July has been nothing short of CRAZY..... in every sense of the word! Here are a few highlights!!
The Friday before we headed off to Josh's folks for Independence Day we had some company! Uncle Bob, Uncle Rui, Auntie Sue & Ellen all came to have some coffee with Josh and I and to see our house. Unfortunately, it was a quick visit - but, we made the most of it. It is always FANTASTIC spending time with family - always.
One of Papaw Birdies friends painted Carter a picture of Fireman Sam. Carter loves it and we plan to frame it and put it on the wall in his play room.
Mackenzie had her two month brace removal check-up on Tuesday, July 13th @ Duke. Dr. Fitch said her hip appears to be growing as it should. We were told that we don't have to do anything different with her as she learns to crawl, etc. He wants to see her back in 6 months to assure it is continuing as it should. Hopefully, at that point we will only have to go yearly for the next few years.
Carter is certainly behaving like your typical three year old. For the most part he is a very kind and loving little guy. However, when he has his moments - WATCH OUT! I'm fairly certain we will not have to worry about this little guy being a follower..... he shows every sign of becoming a hard headed leader. At this point, I'm not really sure if that is a good thing, or not!?
It is not even an option to leave the little princess unattended -- she is moving all over the place. Right now she is mainly just rolling - however, she tries her hand in crawling and will often succeed to scoot herself a couple feet across the living room. Her sitting abilities are still a work in progress - if she didn't like to pull up onto her feet I think she would have mastered it already. However, every time I sit her up - she wants to pull up!
We were blessed with great sleepers.... period. I've managed to get Kenzie on a great napping schedule during the day. After her 11am bottle I will let her play for about 30 minutes then it is off to her bed she goes. She sometimes will fuss a bit; however, within 5 minutes she is fast asleep and will often sleep 2 1/2 good hours.
In the evenings Josh and I have both kids in bed and sound asleep no later than 8pm. We stopped swaddling Mackenzie a few weeks back and she didn't even skip a beat. I actually think she sleeps better now. She has no interest in a paci and seems even more and more less interested in finding her thumb?! Only time will tell how that will all pan out. Carter has tried a few stall tactics - most of which we have been able to nip in the bud. On average Carter gets me up around 7:20am and Mackenzie will often sleep or at least play in her bed until I get her around 7:45am. The goal during the week is to be out the door around 8:30am..... routine is the key!
Rice cereal has been a hit. Kenzie has sampled it a time or two over the last week. I will start migrating it into our routine more and more over the next few weeks. I'm pretty sure Mackenzie won't turn down much of anything. I'll be shocked if she is a fussy eater ;-)
Things at Merz (Josh's company) have been quite busy; however, Josh does everything possible to be home for dinner. We have really made it a point to eat dinner as a family. We all really like our time together. The kids and I are lucky to have such a fantastic Dad & hubby.
Just last week Mackenzie found her feet and oh how she loves them so!
Carter FINALLY did it... he filled his vase full of fuzzy balls. One thing we have struggled with was getting Carter to not call us and ask us silly questions in the monitor with the talk back feature once he was in bed. It wasn't a huge deal, it was just annoying and the questions were getting more and more. So, Josh's mom suggested a fuzzy ball jar. I had bought Carter a Handy Manny bench that we were saving for the perfect moment. Well, this was the perfect opportunity to have him work for it. It took a while, I don't think he quite understood that once the vase was fully of fuzzy balls he would get the bench.... until it happened. That little dude was soooo proud he couldn't hardly stand himself.
Carter really enjoyed getting big fingers full of the icing!
Kenzie has found a bit more interest in her thumb again......
Daddy's girl.
I opened my presents from Josh before we went out on Saturday evening!
Perfect!!
Josh had some of Kenzie's professional newborn pictures framed for me...... yay!!
Frank & Leilani getting ready to party like rock stars!
Let's go girlie!
A few shots of the beautiful roses I got from Josh for my special day.
Here is a quick shot of Mackenzie in the office.... she pretty much rolled from the middle of the living room into the office. She even looks up to no good.....
Sorry for the lighting in the next two pictures - however, I had to post them. Josh propped Kenzie up on the ottoman and she stayed there for several seconds.
Oops.... down she goes!
Someone was all smiles when Daddy went in to get her one morning! Too sweet.
Since I'm home with Kenzie - I find myself taking lots of pictures! I thought these next three pictures were just too cute. Look at how chunky this little lady is.
I often have to wake Kenzie up in order to get Carter to school on time...... she just looked so sweet I had to grab the camera.
Catching a cat nap after dropping Carter off at school.
Kenzie and I had a lunch date one afternoon, so I had to wake her up early from her nap. Before going in I grabbed the camera - sleeping pictures are always my favorite.
The girl is all smiles.... even after waking up to a big bright flash!
Pretty girl.
Kenzie taking a little snooze on my lap!
One of Papaw Birdies friends painted Carter a picture of Fireman Sam. Carter loves it and we plan to frame it and put it on the wall in his play room.
Mackenzie had her two month brace removal check-up on Tuesday, July 13th @ Duke. Dr. Fitch said her hip appears to be growing as it should. We were told that we don't have to do anything different with her as she learns to crawl, etc. He wants to see her back in 6 months to assure it is continuing as it should. Hopefully, at that point we will only have to go yearly for the next few years.
Carter is certainly behaving like your typical three year old. For the most part he is a very kind and loving little guy. However, when he has his moments - WATCH OUT! I'm fairly certain we will not have to worry about this little guy being a follower..... he shows every sign of becoming a hard headed leader. At this point, I'm not really sure if that is a good thing, or not!?
It is not even an option to leave the little princess unattended -- she is moving all over the place. Right now she is mainly just rolling - however, she tries her hand in crawling and will often succeed to scoot herself a couple feet across the living room. Her sitting abilities are still a work in progress - if she didn't like to pull up onto her feet I think she would have mastered it already. However, every time I sit her up - she wants to pull up!
We were blessed with great sleepers.... period. I've managed to get Kenzie on a great napping schedule during the day. After her 11am bottle I will let her play for about 30 minutes then it is off to her bed she goes. She sometimes will fuss a bit; however, within 5 minutes she is fast asleep and will often sleep 2 1/2 good hours.
Rice cereal has been a hit. Kenzie has sampled it a time or two over the last week. I will start migrating it into our routine more and more over the next few weeks. I'm pretty sure Mackenzie won't turn down much of anything. I'll be shocked if she is a fussy eater ;-)
Things at Merz (Josh's company) have been quite busy; however, Josh does everything possible to be home for dinner. We have really made it a point to eat dinner as a family. We all really like our time together. The kids and I are lucky to have such a fantastic Dad & hubby.
Just last week Mackenzie found her feet and oh how she loves them so!
Carter FINALLY did it... he filled his vase full of fuzzy balls. One thing we have struggled with was getting Carter to not call us and ask us silly questions in the monitor with the talk back feature once he was in bed. It wasn't a huge deal, it was just annoying and the questions were getting more and more. So, Josh's mom suggested a fuzzy ball jar. I had bought Carter a Handy Manny bench that we were saving for the perfect moment. Well, this was the perfect opportunity to have him work for it. It took a while, I don't think he quite understood that once the vase was fully of fuzzy balls he would get the bench.... until it happened. That little dude was soooo proud he couldn't hardly stand himself.
He even helped Josh put it together!
Aunt Leilani modeling the baby Bjorn!
Kenzie snoozing on my lap. Perfect.
Our babies just being down right cute!!
We arrived early enough on Friday to get in a little beach time. Carter and Pep didn't waste any time getting wet.
Carter and Auntie Gail enjoying some quality time on the beach!
Mackenzie enjoyed putting her feet in the sand for the first time.
After a fantastic Italian dinner made by Trish - we headed back to our hotel. What a great set up we had at The Beau (thanks Dad). Carter was pooped.... so tired he didn't give us any grief that we left NayNay at home. Hopefully, we no longer have to drag him along when we travel. Heck, I'd have to guess he isn't even needed in his bed at home any longer. Of course, we will never be able to travel any where with out BearBear & Crocodile (or his special blankets and pillow).
Saturday started off with a little golf cart ride for Carter & Pep!!
Then we headed to the beach!! Jason, Melissa, Madison & Janae joined us on for a fun filled day! All kids got to skip their naps -- surprisingly enough, they were having so much fun it didn't even phase them. Carter was smitten with Madison - so much so he wouldn't leave her side... poor girl. Everyone came back to our hotel and enjoyed beer and pizza for dinner!
Mackenzie enjoying her lunch on the beach with Dad & I. So special.
Auntie Tammy, Sam & Jag joined us on the beach both Saturday & Sunday for a couple of hours. It was so great to see them. I can't believe how big they have gotten.
Mem & Tammy relaxing!
Escaping the birds....
Carter is still talking about how much fun we had.... it won't be long before we go back!!