It's a wonderful life!

Why do I always insist on an impromptu photo shoot on Mother's Day? Because even though I know they won't be perfect, these pictures remind me that life is sweet with my kiddos. Crazy, silly faces and all. And it makes me laugh to think of Travis perched in the bush taking these pictures!





I love you Justin, Tyler and Allie!

See what I mean?

Allie crawled across the room tonight!!!! She just took off after a little basketball. No one-sie,two-sie,three-sie for her. She just hit the floor CRAWLING! The very first time. Right before bed, too. Everyone was almost too excited to go to sleep.

Wowsers! I wonder what she will do tomorrow???

You go girl!

I don't want to blink or I might miss something. Allie is changing so quickly. I jotted down her new "achievements" as Justin called them tonight:

Allie cut tooth #6 yesterday.

She started clapping both hands together this week.

Today she moved on her own from all fours to a sitting position.

Yesterday she tried to eat a leaf from our artificial tree, chewed on Tyler's headphones and sucked on a piece of tape...I'm officially on floor patrol now!

Ouch!

Tyler was making a "blending" machine over the weekend. He told me he needed a refridgerater box like Curious George had. Then the light dawned on me...a vending machine. As the boys were cutting the big box to make a slot for coins, Tyler got knocked in the face with scissors. It chipped his new front tooth. Travis and I didn't know it had even happened until I noticed his tooth looked different to me last night. I asked him if he had been biting on something hard that had hurt his tooth. He innocently answered, "Just the ice cream last night." After some prodding, we found out what had happened. Now I can see that this was actually a blessing the scissors hit his tooth. It could have been much more serious if he had been poked in the eye or somewhere else. By this morning Ty's tooth was too sensitive to even want to drink anything for breakfast. I called the dentist and got him right in. He'll get it fixed in two weeks.

Tyler - "If I was in the royal wedding, I'd be Harry."

Easter Eggs

8 Months

Allie is 8 months old today! To celebrate, she cut a tooth!! This makes FIVE in that tiny mouth. I can't believe it! My daughter is such the high achiever! :)

These days, she...says Ma-Ma when she sees me and Da-Da when she sees Travis.

...rolls everywhere and pivots on her hands with straight arms. She's getting fast!

...is pulling everything off the bottom shelves of the bookcases.

...loves to "beaver" her board books.

...wakes up with the biggest smile on her face.

And of course we all love to make her laugh!

Our Birthday Boy

Tyler turned 6 on April 13th! He had serious plans for his party: play with dinosaurs, only 2 buddies from his kindergarten class, pin the tail to the T.Rex game. Not to be swayed.



A "Dinosaur Crossing" sign with dino footprints leading to our front door.



Immediately after they arrived, Ty loved taking his friends on a tour of the party decorations, cake and party plans.







They played with dinosaurs, colored dino pictures, made dino fossil rubbings, matched dino bones with dino pictures and had a dinosaur storytime.



Just look at these happy faces! What a fun day!

After the party, we had dinner and then the boys watched "Tangled" for the first time. They loved it and have watched it or parts of it each day since then. We rented it from Netflix and I think it will be tough to send it back. What a great movie!

We gave Tyler a drum set for his birthday. Yes, it's true. This boy is a natural and we are just so happy the set came with earphones. I love to watch our drummer boy grooving to the tunes as he plays. He's in heaven and already told me he wants a regular full drum set. I told him he needs to practice for a LONG TIME on the the electronic one. A long, long time.

Hunny Bunny

Tonight Travis was rocking Allie and had just set her down in her crib for bed. He left the room and heard through the monitor, "Da-da". That was the first time! He thought it was so cute...he went back in and picked her up. I love that!

She cut both top teeth on the same day two weeks ago. Those teeth have come in so fast. I think they are nearly the same size at the bottom two that came in two months ago. Those babies are so sharp. But so adorable when she smiles!



Just perfect for Easter coming up. Our little "Hunny Bunny"! I wish I could give her a carrot to chew on. Cutie!

She is getting so strong. Up on all fours this past week or so. Every day she maneuvers around with more confidence. She rolls and "walks" around with her hands as she pivots on her knees and legs. I can see a baby-proofing marathon in my near future. I'm actually looking forward to it. She is just so happy realizing she can explore now. And follow those brothers of hers!

Every single day is joyful with her. She is such a happy girl! Tonight I was walking up the stairs as Travis was holding her on the couch. She was watching me and as soon as she caught my eye she flashed a big smile. Simply delightful!

First Word

Really? I think so...yesterday, Allie started babbling "Ma-ma-mam-ma". It is music to my ears!

I wondered if I was just imagining it all, but today she saw me peek in from the other room and she immediately said, "Ma-ma-ma". Then she cried when I was out of sight. I went in and picked her up for just a short cuddle and sat her back down. She looked up at me and said "Ma-m".

Justin was watched this unfold and gasped, "Mom! She said 'Mom'! Dad, Allie said 'Mom'! Tyler, Allie said 'Mom'! I can't believe it! Her first official word! Mom, did you hear it?"

Yes, I definitely did. Little Miss 7 Months is now our cute little babbling babes.

I love these kids!

Allie 6 months old
Tyler 5 years old
Justin 8 years old