Bath Time Fun

These two love their baths! And especially when they get thrown in together. Just look how happy they are!!

Just a few minutes after I snapped this picture, Carter, in one of his more ornery moments, sucked up water into his mouth, and then preceded to spray it all over his sister's face. I fully expected her to well up and cry, but instead, she did the exact opposite - she cracked up hysterically. Of course by that time I was already in the middle of a "Carter, don't DO that to her...." type of 'Mom' moment, but when I heard and saw that, it was all I could do not to crack up myself! And I allowed it to continue for another minute or so until I could get a cute video. :) Just listen to that squeal about 20 seconds in!! So cute.

Oh, I just love these two to pieces. 

Dallas Arboretum - Fall 2012

We went with friends today to see all the pumpkins at the Arboretum. It was a little warmer than we'd hoped, but we still had a great day. The boys had so much fun running all over the place and we were able to take some cute pictures! Ella missed her morning nap, so she was pretty cranky for most of the day, and wasn't real cooperative when it came to picture taking. She mostly just wanted to stay in the stroller and hang on tight to her lovey. I kept thinking she would doze off, but she never did. Anyway, still a fun day! 

Stink face! 

 Ella says "not a chance, Mom!!" 

 So handsome and grown up! 

 Get me, Momma! 

 Cute! He was so impressed by all the different shapes, sizes, and colors of pumpkins! 

 Back in the safety of her stroller, Ella checks out the pumpkin that Carter gave her. 

 Carter with two of his little buddies, John & Mason

 So many pumpkins!! 

 All 4 of the boys.

 Mom, again?! This is not happening!! 

 Get. Me. DOWN!!

 Gorgeous. The boy and the scenery. :)

 Racing toward us....

 They are such BOYS!

 FUN!

 Connor checking on Ella. She was in a little bit better mood after lunch.

 But not much. HA!

 I was determined to get a few cute pictures of her happy, and these next few are about all I got! 

Here comes brother! 

 So pretty. 

(Check out the death grip on lovey, haha!!)

 My sweet babies. 

About this time I had to take Carter on a frantic search for a bathroom. The closest one was NOT close, and it was an emergency situation. So I resorted to hiding behind a semi-secluded tree with him while he quickly did the deed. Yes, I was that Mom. The one who lets her child urinate in public. And at the Dallas Arboretum of all places. Oh my goodness. Not my finest hour, but it needed to happen.  And I don't think anyway even noticed but our little group. ;)

And here are a few my friend Laura took. 

 Laura got a picture of a semi-happy girl! YAY!! 

 And while Mommy and Carter were away, Connor and Ella shared a sweet moment. 

 Precious!! I can't wait to show this picture at their wedding one day!! ;)

Little Miss Personality

So much of Ella's personality is coming out these days, and it's a lot of fun! Here are a few cute little videos of her being silly and adorable. :)

She and I were enjoying lunch one day while her brother was at school. 

She loves her one on one time with Momma! 

One evening before bed, she was in a really cute mood while we were listening to music and having a little dance party. I think she thought the flash on my phone was pretty funny, too. :)

Can't believe my baby girl is going to be ONE in just a few short weeks! 

Painted Piggies

I painted Ella's toenails for the first time this week, and I had to post a few pictures of her first "pedi".... if you can even call it that! Anyway, pretty adorable if you ask me! :)

 Precious!! 

Carter's First Trip to the Dentist

Carter had his first dentist appointment today, and he did wonderful!! It helped that they had a very kid friendly facility and the staff was so sweet and patient with him. He was so cooperative and brave, and that definitely made me proud! They were even able to go ahead and do his X-rays, too! And a certain little sister was very interested, or maybe a little concerned, about what was happening to her big brother! :)

Ella - 11 months!

Sweet girl, you're now just 1 month shy of your 1st Birthday! How on earth did that happen?? 

The biggest change with you this month is your milk intake. I've started weaning you, and you're down to nursing 3 times a day - first thing in the morning, before afternoon nap, and before bedtime. You've handled it pretty well, and I'm grateful for that. In the next week or so I'm going to start giving you a bottle in the middle of the day, too, in preparation to have you fully weaned and on whole milk when by your birthday. Feeling a little sad about this, but I know it has to be done! :)

You've started standing on your own a lot, and taken a few small steps here and there. I'm sure you'll take off any day now, it's just a matter of time. You're very proud of your new skill, too! I've even watched you stand up in the middle of the room a few times lately. Such a big girl!! And really, by 'big' I mean little because you're pint size when you stand up! You seriously look waaaaaay too little to be standing/walking! 

I think you're about 19 pounds, still a little shorty though! And finally in some 12 month clothes. 

You cut your 7th tooth on your 11 month birthday! 

You and I have really enjoyed our girl time on Tuesdays and Thursday while Carter is at school. We do lots of playing upstairs, crawling in the tunnel, wallering on the bed, the couch, or in the giant bean bag {probably your favorite thing to do right now!} and just enjoying each other! I'm very thankful for alone time with my girl. :)

You have said two more distinct words recently; "dog" and "baby" ..... although not clear as day, definitely clear enough for me to know what you're trying to say! So you have 5 words now - Mama, Dada, bye, dog, and baby. I'm pretty sure those were Carter's first several words as well. 

You still love to dance, wave, show us your tongue, and wink. Those are your most favorite "tricks"

Sweet 11 month old baby girl! 

Really cheesin' it up for me!! 

On the move, standing on the couch....

.....and hanging over the side. 

Blue eyes! 

Get this bow off my head, please. 

Precious girl

Love at me Momma!! So big! 

It's such a pleasure to watch you grow, learn, and discover each and every day. I definitely have some bittersweet feelings about your birthday coming up, but I'm looking forward to it, too! Love you baby girl, so so much!! 

Playset Makeover

We inherited this playset from the previous owners of the house, whose children are mostly now in middle school and high school. As you can imagine, the playset has been pretty neglected over the last few years, and needed a little attention. The cover was missing off the top (probably either blew away or got damaged by bad weather), the swing was a pitiful old wooden swing hung by rope that I was afraid wouldn't even hold Carter's weight, and the ring bar was rusty and gross. So we replaced all of those things, Eric went around and tightened some bolts to make it a little less rickety, and hung up the baby swing for Ella. We figured about a $75 dollar investment to get it into better shape for the nice weather coming up this fall would definitely be worth it, and it definitely has been.... the kids are loving their swings! And Carter loves his fort. :)

Carter pushing his sister in her new swing

 She looks a little terrified, but I promise, she loves to swing!