I'm a Big Kid Now

We've made the leap into toddlerhood and gotten two teeth to boot!

He's trying hard to give up his first nap. I'm trying hard to resist. He's learning to really play with the big kids. I'm cheering him on.

He's promoted at church and loving his new class. I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief.

He's drinking while milk out of dippy cups. I practically threw a party when I put up the last of the bottles.

It's official--my baby is a little boy now.

The Girl

Here are a few of my favorite recent pics of Juliet, with her sweet braids a la Aunt Juju, after climbing to the top of a wall at our hotel, and trying on my highest heels the day we got home from vacay. Only minutes after this picture was taken, she proceeded to let herself out the front door and to walk across the street to see her friend Lola. I found her almost at their door . . . still in her heels. I can barely walk that far in those things. She's got talent.

Haircut

Someone got a summer buzz cut. He was devastated at the look until we gelled it up and told him he looks like a pirate.

It's all good now :)

Bunk Beds

I strongly considered naming this post "never again," because that's exactly how I feel each time I see these beds.

I knew I wanted to get the boys bunk beds for their rooms, and after much research I decided to buy unfinished ones at Ikea that I would stain myself, having absolutely no idea how unprepared I was for a project of such magnitude.

It took me two weeks. Two weeks of pure torture. Had I had proper equipment, location for undergoing such a project, and a lot more know-how, this might have turned out differently.

Ironically, I'm happy with the final product, and the kids absolutely love it. Robby has happily slept in the top bunk since we finally got it set up about a week ago, and Juliet has taken to sleeping in the bottom bunk most nights now.

I'm so happy they're happy, but I still must reiterate . . . never again.

Don't Hold Me Back!

I'm ready to go!

Toddler Multitasking

Combining nap time and lunch time leaves much more playtime!

Look at Me!

If my sweet 11 month old could say whatever he wanted, I think that would be his most common sentence. He absolutely loves attention--the total opposite of his big brother--and does whatever it takes to get it, including regular sonic-level screeches, and in desperation, tactics such as making solo trips upstairs or attempting to use the toilet brush as a teething tool, for those teeth that will presumably come in at some point.

He's walking but only on his own terms and only when he feels like it. He says a few words, but again only when he feels like it.

Lincoln loves the new puppy and loves playing in the water. He also loves climbing on anything and everything and talking to anyone, especially strangers at the store or restaurant.

I can't believe that it's time to stop counting his age in months and to start counting by years. But I can't wait to continue watching him grow into a little boy!