Summer Update

Wow! I can't believe it's already the end of August.  Maybe, just maybe, there's hope for some non-triple-digit temperatures for DFW sometime in the near future.  Do I dare allow myself to hope?

Well, maybe if I get caught up on photos from the summer, then the cooler fall temperatures will head our way.

Here is my little Diva... she is so into sunglasses right now!

 We had a wonderful visit from Pajo, Majee, and Aunt Jacque in early August.

 Their trip overlapped with Chris and Tomomi's trip by one day, so we were able to get all of my Mom's family together for a Sunday evening.

Here is Holton bonding with cousin Tomomi

 Holton with his Grandparents

 Our family of FOUR!

 The cousins (and Aunt Jacque trying to keep them all under control!)

 We have gotten to enjoy the pool at Lifetime some this summer.  Here are photos from Holton's first swimming experience.  He loved it - loves to splash and accidentally plunk his face into the water.

 Little Miss took swimming lessons at the beginning of the summer, but they were somewhat miserable for all involved because she would much rather play and splash in the shallow area than practice her swimming skills.  So we put the lessons on hold for a little while and have instead just been letting her get used to the water.

 This was her first ponytail.  Front:

 And back:

 Holton is doing much better eating, especially thanks to Pajo (and all the family!) for teaching him how to eat and patiently enduring many bowls of messiness!  He loves cereal and is working his way through the rainbow colors of vegetables and fruit.  We are trying our hand at making baby food again too 

(1. Cook apples.  2. Puree apples.  3. Pour into containers)

It seems like just yesterday we were doing this for Adelyn!

Adelyn has enjoyed learning to remove her own clothes, although it is a task Brian and I would rather she not master so quickly.  This was how we found her after a nap recently:

(Note the diaper unfastened too - this is not too fun when the diaper has a surprise in it!)

 On to more fun things... Last weekend we celebrated Cousin Harper's 2nd birthday with a party at a fun park up in Frisco that had a splash park.

 Where's Harper?

 The girls had a blast, as you can see!

 We played with chalk and bubbles at the park.

 T-Pa got to bond with Holton.

 These two are sweet friends!

 Mimi worked her magic and got the Little Man to sleep.  It was slightly warm that day - his pink cheeks are proof.

 Adelyn and Harper have matching outfits.

 These two are gonna be trouble! :-)

I can't believe how quickly these kiddos are growing!

I will post more pictures soon... Adelyn starts preschool two days a week this week - Wow!

Adelyn "Reading" A Prayer for a Child

Addy loves loves loves books.  It is funny how she gets attached to different ones at different times.  This one, A Prayer for a Child by Rachel Field, is one of her current favorites.  Thanks to Aunt Amy for such a sweet book.  I will print the words below to help you understand what she is saying.  I love the "sweet security" line.  Hearing her "read" to me ranks high on the Best Things about Being a Mommy list so far.  Just makes me smile inside and out!

"Bless this milk and bless this bread.
Bless this soft and waiting bed. Where I presently shall be, wrapped in sweet security.
Through the darkness, through the night, let no danger come to fright.  My sleep till morning once again, beckons at the window pane.
Bless the toys whose shapes I know, the shoes that take me to and fro, up and down and everywhere.
Bless my little painted chair.
Bless the the lamplight, bless the fire.
Bless the hands that never tire, in their loving care of me.
Bless my friends and family.
Bless my Father and my Mother, and keep us close to one another.
Bless other children far and near, and keep them safe and free from fear.
So let me sleep and let me wake, in peace and health for Jesus' sake.
Amen."

Holton - 6 months old!

I can hardly believe it's been six months since Holton was born.  Here are his six month photos...

Holton is full of smiles and cute laughter.  He is still skinny and long, but is starting to get some pudgy cheeks and a little meat on his bones.  We started cereal last month with limited success, but it was Pajo visiting a couple of weeks ago who really taught him how to eat.  We are working our way through the veggies and fruits, and overall, he is loving it.

Holton is rolling over both ways and can stand when supporting himself with his arms on something like the coffee table.  He loves to stand there and just bang his hands.  I don't dare go too far though, because his balance isn't that great yet...  He wants to be sitting up whenever possible and loves to look around and especially watch his big sister playing with all her cool things.  He is an easy-going baby!

My favorite things about Holton at 6 months:

His adorable open-mouthed smile.

How he "holds on" to my arm or shoulder when being carried.

When he gives me open-mouthed kisses on my cheek, which makes me laugh, which in turn makes him laugh too.

How he loves to kick his feet.

How he loves to put his toes in his mouth.

Hearing his early speech - right now he loves to make a "g" sound - "ghee-ghee"

Occasionally he still falls asleep on me and I just can't get enough of snuggling with him - I know how quickly he will grow and not be all snuggly anymore!

Watching him try so hard to eat from a spoon.

Adelyn is a busy two-year-old... I caught this action shot in my office a few weeks ago - she thought my stethoscope was very interesting... future doctor?

Holton is hardly big enough for the high chair - he looks minuscule compared to Addy!

This was his first try at cereal...

What is this???

Let me help you Mom...

Hmmm... not bad...

"I think I like this"... as he promptly spits it out and grins!

Mimi makes everything better and soothes him to sleep!

Tummy time!

Standing up!

We got out Addy's old high chair - helps him to sit up straighter.

Happy August everyone... more pictures soon!