Snoozing

Connor has learned lately to fake snore, so he tries to get out everything with his phony snoozes. But sometimes snoozing can't be faked. 

And I believe my sleepers are the sweetest ones there are ...

I can only imagine what their dreams are made of. Maybe knights and dragons for Connor, and mermaids and fairies for Bells.

But no matter where or how they fall asleep the most precious moments are when they are snuggled up close in our arms.

By far Shea is the Master at this!

For example,
Both children were screaming minutes before Daddy came home from school,  and gathers them up close. I fussed with him to let me take one sleepy head and he could have the other, but he refused so I rolled my eyes and waited. He rocked and whispered and did back pats and all, within moments both were out. Yes he has confirmed he is the master.

Bella in Blue

Summer is here, Bella is just learning the luxury of warm sun rays and bright, hot days.

At 8 months our Bella has continued enjoying and growing in the world of crawling. 

That's right I can officially say she is a crawler. Although she is a shy crawler, only really sporting her skills and speed at home, with us. She loves exploring and I love watching her face take in the world, it is extraordinary.

UPDATE:

She is outgrowing the bumbo. This may sound silly, but I love this baby invention. It makes my life so much easier. She can sit and watch me cook or eat or do my makeup, all on the counter or table. It is fabulous. But she is throwing herself back now and trying to get out of it, so it may be time for something new. 

No teeth as of yet, with no signs of them coming. I must say I am in love with her toothless grin, so I am not looking forward to their arrival. She is crawling as I have said, but it is funny because she is so distracted and observant she doesn't mind just sitting and watching, instead of moving. It is when Mommy leaves the room that her crawling really gets some good practice time, she darts right into form to follow. 

MILESTONES:

She is pulling herself up on to her knees, via the couch and toy bin. CORRECTION: Due to her buddy Liam showing her how she is fully pulling herself up into a standing position. No cruising she prefers to watch from the new view!

She crawls everywhere; favorites... under Connor's high chair, under the kitchen table, and near the trashcan. Yes all of the places, hardest to keep clean. 

Kicking and playing with her feet. It took her awhile to discover those toes and kicking legs, but now that she knows their there she loves swinging them up right into her mouth. Yummy toe sucking. 

Sitting up on her own. Crawl to sit up position. She gets off balance lots though. But she is talented at catching herself at the last second, her hands are like lightning. It makes me laugh, how unsettled it makes her and once she is balanced again she lets out a nice big sigh. 

Watching us eat more, okay maybe this is me wanting her to be more interested in food :)

Picks up tiny objects with her fingers... and yes brings them to mouth.

LIKES:

Sucking her thumb, yes we are back to that. I thought that was over but it has come back as her renewed love. 

Chewing on bottles, sippy cups, and spoons. If their is anything on the end though forget it. 

Bath time with brother. She doesn't enjoy it any other way. The tub toys only distract her so long and then she is done, brother can distract her forever.

Her love above all loves, even Daddy's sleep mastery, is her Connor play time. When he sits done and "shares" or gives her a toy or bottle she is all eyes for him. I love hearing them play together right now...

Bella stares lovingly and Connor talks to her, "Here e go Bella..." Bella starts hiccupping. "Bless you bella... Love you Bella. Kiss." Bella puts a wipe in her mouth. "UhOh Bella." Connor pulls the wipe out. And she wimpers. "Bella sad? Hugs!" "Oh More Bella?" He gives her a new wipe. Yes that really did just happen in the last minute. I almost melted on the floor in pure adoration. LOVE those precious times. Of course during this conversation, they were both pulling all the wipes out of the container, so now I have a mini mess :)

DISLIKES:

Formula, Baby Food, Baby Cereal, Gerber puffs, etc. Yes I have a food rebel. She just started taking water from a bottle a little at time, if she does it herself. But that is it, it is a step in the right direction though. We hope to try some baby yogurt and get her to take a little more interest in the food world. 

When others cry. Bella is a sympathetic crier, Shea says she is just like Gus from the TV show "Psych" and Connor is Shawn. If she hears her brother or another baby in church, the tears come. It is funny because she is really tough and happy, most times. 

Being alone, of course it isn't uncommon, but frustrating when I want her to play in the pack and play or when Connor is sleeping and I am doing chores. She crawls and comes and find me with lots of angry babbles. 

Connor pulling her hair. Yes the blonde fuzz on top of her head is growing and Connor has started tugging on  anything that sticks up. Oh boy, I can already see the fights these two are going to have in the future.

July Start

We have had a busy start to July.
We ventured to the Splash Park at Porter Park, for the first time this summer.
Daddy played with Connor first, he was a little nervous but soon was Mr. Independent and wanted to run and play everywhere.

The hot sun was exhausting and put Bella to sleep, while the stroller shaded her.

But the sun made the cool water all the more relaxing!

Connor took some time to make some (girl)friends.

Our first weekend of July we enjoyed a firework show in Rigby. Equipped with some popit throwing and some night time cuddles.

POPIT

Bella did great watching, but she was a little scared.

As our Fourth of July week began we met up with some of our favorite friends (Katie and Wade) who came for a visit. We got to keep them while they were in Rexburg. It was fun having dinner and playing pool and emptying the arcade games tickets at Fat Cats. IT was more than fun considering they have kids right around our kids ages (Liam-8 months and Aubrey-3) and they couldn't have been more delighted for playmates. 

Bella took to Liam from the start and was all over him by the end. We seem to have a boy chaser all ready she would tackle him with kisses. It was hilarious! I must admit I am not suprised, Liam is one handsome boy!

While they stayed with us we did our best to show them a good time! We explored the splash park, played on the playground, and were lazy in the sunny wind weather. 
(All pictures taken by our amazing photo friend, Katie.)

Liam by far was the bravest. 

Napping

For the big Independence Day, we woke to the parade in Rexburg. It was a small one but better than last year :) Maybe it was because these two were adorable.

Connor and Aubrey. Aubrey giving hugs, Connor ... Dirt!

Cute family 

Connor of course enjoyed playing in the dirt, more than anything else. Catching candy, flags, and Popsicles; were nothing compared to the dirt's alluring nature. 

Of course the popsicles weren't too bad either.

And the Daddy's took our toddlers to see the parade up close.

Mommy's got to stay with baby Liam and Bells.

Afterwards we met at Arctic Circle and our kids LOVED the indoor play area. Liam decided he wanted Mountain Dew... all over his Mommy. And we all enjoyed tickling and making these kidlings smile!

Isn't Liam a Stud!

Aubrey and Connor were the cutest pair EVER. It is definitely a marriage in the making.

After some yummy Barbeque's we got together for western wide event. Fireworks in Idaho Falls, The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration. In anticipation of the event we read this in the paper, "The 20th Annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration will pack 17,153 shells into a 31-minute spectacular production. As measured by the number of shells fired into the night sky, this show is one of America's biggest and best firework displays for pure pyrotechnic firepower, averaging over nine shells per second." We were told over 200,000 people come out to watch. Thank goodness for some extraordinary friends that got us dibs on a perfect parking spot and place to sit! People wait all day saving seats, we were lucky Wade's family let us join them :)

Connor enjoyed several games of chase with Mommy and then a sad sit in the stroller. So he was only too happy to play I SPY with Daddy and his I SPY board book, which entertained him! Yay. Soon enough the fireworks started, they were glorious. Connor was so tired and was in and out the whole time. Bella was wide eyed and a little startled. No criers though. It was a success! 

The firworks were like this the whole time! Gorgeous finale quality the entire time! With beautiful colors, music, and amazing fireworks that I have never seen. I was seriously thrilled!

Of course leaving is a nightmare. So we pulled into Applebee's parking lot with Katie and Wade, since both sets of children were sleeping peacefully, we set up a blanket on the grass and enjoyed some appetizers from Applebees while we played games and said goodbyes till 1am. The roads were deserted by then and we went home sleepy and a little sad not to have our house filled with so many any more.