Fun Summer

We had such fun yesterday visiting with two friends from high school and their kids.  Between the three of us, there are 6 kids now in the past 3 years! WOW! We were having so much fun, Brayden took a nap there that I had to wake him up from after 2 hours, and Tucker didn't take a nap until 4, when he fell asleep in the car, fingers in his goldfish (see picture below!)  It was Tucker's first time using the swimmies-you can't use any flotation aids in the town pools and he wasn't old enough last summer.  He was very confused and definitely flailing at first-needed some help for sure. Then he was able to learn from Emily's son (he's 3) and so impressed me! Perhaps it's normal of a 2 year old, but I was impressed.  He was getting the doggie paddle motions down and kicking his legs, and he had no problem jumping off the ladder and submerging himself.  Now we just have to figure out to let him know that he won't come back up if he's not wearing the puddle jumper!

Tucker and Ben eating lunch together

Cute Ben swimming with Daniel

I tried to get him on video, but it wasn't the best...here's a few that I did get.

D's Baptism

Saturday afternoon was AWESOME!  My sister got Baptized.  It was an awesome time to be able to hear about what is going on in her life and how God has really been working to draw her closer to Him and how he's been using her to do amazing things in Tanzania.  Adult Baptism is an awesome opportunity for Christ-followers to share how God has changed their life and why they want to live for him.  It was REALLY awesome to be a part of.  SOOOOOO proud of you D!

It seems the hand gestures while speaking runs in the family:)

This was followed by another great event at my parents'...major dance party by Tucker! I am trying to get the video to upload, but it's not working! It was definitely one of his better ones.

4th of July Weekend!

It felt like we were on vacation this weekend with Max off for four days! We were quite busy but actually got to sit down together during the kids' nap on Sunday-such a welcome treat! We had a blast at the pool, fun times with friends and family, we loved the beach and fireworks and just hanging out together for awhile:)

Tucker and I did some serious chalk drawing on Wednesday...then he sat in it...

 Happy 4th! Our new flag (finally!) and on our way to the beach for dinner and the fireworks!

This little guy just wanted to play in the sand...then he discovered the huge rocks on the jetty-he didn't get why he couldn't walk all over them (if you've ever been to the jetty at the marina, you know why-straight fall into the waterway from the marina to the sound...not a good place to play when you're 2!)

 he wasn't a huge fan of the awesome long island sound, but then he saw a little girl playing in it so he wanted in...they learn from each other so well! (yes I rolled his shorts up really short)

 view of the sound-and the barge to shoot off the fireworks!

 this little guy was AWESOME! he didn't say boo the entire night, and sat so nicely with Max without making a sound to watch the entire fireworks! Then he fell asleep in the car:)

all set with his glow stick! he liked the fireworks, but liked playing in the sand with papa even more-he was still digging and playing when it was pitch black!

We were all very tired Friday morning from the late night at the fireworks-slept til 8:30!!

Friday we had a blast at the town pool and then lit some fireworks off before bed

 Brayden seemed to like them!

This kid loved playing with the sparkler...we did such a good job (at least I thought) of making sure he knew to be safe and explaining not to touch the sparks and hold it away...apparently we forgot the whole "don't touch the sparkler when it's done part." He has a sweet burn on his finger...oops!

 Annnndddd THIS GUY got a new big boy bed! He came with me to pick it out and was SO pumped to sleep in it.  No issues so far! He's rowing up so fast:)

 We had a very relaxing day on Saturday and enjoyed some time in the turtle pool!

then much to max's dismay, i wrapped our son in a towel like this...

So far this week...

We've had a busy last few days! It's been so fun (and crazy hot and humid)!

I really wanted to take Tucker to the fireworks at the beach tonight (the actual 4th of July) but wanted to be sure he'd enjoy them and even be able to stay up that late...so we practiced last Saturday when Trumbull had some fireworks.  We had a mommy-Tucker date and enjoyed some milk and graham crackers while watching the fireworks! Can't wait to go tonight! Should be interesting:)

Sunday we went to celebrate our friend Tom's 30th birthday with a BBQ at the beach, so the boys stayed with my parents.  They napped like champs and were loved on by everyone. Tucker even got to play in Papa's truck, which is always a treat:)

Sunday night Tucker and I were sick of the rain so we went to find puddles to jump in.

Brayden is on the move and working up a sweat. I love that I get to see these little chunkers out and about all the time now!

Tucker and I started to go to My Gym again. He's very happy to be back with his girls Allie and Meghan.  Here he's singing along to Twinkle Twinkle.  It was very cute:)

Tucker is such a boy.  Someone let him "ride" (he can't actually ride it very well) his new tricycle (thanks Hoefers!) and he apparently used his toes for brakes...we didn't even notice until awhile after he did it....quality parenting all around.

Wednesday we had a mellow day complete with healthy cookie making, a run on the trail, a trip to target, and some fun at home.  This was my picture story of our morning. Can you tell what happened?

These two were enjoying working together.  The toolbox says something like, "let's fix it." So Tucker took that literally...see the picture below.

...he thought the exersaucer needed some fixing I guess!

Brayden wanted to fix something too.

This was the cutest thing.  Tucker fell or did something and kinda hurt his arm. He didn't say anything about it, so neither did I.  I think he must have fallen on it funny, because he sits there for a sec, looks to me for a reaction (of course, he doesn't get one), then he gets up walks over to the freezer, opens it and pulls out the boo-boo-buddy ice pack, puts it on his arm for about 5 seconds, then opens the fridge back up and puts it away.  Upon completion, he yells, "boo boo all DONE!"  This is his knew mantra whenever he finishes something-lunch, medicine, goldfish, etc.

8 months old!

Brayden continues to be an absolute joy. He embodies the definition of a happy baby. He is really starting to develop an interactive personality! He is a big fan of all people. Everyone gets a smile! He really likes to be outside and doesn't seem to mind the grass at all-he tries to eat it! He LOVES baths-especially when you pour water on his belly. He also seems to like the baby pool that we have. He enjoys going for runs and walks with Tucker and I-thank God or I would never get any exercise! He also loves to scream/grunt. It's hysterical-he starts to laugh/smile afterwards but it seems like there's something wrong with him otherwise.

He is a HUGE fan of Tucker. Tucker can get him to belly laugh like no other.  Much to T's dismay, Brayden wants to be involved with whatever T is doing. Thankfully Tucker is very patient with him and will just continue to move away if he isn't feeling in the sharing mood:) One of my favorite times with them is when B & I go to get T up from his nap.  There are a lot of smiles, giggles, and goofiness that go on:) Brayden especially likes to get into his sound machine and to hit the base of the light in Tucker's room. He loves Tucker's toys-especially his trucks and puzzles. He's putting everything in his mouth! He is wreaking havoc on our magazines as well!

Brayden is most definitely on the move.  Today I put him down in his room, and the next thing I new, he had creeped/scootched down the hallway into the living room! He gets up on all fours and can rock back and forth. I even noticed that he went from laying down to sitting up on the monitor last week.  Making strides towards crawling! He is sitting up on his own, but can definitely plop every once in a while.  

Brayden is a pretty good sleeper. He randomly will wake up screaming in the middle of the night (so fun), but thankfully it doesn't happen too often.  Sometimes I think it's just teething-he's still waiting on that first one! He is a champion sleeper in the car! He's a great napper and puts himself to sleep. Thankfully he really likes his little giraffe stuffed animal and Aden & Anais and he cuddles with Giraffe to fall asleep. Love it! He naps twice a day (915ish-11ish) and 1:30/2-3:30/4) and sleeps from 745/8-7/730.

He is a very good eater! He started getting formula during the day a couple weeks ago, but he's still nursing morning and night. He's basically doing: wake and nurse, 3T cereal and fruit, 6 oz bottle after AM nap, lunch 3T cereal and fruit, veggie, 6 oz bottle after PM nap, 5-6 oz bottle before dinner, dinner 3T cereal and fruit, veggie, nurse before bed.  He's a porker. He also enjoys eating out at restaurants-he has been so good sitting in his high chair the whole time.  He's also very patient about waiting for his food at home.  So thankful for that! However, he is a BIG spitter.  He spits up all the time.  We try to keep him upright/in his chair after he eats for awhile, but inevitably he spits up. It makes Max crazy:) Thankfully, B doesn't seem to mind and is still packing on the pounds so no worries there.  

Brayden was also reunited with DD this month...per usual, he's already a fan:)  We can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store for our happy little dude!