big brother

This morning I was changing Frannie's diaper on the bed, and Tripp crawled up there next to her. He quietly whispered in her ear, "Frannie, Mama changing your diaper." And then they just smiled at each other. It was just the sweetest thing to witness. I want to remember these moments, and not a few minutes later when Tripp spilled cheerios across 15 feet of my kitchen floor :)

I also love times like these when I catch him sitting quietly, looking at books all my himself. I would do anything to be able to hear the thoughts running through his mind

happy baby

Frannie is getting started early with her yoga.

six months

It is hard to believe Frannie is 6 months old. She turned 6 months August 10th, but am late posting this. I feel like she just got here! Here she is the week we brought her home from the hospital. She has already almost out grown this car seat. Her feet are starting to hang off the end! Below is her snoozing, and then Tripp patting her cheek. It is so sweet when he does this or when he pats my arm as he's falling asleep- I'm really going to miss that when he's "all grown up".

 

This is one day when we went swimming at Aunt Adri and Aunt Alli's pool. She was about 4 months old. Then in the bathroom in my lap while I blow-dried my hair. I would cross my leg, and she would rest in the triangle it created. She won't sit there anymore though, she wants to be in my lap sitting up and looking around. She doesn't want to miss anything!

At her 6 month check-up she was in the 75th percentile for height and head size. 77th for weight! The breastmilk seems to be working... We've only tried a few foods: bananas, sweet potatoes and pears. Nothing out of a jar yet. She does not seem to be impressed at all. Hopefully the whole "food" thing will catch on soon.

growing up

Today was a bittersweet day for me. Tripp said butterfly for the first time. He used to call them "flea-flies", and I have to say I am sad to see it go. He's started speaking so much better lately, and I'm really missing some of my favorites including:
"pet-za" for pizza
"baby suit" for bathing suit
"shillard" for- can you guess?- lizard

He's also been singing a lot (still trying to capture evidence on film).
I love his rendition of Ba Ba Black sheep:
Blah Blah BLACK SHEEP
HELLO WOOL

or "Hap Boot day to You"

Aahhh, growing up. At least he still wants to sit on my lap and cuddle.

For now.

I want to thank the academy

Since I will likely never make an Oscar acceptance speech, I have to celebrate the smaller achievements in life. Thanks to Jordan G. Lynch, I have read two whole books in the last two years. And enjoyed them immensely. Last year I read Kathryn Stockett's The Help:

One of the ways I like to critique a book is by how much I laugh or cry while I'm reading it. I did a lot of both during this book. Also, I couldn't put it down. I realize there is a lot of controversy surrounding it, but I personally enjoyed it- and I can't wait to see the movie! Recently she gave me Tina Fey's book, Bossypants:

I really appreciated how open Tina was about being a working mom and being a brunette (and body image)- maybe the only 2 things we have in common. Despite the fact that she swears like a northerner, I really enjoyed this one too. I laughed out loud A LOT. And so did my husband anytime I read parts of it to him.

Jordy knows what it takes. Telling me how good a book is, reading me at least 1 excerpt out loud, and then physically putting it in my hands. If it was up to me to go out and get it- it probably wouldn't happen. I am so grateful to have a big sister who is such an inspiration, and makes sure I do my summer reading. Looking forward to next year's pick...

helping Daddy wash the car

It's tough to say who was helping who more... but I sure enjoyed watching. I suspect Tripp had more fun than Daddy. 

Tripp loved using the water hose. "Loved" still doesn't do it justice. I think this picture of pure bliss helps to show what I'm talking about. I love this age when something so simple can make your whole day so wonderful. 

Somebody had to keep an eye on things, although 

I'm positive she was secretly very jealous that she couldn't help too.

A final random thought: 

I love looking back at pictures of me and my siblings helping to wash cars. I think it's interesting how dated the cars look. It's weird knowing someday Tripp will see these pictures and think how funny this old truck looks. 

(and yes I was impressed with myself for catching bubbles in some of the pictures, haha) 

cell phone photography

Unfortunately, most of the time the only camera I have on hand is my cell phone. I know this is becoming more and more common these days with everyone. The kiddos are growing so fast, if you blink you'll miss it. Miss Frannie will be 6 months old in a week. Tick tock tick tock. The clock won't even slow down. We've tried bananas this week, her first solid food! I think she likes them okay... but doesn't care much for the high chair. Here of some recent pictures. Here's Tripp getting his 2nd haircut. His first haircut was only a week before his 2nd birthday (long birthday story there- for another day and another post). I guess it will be awhile before Frannie has any hair either.

Here's happy little Frannie

Showing off cheetos hands :) A rare treat.



A funny little story. There was a little pack of "gummies" we got somewhere for Easter, that I forgot about. Tripp found it and kept asking me for rabbits. "Me rabbits. Me want rabbits. Mama, me rabbits." I finally picked him up and asked him to show me. Here is a visual. I said "What is in here?" and he said "Rabbits". I opened it and showed him, and said "See they're gummies." He still asks me for "rabbit gummies".

Here's Frannie lounging by the pool at my friend Ashley's house



Here is an unusual photo where Tripp and Frannie are both in the same picture, and both looking at the camera! Even if nobody is smiling...