9 Months

My mom says I am nine months now. I think she is wrong because I think I am at least 2. I am crawling all over the house and pulling up on everything. I am trying to take steps and I think it is really funny because my mommy panics. I hate how she is always there, trying to keep me from falling. I push away her hands and tell her, "NONONONONONONO." I am a mess.

I am also really, really loud. I squeal, grunt, crow, yell, squeal some more and when all else fails I scream. I am not mad when I do this, I am talking! It makes me really happy when you talk back. And when I get past my mommy and break into the bathroom.

I still have no teeth. This doesn't stop me from eating pretty much everything. Right now my favorite food is watermelon. It is delicious after swimming. Speaking of swimming, I go every afternoon. Mommy makes me wear sunscreen and a hat-I scream and tell her how much I hate this. I love being in the pool and curl up against her and nap. It is very relaxing.

Right now I am wearing 12 month clothes, a size 3 or 4 diaper (depends on the brand), and I weigh almost 23 pounds. I eat breakfast at 6, lunch at 11, and dinner at 5. I have a bottle in between each meal and several during the night. Mommy is trying to make me sleep through the night but I am pretty persistent. And loud. I wake up the whole house so they give in and give me my bottles. Mommy is rather nervous about my strong will.

This past month has been a lot of fun for me. I have developed my personality, I am mobile, and I am ACTIVE. Mommy says she is just exhausted.

Father's Day

He would kill me if he saw this picture.

We had a great Father's Day. Did I take pictures? No. I have become one of those moms that fail miserably in the photography department. I keep thinking if I had a fabulous camera that I would actually remember it. Or, at the very least, remember to charge the battery so it can be used.

Anyway.

Clay had a great day. Laura Grace, Will, and I got up very early and made Clay omelets and biscuits. Laura Grace carried him coffee in bed (most of it stayed in the mug). We went to church as a family and then had lunch at my inlaws. Laura Grace made cards for everyone-including my brother in law who is a new step-father. We got Clay a book, baseball cap, and a shirt.

After lunch, I spent the afternoon reading.

Yes, reading.

Me.

Not the father, the mother.

My sweet husband kicked the kids outside to play in the sprinkler, Will took a long nap, and I sat on the couch all afternoon reading. Clay relaxed as well, watching some random man show on television. It was a wonderful day!

Layton's 3yr. Preschool Graduation

Summer...

Will and Laura Grace at Grandmother's house. They like to make pallets on the floor and cuddle/play.
Will has a lot of fun!
Layton eating strawberry shortcake and "real" Coke. No diets at Grandmothers.
Laura Grace at her award ceremony. She got All A Honor Roll every nine weeks :)
Laura Grace with her medal. We were SO proud of her!

So far, this summer has been busy! We did the VBS thing. Saddle Ridge Ranch was a big hit with my kids. Layton loved the music and performed accordingly on stage during Family Night. Laura Grace sang with the "big kid" choir and was beautiful. Will went to nursery every day and was unbelievably spoiled. He still thinks that he should be held and rocked all day!

We have been doing a lot of swimming-in fact, Layton can now swim better than me! Will enjoys the pool as well. He tucks in his legs, buries his face in my neck, and begins blowing raspberries and humming until he falls asleep. Every. Single. Time. It works out well because I can just walk around the pool while the other kids play.

Clay and I celebrated 8 yrs. of marriage last month. His parents kept the kids overnight and it was wonderful! We went to Memphis and saw the musical, Oliver. I loved the music and we sat in the second row so it felt like we were right there on stage. Afterwards we came back home and enjoyed the quiet house. We slept in the next morning and that was much needed. Will did really well on his first sleepover at Mimi and Grandaddy's house. I don't think he realized I was gone!

Layton played six weeks of Tball. He loved it! He was so excited about each game and would grin from ear to ear out on the field. It was amazing (and hilarious) how much progress he made from the first game to the last.

Some more pictures...

Will. In all his chubby glory.
Layton-resting after swimming.

This is the reality of my house. I love it and hate it at the same time.

Laura Grace-resting after swimming. She was watching the Little Mermaid, her current favorite movie.