Summertime Fun---June Edition

The first month of summer brought a lot of pool time.  Savannah has been having swim lessons almost every day and she amazes me every session with how much she is advancing.  Initially I was hoping she would be able to pass the swim test by the end of summer so she would be allowed to go down the slide.  Now I think she could pass it any day when she's ready.  

There has also been a lot of rainy days so we've had to make the best of indoor activities.  We've been doing a lot of painting, drawing, play doe, computer games, dress up, and Savannah's new favorite game, Hungry Hungry Hippos.  

Savannah had her first week of ballet camp last week.  I was so surprised that she handled drop off so well considering that her camp was made up of a new teacher and new dancers.  She seemed to really enjoy herself right up until the last day.  By Friday I think she was just ready for a free day with no planned activities.  So that's what we did yesterday.....no camp, no swim lessons, no where to be, and nothing to do but pack for our upcoming week at Sea Island.  

This past week we also had the Millers staying with us.  It's always great having them around.  Savannah absolutely loves her Uncle Steve and Aunt Charmaine.    

fun times with her new BFF, Avi

ready, set, jump!

watching the rain

ready for swim lessons

W's favorite poolside activity--napping

pool playdate with Lila

W's first time really enjoying the Wednesday playgroup

he loved the swing

We'll spend the last few days of June at Sea Island---our favorite vacation spot!  Once we return we'll fly through July with a trip to NYC, 2 weeks of camp, and a visit with some old friends from the city. The summer is just flying by!!  

Walker's First Half Birthday

I can't believe it!!!  My little man is six months old!  Where have the past six months gone!?  It's really not fair how the older I get, the quicker time slips away from me. One minute I had a small, delicate newborn and the next minute I have a chunky, mini linebacker.  It's like someone is playing a cruel joke on me by robbing me of my favorite baby year. Oh well........on with the update.

Walker's 6 month milestones and developments:

~he is putting any and everything into his mouth and not just to chew on it. I really think he is wanting to eat everything. 

~he lunges and grabs for anything within reach. He's at the stage where everything interests him and he wants to touch, feel, smell, and taste it all. 

~his core is becoming much stronger and he is able to sit upright on his own for a short while. 

~he had his first baby biscuit and unlike most babies who simply gnaw on it until is dissolves in their mouth, Walker chewed his to pieces and almost choked on it. He really has the strongest gums of any 6 month old I've seen. 

~he is able to roll from his belly to his back but he hasn't quite figured out the other way.  It must take a lot of strength to move that big belly :)
~he really likes to stand on his feet.  When I pull him from laying down instead of sitting, he keeps his legs stiff and goes straight to standing.  He loves to be in his walker and exersaucer. 

~he is loving his snacks and we've even started having them twice a day.  I normally mix milk with baby oatmeal and either bananas, applesauce, pears, peaches, mango, kiwi, or strawberries.  So far he seems to like it all.  We also started eating yogurt this morning and after he got over the initial shock of it being cold, he really gobbled it up.
~he LOVES his big sister!  He is constantly in awe of her and he'll watch her all day......at least until she starts to smother him.  Savannah does a great job of playing with him in his crib if he wakes up from his morning nap while I'm still on the treadmill.  Amazingly, she has been able to entertain him for up to 10 minutes on some mornings.
~he still isn't the biggest fan of the gym stay-and-play but he is great with a babysitter and with the church nursery ladies.  

~he has started giving me big open-mounthed kisses.....my favorite kind :)

poolside napping

such a happy boy

trying out his first cookie/biscuit

tummy time

Six month doctor visit stats:

Date--6/25/13

Age--6 months 5 days

Weight-- 24 lbs 10.5 oz (off the charts)

Height-- 28 inches (90th percentile)

Head circumference-- 46.4 cm (95th percentile)

****interesting fact: Walker is bigger in every category right now than Savannah was at one year old. YIKES!!!!!!

preview from his 6th month photo session

I sure do love this little man!!!  He is the sweetest, most cuddly, absolutely delicious baby boy!  We are beyond lucky to have him in our family.  I can't wait to see what the next month brings.

Oscar's 70.3 Ironman

After months and months of training, Oscar's big day finally arrived on Sunday June 2 in Raleigh.  Grams even flew in and Michael drove up to witness the big event.  We all stayed overnight on Saturday in Raleigh and our hotel was right in front of the finish line so we couldn't miss it.  

We attempted to see him at his second transition but we missed him because he was the only runner to run in the opposite direction.  That meant instead of him running right toward us, he ran further away from us and we missed out on getting to cheer him on.  After this failed attempt we were determined to not miss him at the finish.  We all camped out for about 2 hours and I managed to wiggle my way next to the blockade.  I had a front row spot and my camera ready.  Finally I saw him coming down the stretch.  I set my camera up and right as I hit the button, the girl beside me threw her arms up an blocked my shot.  I couldn't believe it!!!  After all that time I missed getting a picture of him.  Thank goodness the event has good photographers that managed to capture him all along the race.

coming out of the lake and heading to T1

coming upon the finish line

HE DID IT!!!

the happy spectators

Savannah's self shot

his blue shoe and the girl beside me who thew her arm up....arg!!!!!

there goes his other blue shoe

Daddy's cheerleaders

our future triathlete

We were all soooo proud of Daddy!!  All his hard work and hours of training paid off and he finished in 5:45----15 minutes better than he expected.  Now he thinks he's ready for the full ironman so to Houston we go in May 2014.

Father's Day 2013

Happy first Father's Day as a daddy to two!!

Oscar didn't get the most relaxing Father's Day this year but that was totally his choice.  After attending the early service at church, we came home to do chores.  He spent his afternoon mowing and running errands.  Not quite how I would want to spend the day since that's my everyday but he seemed to enjoy being productive and as long as he was happy we were all happy.

We love you, Daddy, lots and lots and we're soooo lucky to have you!!  Hope you had a super special day!

Memorial Day Weekend at Surf City

This year we broke tradition and instead of our annual trip to Wild Dunes, we tried out the North Carolina beach at Surf City.  We rented a house right on the beach from Friday to Monday.  It wasn't quite as luxurious but it was still very relaxing.  Well, I mean, as relaxing as it can get when vacationing with a 3 and half year old and a 5 month old.  Uncle Michael and Rachel were able to join us as well so we were one big happy family.  

I have to admit, as much as I LOVE hotel living, it was kinda nice to not have to worry about getting dressed by any certain time to go out for lunch and dinner.  We ate out at a local beach shack on Friday but for all the other meals we stayed in and either I cooked, we grilled out, or we picked up take-out.  In fact, Savannah only changed out of her pajamas to put her swimsuit on and then afterwards put her jammies right back on.  Needless to say, we WAY overpacked.  Note to self for next year.  

view from our balcony

waking up bright and early

so excited to be at the beach

Little Man's fun zone

surfing Savannah style

taking a break to cool off

he wasn't a big fan of the bright sun and wind

frisbee time with Michael

digging for treasure

he loved putting his feet in the sand

love for brother

Savannah doing tricks in the sand

happy boy

building castles with Michael and Rach

getting buried

like mother like daughter

love these two!

"it's been a long day"

short sun break during Little Man's nap

my loves!

I hate to say it but I think this beach house is going to replace our yearly trip to Wild Dunes.  I am soooo going to miss Charleston but the closeness and easy-going atmosphere of this place is just a better fit for our family at this point in time.  I'm sure we'll make it back to good 'ol IOP but until then I'll enjoy the 2 hour drive to our "second" home :)