TreasuresInTerraCotta

Two weeks ago my baby turned two years old.  The second birthday for this third child was sadly lacking in creativity and, perhaps, missing the appropriate celebration. On his actual birthday we made chocolate instant pudding.  Nothing but the best for the birthday boy. But everyone had a hand in it.  When the cousins were all together over the weekend we decided to celebrate with Banana Splits.  None of the kids had experienced a banana split (that they remembered) so it was a grand dessert indeed.  Mini versions, but with all the fixings: bananas, ice cream, fudge, strawberries, pineapple, with Redi-Wip and a cherry on top. All the cousins getting in on opening presents. Truman suddenly knows how to smile for the camera!  What a ham! Truman:  You are super loving and so snugly and perfectly squishy and soft.  You enjoy giving hugs to others, not so much because you need the loving, but rather becaus...

More fun Phases of the Newly-Mobile. The eating plants...and eating dirt phase.  The toilet paper phase  The playing in water phase The Kleenex phase If you are not familiar with this phase, a one year old can empty a Kleenex box, one tissue at a time, in about 30 seconds!  Did I mention the Pantry AKA Cereal Phase. And this after Tyler was kind enough to replace the baby latch that broke since the time Baby #2 was in the Pantry Phase! I'm sure there is more fun on the way!

It was a surfboard birthday for our one year old!  Having a theme always makes it easier to decorate a cake.  And to dress up! We always wait until the first birthday to give the kids any sugary sweets.  So that's always fun. There's nothing like teaching the baby that delicious things come in colors that would never occur in nature. Of course he likes it!   All babies love the boxes better than the presents. The six cousins in their surfboard, shark and beach shirts. In honor of the surf theme we served Baja style fish tacos.  I wish I had taken a picture of my plate.  They were so beautiful and so yummy.  Another pretty thing...we served fancy soda in a galvanized steel bucket with lots of ice.  Totally beach worthy, don't you think!

I think that tongue helps him think!  Reaching waaaaay out!  Getting to All-Threes!  Two hands and one knee.

Truman turned 9 months a couple weeks ago.  We headed to the Pediatrician for his regular check up. The dialogue went something like this: Is he crawling? No Getting onto all fours? No Is he pulling to stand? Cruising? No No....But he sits like a champ! Does he get to a sitting position by himself? Um, No How about rolling? Yes...sometimes So he'll roll to get to where he wants to go? No.  He pretty much sits and plays. Does he clap? Ummmm....I don't know.... So here is my 9 month old who is a strong and content sitter!  (and he reaches way out sometimes too!) To my sweet and happy and content 9 month old.  I love how strong and straight you sit.  You watch your brothes and laugh and giggle.  You put up with a lot from them!  I love your Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma and Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba.  You make raspberries and blow bubbles and growl low.  You have discovered your tongue and like to stick it out sideways as if you ...

Andrew and Truman spend some time together every day. Pictures are from June and July.     Guess who gave Little Brother antlers!?! And today... A Band-Aid courtesy of Andrew...not an injury...just a Band-Aid-decoration!  

Guess who's a happy morning baby? In the evening, however, tummy-troubles and sleep-resistance seem to take over...and smiles are harder to find.   But this position is a new favorite.     And this one... And this one! Who doesn't like to be snuggled close? And a little pressure on that baby-belly seems to help too. 

I love babies.  Especially when they are small and scrunchy.  Especially when they are mine.  Andrew loves the baby!  This was literally the first bottle we gave him after coming home.  Andrew had to be involved.  "Baby.  N-ilk"  What's not to love about a burrito baby! I love Size NB!  They don't last long, especially when the little one starts out at 8 pounds, but they sure are cute. Tyler:  "Where's Andrew?" Me: "Probably in the crib with the baby." And this is how Calvin has been spending his time.