Brotherly Love

I recently caught Gage giving Eli a lesson on...

Eyes.Ears. Cheeks.Head.Hair.Belly Button.
Love.

9 Months Old!

Dear Eli,

One year ago your brother was 9 months old and you were 3 months away from being born! And now here you are, the 9 month old. It is hard to believe that in 3 short months you will be our little 1 year old!

Your playful personality has really been showing itself lately. Especially at mealtime...You will flop your head over to one side, giggle, then flop to the other side. Gage thinks that's pretty funny and then he does it too.

You have become quite the screamer. Sometimes when you're happy, sometimes when you're angry, and sometimes in between.

You are reaching your arms up for me. I just love that. You also pull on my pant leg and let me know that you want me to pick you up. You love kisses and love to give me kisses too.


You aren't crawling yet, but you get around! You scootch and roll, and go from sitting to your belly in no time flat. You have gotten "stuck" a lot on your belly in your crib. You were waking up 2-3 times a night needing a roll-over! Thankfully it seems as though you are maneuvering yourself better these days.

You love attention! I'll look down at you in the grocery store and see you smiling away at someone who's smiling at you nearby.

You love to steal sippy cups...

You love to go places! If you're a little cranky at home I put you in the car and you're immediately happy in your car seat. You're usually very good in shopping carts too.

You are doing great sweet Eli. We love you so! It is with all my heart I say I love being your mommy. May the Lord bless you and keep you and give me much wisdom to raise you well.

Loving you always,
Mommy

Toddler Fun

Oh the joys of toddlerhood! I am loving it! Gage is so curious and explorative and funny. This is a typical sight in our house:


I can't prepare a meal in the kitchen without him at my side with arms up exclaiming, "I see! I see!" It is too cute for me to ignore so up he goes into my arms and I try to stir, or whatever it is that I'm doing, one-handed for as long as I can. Many times I sit him on the counter to watch...until his hands are into too many things.

With the mosquitoes being so thick this summer, we spent a lot of time indoors. Here are some of the fun inside activities I came up with:

The "Fun Tub".It is way more fun being in the fun tub!

A less messy "Fun Tub".Gage's portable "Fun Tub" contains pipe cleaners, straws, clips, tubes, and a fake ladybug. I change it up often. He likes it okay, but he'd rather be doing this:

We were so lucky to have this slide left behind by the previous owners of our new house. He didn't have anything to do with it outside so I cleaned it up and brought it inside. Now he can't get enough of it!

Finger-painting with pudding.
Before...
After...
Gage likes to make artwork and get messy. But he really enjoys being active. Like helping me put the dishes away from the dishwasher.

We believe in starting them young! :)

It may take some extra effort, but the benefits of keeping the tv off, getting creative, and encouraging your child to be active and get creative too are so worth it!

Where have we been?

Right here, but for some reason I just can't seem to get to my blog!

My boys are as cute as ever.


We've been busy "pay"ing as Gage would say. A large appliance box makes for great entertainment!


We've also been busy having garage sales and overseeing our kitchen remodel. We have new granite countertops and are in the middle of deciding on the tile backsplash, which Craig insists on doing himself (I'm hoping it will be done by Christmas?!?!) Before and After pictures to come when everything is DONE!!

Hopefully I will update sooner next time...I am sure I've lost many faithful readers :( But we are HERE, very HAPPY and GROWING WELL!