Don't know how I lived without you...

As of late we've seen a lot of couples out, dating, with kids, at the movies, shopping, or out eating. And when I see them all I can't help but just feel so darn lucky. I am happy and I am in love. And I can't remember life without you babe. You are my everything. Despite any obstacles life throws at us we stand beside each other and have been strong. So thanks, babe, for being my man.

I am so glad to have you!
I am glad you give soft tender kisses.
I am glad you like to read and be read to.
I am glad you forgive me when I am moody.
I am glad you play with our children, and they light you up as much as you light them up.
I am glad you like taking me out.
I am glad you put up with my venting.
I am glad you like summer better than winter.
I am glad you hold my hand and like to cuddle.
I am glad you like sleeping with our babies.
I am glad you work so hard.
I am glad you are so smart and never give up.
I am glad you like lots of blankets.
I am glad you shop with me and make me feel good in everything.
I am glad you can join in with my silliness.
I am glad you like candy treats.
I am glad your hand touches my forehead every time I feel a little unwell.
I am glad you make me smile!

“Even when you're gone

Somehow you come along

Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that

You steal away the rain and just like that

You make me smile like the sun

Fall out of bed, sing like a bird

Dizzy in my head, spin like a record

Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold, buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Oh, you make me smile

Don't know how I lived without you

Cause every time that I get around ya

I see the best of me inside your eyes

You make me smile”

Lyrics “Smile”, Uncle Kracker

7 Monthing

Another month has come and gone and our BELLA is an utter joy in our home.

Update:

Her calm nature is such a blessing in our home. When her brother is on his wild rampages she helps to keep some balance. The swing seems to have lost its allure and is now in storage. She refuses to do anything but nurse, takes about 3 bites of baby food grudgingly. And bottles are just another chew toy, she hates when we try to get her to drink them. No teeth buds or swollen gums as of yet. SO at least we are in the clear for that.

Weight: 18 lbs
Height: 27 inches

Milestones:

Moving around with a scoot and crawl combo. She gets on all fours, raises her butt in the air so she is on her tippy toes, and lunges forward. Sometimes we get knee movement in their and some army crawling and an occasional full on crawl. Rolling is her fondest mode of transportation though. 

Tries to pull herself up on the couch a few times, but she is rarely successful. She can bear some of the weight on her legs though, if not all.
Babbling with emotion, when sad or happy.
Plays with specific toys. Changes toys from one hand to the next, brings to mouth. Uses the racking grasp to reach and grab toys just out of reach.
Responds to her name.
Discovered her head, hair, ears. Occasionally she grasps at them, as if to say "What is that?". Fortunately she doesn't pull off her bows yet :)

Likes

Rolling and playing by herself for hours at a time, if I let her. Of course Connor usually joins her or entertains her every few minutes.  

Baths with her Connor Buddy. 

Loves when her brother brings over his toys to play and share.
Rattles.
Loves playing on her belly. And getting places.
Ice Cream.
Connor joining her in the Pack n play.
Daddy putting her to sleep.

Dislikes

Hates when she scoots and rolls too far away. And hates screaming and not getting picked up right away, (we try to get her to crawl back to us).
Getting put in the car seat.
Baby food, rice cereal.
Stuck in spaces she can't go; under the couch, corners, pillows, etc.

Diving into Connor's OH SO SOFT Pillows.

Rainy Night for Avengers

A couple weeks ago our local Drive In Movie Theater the Teton Vu, was playing The AVENGERS. After hearing good reviews we decided to load up the car with blankets, pillows, treats, and our kiddos.

It was raining throughout so we had to have our windshield wipers on. Connor fussed here and there but a milk bottle and snuggles did the trick. WE had fun cuddled up in the car on a freezing night. Good movie, good night.

Ninja Turtle Shirts.

Are you CURIOUS who's 2 ?

In honor of Connor's birthday celebration, this past Sunday, we had a Curious George themed party. Equipped with my own special invites, which I emailed only days beforehand. After a very stressful week we didn't have much planned, till we got hit by this brilliant theme.

Connor has recently been a George watcher. He asks to watch "George" every chance he gets. So it was a perfect theme for our curious man. He LOVED it and so did WE!

We began with coloring some George pictures for the fridge.

 Connor and Mommy went to Church, while Daddy and Bella stayed home. Daddy was sick and decorated while we were gone. So we came home to a big surprise!

Bella showed off her all fours skills.

And soon our party began!

 After our guests arrived, Shea's family, we ate some lunch that Shea's Mom brought.
And played Connor's favorite BUBBLES!

We had a short tantrum!

But soon after it was present time!

First present of the day, a bean bag chair.

Connor received all sorts of new toys. Bath boats, Dinos, Cars, a big truck, small nerf guns and some new books. He opened the books and looked through each one, instead of just throwing them aside, it was cute. Of course he got some clothes in the mix, swimming trunks and new pjs, and new SHOES. His favorite all time gift. He wanted them on right away and if they came off he stopped and wanted them fixed. I love our curious man, it was a bit confusing for him to receive fun toys but they were all stuck in boxes. SO he couldn't play with them.

He moved on to some balloon head bouncing.

Then it was time for Birthday Cupcakes!

He enjoyed the singing and did a graceful big blow! His cupcake was devoured in no time!

He was a bit messy afterwards, so we pulled out his new boats and let him take a bath, while everyone else ate their cupcakes.

I had a new Curious George book set aside, The Birthday Surprise. I thought it would be fun to have everyone sign his new book and now it is a memento from the party with his guests 2nd Birthday wishes inside.

After clean Connor was done his bath he joined the party again and played with new toys, and LOVED playing horsie on his Grandpa Stanger's knee.

Horsie = Ultimate Giggles

Before we knew it our party came to an end.
Connor went outside to say Goodbye to his guests.

And Bella was inside playing with his new toys :)

What a CURIOUSLY good PARTY, for a CURIOUS CONNOR!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNOR! We can't believe you are TWO already. It is quite an adventure with you everyday, and we wouldn't want it any other way :)