9 month pictures

Well, we had Sam's 9 month pictures last week and I could not resist having some taken of Ava too. I was so looking forward to it and it just turned out to be one of those days!! First of all, it felt like 150 degrees outside - poor kids! Ava did not have a nap so she was GROUCHY!! I had this cute little outfit picked out for Sam and 4 minutes after I put it on he ruined it with Ava's kool-aid! Ava refused to wear a bow in her hair - she kept ripping it out and ripped her dress while taking pictures. So the day was not what I had hoped, but the sweet photographer got some good pictures despite all of that and you can see some sneak peeks here!

http://lfphotog.blogspot.com/2009/06/ava-sam.html

More Swimming!!

Seriously, what else is there to do in this weather? We had Amanda and the kids over to swim on Wednesday and had so much fun. Ava was so excited that morning and just kept talking about Blakely, but would not hardly look at her once they got here. What am I going to do with this child? I think these pictures are so funny - very Ava!

Bennett loved playing with the noodles. He was also so sweet - he took Ava by the hand and swam with her around the pool.

Ava is becoming a pretty good swimmer (with a life jacket and floaties, of course). She can really move around the pool now - I really think she likes the freedom!

Brooks is adorable and is getting so big. I adore the sleeveless romper and have already started looking at a couple for Sam!

Father's Day Weekend

The kids and I spent a good portion of the weekend at the lake with Jennifer. She generously donated her time to help me decorate and even though we didn't finish, I am amazed by what she did. It meant so much to me!!

Jennifer busy hanging pictures

Part of the new and improved living room!

We came home on Saturday night to celebrate Father's Day. I had asked James earlier what he wanted to do and he said, "NOTHING!!" He has been so busy lately that I completely understand. He got to sleep in while we made blueberry pancakes (his favorite) and he worked a little and watched golf the rest of the day. For dinner, I made the Piraino Family Spaghetti (his other favorite). I hope that he had a good day and that he knows how grateful I am for him. I would not choose another person on earth to be my kids' daddy!! Their eyes just light up when they see him and he makes life so much more fun when he is around.

Happy Father's Day and we love you!!!

Happy Father's Day to Papa and Grandpa too! We ate dinner with my dad last week for Father's Day. One of my favorite memories is him reading books to Erica and me. It looks like he hasn't lost his touch!

My 9 month little boy

Sam turned 9 months on Thursday - I just cannot believe it! We went to his checkup on Friday and he is 22 pounds (Ava is only 24) and 29 inches. He is in the 75th percentile for both. The doctor couldn't even hear the heart murmur which is such a blessing! I don't want him to get any older, but at the same time I am already planning his first birthday party!!

9/18/08 - 6 pounds 15 ounces - We were so scared that night after they almost took him to Children's and the next day when we did. It makes me so much more grateful for the happy, healthy baby that he is.

9/23/08 - 1 week old

12/18/08 - 3 months old This was the first smile that I caught with my camera!

2/20/09 - 5 months old

6/19/09 - 9 months old

Sam has the sweetest smile and he loves to grab my hair and give me big, slobbery kisses (my favorite). He is an eater - anything and everything and the faster he can shovel it into his mouth the better. He laughs constantly at Ava - it doesn't matter what she is doing. He is really moving these days and is even climbing some things (SCARY)!! In his nine short months Sam has already caused MUCH more trouble than Ava ever thought of! He dances to music like I have never seen - his whole body leaves the ground. He has the deepest voice that I have heard on a baby and a contagious laugh!! I cannot even begin to describe the joy he has brought to our lives! We love you so much Sam!

Purple Lady Swim Party

We hosted a swim party for our little discussion group from MOPS today (somehow our name was the Purple Ladies?). It was so much fun, I think we will have to plan another one soon!! Ava did not know what to think of all the kids at our house; she was soooo quiet, but she has talked about it the rest of the day. Haven was still here today and she had fun; she was my door greeter. We practiced her little speech: "Hi! My name is Haven. Would you like to come to the pool party?" and she walked everyone to the back of the house. So cute! Sam was his usual self - he yelled at everyone and had a big time splashing in the water!

Erica talked me into buying a life jacket and floaties for Ava. It may have been the best thing I have done in a while.

What a handsome guy! He will not keep a hat on his head for anything!!


After the party, I told the girls that they had to rest for a little while before we went swimming again. I turned on the TV and came back 5 minutes later to find this.

BFF Haven and Ava

My niece Haven is staying with us this week and we have all had so much fun, especially Ava. I seriously don't know what we are going to do when she goes home; she has been so sweet and my little helper. Ava will be devastated. I think Haven is having fun and enjoying some girl time; she doesn't get a lot of that at home with three older brothers!!! Ava is so funny; she wants to do EVERYTHING Haven does. If Haven says, "I have to go to the potty," Ava says, "I have to go to the potty too" and runs right behind her. It is so cute to watch her try and be a big girl and really makes me appreciate the cute little girl she is!!!

If you look closely at this picture you will notice something that looks like chocolate on Ava's face. I wish it was chocolate - it is dirt!! The girl loves to dig in the dirt!

They had to wear matching pig tails to Target yesterday.

Mimi and Conner came down yesterday to swim and we had a blast!! (Are you happy Conner??)

I went to feed Sam his bottle and rock him before he went to sleep and I came back to find this. They were watching TV and if you look closely they are holding hands. Precious!

Playgroup at the Petting Zoo

We had so much fun at our playgroup yesterday. We went to Petit Jean where they have a petting zoo, horse rides, a tractor pull and more. I wish I had my video camera - Ava was more excited than any other kid there. She could not believe that she was standing next to pigs and goats. She literally ran from one animal to another; it was really funny to watch. Her favorite thing (shocking to me) was horseback riding. She rode the horse 3 times and after everyone was finished and they were putting the horses up, the girl came and found us and let Ava ride the horse to its little home. She just had a permanent smile on her face. So cute!! Sam enjoyed himself too, but I have no pictures of him because he was strapped to my chest.

This poor kitten may never be the same again after Ava was finished holding her!

This hungry duck wanted some food and chased Ava around for a while.

Such a fun day!!!