Buddies

We went swimming last week with a large group of friends, and while Jack was playing with friends, I was able to capture these cuties! These boys are all two weeks apart. Carter is the oldest. Kale (on the right) came two weeks later at 10 weeks early. And Connor is on the left, two weeks after Kale. I think it is pretty great.

Take pictures fast because you never know when one is going to escape!

And he's off...

As soon as Carter turned 11 months, he was finally confident in taking more determined steps. Everyday, I would see him less wobbly and not as much lunging toward things, and before I knew it, the boy was walking! He's still falls and hits things, but he walks all over the place. He's just recently learned to art of standing up by himself, too!



Carter: 11 months

Carter,

Man, do I underestimate your quickness and agility. You are EVERYWHERE!!

At 11 months, you sleep from 8:15-6:15-ish, take two daytime naps, consume 3 bottles, and eat 3 meals! You are wearing more 12 month clothes and moving into 18 month rompers and sleepers. You still have 6 teeth with no signs of more and are still a finicky eater. I never know day to day if you are going to like something, but you are doing lots better at eating the baby food I offer - if it isn't vegetables! I usually give you one baby food along with real food. Your favorite to date are: PB&J, cheese, yogurt, watermelon, hotdogs, avocado, and meatloaf. We are really struggling with you eating your veggies which is not good! As far as snacks go, you no longer want cheerios. You are all about goldfish and crackers. You absolutely love your sippy cup and will grab it out of my hands and hold on tight as you drink.

You did finally decide to start walking. It has been in the works for so long, and I am proud that you have done it. Everyday you are more and more confident and crawl less. You still climb onto everything you can and have learned how to get up on the couch. You know how to get down/out better and fall less! If there is a box on the ground, you will be climbing on it. If there is a space for you to get in, you will be in it. I love looking at you after you have climbed on/into something. You look up at me with a crinkled nose and are so proud. Recently, you have really enjoyed riding in a mini wagon we have. Jack also happens to enjoy it, so y'all take turns rolling down the hallway as I push. You are just getting so big. Some of your other favorites this month have been sliding/trying to crawl up the slide, going to the pool, and playing in the playroom.

This past month, you have also become super attached and don't want anything to do with others. You usually start crying when we enter church because you know I'm about to leave you. You no longer go to our neighbors either. I hope it doesn't last too long! Another new thing is that you know what the dog says and anytime you see one, you open your mouth and let out a Hu Hu Hu. I never could get you to bark, so you'll just pant :)

 Cart Tart - you just make me smile. Those cheeks, those teeth, that smile, your laugh. I love you so incredibly much and you are growing way too fast. God is going to do great things with you my baby.

I loved you yesterday, I love you today, and I will love you tomorrow,
Mommy

Carter's First Hair Cut

We took Carter in for his first haircut on his 11 month birthday. I had snipped the front and back of his hair many different times, but it was getting a little scraggly all over. We went into Snip-Its at the mall, and he did great. The lady put on a little show, and his eyes were glued which I find funny because he won't sit and watch tv at home. He was such a big boy, and he looked even bigger by the time she was done.

 It's hard to see that blonde hair, but it looked really good.

Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

Back in July, my sister made her first trek alone with all the boys to come see me. She drove up on a Thursday, Andy flew in on Friday after work, and they all left early Sunday morning. Their time here was filled with activities, but I failed to capture most of them :( These boys are amazing, and I know Jack talks about memories nonstop for weeks afterwards. I can only imagine what it will be like when the littles are big, too.

 On Thursday night, we made paint balloon art. They all threw paint filled balloons at canvases which had thumbtacks in them which caused the balloons to pop. I learned a few things to do better next time, but the big boys had a blast.

 Since they were already in their undies and dirty, it was water time! We borrowed my neighbors blow up water slide and unleashed them. They played until we made them come in.

 Carter couldn't stand not participating so we eventually stripped him down to his diaper and let him play, too.

Name that twin...I'm not even sure I know which one :)

I got quite a few more cute pictures that night but accidentally deleted them when transferring them to the computer - bummer :(

 

We spent Friday morning at Wonderwild, an indoor play place, and that evening, the boys played on the slide again.

 

Saturday was our big day. That morning, we all went blueberry picking (well amost all - Andy stayed with the twins)! Even after three accidental dumps of our buckets, we still made it out with 4.5 pounds of blueberries! After nap, we hit the big pool which is what The Cloud boys have been talking about since last year. We picked up pizza and ate dinner there, too. They all played their little hearts out - even the littles.We left there are closing time.

 

Sunday morning was fast paced as my sister and her crew left the house about 8 am. We did have delicious blueberry muffins, though!

 

The weekend was a whirlwind, and my house was a bit crazy, but it was bliss.

July Fourth

Our July Fourth wasn't too eventful. We spent most of the day just hanging out inside away from the heat. Right after dinner, we headed outside with all our neighbors. Well, actually, I did my photo shoot first!

My patriotic fruit platter!

Does it get cuter than two blonde haired boys dressed in matching tanks?

Carter is ready for a race.

Once I had what I needed, we changed Jack into his swimsuit to play on the waterslide.

 Carter hung out with Paetyn and ate watermelon.

 Then, we had a neighborhood water balloon fight.

 The rest of the evening was filled with chatting with neighbors and playing. Once they started to light fireworks, Jack and Carter were pretty much done. We watched a few and then went inside and went to bed. I'm so thankful for my neighborhood and our freedom.