Coconut Head

Dear Pops,

I know you don't get on The Internets much, but since you are home this week maybe someone at Specialize can show you this letter.



My head was looking very much like a coconut this afternoon. My mama knows how much you love my coconut head, so she took a bunch of pictures for you to see.



I forgive you for laughing at my super round head. I love you anyway. Besides, I got my super round head from you - remember when your first born was my age? She had a coconut head too.



Maybe that is why you love my coconut head so much.

I love you,
Lane Thomas

My Two Loves

One showed me true love.
The other showed me how much I am capable of loving another.

One makes me laugh and smile.
The other makes me laugh when he shows me his smile.



One gave me the greatest gift I have ever been given.
The other is the greatest gift I have ever been given.

One, over time, made me a better person.
The other changed me for the better the moment I met him.

One I trust whole heartily. And every day he takes proper care of me.
The other trusts me whole heartily. And every day I take proper care of him.

One tells me I am beautiful.
The other reminds me how beautiful it is to be a woman.


Both I fall deeper in love with every day.

A baby, bunny, butt and boobs

Guess who came to our house yesterday! Peter Cottontail. We had our first professional family photo session and bunny came along so Lane could get some Spring photos taken as well. The bunny was such a good sport - and almost as big as Lane, with curves in all the right places.

Much like Mama's post pregnancy body.

Papa loves Mama's post pregnancy body.


Can you tell? After the bunny left, I took a glance at the photos Papa took while the photographer took Lane's photos. There were quite a few similar to the one above. A little junk in the trunk is good, according to Papa.

I'm just four pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. Can you tell where the other three pounds might be hiding? Yes, Papa loves that feature of my post pregnancy body as well.

The photographer told me that she could Photo Shop me out of the photos - so only Lane and the bunny will be in them. Although I am sure Papa purposely focused on my assets. Thank goodness for Photo Shop!

Papa is thankful he took these photos.

But enough about me. Enjoy some of these outtakes from the session. My son is so stinking cute.

Two little monkeys

Besties

This is Andrew Thomas Ward, better known as Drew, son to one of my very best friends, Stephanie.

Drew is Lane Thomas Rader's BF.

How, you might ask can two little boys who have 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days of an age difference be besties?

Easily. Take for example the actions of a recent Saturday spent playing ALL day long.

Drew tells Lane all about his toy robot.

Lane shows Drew his favorite music videos on the Internets. They listen. They dance.



They play outside with their mamas.



They play in the sandbox.

Drew shows Lane how to tinkle in the flower box!


Drew blows bubbles for Lane to look at.

They play and play and refuse to take naps.

Eventually, the four month old can't play any more! He passes out in the middle of playing cars.

Stef and Drew, you are the best besties. See you next Saturday.

P.S. Hey Stef, I think this is the first time in the 13 years we have known each other that your hair is shorter than mine. You look hot, mama!

Broken promises, a love story and funny moments

My Mom mom, my father's mother, always told me never to make a promise you were not willing to keep. She had a good reason for this philosophy - a promise she made changed her life forever and resulted in one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever heard.

So, I am sorry. I should not have promised to post funny moments. The days flew by, and I am just now getting back to the computer.

Wednesday night, The Who did not go to bed until 11:30 - no blogging for me.

Thursday night, Lane and I had dinner with our friends Frances and Tara.

Lane was not feeling well yesterday afternoon. He must have had a belly ache because he would not take a bottle for his Grand moms during the day; would not nurse for me in the afternoon; and would not take the bottle in the evening while we were at dinner. He did nurse for quite a long time when we got home last night. So, as Lane would say, "He's GOOOOOOOD.

Without further ado, I present to you:

Lane and Lana's Funniest Moments from Ricky and Kirsten's Wedding

1. Seamus' love for the el-e-vator. This darling little boy must have asked everyone at the wedding, "Hey, do you want to ride the el-e-vator." He had us all laughing. Good thing he has such an awesome grandma. My mom's cousin Cathy must have ridden the elevator 1,000 times last weekend.

2. Waking up Sunday morning, heading down the hallway to get some breakfast, and hearing a little boy voice in the lobby, "Hey, do you want to ride the el-e-vator." Paul, Seamus' grandpa, said he was awaken at 7 am to Seamus sitting up in bed and saying - can you guess - "Hey, do you want to ride the el-e-vator?"

3. Kirsten's godfather singing and dancing. I didn't get to meet him but I hope to one day. He seems to have such a love for life. He danced all night long but the best part was when he danced to that Ludicrious Freak in the Bed song - and sang all the words. He was even walking around to different tables and rapping to guests who were not dancing. Kirsten, you are a lucky girl to have him.

4. My cousin Ricky leading a train around the reception hall to the song "Come on Ride That Train." The DJ requested that every person there be part of the train by the end of the song - and almost everyone was. We were all laughing so hard.

5. And the best part of the night, Cousin Cathy catching Uncle Mole in the ladies restroom. And then coming back to the wedding reception and telling the ENTIRE family about it. You would see her leaning into someone's ear then looking over at Uncle Mole and then sharing a big laugh with whomever she was telling the story to. Uncle Mole didn't mind. He took it like a man.

Now, one day I will tell you all about the promise my Mom mom made that changed her life. But, I am not going to promise to tell it today or even tomorrow. It is the first day of spring, and I have a little boy who deserves some outside time after a yucky day yesterday.

Can I make it up to you though? OK. Here are some pictures from this week.

Happy Friday and First Day of Spring.

Love,
Lana and Lane

Wedding bells: Part Two

A little late: but here are some more pictures from Ricky and Kirsten's wedding.

The bride and groom share their first dance.

Uncle Lee enjoys an Irish coffee.

The cake.

Lane in the arms of his Great Great Aunt Liz, my grandmother's sister.

The groom gets grilled by the bridesmaids.

My mom dances with her first little boy.

My mom held Lane all night long.

Literally, all night long.


My favorite photo: Lane's third cousin Seamus, the best ringbearer and el-e-vator rider ever.

Lane and I had a great day. We went with Papa to look at cars and then came home for lunch and some giggling. All of the day's playing has worn us out - papa and babe are already sleeping and I am off to join them in dreamland. My funniest moments from the wedding will be posted tomorrow - I promise.

Good
Night!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wedding bells: Part One

Over the weekend, Lane and I loaded up my mom's car and headed to North Carolina to attend my cousin Ricky's wedding to his long-time girlfriend Kirsten. Mom drove. Lane and I were backseat drivers. (Good thing too. But, don't worry Mom mom, we won't tell any one our secret!) Lane was awesome in the car. I had prepped myself for the worse - packing a bag full of toys and the pump in case we had an emergency that only milk could fix it.

But, we made it the entire five-hour-plus ride without any problems. Lane played with his toys and took little cat naps. We had a blast singing songs and making faces at one another.

We arrived at the hotel just in time for mom to get dressed and get to the church for the ceremony. Lane and I stayed behind to relax and get ready for a night full of partying. Lane loved the hotel - where the bed is big and fluffy and his mama turned on cartoons for him to watch. (He just likes the lights, right Sarah?)

Lane thought he was King for the Day when I propped him up on the pillows and we had an impromptu photo shoot.






After a good nap, we were ready to party all night long at the reception, which was held at the hotel.

The party was SOOO much fun. Lane got to meet some of his great aunts and uncles, and great, great aunts and uncles and even his third cousin Seamus. We saw family we had not seen in years. The bride and groom looked beautiful - and had a blast. They are now on their way to the Dominican Republic for a warm and sunny honeymoon.

Lane was a party animal - and looked stunning in his stripes.

Tune in to tomorrow for scenes from the wedding and our account of the funniest moments of the night.