Idaho Countdown

Well. I'm feeling the Christmas spirit.

Made homemade gifts. Mailed out blurry greeting cards.

I'm really on my game this year and now the countdown to Idaho is on!

Kirk isn't considering it a real vacation since 

we will be in the frozen tundra, but I don't even care about that! 

5am flight. Introducing Max to Idaho. No work for Kirk.

I'm ready for all of it.

I'm just so excited to get away from

 the house and spend some quality time with family. 

[Quality over quantity. I'm really learning to appreciate that phrase.]

I think Lyla is excited for Idaho too.

Perhaps not as excited about all the presents currently under our tree.

Our first Christmas celebration will occur this Thursday night and 

I'm pretty sure the festivities will continue all through

 the New Year until Lyla's birthday. 

She is probably getting the wrong idea about Christmas.

Literally every single person I know spoil my children rotten.

It makes me vomit in my mouth just a little bit.

It's horrible and wonderful all at the same time. 

As they get older, I will have to think of a way to balance out this

life of luxury with some acts of kindness. But we'll worry about that later.

My babies are extremely loved & we are a very fortunate bunch.

Max is working on some new tricks to show off to our Idaho peeps.

He isn't quite crawling, but he can definitely get himself from point a. to point b.

He's making some new whacky sounds with his mouth, as well as blowing spit bubbles. [yum]

Oh. And he started clapping the other night. I was so very proud and surprised.

I would say that is at least a 9 month old baby skill. 

He is super impressive! 

SEE EVERYONE SOON!!!!!!!

Maxwell: 6 Month Check-Up

Weight: 21 pounds, 95th percentile

Height: 28 inches, 93th percentile

Head: 17 inches, 97th percentile

We waited f.o.r.e.v.e.r. as usual.

Max was being extra sweet and snuggley.

This picture is awesome because it displays his all mighty rolls. 

My baby measures in the 90th percentile for everything.

I don't know why I'm continually surprised by this. 

He's just supposed to be my little baby boy.

Instead he is catching up to his big sister at a very quick pace!

I like taking photos of my babe's facial expressions before and after the shots. 
[I'm evil. I know this.]

Well. The 'after' picture wasn't much different from the 'before' this time.

He did not even flinch from the poke of the needle. 

Tough little dude!

"Sorry to disappoint you mom, but no tears here. Let's blow this joint!"

Mr. Maxwell is a healthy, growing boy. 

To check out his four month stats click here.

Or for a laugh, check out Lyla's six month stats here.

Fun with Grandpa

It was great spending time with my dad & Shelby over the past few days.

I really love watching my dad in his role as a grandpa.

It's especially cute now that Lyla has started calling him "papa"

My dad even got Lyla calling Shelby "granny"

He thinks he is just hilarious!

My dad 's philosophy on being a grandparent is as follows:

"I only say no to dangerous things. messes, don't care. sugar, don't care."

In other words he spoiled Lyla completely rotten while he was here.

I'm sad about them leaving. I'm always sad when my guests leave. 

I know I'm lucky to have so many people who love me [i mean my children]

enough to come all the way to Texas to see us.

BUT, no matter what my heart always aches as I drive away from the airport.

Idaho is right around the corner though and I can't wait! 2 weeks. 

Santa Fail

So, we took the babies to visit Santa. 

I think the pictures speak for themselves...

Renaissance Festival

My dad & Shelby made it down for a visit, 

so this weekend we ventured out to the Texas Ren Fest.

Watching a bunch of people acting like drunk idiots is always good entertainment.

But it's even better when they are dressed in medieval attire.

A man dressed as Tarzan said hello to Lyla and she started screaming immediately. 

I shot a bow and arrow for the first time. It's a lot harder than I expected.

OH! And Lyla fell down and some freak stepped on her. Squished her like a bug. Traumatic!

Other than that, it was pretty uneventful. Here are some pictures!

Maxwell: 6 Months

the skills & life experience of a six month old:

1. he's a rolling machine. it's getting to the point where

he won't hold still for his diaper change. 

always keeping things interesting!

2. the very initial phase of crawling has started.
bending his knees and sticking booty in the air.
getting into the mini-push up position.
i think it will still be awhile before he is
strong enough to lift his big body.

3. he's a very ticklish little guy.
his collar bone area seems to be the ultimate tickle button.

4. no teeth yet. but i spotted two buds on the bottom.

5. he thinks things are funny now. including his sister.
lyla plays with him often and gets him laughing pretty hard.
i love it.

6. he sticks anything and everything in his mouth.
this causes excessive drool, which means he typically has a bib on at all times.

7. he isn't fond of his crib. i'm pretty sure his room is haunted.
so, most nights he is the king of our bed. he likes to have his food source in arm's reach.
not really how i wanted it to happen. but we both rest better that way, for now.

8. just recently he started sitting in the grocery cart seat like a big boy. [sad]

9. his hair is growing. it can be styled into an itty bitty mohawk. cutie!

10. he farts a lot. [this was kirk's contribution]
but i can't think of anything else, so it will have to do.

It's really hard to believe it's been six months already since my little guy was born.
He's a regular around here and his presence no longer feels new.
He's such a happy dude & I'm so lucky I'm the one who gets to be his momma!

I love you Max!