Thursday, July 31, 2014

Ohio State Fair

We took the boys to the state fair yesterday and had a great time. Davey rode a pony and lots of carnival rides, and got to climb on this massive John Deere tractor. This green monster costs more than $500,000! It harvests corn. The fancy mechanism on a the front can separate stems and husks from ears of corn so that only the corn goes into the throat of the tractor. Impressive. More pics to follow tomorrow...

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Apple didn't fall far

Hello is this child not the spitting image of his daddy! Holy moly he's Dave made over! And so of course, he's handsome!

Happy 11 months Oakman!

Our baby is 11 months old today...and overflowing with enthusiasm and exploration and soft brown curls. His attachment to his brother is matched only by his attachment to Blanket. He gives kisses and affectionate head bumps and waves night night to the world outside his bedroom window. His favorite thing to eat is whatever is on his high chair tray, and brother's books. He's an eater, not a reader. He's also a dancer. Baby isn't shy about moving to a beat. It's unbelievable the attention he receives from people. He has a way of turning heads and bringing smiles followed by compliments like "that baby is so cute!" Or "wow look at all that hair" or "She's beautiful!" Most people think he's a girl, some aren't sure so they ask his gender and very few correctly call him a boy. I'm not bothered by it and he's obviously too young to be offended. Who cares. The big curly hair stays. He has had four haircuts. I cut it only when it starts getting in his eyes. He has six teeth...four top center, two bottom center. He says mama and dada pretty well. He tries to say milk, more, Davey, bird, night night, and No. He gets mad when you try to dress him, take away Blanket, or just generally don't move fast enough bringing milk or food. He's always overjoyed to ride in the wagon, see daddy walk in from work, have his brother's attention, play peek a boo, and open/close cabinet doors and drawers. He has the exact same laugh as his brother, and we simply cannot hear it enough.

CompHAIRison

I love this pic because obviously it's showing our precious boys playing together happily. But also because you can really see where the hair genes landed with these two. Look at the differences! I love that we have one that got my straight blond hair and we have another who inherited Dave's chestnut brown Italiano curly locks. My gorgeous follicularly-blessed baby boys.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Sweet dreams, baby

Little man is sound asleep for nap time and I think he's so cute how he never lets go of Blanket. They are inseparable in the crib.

Trio of trouble (and sweetness)

There's a storm on the way. These three lined up by the screen door to watch the lightning and hear the thunder.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Ingenuity

Well the fire truck needed some repair work...tire troubles, I believe. So Davey decided the Atari could help his truck start working again. And little brother is here to help (maybe).

Thursday, July 24, 2014

He passed!

Guess who passed his guppy swim class today! Moving on up! So proud!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Whits for dessert

Since our boys ate so well for dinner, we treated them to a walk to Whits for some yummy custard. Here you're seeing big Dave hold Davey's mini vanilla cone while Davey licks it (Davey accidentally dropped his first one on the ground so he insists daddy hold onto this one.) Meanwhile big D is trying to eat his own food with his other hand. And Oakley is happy in the wagon. And yes we're wearing jackets because it's in the mid 60s, but I'm not complaining. It feels great.

Tilapia and risotto firsts

For dinner tonight I made lemon sauteed tilapia, creamy parm risotto, and steamed green peas. Let me tell you which one of these boys could not get enough of it...my big hoss on the left there...Oak! My Mighty Oak. He ate in order (with multiple servings of each):  Cheerios, blueberries, half a peach, boiled carrots, half a tilapia fillet, and green peas. He ate it All, with numerous helpings of each. And no spitting up. Davey had a tough time finishing his tilapia but he got it all down after we threatened to return his new red rubber boots to the store.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

New rubber boots

Davey found these red rubber boots at the store....they have a picture of a firefighter hat on them. They had one pair left in his size so they came home with us. He's been wearing them around the house ever since.

Fishing buds

The guys walked to the pond last night for a little fishing time. Oakley and I joined them a few minutes later. They caught a few and put them back. It was such a pretty evening to be outside...although, every summer evening is wonderful around here.

Monday, July 21, 2014

More pics: Grampa's Visit

Look who's here...big hugs at the airport!
Headed to the parking garage, Pop is carrying luggage and a 35 lb. monkey on his back.
Feeding Grampa his fave snack... fritos and bean dip yummy
Oakman and Grampa being silly during Davey's swim class.
Hey Grampa, thanks for the lift!
At the zoo, making Grampa do all the hard work.
Silliness while we wait for our burgers
Downtown Columbus, walking off our dinner, headed to the ballpark.
Be still my heart
Good seats behind home plate 
I know my hair is distracting, but eyes on the ball, Grampa.
Hey you in there, Grampa?!
Evening walk with Grampa and John Deere.
I'm almost done, Grampa. Hope you have a burp rag.
Back at the airport giving goodbye hugs.
We had a blast and can't wait to see you again, Grampa!
Thank you for coming to see us!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Goodbye kiss

Almost time to board the plane...We are sure sad to say goodbye to Grampa (for a few months) but we are So Happy he flew to Ohio to see us! We had fun, thank you Pop!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

One BUMPY ride

What did you guys do today? Oh not much, just rode a CAMEL! Yeehaw! Her name is Lippy...she was very well-behaved. We took Grampa to the Columbus Zoo and it was an adventure!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Grampa is here!

Happy happy!

Swim lessons!

Well we're back at the pool...enrolled again in the guppy swim class. He's passing this time...I can see huge improvements already.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Cowboy Dave

Every time we come to Meijer, Davey Tre wants to sit on the horse after we check out but he has never wanted me to put a coin in it to make it move. Well, today that changed. He said, "I didn't want it to move when I was three, or two, or one year old but I DO want it to move when I am four years old." And so he's riding the running horse for the first time 😊

Monday, July 14, 2014

Commercial baby?

Are we advertising for a luscious shampoo or for an absorbent paper towel here? Either would be effective I think.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Trip to St. Joseph, MI

For my birthday, my boys and I drove up to St. Joseph, Michigan for a little two night stay on the lake. David's Uncle John and Aunt Pat let us borrow their condo (Thank You!!) and they have a spectacular view from the property. It was beautiful weather and we enjoyed exploring the town, the beach, and hanging out at the pool.
Driving through Indiana...this was a miraculous moment.
They're both asleep. Both of the them. Asleep, at the same time.
(two relaxing sighs from the front seat ahhhhhhhh silence)
We've arrived! This is the path from the condo down to the lake front.
Monkey was excited and ran nearly the entire way down, thus inducing a mild
heart attack in his Mommy.
First time stepping into Lake Michigan.
It was chilly but if we can float the Frio River, we can handle a Great Lake in July.
Am I right Texans??
The boys take a seat and soak up the shore for a bit.

How big is the lake? It's this big.
After dinner, this little dude decided it was definitely time to be at the beach.
Lake is chilly so hubby is inching his way into the water.
Hubby still adjusting to the water temp.
Still adjusting.
Gritting his teeth.
ahhh, All better now.
The boys horsing around, having fun.
This was our sunset view from the condo property.  I know, right!
Just meandering about, fiddling with random things I find,
lost my pants somewhere. Don't know, don't care, don't ask.
Next morning, eating breakfast with this sweet trio at Thornton's Cafe.
Great place! They have a massive $20 omelet that has 12 eggs and a heap of meat.
If you eat it all you get a t-shirt. Dave and I thought about trying it. For sure, next time.
After breakfast we walked down this 100 year old pier with two lighthouses at the end.
Standing at the end of the pier next to lighthouse.
Hubs is trying to see Chicago on other side of lake.
The whole fam!
I'm going to be bummed when I can't carry him anymore.
Back at the beach! I told him to show me his muscles.
Hey daddy, found your belly button!
I ate some sand and didn't like it but I'm still ok with being at the beach!
That's Davey digging a big hole in the sand.
Davey and big hole.
After a few hours at the beach, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool.
Trying get a fam pic in the pool.. but Oakley stabs daddy in the eye.
Trying again for a fam pool pic... that's as good as it gets.
Our last evening in St. Joe's, watching the sunset across the lake.
Drivng home, reading his airplane book.
Oakley was asleep before we hit the highway.
Pit stop on our way home.
Oak stretches his legs and reminds us to check the rear view mirror.