this year.

Year 4 of marriage.  So far, the best one yet.  We added another baby bird to our flock. Sometimes big changes like that can take it's toll on a marriage, but for ours (so far), it's all the better for it. 


I overheard someone ask B about how things have been, specifically for him, since Story was born. His answer surprised (and punched) me.  He said something to the effect of, "this time around, it's easier for me because i know my role".  so that got me thinking........  hmmm, I suppose when we had Tag, I was doing a lot of the so called "work," because I was nursing.  I'm a tiny bit of a control freak, so if I try to remember into the hazy details, I guess I didn't leave a lot for Brentley to do, because I was happy to do it all-- my way, of course.  I wanted tag changed and fed, my way.  I wanted him put to sleep, my way or in my time, because I obviously had everything figured out *HA*(that's sarchasm for thoes who don't read sarchasm well).  And, maybe some of that isn't completely wrong, i mean, i was the one reading the baby books *HA.*  But in hindsight, I'm thankful for my sweet husband's patience with me while I learned the ins and outs of being a mother to a baby, and how to share responsibility instead of hoard it. 


I really do think, with infants, the mother does have the upper hand.  But once the babies become the slightest bit independent (eating solids, sitting up or crawling), the dad's role does begin to take a clearer shape.  I'm not saying here that dad's don't have a role with tiny infants, they absolutely do.  I mean, if I want Story to smile really big, all I have to do is just get B over to talk to her.  She absolutely lights up.... she literally smiles on demand for him.  and diaper changes, B can whip a diaper on and off and button up a onsie in no time flat.  if there is an opportunity for B to feed Story, he's on it.  He's nothing short of a terrific, loving, silly, and God honoring daddy to both of our kids (and husband to me).  But, with babies, Mama's do kind of have a speical VIP type role.


[STAGE RIGHT, enter the season of toddler hood + infant].  But, life is different now from when we first embarked on parenthood.  Since Tag began to gain his independence about a year ago, Brentley and I have entered a season of real joint parenthood.  we make decisions about bedtime, meals, clothes, baths, kinds of diapers, what works, what doesn't, and last but not least, and possibly the most important, discipline.  I'm sure we jointly decide on a billion other things, but these are the ones off the top of my head.  And, because we have an infant (of which even the sweetest and easiest, like Story, still take a lot of time and attention), B takes up ANY slack at any chance he can to help with Tag, while I pull my special mommy card out for a few months more to tend to Story.  Or, vise versa when I need to put in some QT with Tag.


Some days are so super awesome that I just wish a reality TV camera was following us around to capture how adorable our kids are and how awesome our day was as a happy family of 4.  Other days end with rough "witching hours," a completely wrecked house, a reflection of some sort of potty incident gone awry, and two big gulps of niquil (best sleep aid ever).  And combined, those days made up the end of our 4th year of marriage together.  They have been the sweetest, most awesome, most hilariously disgusting, faith producing, heart-full-of-joyfulness-so-much-so-I-want-to-cry days.  PRAISE BE to our Lord who has seen fit to put us here together!  I look forward to our continued life together as husband and wife and parents to our beautiful sweet babies. 


Brentley, if you're reading this, I love, love, love you.  I don't deserve you.  You make my world go-round.  You make my heart jump and laugh and sometimes stop.  You are an answer to prayer, and gift from God, and the cutest baby maker EVER.

@ the biltmore estate in asheville NC on May 4, 2012.

Happy 4 years, my love.  Here's to SO many more!         

Happy Birthday Papa and Nana

We finally made it up to Abingdon, Virginia to visit with Papa and Nana, just in time for their birthdays (both in July)! It was so nice to finally see where they live and be in the mountains where it's a tiny bit cooler. I won't lie and say that Tag was a model passenger for the ~4 hour day drive (read, screamed all the way down I-40 till we were in Winston Salem, at which time he passed out), but he was much better on the way home. We stopped to get gas around supper time so Tag got to experience a tiny bit of Bojangles for the first time. I sat in the back and fed him bits of biscuit, fries and the non fried pieces of chicken and that was just what we needed to get us home scream-free.

Papa, Nana, and Tag


Brentley and Keith A close up of Papa, Nana, and Tag



I love this one.

And finally a family photo! Brentley, Jodi and Tag

I wasn't great at taking photos during the weekend, but this is just one I thought to snap. It was nice to have help with everything... meal times, bath time, nap time... you name it! This kid is a handful and a half! =)

Tag in the Big Apple!!

The last weekend in May, Tag and I went with B's mom and Grandma to New York City to visit family. After a crazy turn of events, only one family member was in town, but we were hardly in want for activities while visiting the greatest city in the world!

This trip gave Tag a lot of early "firsts" for a 9 month old. His first plane ride was terrific! We left at 8 pm from RDU and had a direct flight to La Guardia. The plan was to have him sleep, since 8 pm is his bed time, and that plan failed, utterly. There were just too many new people to charm and things to play with--no way was he sleeping! Thankfully, my mother in law had an open seat beside her which gave us extra space to let him squirm and play. And when that wasn't enough he played with the people around us-- smiling and giggling, and even letting the flight attendant walk him up and down the isle a bit.

We tried to buckle him in, but that didn't last long!
This is how he spent most of the flight-- bouncing around my lap

And even Gram took turns when my arms got tired

Our hotel was in Murry Hill which was a great location for the things we wanted to see and do. We were able to walk across town via 1st or 2nd avenue and even catch the subway nearby.

Tag and Grams enjoying a delicious brunch at Benjamin's!

Tag taking a snack on the subway ride out to Coney Island

Me and Tag behind Nathan's.

I personally don't enjoy Nathan's... I'm more of a Bright Leaf gal. And unfortunately our day out to Coney Island was rainy and dreary. But we made the most of it by stopping off in Brooklyn to grab an early dinner and see the spot where B and I were engaged. The Brooklyn Promenade is so beautiful at night, and even during the day. Walking along it during the day with my baby made me think I could enjoy living in Brooklyn...taking Tag and Durham for walks, enjoying the awesome city parks! Too bad B's not up for Brooklyn. Whop Whop.... Oh, did I mention Tag enjoyed his first slice of pizza for dinner in Brooklyn?

So we had grand plans of waking up early on Friday morning and going to where the Today Show and Good Morning America are filmed, but we were slow to get going. We still went to Rockefeller Center and of course dropped by the location of our favorite Thursday night show--30 Rock!

On Saturday we met up with my brother in law, Sammy, and he took us to some of his family's favorite spots. First we toured his super sweet apartment complex and Tag got in a swing for the first time. He loved it! Then we walked over to a delicious breakfast spot called Pret-a-Manger where I had "literally the best ham and cheese croissant ever"(another Thursday night TV reference!). Next we stopped off at Little Eataly. It was so neat and amazing, but also lunch time on a Saturday-- crazy busy!

From there we walked to a park in Union Square where we rested a bit, let tag hop in another swing, tried some fresh milk, and I got roped into trying wheat grass juice (i think?). That was interesting to say the least. Then we got our walking legs back and headed over to Chelsea Market and by the time we got there (after various stops at shops and stores), we were ready for an early dinner. Sammy is a New Yorker, born and raised, so of course he knew how to get to an amazing restaurant in no time. We quickly moved into the meatpacking district and got a table at Pastis. He recommended I get the Steak Frites, and of course, I did. And it was mouthwateringly delicious! I can't wait to go back! YUUMMM!!!

First time in a swing!

Enjoying his new toy and the swings at Union Square

Sammy and Tag at Pret-a-Manger

Walking around with Uncle Sammy

Such a city slicker!

To make the trip as easy as possible, I didn't take the pack n play or car seat. Just our luggage and my super stroller. Tag slept in the bed, and though it took some work to get him to sleep, he really did so well! I went out with friends a few nights and came home to Tag fast asleep in a big 'ol king size bed nuzzled between his two grandma's. Sweet!

On Sunday I got brave and took Tag over to Brooklyn to visit a church in the SGC movement called City Church. I took the subway and that was so difficult alone! Not only was it crazy because I had a stroller up and down stairs in the subway, but then I didn't know that the city shuts down some routes on summer holiday weekends (Memorial Day weekend) because apparently people leave the city? Nevertheless, I made it to church right on time and it was such a great time of worship and sermon, but the trip was starting to take it's toll on Tag-- besides Sundays are ALWAYS tough! After church, I got a cab and headed back to the city so we could catch our flight. We got to the airport on time and wouldn't you know Granny got randomly searched. Like seriously... had a special female officer come over and everything! By the time we got to our terminal, we had about 10 minutes before it was time to board our plane. Tag was so exhausted, he fell asleep on the plane before we took off. He woke up just as I was walking off the plane at RDU. Can you believe that? What luck!

We had a blast and thankfully I had Memorial Day off to recover, but boy was I happy to be home! I missed Brentley so much. Something about having a baby just really makes me not want to be separated from him! Hard to explain, but I'll remember that next time!

beach trip

The second week in May, we took our first family vacation together--just the three of us (well, 4 if you include our pup, Durham). We visited the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, and Tag loved it! He also really enjoyed the beach... and the taste of salty sand in his mouth. Before we left, I snapped some photos of Tag in this adorable red outfit Julie got him. It was a 12 mo size outfit, and he just did squeeze into it.

San Diego

san diego.

once we left big sur we were pretty ready to be in san diego already. the drive around that area is pretty nauseating with all the winding turns and twists coming out of the mountians. we eventually hit LA and knew we were close. once we arrived at dan's house his roommate pete greeted us with a warm welcome (and a delicious dinner) and we all showered and slept off big sur. in the next few days we relaxed, went down town, hit the beach, and visited the san diego zoo.

brentley and me at an exhibit

brentley and me on the trolly
(takes you up the big hill so you can walk down through the zoo.)

the next day jami, dan and i decided to hit the beach while pete and brentley went to the golfing range. it's early september and the water is way, way, cold.

me and jami about to hop on the back of brentley and
dan's bikes to grab some pizza for dinner.

me and jami on the last day. we're so happy because we're just leaving an awesome restaurant where we had fish tacos and ceviche!

the end!

Big Surrrrrrrrr!!!!!

we left san fran for san jose where we stayed with a friend of dan's. it was a great pit stop (between san fran and big sur), and we had such a blast going out that evening. i think the first reason was because we rode bikes everywhere. they even had spare bikes for me and brentley! i love it when people are thoughtful!

dan's friend was in a pool tournament and needed an extra player so dan stepped in. brentley and i went out on the town for an indian dinner, and we met up with everyone afterwards. the next morning brentley went mountain biking with the guys and i hit the beach to enjoy some quiet time watching the waves crashing onto the shore. once the guys got back we hopped back in the car on to big sur!

(sorry no pics from san jose... i wasn't able to get any clear shots from the bicycle =))

view from where we camped!

dinner compliments of brentley!

these are turtle doves: potatoes, carrots, chicken, and a little italian salad dressing. mmmmmmmmmmmm soooo good!!





below you'll see our camp site =)i slept in =) this was my view from inside the tent... (i heart benadryll!)

San Francisco

...after we left (sonoma) wine country we followed dan's cousin, rose, to san francisco. we stayed the night there with her (thanks a million rose!!!), and we woke up the next morning to venture out into this crazy amazing city! rose lives on haight street so that's where we started. we walked several blocks down haight and caught a bus to golden gate park. (gosh i love a good public transportation system!) we walked around golden gate and found our way to the de young museum where we had lunch and saw the king tut exhibit.


after lunch we found this lovely little spot to lay in the park and just relax!


we had to leave that same day so we decided to take the long way home on the bus to see the most of the city. we caught up with a few of rose's friends at another famous san fran park... can you guess? i'll give you a hint: the tanners once had a picnic on at this park =)

before we left the city we stopped for a few photo ops by the bridge.

dan (the man!) and brentley by the golden gate bridge.

me with alcatraz prison. not sure why i was so obsessed with this place. next time i'm in san fran, i'm definitely going and i'm taking jami with me!