Watch out!

Bubba starting walking this evening - at 9 months, 1 week and 5 days old! The past couple days he took a step each, but this evening as I was sitting on the kitchen floor feeding him a banana he took F*I*V*E steps towards me! And proceeded to do it again and again! Very wobbly still, but he'll catch on in no time. Hurray! And we promise if we post video footage of him we won't use a song that sticks in your head for weeks! (Anyone who saw the video of Lauren's first steps knows what I'm talking about!!)

Because she's just soooo busy

"But Mama, I don't have TIME to go to the bathroom!"

Time flies

My baby is 9 months old today - he's been out in the world now for as long as he was cozy in the womb! I can't believe how big he's getting. He's got the biggest grins, usually for Lauren or Papa. He's pulling himself up on EVERYTHING and walks along while holding on. We're thinking he'll be walking by Uncle Chad's wedding in less than four weeks.

Adam and I both thought he said "okay" the other night. I picked him up and was hugging him and said, "Let's go change your diaper, Bubba, okay?" And I kid you not he said it back. Adam and I looked at each other with huge eyes and just started laughing!

Love you, Bubs!

Me and my Sweetheart

Just sitting on the front porch with the kids watching the Good Year Blimp flying by and I heard a bird cooing. I said, "Listen Lauren, I hear a dove. Or maybe it's an owl." She cocked her head to listen, put her arm around my shoulders, and said, "I think it's a dove, sweetheart."

Come on everyone, do the Dip and Bite!

Adam decided that Lauren was old enough to partake in a sacred ritual - dunking cookies in milk! It's the perfect time of year, too, with Girl Scout Cookies just getting delivered. So here's some pictures of their very first lesson. Lauren got the chant down pat and was directing Daddy in no time - "Dip and bite, dip and bite, dip and bite!" She's been asking to do it every night now. Good job, Daddy!

Bed bugs

The four of us like to play and wrestle on Lauren's bunk bed at night before we put the kids to sleep. I got some great pictures the other night and just wanted to share!

Kids say the darnest things!

The kids and I were out shopping this afternoon and I saw Lauren looking intently at someone. She said, "Mama, is that guy a pirate?" I turned to see what she was looking at and saw a man with a turban. Needless to say, I quickly steered the shopping cart out of his view and hearing!!

She did it!

BIG news today - Lauren left the house with big girl panties on!!! And she stayed dry ALL DAY LONG! She's been doing great the last couple weeks at home (with the exception of the Valentine's week stomach flu) in her panties. The past few days she has even been going into the bathroom by herself and just calling me when she needs to be wiped. Today we had spur of the moment lunch plans with friends and she refused to put on a diaper. I explained that restaurants didn't have "little girl potty chairs" so if she needed to go she would have to use a big one. She was fine with that. After lunch we headed to Costco, and then we did more shopping and out to dinner with Noni and Papa. AND SHE STAYED DRY! I am so very proud of her, she's picked this up so fast, and is doing a great job. Way to go, Lauren!

Swinger

We met up with some friends at the park yesterday and enjoyed the nice weather. Just in time, too, since it started raining last night and is supposed to continue for a few days. It was Owen's first time on a swing, and I don't think I've ever heard him laugh quite so loud! With how cold it has been this winter we haven't been getting to the park very much, and when we did he was usually tucked in the stroller with blankets while Lauren ran around. So he was a big boy swinging all by himself, finally!

"Row, row, row your boat..."

A couple nights ago Lauren dumped all the stuffed animals out of this laundry basket where we keep them stashed and Daddy helped her put it on the couch and lift Owen into it with her. Then she commenced with the singing!