Just another day...

Reid was falling asleep on the way home from church, and when this starts to happen he goes in to quite a zone.  So much so it's hard to snap him out of it, and today was one of those days!  What a riot this kid is!  The picture doesn't really do it justice, but man on man, I was crying tears of laughter trying to change Reid's expression.  He wouldn't blink, change facials, acknowledge my talking to him, nothing!  It took serious work and laughing to finally get him to laugh and not actually fall asleep.  Smoky eyed Reid.  If you can get anything from the picture, it was the smoky eyes.  Man, it was hilarious!!!

After church we tried a little something with our sweet pea...I was able to put her hair in to a pony tail!  Oh.my.word.  What a cutie pie.  It didn't last long as her hair is so fine and just a tad bit short to stay in easily, but so so fun!  

Gemma's walking videos!

She finally did it!  She put two and two together and really started making this walking thing a reality.  She's been working on it since last Thursday, but it's now happening and it's awesome.  I love watching her, with her mouth open and hands out.  What a sweetheart.  Love my baby girl!

First Steps!!!

It's official, Gemma's off to the races.  Now, let's be honest, she's not going to win any awards for her speed, but baby girl took her first steps last Thursday (July 23rd) and has been working on it in increasing increments every day since.  The most steps she's taken is about 6-7, but that's pretty good considering she took her first steps 3 days ago. In addition to her walking a little bit here and there, the pride that she gets on her face when she takes her steps and makes her way to me is just precious.  She's so happy and so proud of herself, and it's just an amazing momma moment to witness :) 

Go, Gemma, go!!

Standing Big Girl

Gemma has really picked up standing and walking with her toy in the last week.  It's been such a joy to watch her mastering something else and I know that this is just one step closer to walking.  I just love her so much.  What a blessing she is to me!  And don't mind the streaking 3 year old in the background of one of the pics, lol.  Middle brother had just gone potty and neglected to get dressed again before running outside hahaha.

Happy Girl :)

First time walking with her toy

LOVES dancing and moving to music!

July 4th Outing

We didn't think about a parade this year - why, I'm not sure because it would've been perfect to do one! - but we did have a nice family outing to the Red Oak Nature Center and Lippold Park.  Both are only about 1 mile from our house via road, but we went to the prairie path to get there which made it about a 3.5-4 mile round trip walk.  And Micah walked most of this!  (Cue GOOD nap for the day - and my secret to sanity this summer, lol).  It was a wonderful morning and just made me happy and feeling blessed for my family.

Micah loves holding his baby sister!

Our crazy crew :)

The nature center - recently renovated.

Reidees got in my shot.

Me and my kiddos!

You can't tell but Gemma is in there and was there the entire time we were away!

Walking back the short, but traffic, way.  Thus Micah in the stroller instead.

That night we headed over to some friends houses for BBQ and fun before they left for the fireworks and we headed home to bed :)

Daddy and his little princess.

Seriously - we're so blessed!

Next year we might be more in position to see the fireworks, but our sleep deprived nights and boys learning a new role in the family, on top of Christian leaving for London the next day, keep our celebrating to a minimum.

Walking Reidees!

I promised a couple of videos of Reid walking, and here they are.  Loving this drunken sailor/just gettin' off a horse little walker :) 

 

Walking Baby Boy!

I will try and capture a video and pictures soon, but Reid has figured out this walking thing!!  We were at a park yesterday and it had the squishy ground, but it must have been a bit uncomfortable for Reid, because it convinced him to try out walking.  And once he tried it, he continued trying it!  He still has a ways to go, but something definitely clicked yesterday and he's on his way to being a walking boy :)

ONE!!

Well, it's official...Reid has turned one.  What a great day!!  Reid decided today would be a good day to learn to walk, and while it's only been a few steps, we were able to capture it on video with my super excited Momma voice as well :)

I was very grateful that Reid chose today to walk, versus tomorrow or Saturday, as we are dropping him off at my friend Laura's house while Christian, Micah and I head down to Louisville for a race.  He's been close all week, and what joy to see his excitement through putting two and two together and moving on his feet.  Oh, how much I love my boys. 

We, of course, had to get one last set of pictures with Mickey as well.  And to end on a good note, since the 11 month set didn't go quite as well due to his sickness.  I love his hair and love that he's overall such a happy boy (with a bit of a stubborn streak in him we are discovering ;) ). 

He's so quick with his "so big" - it's quite funny!  After the Mickey pictures, we headed downstairs for some cake.  We opted to go with a cupcake this time around versus the intense chocolate cake with caramel inside.  He pretty sure he had his fill from that during his party :)

 

 

I told Christian I think this is a face we might see in the future!

 

Maybe this one too though - so, so sweet :) 

 

Anticipation of me coming with the candle!

 

Fire!!!

 

 

Just as sweet as I remember it!

 

And, I'm done.

What a mess we had to clean up, but what a fun memory to create as well.  Micah enjoyed singing as well, and proceeded to ask me to give him a "3" candle for the cupcake he was about to eat.  Soon, buddy...all too soon, we will!!

Reid has enjoyed playing with some of his birthday gifts this well - particularly an Alphabet Train we received from my friend Kate.  He has loved using it to walk, riding it, and putting all the pieces in the train.  Micah has enjoyed it as well, so it's become a current favorite in our household.

Such sweet smiles!! 

Oh, Reidees - you have been such a blessing to us.  You light up the room when you come in with your sweet smiles and laughs.  You have changed so much this year (as is expected in your first year of life, of course!) and I look forward to each day with you.  I love how you bounce in your crib every morning when I come to get you, and how you have become such a snuggle bug this month.  You love giving hugs and showing affection, and it just melts my heart.  You are such a great sleeper, both at night time and naps (usually!) and you love hanging out in your crib with some toys surrounding you as well. 

You are also such an active boy.  You are constantly getting in to something, and I'm always having to be on my toes with you.  You love exploring and try to get into any little cranny and nook that you can.  Your excitement for doing something new is contagious, as if the laughter you get when I come running after you to stop you from getting into something new, haha.  You are going to help me stay active, whether I want to or not! 

With the beginnings of your walking today, I know we're in for a whole new world with you this summer, and I have to say I'm excited about it.  I can't wait to watch you and big brother grow in your relationship, as it's already so obvious how much you both love each other.  I pray you both grow up to be great friends and look forward to being a Momma to both. 

Thank you for being such a sweet boy Reid.  Thank you for loving us back just as much as we love you.  Thank you for always keeping things lighthearted and bringing such joy to our days, with your smiles and laughter.  We have been forever changed in such a great way with your life Reid, and I'm so looking forward to the next year of life with you.

We love you baby boy!  Happy 1st Birthday, Little Man.