Almost Forgot!

Sean took the boys to Salina, KS over the weekend for a car show. He met his dad & two of his brothers there. Marc & Mike both brought their own cars to be in the show! Carter enjoyed getting to see them and play with his cousins Leah & Jace.

On Friday morning, Sean called to tell me that Davis had gotten his first tooth! It is on the bottom right and it looks like the bottom left tooth is getting ready to come in right beside it.

On Friday night, Sean and Carter spent a few hours in the ER of Salina's hospital to get Carter's ankle looked at. Carter has cellulitis on his right leg, we think from scratching at a bug bite that he had gotten earlier in the week. Needless to say, this was a scary thought for me as I was at work Friday night trying to get report on all my patients and find out what kind of medical facilities were available for my little boy in the middle-of-nowhere Kansas. If they had admitted him for IV antibiotics, I would have been in the car and on the road to KS in record time. Turns out that Salina actually has a pretty decent hospital and a 24-hour Walgreen's nearby. Thank God! More importantly, Carter's leg looks normal again and he only has a few more days of oral antibiotics.

Sean did a GREAT job of taking care of the boys while they were gone (not an easy job!). I don't know too many dads who would take both kids to the grocery store, let alone out-of-state! Also, a big thanks to Grandpa Dan for watching Davis while Sean took Carter to the hospital.

Out With the Old...

Our little puddle pool finally bit the dust. So, we decided to upgrade on a recent trip to Wal-Mart. The new pool is quite a bit bigger which is fun for the boys, but to Sean it is just a larger surface area of grass to potentially kill. Anyway, we tested it out yesterday in the 95+ degree heat and it was the perfect way to spend a Summer afternoon.

Carter loved the water spraying out.

Wait for me, Carter!

Brother got to enjoy the pool, too, but Mommy's not coordinated enough to (safely) take pictures of both boys in the water.

Brothers

Carter likes to be pulled around the house in a laundry basket and now, Davis is big enough to go along for the ride, too! After this photo, I helped Carter hold on to his brother without using the "head lock" maneuver he is so fond of.

Future Picasso?

I had high hopes and was already looking into Art magnet schools for Carter. Then, in a matter of seconds, my dreams were dashed. I came back to find him splashing his hands in the black paintbrush water which he then spilled all over his masterpiece. Oh well...a mom can dream, can't she?

Look Out World, Here I Come!

I feel like we are in fast-forward mode with Davis. He just started crawling and now, he is pulling up to stand whenever he gets the chance. It is impossible to get him to hold still for diaper changes (see below--yikes!), and he will try to crawl OVER whatever is in his way when he goes for a toy. Our little guy is a mover & shaker! Mommy was not quite ready for all of this!

Don't worry, I was standing by to catch him if needed.

Playing with whatever "leftover" trains Carter is willing to share.



He played at the train table for a good 10 minutes!

Look Mom, I'm a big boy, too!

Eight months old!

Our sweet, handsome boy is eight months old today! Davis is a light in our lives and takes everything in stride. He loves his brother, sweet potatoes, anything he can get his hands on to put into his mouth, crawling, climbing, being tickled, playing with toys, singing and being held by Mommy & Daddy. He yells to get our attention and cries only when he is hurt (you can see a faint bruise on his forehead where Carter pushed him & his head hit the floor).

Big brother has been in "time-out" a lot lately for pushing and that seems to be working. Davis is getting pushed only about once a day now & sometimes, not at all! Bless his heart for taking all the abuse & still smiling at Carter whenever he sees him. I'm convinced that one day, Davis will be bigger and Carter will not dare mess with him. Karma, baby!

Davis & I make the most of our time together while Carter is taking his long afternoon nap. We play downstairs with all of the toys that we don't get to play with when Carter is awake. Mommy loves snuggling with you & kissing your chubby cheeks. We love you SO much!

Mommy loves those big blue eyes. Just like Daddy's!

Forward Motion!

Davis started crawling last week and each day he gets a little better and faster. I have to admit, crawling is not my favorite stage because I am grossed out by how dirty the floors are (even if they look clean). Let's be honest, who wants to mop & vacuum every day? Anyway, he is happy to be getting around by himself and it is so much fun to watch him go! Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you!

Silliness

Okay, so this first photo is more sweet than silly. Davis is such a good sleeper...I guess that comes from sharing your room with a wild 2-year-old. He can sleep through anything!

Davis literally drags the entire exersaucer across the floor to pull on/chew on this chair. I don't get it, but makes for some good entertainment at our house!

Poor Macey! Now she has two crazy boys to chase her and pull on her ears, tail and whatever else they can get their hands on. In my attempt to fix the red eyes, I think I just made Mace look like a mad dog. She really is harmless, God bless her, or she would have been shipped off to the glue factory by now. I'm sure she would think that to be a welcome retreat compared to some days around our house!

Visit from Grampy

Grampy paid us a visit over the weekend on his way to Ft. Collins. The boys (especially Carter) were happy to see him & spend time playing with him, including showing off the fact that they can both ride in this one-seater. Thanks for all the yummy fruits & veggies from your garden, Grampy!

Carter & Grampy (Brother was sleeping.)

And, thanks for bringing all the tools for Sean. I'm sure he will come up with all kinds of new things he needs to make now!

Cydney & Buster come for a visit!

Amy, Cyd & I have been friends for a long time. We were all single girls for many years and had so much fun (and drama) painting this town red. In 2003, the three of us packed up all of Cydney's stuff into a huge U-Haul and drove it, towing her car, through the Rockies and on to Los Angeles (via Las Vegas) where she started a new life producing reality TV shows. That trip alone is full of so many fun memories that I smile every time I think about it. Cyd was the emcee at my wedding and is one-of-a-kind in the way that makes others naturally drawn to her sense of humor and spunky personality. Amy is the glue that holds us all together.



We have all grown up and our lives have changed a lot since Cyd's move but when the girls came over yesterday, it all just came together. The scene was a little different with my husband and two boys added to the mix now, but we still got in a little girl time, a little movie time and a little nap time. And of course, Benny's! I love you girls, forever.





Amy's mom, Karen, taking to Davis as if he were one of her own grandkids. Karen is a retired nurse and has always treated me like a daughter. I'm so glad she & Amy's dad could join us at Benny's.




Carter snuggling with Buster, Cyd's dog. Cydney has him in some new HBO show with Bill Maher...Buster had no idea he was destined for fame & fortune when he landed her as a mom!

Auntie Amy playing with Davis

Cydney & Buster taking five.

me, Amy and Cyda after Benny's

cute girls!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun holiday weekend because Grandad & Grandma Nancy were in town visiting! We went to the park on Friday & Carter got to play in the fountains. Friday night we went out to a wonderful belated birthday dinner for Sean (thanks, Dad!) . On Saturday, Sean took Carter to see Toy Story 3 while Grandad & Grandma watched Davis. Sunday night I was cost-contained (to my surprise!), so we took the boys to see the big fireworks show after the soccer game. The rain made the fireworks a little difficult to enjoy, but it was fun nonetheless. Monday morning we all ate breakfast at Udi's before they headed back home. Thanks Grandad & Grandma Nancy for the Tigger & Pooh and for our new outfits! We love you!

The boys are modeling their Grand Ole' Opry t-shirts that Grandad & Grandma Nancy

brought them. They were very patriotic!

The boys with Grandad & Grandma Nancy

Davis checking out big brother's balloon (that didn't last long).

Getting kisses from Grandma Nancy

Sean and Davis getting ready to tear into the chocolate mousse cake.

family photo op before our yummy dinner

the boys posing with Grandma & Grandad

I hope you & your family were able to enjoy a happy 4th filled with fireworks, BBQ's, family & good all-American fun.

Baby Yoga

Davis has been pushing up onto his hands and knees (I have yet to get a photo of that!) and doing some funny poses that look like baby Yoga. He was doing Child's Pose and Downward Facing Dog over the weekend (and I don't even like Yoga!). He would go from this first position, then rest his forehead on the floor, put his arms down to his side (all with his bottom up in the air). Then after resting for a few seconds, he would put his arms back, raise his head & look around. He did this over & over...we were cracking up just watching him!

Watch this, Mom!

Carter was getting in on the action.

Splishing & Splashing

Brrr...that water is cold, Mom!

Davis sitting pool-side.

Built in water fountain.

The boys have been staying cool this Summer by splashing around in the back yard...pretty fun!