Outside

Sitting Up

Now that Leo can sit up we are trying to spend as much time outdoors while the weather is great. Before the sitting up he was wanting to be held nearly all the time, he definitely hated to recline, he wanted to be a part of the action and conversation. He contorts to reach toys near his toes too, but he prefers newspapers and computers within reach.

Lulu Painting
I found some of Ally's old finger paints that were probably from when Z was a baby. Put them into yogurt cups and away she was painting one sheet of paper after the next. She's prefers paining with brushes... but not opposed to painting on or with body parts! Fortunately I picked up a $5 inflatable pool in town so she would paint her leg and then go wash up in the pool. Unfortunately, she's been coloring a lot of things as of late. First it was chalk on the screen porch floor, then chalk on my treadmill. Then it was crayon on our front screen door, on my bamboo rug (not a biggie), and on my curtain! Eek. I took her crayons away. Walked her around to the colorings she's done and told her they were naughty and if she wanted to color she had to ask so I can watch her or color with her. She likes when I color with her so it's a win-win for both of us. I didn't tell Strict Daddy* of all her naughtiness. She just doesn't respond to confrontation the way he presents it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I Love YOU

First Haircut

Lulu's 1st haircut at Gabriele Zanutto's Hair Studio

She wasn't particularly good or particularly bad. She wasn't very still, and yet she wasn't jumping out of the chair. As usual she wouldn't lift her head so someone (in this case Gabriele) could see her face either. So I had her only cut bangs... now she can see!

Sunny Days

Another swell day outside. The house got painted a little more, the kids hung out in the pool and Lulu had her first experience running through her sprinkler... and I weeded the front flower beds for the first time this summer (scary).

An Afternoon at the Lake

Bouncing Babies

LOVIN' EVERY MINUTE OF IT

Caring for B

Clean Diapers

and food

After 5 1/2 months of watching me nurse Leo she's finally decided that B should also get fed from her chest.

She's a clever little girl. Although in this photo she's using my Boppi, she found a baby neck pillow about 4 months ago and excitedly hollered "my Boppi." So for months now she gets out the baby Boppi and puts it around her waist and either rests B or Elmo on top then gives them a bottle.

Inspection Day

Nana & Tata's House

On the day of the inspection Leo, Lulu and I sat around and watched shows while getting results on the house my parents are going to buy to retire to. They should be here in about 30 days!

I never in a million years would have thought my family would relocate to where I am at.

A Random Sunay Evening

Leo's First Peas.

He's eating bananas, rice cereal, peas and carrots.

Lulu's First Potty Training Book

Grandma gave Lulu her first Potty Book. It's about a little girl named Hannah. She likes it read to her at least 2x's in a row. When Hannah has an accident, Lulu says, "Poopoo on the floor" and "Poopoo in her pants." So although our bathroom is small, I bought a small potty for the floor. She prefers her seat that fits on the big potty, but she has gone in the little potty one time. She's on her way to potty training, but not willing to take the time out of her activities yet.

Mid-Summer Celebration

Parade watching, jumping castle & fireworks baby! The first time she's ever picked candy out of the street at the parade. She was a little hesitant and wanted me to hold her hand while she did it... but she watched my friends kiddos do it and caught on by the end of the parade.

"Jumping High" with her friend Matthew.

"Jumping High" with her friend Aiden

Holding on to the corner wall when the big kids come in jumping and doing flips. There really should be one jumping castle for just the little kids!

Afterwards we all enjoyed the fireworks. Leo stopped eating to watch the colors in the sky, and surprisingly he wasn't bothered by the noise at all, pretty good for a first firework viewing. Lulu loved the fireworks! She had a sample of what fireworks were the weekend before when we were at the Lake for the 4th of July. She sat on her Daddy's lap putting sand on his legs saying "Oh yeah BABY!"

What a Difference a Year Makes

Eighty Degrees & 100 Percent Humidity

Only My Daughter As I was saying only my daughter could be as subborn as I am! In extreem heat and she wants to wear her favorite hat and a 'coat'.

Sesame Street Farm

Lulu resting on her Jump-High with her Sesame Street Gang plus Bear & Car Kitty (who almost never get left out).

4th of July Weekend

Leo is going bananas for bananas! His silly sister thought it was funny to give him her water from her sippy cup too, and he loved it crying when she took it away. So we're moving past the bottles I guess.


Lulu canoes with The Eagle Scout*...

...and finds it a calm environment to take her afternoon nap.

Leo watches out the window...

...while his sister plays in the sand.

While Leo naps... but just a short one, as all his naps these days are 20

Lulu takes her first spin in a canoe with Uncle John.

We blew bubbles with the bubble wand... where's the bubble? Lulu is looking and jumping in circles.

End of June

Leo is starting to hold his own bottle... kind of?!
Lulu gets a big girl swing.

Momma gets her ultimate facial/manicure/pedicure chair at the spa/salon.

Lulu amuses brother while riding the dogs like a maniac.

Bear gets a bath while the adults pay no attention to the hand washing gone astray.