Welcome Maxwell Tillman Fogg!!

I was hanging out with the neighbors tonight while the boys played basketball... came back in, checked my phone and had the most wonderful news! Maxwell Tillman Fogg has arrived (and apparently quickly)!

7 lbs 8 oz and 21" - everyone is doing great!

We are so excited for Stacy and Travis and big brother Luke!

Look, no duct tape!

Reagan Campbell Shorter




Came up with a new "toy retention device" today. Absolutely no duct tape, so I'm pretty proud. We'll see what mom thinks when she comes back...

I don't know why this is so funny to me, but our friend Shorter shared this picture of his new "toy retention device". The picture and his description speaks for itself - Classic Shorter.

Higgins Family Weekend

Last weekend, Kerri, Kevin, Amanda, Grandpa Pat and Grandma T were all here to hang out and we had some fun (but I'm exhausted)!

We just hung out, watched movies, played cards, hit up the pool and ate... A BUNCH! I probably gained 10 lbs this weekend alone... not good for the pool or the beach.

Lalon was full of smiles as usual and Naylor had lots of fun playing chase, hiding and reading his books (his new favorite). I have lots of pictures - there's a link on Facebook if you have access.

This weekend we are headed to Clinton. Jim Bailey (preacher at Hopewell UMC that married me and Brian and baptized both kids) is leaving so Friday is a cover dish dinner in his honor. We sure will miss Jim - he's been such a big part in our lives!

Congratulations Robert!

Tonight Robert Ashley and his classmates graduated from Midway High School. It was a very nice ceremony with lots of proud parents and family members in attendance. I think even Robert was pretty excited about the event.

I have tons of pictures, but too many to load up tonight... maybe I'll work on that tomorrow.

WAY TO GO ROBERT!! We love you.

Happy 7 month birthday Lalon!

It seems I can never actually post on her birthday... always a day later, oh well. We had an extra fun 7 month birthday, full with a trip to Wal-Mart, a great big nap and an afternoon with cousin Ava James!

Lalon went to the pediatrician last week (?) for her 6 month check, but obviously she was almost 7 months, so here are her latest stats:

16 lbs 11 oz - 50%

height was 45% (can't remember the #, I'll update when I find the sheet)

head circumference was 40% (ditto)

She's coming along just great and Dr. Artman was so very pleased with all that she's doing. She's really sitting up longer on her own now and playing; has started scooting when she's on her tummy (generally backwards so far); LOVES kicking in the bathtub and eating. I think she just figured out she has a tongue because she keeps sticking it out and laughing.

Also, I don't know that there's a little sister in this whole world that adores her big brother any more than Lalon to Naylor - it's really sweet. He loves making her laugh just as much - he's figured out that she's paying attention to him, so he'll "perform" for her now. And then sometimes he plays with her too - at times rougher than I'd like - like this morning when I look over, she's playing contently on her belly and he's riding her like a horse... and she's dying laughing.

I see lots of head shaking in my future and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Our weekend away...

We've been planning for a little over a month to have a quiet weekend for ourselves and the kids would stay with Annie and Pa... after much debate we ended up going down to Wrightsville Beach. I don't know that this was as big of a deal for Brian, not sure that we talked about it, but it's the first time we've left both kids for an overnight, much less two! I had only left Naylor one time (and that was with Brian) just a month before Lalon was born... he had gotten some fun slumber parties in at Annie and Pa's while Lalon was still in the hospital though, so he was a seasoned pro.

Annie and Pa may have gotten a little more than they bargained for... I wrongly assumed that I wasn't feeling well because of losing Rudy earlier that morning, but time would tell that we actually all had a stomach bug. So far, Lalon is hanging tight and hasn't gotten it, but unfortunately me, Naylor, Brian and sadly Annie have gotten it.

We did get out on the beach and the weather couldn't have been any better. Also, I slept a TON, which was nice too. While we were waiting for our table at Oceanic for dinner Sat night, we met a couple about our age that had 3.5 yr old twins (boy and girl) and she high fived me for leaving the kids and knowing that they would survive 48 hrs without me. She also told me I looked great for having 2 kids so close in age and so young... I told Brian to buy her a drink! :)

A big shout out to Annie and Pa for taking the kids for the weekend and SO SORRY for contaminating your house with the funk...

Goodbye sweet Rudy Theo

Rudy Theo Higgins

September 2006 - May 21, 2010

We lost our dear Rudy this past weekend and I know our lives won't be as fulfilled without his crazy ways. I know he's "just a cat", but I guarantee he's touched so many lives and brought thousands of smiles to so many, even a few dogs. I know he's rolling around in kitty Heaven and taking long explorative walks. We'll all miss you sweet boy.