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!

Labor Day Weekend 2012

We had a pretty relaxed holiday weekend spent with family and friends. John & Cindy brought the twins over on Friday night for some playtime, pizza, and movie watching. Carter got to have his first sleep over.... all three of the boys slept in his room! It was a late night for them -- bed around 11pm, and up before 7am... yikes! But they had so much fun! Check out how cute they are watching a movie on the floor together! (Eric & John took over the media room, as Tennessee was playing their first game of the season, obviously that had priority over The Lorax).

On Sunday we went up to John & Cindy's to spend the day, and our friends, the Chiles, joined us. Eric, David, Carter & Olivia spent a lot of time fishing and playing outside,while Stasha and I stayed inside with the babies. We ventured into the heat a few times to watch the kids play and take pictures, but it was such a hot day, we didn't stay outside for long!! 

Eric and David took the boat on the lake to fish and ended up staying out there for almost 2 hours.... 

came back all sweaty and sunburned, but with lots of fish!

Daddy and his boy doing some fishing off the dock.

Casting out...

.....and reeling it in. :) Big boy.

 David fishing while Olivia chases a butterfly! Haha, such a girly thing to do!! 

 See it? The orange thing on the top of the flower near the water line.

 David reeling in a fish, and Olivia watching.

 LOVE her expression!! 

 :)

We had a really nice and relaxing time on Sunday. Thanks to John & Cindy for their hospitality and cooking a really yummy brisket for lunch!! It was a great day!

On Monday my parents and granny Mary came over to visit and have dinner. And what would you expect that we had for dinner?? Yep, fish tacos.... fresh ones! (Well, not me because I don't eat fish. I had beef tacos. But from what everyone else said, they were "amazing.") All that fishing paid off. :)

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend as much as we did!

First Day of Preschool, 2012-2013

After a very busy, fun, and at times stressful summer, we are now back to the grind. Carter had his first day of preschool today, at the same school he was at last year, but two days a week this year. I was happy to have him go back, but it did feel a little strange to have the house so calm and quiet all morning long.

Playing coy.

 Soooo grown up.

 And a quick pic with sis. 

She was a happy little girl to have Mommy to herself today! But we did miss our Carter. :) 

.
Carter was very glad to see us when we went to pick him up, but was one VERY tired boy since he didn't nap at rest time. He had a great day, though, and we are looking forward to more fun this school year! 

Time Outside

We were lucky enough to enjoy a few days of cooler weather here lately, and we have taken full advantage! It's so nice to spend time outside and not have to wrangle kids into swim diapers and/or swim suits, smear sunscreen all over them, and pack an embarrassingly huge bag o'crap to accompany us to the splash park or pool. And this definitely has us all looking forward to fall! 

Carter's been cruising in Lightning McQueen a lot, and Ella has been a little jealous....

....so Carter took her for a spin :)

Pretty girl hanging out in the backyard.

Looking for trouble....

HA!

And just last week, she got her first major boo boo --- Poor baby girl slipped and fell (while climbing one of these chairs one evening) and skinned her chin on the concrete! OUCH! Even Carter has yet to have a skinned chin, so Congrats Ella, on beating your brother to the punch on that one! :)

Too serious....

There are some grins, maybe?

... aaaaaaaand, he's done letting me take pictures of him, so I will resume with the photos of the one that will allow it (for now). Sigh. 

Carter can always make her laugh! 

As much as we have enjoyed playing out back, we have also really enjoyed being so close to one of our favorite parks. This is the kids ride to the park each morning. Easy life. 

We had Carter's 3rd birthday party at this park back in April. When we walked to the park for the first time a few weeks ago, Carter said to me as he saw it in the distance, "Ohhhh, is this my birthday park, Mommy?! Oh, wow! I LOOOOOOOVE this park!" I'm so glad he remembers it as his "birthday park," and so very grateful he will be able to make so many childhood memories here. 

Swingin'

Wouldn't be complete without a picnic lunch....

...and some friends to climb rocks with! 

Lovin' this fall preview..... can't wait for the real deal!

We had our friends The Chiles over this weekend, and Carter and Olivia had lots of fun playing together!

 Carter took her for a spin in his hot rod. Seriously, how cute is this??

 Looks like they're headed out for their first date.

And Carter was nice enough to hand over his keys to Olivia. She had lots of fun driving, too.

And I can't leave out the babies....
Ella and Dylan, future BFFs!
Ella wanted to give Dylan kisses, and possibly eat her bow :)

 4 months apart in age, and almost the same size! Ella, you're going to get passed up!!