Preston at 9 Months

A week ago Preston turned nine months! It seems like the older he gets, the more new things he does/start to happen! Here we go...

--He loves to feed himself! We're starting to get away from purees a bit and more into soft, easy to chew food that he can practice picking up. Of course, you see the opposite kind of mess, then, that I have to deal with ;)

Turning nine months hasn't made him unhappy!

--Climbing on low furniture! He has also taken to pulling DVD's out of our case. Man, not again! Time to unload  the bottom two rows of our case!

I'm trying to be happy, even though I think I'm getting (another) tooth!

--On that note, we finally have our first tooth! Barely. It's a little out from the gum (bottom middle). I *think* his other bottom middle is coming in, too.

A good shot of both my little tooth, AND the fact that I'm now standing with my new activity table! Can stand for a little bit as long as there's support.

First time at a public pool! Loved splashing around and kicking.

--Now using a big boy bath! Thank goodness, it was getting hard, and I think he was getting uncomfortable, using the baby bath that he was outgrowing. Now, he can play with toys and splash in the water. Much more fun!

--Can get up on his knees to play! He still army crawls versus all fours, yet. He can also sit by himself! (We used to have to sit him down in a sitting position)

--Had his first word! "Dada" won. He "dada"'s all day long.

First sippy cup! He's figuring it out...

At his shot-less nine month visit with the doctor (yay, a visit with no shots!) we discovered that he is now above his growing curve. He has higher percentiles for everything across the board than what he's had before.

I'm so lucky to have such a very happy baby boy, overall. It's something to learn from, I think! I'm excited (but also sad) to see what the next month brings!

Summatime - First Half

The past few years I've been able to post each week about weekly, summer fun activities, but, this summer is pretty different!

With a new sibling who naps frequently, we're a bit more limited to how much we can be out and about...which again, makes me very thankful we have a pool we can enjoy during his naps! I've had to think, then, how to kind of make things fun. One thing we came up that has helped, has been assigning a few days of the week to be special days. For example, Mondays are our Pool Days, Tuesdays are our  art and bake day, Wednesdays are Movie Days,etc.

Here and there, the boys have been in some camps, too - every other week or so. That has definitely been a win/win on both sides!

Vacation Bible School - at a neighboring church. I think because of less demand, our church no longer does it (or not this year). I loved that this got switched back to daytime, especially given that Josh was away in Japan during this time!

Very neat setup

Last day singing

New potty game. They loved that it squirts water! This was wonderful afternoon entertainment one day.

Celebrating National Donut Day!

Because I'm not able to take them to summer movies during the day, I made up watching a movie at home once a week with these trays - popcorn, a treat, and Kool Aid  (not healthy, but in comparison to what they would get at the movie theater). They totally loved this tradition idea the best!

First feature- Moana. Perfect to do during Preston's longest nap in the afternoon.

Having his first cupcake! We're doing our summer tradition of visiting a cupcake shop for themed days. This day's theme was Neon Colors - if we wore neon colors, we got a free treat.

Over the last week Josh and I returned home from a visit to New Mexico! Again we were very thankful for the help of my family over five days, coming over again to watch the boys so we could go on our own. Thankfully we didn't have any sick kids this time!

We primarily went to New Mexico to visit Josh's brother, his wife and their two new babies. I was very grateful we decided against taking our kids on this trip, as it really allowed us to catch up and focus on our nieces.

Before we left, Aaron made these love notes

Girls! Just, girls!

Sister-in-law hiking date!

We did a nice variety of staying in and going out some over the course of three-ish days. For our last 24 hours, we had booked a stay at a nice resort and spa near Santa Fe.

New Mexican fare

So grateful for the recommendation to do a private, mineral spa!

Mama got a nice wrap done, too

And, okay...when we realized we would pretty much be passing by Albuquerque again on our way home, we had to see our nieces one more (quick) time!

They are just the cutest!

We had such a good, wonderful visit. So much so that we're talking about going back again (this time with the boys) in a few months! It's time for cousins to meet.

This past week, Nate and Aaron were again in a camp, this time a dinosaur, Lego camp. They spent time building different dinosaurs, playing games, having free play to build whatever they wanted...then on the last day, they had a Lego movie pajama party!

I'm very relieved and proud of the boys not complaining very much, given how drastically I feel this summer has been compared to the last few for sure.  They have not gone camping (typically they would have with Scouts or church by now, once or twice already). In fact, we're not sure they'll get to go even before school starts. With daddy being gone, then coming home and being tired and sick, we're trying to play catch up with house projects. It really has been a fast summer, despite feeling like we haven't done too much!

End of the School Year

Yeah, so, some time ago...in fact exactly a month ago, school ended for the year! Though, it's crazy because tomorrow we will be able to say how " school will be starting back up again this month". Kinda mind boggling, this modified year round schedule, but we love it!

Anyway, not too surprisingly it brought some sad emotions that the end of the year meant Aaron was going to have a Kindergarten graduation :( The days are long, but the years are short is such a true statement! The school year really did fly by.

Thankfully I was asked to help during the ceremony so I didn't have as much time to think about being teary eyed! Unfortunately daddy had to miss it, since he was away on his three week Japan trip for work. But, my parents did come so that was nice.

Only picture of him in the slideshow

Aaron and his lady friend Chantel - I think they were trying hard in front of the parents to not hold hands ;)

So many cute songs!

The kids had an option of going home after this ceremony or staying the rest of the day...since Nate was needing to stay the whole day I decided for Aaron to, as well. It was okay, more time with friends and it was still a party-like day!

Another good friend made means another good friend moving : (

We just love Mrs Lopez! I hope she's around yet when Preston starts Kinder!

Bros

I don't have any pictures, but Nathan enjoyed his last few days of school too- they had a two day luau!

The next, last day of school was a half day. A few of our Kindergarten friends planned an end of year swimming bash that we attended. It started the summer off right!

9 Month Old Comparison

Another month, another comparison! Preston will almost be nine months old !

Yes, they are looking alike!

Answers- 1) Aaron, 2) Preston, 3) Nathan

Aaron is 6!

Our middles turned six years old (a month ago, eeks!) We had planned to celebrate his birthday with friends and family the weekend Josh and I got back from CA, but as I mentioned, Aaron had a fever :( Unfortunately his fever wasn't better in time. Blessed with such good family and friends, they came over in spurts to deliver presents throughout the following week leading up to his actual birthday (thankfully he was at least not sick for his big day!)

Actually, his birthday party was scheduled for Saturday, May 6. Since he was fever free for 24 hours by the 7th, we did have our families over to enjoy the cake (so it wouldn't go to waste) and ordered some food at our home, a small get together.

Hurry! haha

Aaron's actual birthday was on a Friday - I woke up and got bagels for breakfast and donuts for him to bring for his class. Conveniently I was teaching art that afternoon so I was able to celebrate with him! Boo, I deleted those pictures by accident :( That evening Aaron wanted cheese quesadillas, so we had a movie night and daddy brought some Chipotle home.

Another week later we gathered some of Aaron's friends to visit a local public pool (where we were suppose to have had his party).

Swimming, Italian ice, friends (a few more not pictured)...Aaron was a happy boy

Time for some Aaron six year old tidbits! --

--Much like his older brother, he is tall, lean...a picky eater! :p

--Lady lover. Since he was three, in every class he's had a lady friend. This past year in Kinder, her name is Chantel.

It's humorous to me that I've had different kids and adults from school come to me to advise me of Aaron's relationship with this little girl. Always holding hands, sitting next to each other, etc. She unfortunately is moving to another school, we think, and Aaron had hoped to move with her. Ah, young love.

- Still my social butterfly most of the time.

-Catching on to subjects at school fast, we're going to see how he does in accelerated Reading and Math next year. This past year off/on he would complain about being bored, that things were too easy. We'll see how this goes!

-Wears his heart on his sleeve, is a sensitive guy. Quick to get emotional. He could be on the highest of highs one minute then low the next. For us, anyway!

-Adores his little brother. Both in general, but it's just so cute to see him interacting with Preston. I don't doubt that they'll be good buddies.

- Still enjoys art, cars, and something that has especially taken root over this last year, Shopkins!

-Likes to watch YouTube videos :p

-Still sleeps with a soft, monkey  brown blanket, as well as a Thomas blanket that he's had pretty much since birth. Definitely sleep security items. Still prefers to keep a dim lamp on to sleep. It can take him a little bit longer to fall asleep, sometimes he needs to read or play a bit once in bed.

- Started summer swim lessons. We've changed facilities this time in hopes he catches on faster. Though, he does seem to enjoy playing vs swimming in our pool better.

-Has moments yet of being my Cuddle Bug. All of a sudden he'll cozy on up to me or give me a hug. I love!

Looking so old!

Love you dear Cuddle Bug!