Rolling baby, rolling over!

For the first time in awhile Reid was awake for most of Micah's 2 1/2 hour nap today, and he had an extremely vocal and "movey" afternoon.  I was amazed at what happened with big brother sleeping, giving the baby free reign on his play mat without worrying about being trampled or smothered :)  Reid took full advantage of some alone time and figured out how to roll over!  He has gone from his belly to his back since about 7 weeks, although not too frequently, but today was from back to belly.  And once he got it, he got it.  Every time I put him down and walked away for a few seconds, I would come back to find him rolled over.  I love these new stages! 

So sorry for the annoying proud Mommy voice in this video ;)

Proud face after his first successful roll!

I also think that Reid must have worn himself out with all his rolling over because he slept for over 2 hours and would have gone longer, but I woke him up to make sure he would actually go to bed at a reasonable hour.  

Unfortunately, Christian has been out of town on business this week, so he missed this momentous event today.  I'm thankful for video chatting, however, because I was able to place the computer in Reid's crib and Christian was able to see for himself Reid's latest development.  I was replaying Micah's video of when he first learned how to roll, and was reminded a how much he (Micah) hated being on his belly!  What a difference between the two kiddos.

Nice job baby Reid!  At a little shy of 3 1/2 months, you are figuring out the first step towards movement on your own.  Keep it up little buddy:)  We're so proud of you!

Love my boys.

I caught this picture of Micah and Reid the other day, after I had put Reid on the couch and walked away for a minute.

 

I love how Micah is completely playing his game, yet is holding hands with Reid.  So sweet!

 

"Don't mind me, Mama.  I'm just playing a little iPad games while baby Reid watches the Olympics."

Roomies!

It's been over two years, but we were finally able to see Ryan and Julie and their 3 cutie daughters today (as well as Katie and her adorable 3 children).  Add my two boys to the mix, and their were 8 children and 5 adults at our house for lunch!  I love my college roomies - and we missed you Beth! - and it's great to know that no matter how much time passes and how many kids later, we're still as close as can be.  So much so that we're planning a girls get-a-way for next spring....can't wait!

 

 Big kids eating lunch:  Josh, Addison, Ellie and Lily

 

Freshman year roomies

 

Sophomore year (and on) roomies

 

Not a bad picture of the kids:  Addison (2 1/2), Lily (5 1/2), Reid (3 months), Ellie (almost 4), Micah (2), and Josh (5).  Missing are Sam (18 months) and Rachael (10 months).

They were all ready to watch Curious George (per the picture above) and when I came back down to check on the kiddos a little later, I found Micah getting just a little closer seat, haha.  That boy loves his "ooh aah"!

What a great afternoon.  Thanks for stopping by Howards!  Fun to get caught up and have the kids all hanging out with each other.  Let's try and do this again, and sooner than 2 years later :)

Josh and Kari's Wedding Weekend

Be prepared for pictures!  Lots and lots of pictures.  Christian was the photographer for Josh and Kari's wedding, so I didn't have the liberty to post many pictures from the blessed day, July 7th, 2012, until he was done editing them and had given them to the bride and groom.  That has now happened, so I am finally getting these pictures up to commemorate such a great day. 

I also am so proud of my husband's work.  He has only done this one other time, ironically being my brother's wedding in April, 2010, and considering the typical price tag found on good wedding photographers, I'm amazed at Christian's work.  He tells me he doesn't have a desire to do photography for a (financial) living but I tell him, never say never :)  Wedding photography is quite a stressful job, trying to appease two sets of families, corralling a potentially crazy wedding party, and making sure the bride and groom get what they want for the day.  All the while being constrained to a schedule set by the wedding coordinator who is trying to appease the bride and groom for another reason - their guests.  Like I said...stressful!  Chrsitian did an excellent job managing all of that and I know Josh and Kari are definitely pleased with the final product.  

Enjoy the pictures below - a beautiful day [albeit a tad on the hot side, haha] for a beautiful bride.  Love you sis!  We couldn't be happier for you and Josh!

 

Josh is a little obsessed with baseball, thus the inspiration for this picture (and one to follow with the entire wedding party).

 

The ceremony site.  It might have been 105 degrees, but we were in the shade, and it was beautiful!

 

Josh and Kari didn't want to see each other prior to the ceremony, but they did meet up for a [blind] time of prayer and hand holding reassurance.

 

Kari had all the girls get their own yellow dresses, mine just happens to stand out slightly more than the others...I figured it was okay since I was the matron of honor :)

 

Me and my beautiful sister.  She was such a gorgeous bride!!

 

This sign just happened to be there on the ground, so why not use it?

 

Micah almost didn't make it down the aisle, as he was melting down just a few minutes prior to.  He had seen Daddy (the photographer) and wanted to run to him instead of waiting to walk down the aisle.  The plan had not been for me to walk the two down, but quickly became that to get Micah's cooperation.

 

Once I asked him to hold my hand, and then hold Josh's niece's hand, we were golden.  Those two were sooo cute together! All's well that ends well :)

 

Love this shot of my dad and Kari.  Such genuine emotion.

 

Last child to give away.  I think my dad held on to Kari just a few extra seconds:)

 

It's good you can't tell from this shot, but I had sweat dripping down every seem of my dress just adding to the darker color of my dress, haha.

 

The Kiss!

 

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh.

 

My beautiful parents :)

 

Family shot (the one picture Christian was in:( )

 

Parents

 

Siblings

 

Nephews:  Micah (2 years); Reid (2 1/2 months); Luke (8 months)

 

Baseball field

 

Check the guys out in this shot - they are hilarious!

 

Micah and Audrey - an excellent trio of pictures.  

 

Micah was just hamming it up at the reception...

 

And Audrey found him to be hilarious :)

 

Maid/Matron of honor speeches. I got a little emotional when I brought up Kari's fall.

 

The cake toppers, although hard to see, are a baseball bride and groom.  I told you, Josh is a little obsessed with baseball, haha.

 

The flower bouquet toss - with my son right in the middle of it all.

 

The garter getting - and there's Micah yet again :)  One of my favorite pictures for the sheer humor in that Josh is getting Kari's garter while she's holding Micah's hand.

 

They had to steal a few minutes away for the reception before it got too dark to be able to get any couple pictures!

 

One of my favorites of Christian's work.  

 

They rode out of their reception on a motorcycle...very symbolic of their travels in Africa.