7 Months Old

Hayden wanted Brinley to snuggle in his ties. They sure love each other!

sitting up and playing

the best toys aren't toys at all

I love how excited these 2 are to be reading a book with daddy first thing on Saturday morning

Brinley & her friend Lexi

At 7 months Brinley is eating all kinds of baby food. She didn't used to like peas, but has now become a fan. She likes her 'baby snacks' those puffy baby finger foods. Hayden likes them too, and every time she has some. She holds her bottle sometimes, but doesn't always get the appropriate angle so she gives up. She can drink out of a sippy cup {the soft one} she usually gets to drink some water in it when she eats her baby food. She has such a sweet personality, and squeals and laughs and talks all day long. She loves her toes. She rolls all over. If she wants something she just rolls to it. She pushes herself up on her arms and pushes her bum in the air and moves one leg, but not at the same time. She is still a little bit tipsy when sitting up. Hayden can make her laugh better than anyone. Usually all he has to do it talk to her or laugh and she laughs back. They're so fun to watch together. She was still a great sleeper until about a week ago and I'm not sure if she's not feeling well or what but she's been waking up all night long, and it sometimes it takes a while to calm her down. She's wearing 6 month clothes and is still in a size 2 diaper. She is getting quite a bit of hair. I guess that phrase is relative, but considering my kids she has a lot of hair. At least a lot more than Hayden did at her age. She likes to pull her bows/flowers off of her head while we are driving in the car. She usually sucks on them or pulls them off the band. I'm getting smarter and have started to just take it with us and put it on when we get there. She likes to play with other kids her age. She squeals and talks to them, while sharing her toys. You're such a sweetie, Brinley! We love ya little girl!

Grandma Ricks came to town

Grandma Ricks came to town for a week. We loved having her here. She spent most of her time at the dental school with Josh getting some work done on her teeth, but we were able to fit in a few fun things.
We went to the park and played, walked/ran/cycled a few days. We went to lunch almost every day while she was here. We chatted and played with the kids. Josh and I got to go on a date! We went out for frozen custard. It was sad to see her go, but the good thing is she'll be back in a few weeks to finish up her dental work!

Out of the mouth of Hayden

Hayden is at such a cute age! I wish I could record him all day long. He does and says some of the funniest things. Here are a few:

I was wearing my bathrobe one morning and he touched it and said "mama's cape"

We got into our car one day and he said "ours car, ours car" I tell him not to touch other cars because they are not ours.

We were driving to get ice cream one night, and Josh didn't realize that the exit was coming up as soon as it was so he had to accelerate to get around some cars and make it over in time. While we were exiting Hayden said " Daddy I scared" A few minuets later Hayden was whining and Josh said "Hayden what's wrong?" Hayden said, "I scared" The scared was said in a really whiny voice. It was hilarious!

Hayden calls Josh Daddy but usually calls me Mama

He always says "what's that noise?"

He loves firetrucks, ambulances, dump trucks, garbage trucks, diggers, loaders, airplanes, school buses and any other big trucks he sees. He spots them and says "Look! a digger" "Look! a BIGGGGG Truck!" He knows what's outside just by the noise it makes.

He likes to go to sleep on his tummy, or on his back with his hands behind his head.

He thinks his belly button is fun to touch. I often see him with his shirt up touching his belly button. Funny guy!

He likes to shut the doors behind him. When he wakes up he always puts his ties away and closes the door behind him.

Says "mmhumm" instead of saying yes.

I love watching him discover and take in the world around him. He's such a cutie we just want him to stay how he is right now forever! Love ya little guy!

A Super Hero and His Dog

Potty Training

I thought that potty training was going to be kind of rough, but honestly it hasn't been bad. I think the fact that Hayden was way ready and the fact that we had been talking about, encouraging and having him sit on the potty and try {with a several successful attempts} for weeks now, even though he still had a diaper, helped.

Day 1: We had a few accidents in the morning. Thank goodness for carpet cleaner! After his nap I was somewhat discouraged because I felt like we were starting over because he didn't want to sit or try any more. When Josh came home he put him on there and Hayden did a little then got off. Then a few minuets later Hayden said, "potty now" sat on there and did both deeds. I was so proud! By the end of the day we had gone through all 3 packages of Cars, Thomas and Toy Story underwear. I think part of it is due to the fact that they were sitting on the back of the toilet and he wanted to try all of them!

Day 2: No accidents. Went when I told him it was time to go, but didn't tell me he had to go. {maybe because I didn't give him the chance, I don't know}
Even held it for a few successful trips to the dental school and back.
SO glad!

Day 3: So far NO accidents. Told me he had to go once. Went whenever I asked him to. So far, So good!
We picked out and purchased his underwear 3 days before Day 1. That night he got out of bed twice to look at his underwear. Finally I asked him if he needed to take one of them to bed with him, of course he wanted to. He slept with Buzz and Woody that night! So cute!

We've had plenty of fun drinks, and have even done a few silly things like making the underwear a hat. It was all his idea. He is definitely his father's son!

My Wonderful Little Helper

Today as I was leaving the house I grabbed my purse and both kids. I locked the door behind me like always and then realized that I forgot my keys. The car was still unlocked from earlier so I put the kids in and then went to find the hidden key. It wasn't there! I must not have put it back. Both doors were locked. Josh's set of keys were inside too. I thought about it for a second and then grabbed one of the patio chairs and went to the window that was open and opened the screen. The whole time I was thinking "great this is how easy it is for someone to break into my house." After standing on my chair I realized that I was too far away and my chair was too wobbly to push myself up into the window, I wondered how many of my neighbors were watching me at this point! Then I got Hayden out of the car. Stood on the chair with him and lifted him into the window and onto his stool that he keeps by the window to help him see out. Told him to take his stool and go get mommy's keys. He looked at me with an unsure look on his face and then did as I asked. He moved some toys that were in his way. Put his stool down, grabbed my keys and brought them back to me at the window. I always knew he was an awesome little helper, but today he saved the day! Thanks little man!

when you're sleeping

My dad used to joke that we were good kids, especially when we were sleeping. Being a parent I understand so many things that I did not get as a kid, this phrase being one of them. I love watching my kids sleep. They are so cute and sweet and precious it just melts my heart. All of the screaming in the car, dumping out all of the toys right after you mother just straightened up your room, spitting up all down your mothers clothes, making your mother look like that mother she swore she'd never be as she is trying to reason with or discipline you in the middle of the store while you are throwing a tantrum, pooping out your diaper, crying for no apparent reason, taking toys away from someone, mixing your food and water after you are done eating making a huge mess, running away when asked to come here. All of these things are as if they never happened when I see my kids sleeping. I just want to take them in my arms and snuggle with them and give them a million kisses. I love you little ones!