and I were talking about Psalm 139 and how God knows everything, even before it happens. He commented, "And he knew that you and me would be 2 eyed winkers?" Love that kid.

Sometimes we dance on the weekends

2011-10-11T09:23:00.001-04:00

Working and playing

2011-10-03T20:10:00.001-04:00

I took this picture of Bug, because I love that she is scrubbing the floor in her cute, madras dress. Only Elsie. Ezra has been playing with Elsie's baby Lion when she, Elsie, is at school. They have conversations. He's just a great baby.

Little friends

2011-09-30T09:38:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine brought her daughter over last week to play while she did some shopping. She and Ezra get along well. But then, everyone and Ezra get along well.

Here are some recent quotes:

Elsie: Elliot, come quick! Ezra has his penis on!

Elliot: (knowing a friend from school is coming over to play later) Mama, once it's 7am, can we start cleaning my room?

Elliot: Mama, which is healthier, chicken nuggets, or chicken strips? Because I want to be healthy.

Elsie: Mama, I love you all the way up to the moon and back.

Elliot: Mama, have you seen the movie Homeward Bound? It was soooo good. A tear even came out of one of my eyes!

Skidaway Island

2011-09-17T17:44:00.003-04:00

Today we convinced ourselves that we could indeed be a bicycling family. So Elsie and Ezra got strapped into the bike trailer and hooked onto Michael, while Elliot rode his own bike (still with training wheels). About 1/4 mile in we discovered that Ezra was using Elsie as a chew toy. Not good. So we put Elsie in the bike seat behind me, into which her feet almost wouldn't fit anymore, and left Ezra with the entire trailer to himself.

We had lunch at the observation tower, from which Michael took the picture of the marsh. It was about 73 degrees - perfect. You see Elliot here with the map, acting as navigator for the family. Of course we had another adjustment when we discovered that Ezra was eating dirt in the bike trailer. He was promoted to bike seat with me - hence the pink helmet. There were lots of roots in the trails, big enough to kick off one of Elliot's training wheels. Not the ideal for our first trail riding day as a family. But we think the kids had fun...

Snow cone day 2011

2011-09-15T10:02:00.003-04:00

Tuesday was snow cone day for RUF SCAD. Michael rents a snow cone machine, makes a BUNCH of syrup, and takes a group of students to camp out in the middle of a 800 person freshman dorm. They put out signs and give out free snow cones to 5 or 600 students, talking to whomever they can, telling them about RUF. The kids and I caught the tail end of the giveaway this year. Elsie and Elliot both had 2. Ezra even tasted one. The older kids loved running around the courtyard, dripping with syrup, yelling, "free snow cones, free snow cones!" Ah, the life of a campus minister.

Chocolate candy cane, and happy

2011-09-01T19:59:00.000-04:00

First day of Pre-K

2011-08-30T09:20:00.002-04:00

How did this happen? Little Bug is 4 and starting Pre-K? She and Papa went out for breakfast and then met me in the Pre-K parking lot. Elsie stormed in like she owned the place, saying hi to friends, finding her cubbie for her backpack and walking easily away after she kissed me. I however, was not so ready to go. I kept hugging her and telling her I would see her this afternoon. I think I was really telling me I would see her this afternoon. Little Bug. All grown up and at Pre-K. Can't believe it.

Guess what Ezra taught himself last weekend?

2011-08-24T12:19:00.001-04:00

Click here to see.

Elsie quotes

2011-08-24T11:17:00.003-04:00

This morning, after using the bathroom,

"Mama, thanks for teaching me how to pee in the potty. Could you sometime teach me how to wipe after I poop? Thanks."

Ok, mom!

2011-08-22T20:18:00.000-04:00

I think he was ready for me to go. I was not ready to go.

His 1st day

2011-08-22T16:43:00.002-04:00

About half way to his classroom, Elliot turned around and said to Michael and I, "I can take it from here." As if we would just leave. Just because he's 6 doesn't mean we're not going to walk him all the way to his classroom on his first day!

Elliot's 1st day of 1st grade.

2011-08-22T16:40:00.000-04:00

Can't believe it!

Boys

2011-08-20T19:04:00.000-04:00

Michael made a great showing as usual

2011-08-20T19:01:00.000-04:00

Elliot's 6!

2011-08-20T18:33:00.003-04:00

Well, he will be tomorrow. So his birthday party was today. I think the kids LOVED it. Michael borrowed a 10 foot waterslide from a church. Yaya and Big Papa brought cousin Jackson from Macon. Michael and I filled a gazillion water balloons. There was cake. There were presents. There was much noise. And Elliot will be 6 tomorrow morning at 11:42am. My little Elliot, turning 6 and starting 1st grade Monday morning.

Hope you're having a good day.

2011-08-18T19:43:00.000-04:00

Ezra is!

Just hangin' out

2011-08-17T22:11:00.002-04:00

There is never a lack of entertainment for baby Ezra. The poor kid has never known a day without people in his face, sometimes very close to his face. Lately he has been pulling his knees up under himself, creeping forward with his arms. I keep telling him not to trouble himself, that there are 4 of us who would gladly grab whatever he needed. No reason to move, little boy! But he keeps working at it, concentrating, figuring out more and more every day. Needless to say, we're not quite ready for mobile Ezra.

It's official!

2011-08-08T12:13:00.002-04:00

As of a judge's signature at 10:45 this morning, Ezra Alton Amir Gordon is permanently a Gordon! As you can see, he was pretty worn out by the whole thing. The secretary gave him the little lamb he is holding onto here. It's a happy day for the Gordon household!

Happy Birthday, Bug!

2011-08-04T10:34:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was Bug's 4th birthday. Can't believe it. I'm still totally in denial. Michael decorated the dining room for her with streamers and a princess banner, handing her a glitter-filled baton when she got up. For dinner, we took her to a diner, as she requested "breakfast food". After 2 very large pancakes, eggs, grits and two slices of bacon (along with a Sprite), the waitress brought her a free bowl of ice cream. Here she is enjoying it, as only Bug can. Happy Birthday, Bug! We're so glad you were born!

And, more from the beach

2011-07-31T19:33:00.000-04:00

More from the beach

2011-07-31T19:29:00.000-04:00

Redington Beach 2011

2011-07-31T19:24:00.001-04:00

So while Michael had RUF training in Atlanta, the kids and I drove the 367 miles to St. Petersberg to spend a few days with my parents and the Ryans. It was great to be with them.

Family shots

2011-07-25T20:36:00.001-04:00

A photography student of ours took some family shots for us. He used OUR camera, but somehow still took much better pictures than we do...

Ottawa Farms

2011-07-12T20:51:00.002-04:00

Where do blueberries grow like crazy? Coastal Georgia, of course. This afternoon we drove to a farm where you can pick your own. We have picked before in their strawberry fields. The kids were amazed at a field filled with blueberry bushes taller than them as far as their eyes could see. Of course it happened to be 98 degrees with a heat index of 115. So we didn't stay more than 30 minutes. But also at the farm we bought two watermelons and a tomato. Our total was less than $5. I guess sometimes if there is no farmer's market, you have to go to the farm!

A little post dinner chat with Ezra

2011-07-06T20:05:00.001-04:00

Click here to see carrots gone wrong.

Crabbing

2011-07-02T19:46:00.002-04:00

So Michael took the older 2 crabbing yesterday afternoon. I was pessimistic. But they came home with 6 blue crabs, who made it onto our dinner table drenched in butter last night, and then again for lunch today as crab cakes. They were great! But so is anything that to which you add buttery crackers, mayo and eggs, roll in bread crumbs and fry...

Just a few more from Peoria

2011-06-28T14:42:00.002-04:00

Grandma has a lovely large bathtub where the kids enjoyed a bubble bath, under the skylight. Michael and I took the older two to a park where Bug had some swing time. And here is my favorite male model.

Some from Peoria

2011-06-28T14:38:00.001-04:00

While in Peoria, Ezra got to hang out with grandma, and meet GREAT grandma, as you see here. The man in the pink scarf is NOT a grandma, but my silly husband.

St. Louis Zoo

2011-06-20T20:15:00.002-04:00

On our fly by trip through St. Louis we stopped by the zoo and met up with the Hendrix children and mama. And the tiger. We met up with him, too.

Savannah to St. Louis to Peoria to Griffin to Savannah

2011-06-18T22:10:00.002-04:00

We made it. I am convinced that God kept us from killing each other, kept my back from seizing up, kept us going. We had a great trip. Though it was much too quick and we did not get to see everyone we had hoped, we did see many. Here you see Elliot holding up the map. I bought a pad of 30 maps at a teachers' store. Elliot loves maps, states, all things geographic. He must have gotten this from my mother, as neither Michael nor I are particularly directional. For about 7 hours the first day, Elliot made a tally mark in a state every time he saw that state's license plate on the road. It was a lot of fun, actually. Michael and I were still looking for license plates from far away long after Elliot was finished. We even saw California, Alaska, Montana, and New York.

Here you will see our friend, Mark, with his babies, Isak and Remy, and our baby, Ezra. And there is cousin Maggie, with the kiddos. Maggie has become the favorite cousin after her lavish care for the kids. We miss her, and all of the Ryans, and all of St. Louis...

Kindergarten End of Year Program

2011-06-08T14:52:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was Elliot's end of the year program for Kindergarten. You see Ms. Satcher giving him his certificate in these pictures with all of the kindergarteners. Also, there were more awards given in the classroom. Elliot got the "Mr. Goodbar" award, for best behavior. Hm. Ms. Satcher tells us he is "perfect" in the classroom. Not so much at home. But if I were to pick one way, I guess that would be it.

Brothers

2011-06-07T07:46:00.002-04:00

Elliot likes to snuggle with Ezra. He loves to have Ezra with him in his bed for a few minutes before he goes to sleep at night. Ezra pretty much puts up with anything, as long as he can breathe.

Elliot has been playing basketball for a couple of months now in our living room. He plays "Games" a lot, telling us who won and what the score was. Yesterday Scotland played Louisiana. I'm pretty sure Louisiana won that one. Elliot is fascinated with maps and all things cartography. Must take after his grandmother because he CERTAINLY didn't get it from me.

Ezra talks

2011-05-25T20:52:00.001-04:00

Click here to see Ezra talk.

Quotes

2011-05-25T20:45:00.002-04:00

So last fall, I think it was, Michael lost about 30 pounds. He would weigh himself on our Wii. For any of you who have the Wii Fit, you know that once it weighs you, it tells you what category you fall into - normal, overweight, obese, etc. So yesterday during dinner for some reason we were talking about weight, and Elliot asked Michael,

E: Papa, what was your number when you were the Beast?

M: The Beast?

E: Yeah, what was your number?

Me: When was Papa the Beast?

E: Before, when we had the Wii, and papa was the Beast?

Seconds pass, puzzled looks on our faces...

Then I cracked up.

Me: You mean, when papa was obese?

E: Oh, I thought he was the Beast.

Randomly, the other morning Elliot looked at the clock after breakfast and said this,

"8:15! Well I better spank my bottom!"

Savannah Celtic Spring Season 2011 ends in victory

2011-05-23T20:34:00.002-04:00

Elliot's little team, the Nedderlands, played their best game Saturday. It was fitting that it was their last game. They beat the opposing team, the Gryphons, coached by a good friend of ours, 7-0. Elliot, in a rare moment of offense when he felt comfortable enough to leave the goal unattended, scored the last goal of the game and the season. Overall, it was lots of fun.

Quotes

2011-05-16T20:02:00.002-04:00

Elliot, after playing Chicken Blaster for 20 minutes: We hurt a lot of chickens, papa!

After reduce, reuse, recycle week at school: Mama, we should make less trash because we're filling up our landfills!

Elsie, while playing the part of Dr. Bug: Mama, you are hot! Your number is 5. And you have monkeys in your ears. I think you need a shot.

Michael, referring to Stripes, our cat: Have you fed that thing today?

Big Papa and Ezra

2011-05-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

Big Papa and Ezra had some hang out time watching race cars.

Big Bug

2011-05-14T12:33:00.003-04:00

The Sidewalk Arts Festival was a couple of weekends ago in Savannah. SCAD students draw with chalk on the sidewalks all around Forsyth Park. It's a great event, with lots of food, music, and things for kids to do. Here is Bug enjoying a big blow up slide. And here is the RUF square!

Eating wears Ezra out.

2011-05-13T20:48:00.002-04:00

And me, too, honestly. Our pediatrician is dead set on Ezra eating fruits and vegetables along with rice cereal. Ezra is not so hip on it. He fell asleep after this bout with solid food. I'm giving it a rest for another couple of weeks. We'll see how he does after that.

Spring Concert

2011-05-07T20:40:00.002-04:00

So last fall in anticipation of hopefully receiving a baby, I quit my job as a bookkeeper for a small private school in downtown Savannah. In a terrified and clueless state, I wondered if I could make enough money teaching a few piano lessons to send Elsie to her school two days per week so that she could continue with the friends and teachers she loves.

God gave me these 5 students whom I have truly enjoyed. They started last November, and just tonight gave their first concert. We had everything from Yankee Doodle to Beethoven, and it really was wonderful. I am so thankful for what I get to do with them, for getting to watch them learn and grow, for seeing the light turn on when they get it. They played well tonight and made me proud.

Lately

2011-05-05T21:04:00.003-04:00

So Ezra has been trying on some new things lately. Here you see him trying some peas. He's obviously not sure what he thinks of them, though his chewing skills are definitely improving since we started rice cereal a few weeks ago. He has also been trying on his new sheriff costume thanks to Yaya. He looks pretty tough. I think we have passed through the hard part of Ezra's babyhood. Though he still spits up a lot, he seems much happier and smiles a LOT. He has slept through the night 3 out of the last 5 nights, and only really cries when he's hungry or really, really tired. We're just enjoying him. He has starting talking a bit, which is probably the cutest thing ever. He makes all kinds of sweet baby sounds mixed in with great dimples and periodic smiles. I'm getting less and less work done when the other two are gone because I just sit on the couch and talk to the baby!

Ezra smiles

2011-04-27T19:53:00.000-04:00

Click here to see Ezra smile.

Washington DC with Jess

2011-04-26T10:43:00.002-04:00

Michael gave me a fabulous Christmas present this year - a trip to see my friend, Jessica in Washington, DC. Because of Ezra's hospital stay, the trip was delayed until my birthday, which happened to fall on Easter this year. It was a WONDERFUL long weekend. I got a personal tour of the DC monuments including Jefferson and WWII shown here. I visited the Freer Gallery of Art, the Holocaust Museum (a must see), the Vietnam, Lincoln and FDR memorials.

Jess and I biked along the Potomac, over the Virginia, all around Georgetown and even past the white house on our way to church, which was SO refreshing. It couldn't have been a better weekend.

Quotes

2011-04-18T11:30:00.002-04:00

Elliot on a walk yesterday afternoon, "Mama, don't we just live in a lovely neighborhood?"

A friend's youngest child, Sam, at church, while Michael was helping him go to the restroom, "I do know everything, but right now I'm having trouble getting my pants up."

More Elliot quotes

2011-04-13T09:43:00.002-04:00

I've been explaining to Elliot that many things in Ezra's body don't quite work yet: he doesn't quite have hand control, he can't crawl or walk, etc. This morning he asked me after just waking up,

"Mama, does his brain work yet?"

Understanding Ezra's love of fans, Elliot asked me recently, "Mama, can we take Ezra somewhere where he can see lots of lots of fans? Wouldn't that make him happy? Like Home Depot?" Then to Ezra, "Hey Ezra, you can watch the fan in my room, too. And there's one in mama's room, and in Elsie's. You can watch so many fans at home!"

Smiles

2011-04-12T16:50:00.002-04:00

Ezra has been working on his smiles for the past couple of weeks. He's getting better at them. We still have to work pretty hard for one, but they're worth it. This is just a small grin.

The Keys

2011-04-07T17:09:00.002-04:00

The Key children (and parents) are a major part of our lives. If they could, I think my children would live with them. Simmons and Elliot apparently got married and had twins yesterday afternoon. Their wedding music was Simon and Garfunkle's "Live at the Park".

Soccer Saturday #2

2011-04-06T20:15:00.002-04:00

Cooking

2011-04-04T13:59:00.002-04:00

Bug has been cooking lately. She spent Friday morning cooking with the RUF students, making pizza in a demonstration with our excellent church cook. Then she helped me make peanut butter cookies. You can see her waiting for them here. Notice the PANTIES, not DIAPER. She is officially potty trained, though the poopie training does not yet seem to be complete...

More camping pictures

2011-03-31T07:28:00.001-04:00

Camping

2011-03-29T11:30:00.002-04:00

Last weekend Michael took Elliot camping along with several other boys and their dads. They played basketball, fought with fighting sticks, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, slept in tents, and in general got dirty and did boy things. I'm pretty sure it was the highlight of Elliot's month.

More pictures of the new fort

2011-03-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

Before and after on a Saturday

2011-03-20T18:44:00.002-04:00

Many months ago, Michael promised Elliot a tree house. Yesterday, it happened. It started with Michael picking up some in the back yard. Then he found some of the scrap lumber behind the shed. One thing led to another, as one thing often very quickly leads to another with Michael. And before I knew it, a tree house was taking shape. At one point the kids were sitting about 5 yards back, just watching their papa like an audience as he worked. By the end of the afternoon, it was done. They were SO excited. The tree house was quickly named "Fort Gordon Perdita". Perdita is, of course, the mama in the 101 Dalmatian story. That was Elsie's contribution. Many, many things have already made it into the fort. Food, pets, toys, even Ezra and me. I may hide there when I don't want anyone to find me.

Redneck slip and slide

2011-03-20T14:05:00.001-04:00

So because Michael is from rural Georgia and because he is AWESOME, he decided it would be fun to pull out the big black tarp he had, cover it with Dawn dish detergent and water, and tell the kids to walk, run and slide on it. Then he told Elliot to bounce on his moon bouncer on the tarp. That was brilliant, on his part. I wish I had a video of it. I don't. But you can see the launch that happened in one of these pictures. And by the way, it was 85 degrees here yesterday.

Kiss me

2011-03-18T19:57:00.001-04:00

Talking to my toys

2011-03-18T09:15:00.002-04:00

Here is Ezra hanging out under his play gym. He seems to really like it. For the most part, he's happy under there until he gets sleepy and needs to take a nap. Elsie often gets under his gym with him and talks to him - and I mean TALKS to him. Ezra will definitely never be lonely.

Sweet big brother

2011-03-15T12:07:00.001-04:00

Click here to see Elliot trying to make Ezra smile.

More baths

2011-03-08T20:40:00.002-05:00

Somehow baths in the sink have become normative for Bug. It is somewhat convenient, as I can do the dishes as she washes herself. I can rinse her with the sprayer. But she's not going to fit in there for long.

Things are slowly getting back to normal here - whatever "normal" is. I still don't know what normal looks like with three children. Ezra took several naps today, was up for awhile, ate, cried, pooped. He feels like a real baby now instead of a small doll. He is heavier, more substantial. He is looking at us when we look at him. I fully expect him to smile back at me some time soon.

Elliot started his spring soccer season last week. Yesterday was practice number two - a complete success. The coaches are wonderful, playing soccer versions of sharks and minnows and all kinds of games. I think at some point we'll be playing games on Saturdays.

Ezra is snoring as I type since he does, of course, sleep in the living room. I guess this is what normal looks like!

Nurse Andri to the rescue

2011-03-06T08:08:00.002-05:00

We are ALL very thankful that Aunt Andri came to help us. Here you see her giving breathing treatments to BOTH of our boys who had some gunk in their lungs. She also took the night shift, entertained Elsie, stayed with Ezra at the hospital, and countless other things. We miss you Aunt Andri!

One week ago today

2011-03-03T10:38:00.002-05:00

This was Ezra in the ER last Thursday. The poor guy, as many of you know, had gone downhill very fast. It started with him being a little bit snuffly. It moved to a lot of congestion. Soon I couldn't rouse him for his 6 o'clock bottle and by 8:30 I was worried enough that I took him to the ER. After waiting about an hour, a nurse took his oxygen level at around 65. Normal is 93 to 100. That moved us ahead of a lot of people.

After 2 spinal taps, several X rays, a CT scan, blood cultures, a urinalysis, and some other blood tests, we ended up in the pediatric ICU of a DIFFERENT hospital, transported by ambulance. He was in the ICU for 4 days, where he steadily improved and was moved to the regular pediatric floor. There his breathing improved for 2 more days until we were released on Tuesday. He is still receiving breathing treatments at home until he completely clears up.

This morning at the doctor he weighed 7 pounds! He even gained weight through that whole ordeal. People from church and friends have been FABULOUS, helping us with meals, babysitting, rides, and all kinds of things. Finally, my sister, Andri flew down at my emergency request when we learned that on the regular floor of the hospital, someone had to be present in the room AT ALL TIMES. Try that with two other kids and no family in town! She has been an INCREDIBLE help.

We are so thankful to be home, all of us under one roof again. And hopefully that's the last we'll see of the hospital for a long time!

Elsie washes in the sink

2011-02-22T14:00:00.002-05:00

Click here for a short video of Elsie washing her legs and feet as if she were the dinner dishes.

Big yawn and big brother

2011-02-22T12:46:00.003-05:00

Elliot got home from Disney World yesterday. It was clear that Ezra had missed him. We heard all about Splash Mountain and new toys, the fireworks and the bears singing. It was a dream come true for a 5 year old Elliot. He was beside himself with happiness, wearing his Lightning McQueen Micky Mouse ears, of course.

Ezra had his weekly checkup this morning. He is up to 6 pounds, 2.5 ounces. He gained 7 ounces in 7 days and is now a full 19 inches. His reflux seems to be just a bit better and he is wanting to eat more and more. He just this week is growing out of some of his premie outfits. He's about 4.5 ounces smaller now than Elsie was at birth...

In more pressing news, Dr. Robert Gordon, Michael's dad, was admitted to the hospital last night for heart related issues. After a cardiac catheterization revealed a major blockage in one of his arteries, he is being moved to a larger hospital in Atlanta. Michael is going with him, and Elsie is staying in Griffin with Aunt Gail, whom she loves. Please pray for Dr. Gordon who will probably undergo surgery and possibly be given a stint today.

"It's fun having a baby, isn't it mama?"

2011-02-16T20:38:00.002-05:00

I'm glad she thinks so. Especially when he stops crying. Thank God for Dr. Jones and Ezra's acid reflux medication. I think it kicked in this evening. I fed him at 7pm and he was awake for a full hour, with no screaming. It was soooo much fun.

Some recent quotes from Elliot:

While he was at a friend's house playing,

Sam: Elliot, I wish you could stay here and play all day.

Elliot: Sam! I can't do that! I have a new baby at home!

When playing house with Elsie in her room,

Elliot: I'm going off to work. When I come home, you have to have some dinner ready for me. (?)

Ezra was up to 5 lbs 10 oz at the doctor yesterday. His little legs actually have one very small roll on them. Can't wait for more.

We've been a little tired around here lately

2011-02-15T17:51:00.002-05:00

Ezra visited Dr. Jones again today. He's up to 5lbs 10 oz, 18.25 inches. He also got a prescription for some acid reflux medication. I'm really hoping it makes him happy. The poor guy cries more the more he's awake. The doc says premies are usually reflux kind of people. I remember giving Elsie Prevacid. In 4 days she was a completely new baby. I would love that for Ezra. He now usually screams for about an hour after every feeding. Pain. In a very little body.

Stripes

2011-02-10T13:23:00.002-05:00

Lately Elsie has been on a stripes kick. She constantly wants to wear every article of clothing possible with stripes. Stripes on her hat, her shirt, her pants, her tights. Here you see her sporting some stripes with Ezra, who loves his striped bed. Elsie is wonderful at keeping Ezra entertained. When I ask her to keep him awake during the day, she will dance, sing, bring him pets, and share her toys with him. We all know she is a champion talker, so Ezra has a little chatterbox next to him in the mornings while I get Elliot ready for school. She loves to help me with him, often holding the bottle for me when he eats. If he's been asleep for awhile and happens to wake up, Elsie will yell, 'Elliot, his eyes are open! His eyes are open!' She's not one to miss an opportunity for an audience. Even one that doesn't talk.

Big brother

2011-02-07T21:25:00.002-05:00

The other day when I asked Elliot if he was enjoying being a big brother he said to me, 'yeah mama, this is my second time.' Most days he says to me at least once, 'mama, isn't he great?'

This is one of the things I love about Elliot - his gentleness. Yes, he and Buggie fight and he can be rough when he's mad, but over all he's a gentle, sensitive little boy. And he LOVES babies, especially his new little brother. The other morning I found him in the living room, telling Ezra all of the things he is going to teach him how to do. It made me cry, and made me think about how much richer we will all be, and already are, because of this tiny little person.

He's alive!

2011-02-05T11:52:00.001-05:00

So far there have only been still shots of this little "cocoa puff", as Miss Emily calls him. Click here to see a short video of Ezra.

A little perspective

2011-02-01T19:27:00.002-05:00

So we took Ezra to the doctor yesterday. He got an A+. He had gained 5 ounces in 5 days and was looking great. Here are a few pictures to provide some perspective on how small he really is. He is up to 4 lbs 13 oz. At this rate, in a month he will be up to Elliot's birth weight! Which is about right, since that will be approximately his due date...

Bringing Ezra home

2011-01-31T11:08:00.002-05:00

Ezra has come home! He was released from the Medical Center of Macon on Wednesday, January 26th. He traveled to Covenant Care Services in Macon, our adoption agency, where he went through a short ceremony and was signed over to the Gordons. Here is Christie Lader, our caseworker who is walking us through the whole process. A rose was placed on the pulpit of Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, GA yesterday morning in honor of Ezra coming home. And Elsie here is petting her little brother, which she often does (after some hand sanitizer, of course). Elliot is thrilled about Ezra, pretty much all the time. He loves sharing a room with him and says when he sits next to me and talks to Ezra, "isn't he great, mama?" It's pretty darn cute. Elsie is sort of hit or miss. Sometimes she's so excited to have a real doll in her house that eats and poops and everything. Other times she gets a little tired of not having as much attention. But I think in general she's doing ok, except for a bad cold. Ezra is just a sweet little person.

At his first doc appointment today, he had gained 5 ounces in 5 days! Fabulous. We'll be at the pediatrician once per week for awhile to be sure his iron stays where it should. He is only awake for a little bit when he eats now, but doc says we should try to keep him awake a little longer. He has beautiful eyes and seems to study people a lot like Elliot did. I can't wait to get to know him a little bit more as he gets older.

So far we think we'll keep him!

Hi Ezra!

2011-01-24T16:35:00.002-05:00

Say hello to Ezra, everyone! We met him this morning at 10am at the Medical Complex in Macon, GA. Michael and I met him first, then Yaya and Big Papa, then Elliot and Elsie got to say hi through the window. He is currently in a Level II nursery, a step down from the NICU. Ezra was born Dec 17, 2010 and was 3.25 pounds and 15 inches long. He has been growing and learning to eat well since then, though we didn't even know about him until last Friday. Docs say all of the signs look good, and are hoping to send him home with us on Wednesday. That's 5 days after we found out he existed. WOW! He makes very sweet little noises and watches you with big beautiful eyes. We are in such shock and so very very happy and excited that we get to hopefully soon take this little boy home with us!

MLK Day Parade

2011-01-17T19:27:00.002-05:00

This was the 3rd year for us at the Savannah MLK parade. We always sit at the same corner. It's not on purpose, I just always end up there. It's easy to park and walk, and it's close to the beginning of the parade.

We all have our favorite parts of the parade. Elliot likes the drum lines. Elsie likes the decorated vans and cars. And me, well, I have to admit that my favorite part is the dancing girls at the front of the bands. They're pretty much unbelievable. I mean, I was one of the girls at the front of the band in my high school. And I never moved like that. I love that every band member is perfectly in step, that the girls move effortlessly in a wave of sparkles and smiles, that the drummers sound at least 5 years older than they should. I love those bands.

Of course for all three years we've been the only white people on the entire street. But it's still my favorite parade. Because it means something. Because there are hundreds of years of agony and pain and redemption and hope tied up in that parade and in that man's life. Last year when we went, the parade was happening in anticipation of the inauguration of Obama. Watching the floats and the people on them, the messages on the sides of the cars, it was pretty overwhelming. I cried, sitting with my children, on MLK Drive, in a huge crowd of black families. I cried just thinking of what a victory it was, at what Frederick Douglas would have thought about that day, at what all of those that lived and died only knowing slavery would have felt if they could have seen that day.

So I'll keep going to the MLK day parade. Maybe other white families line the streets further down the parade route. Maybe they don't. But I'm thankful for the parade, for the people, for the celebration. I'm thankful that our country recognizes such a man and such a movement. And I'm thankful that God has plans to redeem and to heal, beyond what even Dr. King dreamed.

Brownies

2011-01-12T19:45:00.002-05:00

Elsie can be a very good helper around the house. Especially if there is food involved. After helping the other day she told me while we licked the spoons and bowls, 'mama, this is my favorite part of making brownies.' Mine, too, Bug. It's almost unbelievable to me that I signed this little girl up for PRE-K today!

Restaurant lady

2011-01-07T20:05:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I failed to post pictures of our new waitress. She's been serving us for a long time, but now she has the clothes to match. Her outfit from Yaya for Xmas came with some tip money, a pad for taking orders, and a little headband which I couldn't keep on her head. Papa bought her a cash register for ringing diners out and a soup pot to help in the kitchen on busy days. She is particularly good at rainbow tea and pancakes. Those are her specials.

Too good to miss

2011-01-03T19:19:00.001-05:00

I just had to post this picture. Who is that extremely cute man posing with his Americano in downtown Helen, Georgia? That's my husband, in fact!

Anniversary #7

2011-01-01T21:06:00.002-05:00

And we're still married! These large chairs were in Helen, in north Georgia where we spent part of our 7th anniversary celebration. We drove up with the Slades and thoroughly enjoyed them along with some good food and a whole lot of Uno. Two nights were in Helen and then one in our favorite shwanky hotel in Atlanta. I can very happily say that if I had it to do all over again, I'd still marry Michael. I just would have done it sooner. Happy New Year everyone!

Almost

2010-12-27T19:35:00.002-05:00

So, we almost made it all year without a trip to the ER. Today was this little girl's turn. While playing in the back of the van, as she often does while I am getting things out of the front, Elsie apparently stopped to rest while leaning up against the back door of the van. I unknowingly opened it, and Elsie fell out the back, landing in the street directly on the back of her head. The sound was bad. If you're a parent, you know and dread the "thud" I heard this morning. So, we got back into the car and paid a visit to our favorite $50 entertainment. The pediatric ER was slow, and we were talking to a doc in less than 30 minutes. (!) He and the nurse washed off the small contusion (less than 1 cm, they told me) and explained that if left alone, it would heal in 7 to 10 days. Since it would be covered by her hair, a staple would not be necessary to lessen the size of the scar. It bled. And that freaked Elsie out. She had blood on her hands, her jacket, her hair. But by the end of the day she told me her head didn't even hurt. She's a tough one, that Elsie. And so we have continued our yearly and sometimes quarterly visits to the ER. We're very thankful our little Bug is ok.

Christmas past

2010-12-27T08:21:00.002-05:00

My mom saved this coat. Apparently it was purchased by my grandmother when I was about this age. My sister used it for her little girl. Now we have it. Elsie would not keep the hat on, but the coat fits perfectly. And we've actually needed it the last few days, even in Savannah. It snowed here yesterday!

A Gordon Christmas

2010-12-22T09:22:00.003-05:00

So we spent three lovely days on Tybee Island with the Gordon crew last weekend. There was lots of food, many presents and people happy to play with my children. On their way back to their homes, Yaya, Big Papa, Auntie J and Uncle Bark, and Cousin Jack stopped by our house to open more presents. The red couch was just for Michael and I (!). I took more pictures, but the kids were so excited that all of them were blurry!