Thursday, June 18, 2009

A Busy Weekend

Recently, I've received some positive feedback on my writing associated with this blog. I definitely appreciate the complements, b/c I am by no means a writer. Unfortunately, however, the quality of writing in this post is destined to under-achieve as it is the end of my first full week back to work since Palmer was born and I'm feeling it. So, to anyone who has complemented my writing recently please give me a pass this one time before withdrawing your complements. :)

Life has definitely been busy since Palmer arrived exactly two weeks ago so I've lincluded just a few snapshots of what we've been up to. (Actually, each of the pics below were taken during the first week after his arrival. You know...when the excitement and adrenaline were still flowing. We've spent the entire second week just trying to survive.)


The day I returned to work a nasty little storm blew through Greenville. I actually watched the rain approach the downtown area from the really-freaking-big window in my office (I always like to throw the fact that I have an awesome window with a view of the mountains in whenever I can...of course, my "office" is technically a cube but it's really-freaking-big too and has a door that shuts so its basically an office.) It only lasted about 15 minutes from start to finish but it took its toll, especially on our neighborhood. Mel called and told me we had a tree down that was blocking one of the streets so I knew I was in for some work when I got home. We were also left without power for about three hours. I was surprised to find that most of our neighborhood was littered with downed trees. We actually just lost the top half of one of our many trees, but it was enough to create over an hour's worth of work dragging it out of the street. Luckily, it landed about two feet shy of hitting our neighbor's van. I like Mel's comment, though, about it taking nothing more than a scratch to total his van. Either way, I'm glad not to have to deal with it.




Meanwhile, Bailey was being her usual too-cute-for-her-own-good self and playing away in the house. She LOVES the Mardi Gras beads that Grammy brought her last weekend. She still screams with excitement everytime she comes home from school and sees them lying around.




I just like this picture of Bailey b/c it shows off her gorgeous eyes.




Rosemary and her daughter, Amelia, came over for dinner the same evening of the storm. I was actually still cleaning up the tree debris when they arrived. Luckily, Rosemary cooked dinner for us at her house prior to the storm so we were able to enjoy a nice hot dinner even though we had no power at the time.

Rosemary is the Director of Music at our church and has become pretty good friends with Mel. (I like her too, of course.) Her husband, Joe, is in the military and just recently left for officer training for either three or six months somewhere in the Midwest. So, we make sure we give Rosemary and baby Amelia some company from time to time.




We also bought a double stroller for the kids and decided to give it a test drive through the neighborhood. Actually, we just walked back and forth along the one flat street in our neighborhood b/c it was really hot and that darn stroller is really hard to push up hills with both kids in it.





Here's a pic of Palmer doing one of the things he does...eat, sleep, cry, and nothing.




Me, Bailey, and Gran watched the rain hit the skylights in the den one afternoon.




Everyone, including myself, took on at least one project for one or both of the kids during the week. My project was to build an old-fashioned rope swing in the backyard for Bailey. It kind of turned into a personal vendetta against the idiot employee at Home Depot who acted like I was inept at woodwork and told me my only choice was to spend $25 on the pre-fabricated pastic one that they had for sale. Forget that, I thought. It actually turned out better than I expected. It's attached to about a 20ft rope so it swings well. I made the seat from a 1"x8"x12' piece of wood, and covered it in some cool indoor/outdoor fabric (this was Mel's idea) so Bailey doesn't get splinters in her rear end. Bailey really enjoys the swing, which is very satisfying to me, but Mel will probably tell you that I enjoy it more than Bailey.




Bailey getting a push from Daddy on the new swing.



Finally, of course, I spent a little time just hanging out with Palmer. Here, we were watching a little of Game 5 of the NBA finals between the Lakers and the Magic. If he looks a little unenthusiastic its b/c he's sad its not yet football season.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BAILEY!!!


Bailey is 2 years old today!!! What an amazing (and fast) two years it's been!
Happy Birthday, Bae Bae!!!
We love you!!!
- Mommy, Daddy, & Palmer

Monday, June 8, 2009

More Pics of the Family

I've been off work since 5pm Thursday, yet I feel like I've barely had time to do some of the things I wanted to do during my time off...including keeping the blog updated with lots of good, quality pics. Instead, I have a few mediocre ones and even fewer good ones (Mel took the close-up of Palmer below). Here are a few more pics that have been taken since Sunday afternoon after three-fourths of the grandparent crew left for home.

Actually, this one may have been taken before and may have been included in the first post, but I doubt anyone will complain. Once again, though, your looking at the new and improved Williams family (sans the dogs). Those poor dogs pretty much get ignored these days. In fact, as I type this post I don't even know if they are inside or outside right now. Oh well.


Me and the kids. Let me tell you how heavy Bailey felt while holding Palmer at the same time! Wow! She also looks like a giant next to him, but she's doing an awesome job of being gentle with him and rubbing his head and belly instead of patting them (which is actually more like a pounding).


This is a great one of Palmer hugging on his Mommy.


Palmer was a little upset the other night so Bailey decided to come over and rub his belly and tell him "It's okay, Palmer". She's gonna be a great big sister.



Here's the close-up Mel took while sitting outside in the front yard. Mel, Palmer, & Gran were sitting under a couple shade trees while Bailey and I played in her new swimming pool (see below).



Bailey getting ready to hop in her new swimming pool with a built-in slide.


So, following along with the Jeff Foxworthy comment from a couple posts ago, Mel says I look a little redneck chilling in the plastic swimming pool in the front yard. I object to that statement for three reasons: 1) a two-year-old is within sight so I have a reasonable explanation for being here, 2) it was pretty stinking hot outside and that pool water felt really nice and cold, & 3) in order to qualify as a redneck I would at least need a beer in hand.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Palmer Scott Williams

It's 4:15pm on Saturday and we've been home from the hospital for a few hours now. I wanted to post some pics while still at the hospital last night, but I just couldn't stay awake long enough. I don't function extremely well on less than 3 hours of sleep in a 41 hour period. I did get 8 hours of sleep last night, though, so I feel much better today. (As with Bailey, I highly recommend letting the hospital nursery take care of the baby at night.) Here are a few pics of Palmer and members of his fan club. I'll post more (and better) pictures of him shortly.



First, we have to see the "before" picture. This shot was taken Thursday morning before work. Mel went into labor Thursday night. That was cutting it pretty close!

Palmer and his Mommy shortly after birth. Mel had a model pregnancy and the labor and delivery went off without a hitch, as well. We couldn't have asked for anything better.

Me and my boy.


Palmer with his Papa & Grammy. Between us and Cassie's family, Palmer is their second grandson in approx two years time and their fourth grandchild in the same period of time. We're keeping them busy!

Palmer with his Pops (known by Bailey as Sugar-Pops) and Gran.

The Williams family: Scott, Melanie, Bailey, & Palmer.