First Father's Day

It's fun celebrating all kinds of firsts this year. Matt said that Father's Day felt more fun to him than his own birthday now. Sweet :)

At the start of Father's Day weekend, Camryn was all smiles for Daddy. Both were also excited because right after this picture was taken we headed out for our cul-de-sac block party. Our dear friend and neighbor Shannon hosted such a wonderful time with a huge inflatable water slide, tons of great food, and neighbors that we are also so happy to call our friends. The babies liked going around standing up on everyone's chairs and crawling around feeling the grass. It was such a bummer once it got to be around 7:30 (witching time for babies)---Matt and I weren't ready to leave! The babies were worn out from their excitement though and were very ready for bed. Unfortunately our baby monitor didn't reach to the end of the cul-de-sac so we had to call it a night, which was fine since I can hardly keep my eyes open past 9:00-10:00 anyway!

It was fun celebrating Father's Day Sunday morning. Matt really enjoyed opening his cards and gifts with the babies.

Before Church we went to Panera for breakfast. Oh how I wish we lived closer to a Panera. We're at the back of The Woodlands and our Panera is at the very front. Actually, maybe it's a good thing it isn't as close--I could literally eat all my meals there.

Before heading into Church...

(Cam does does this weird "fake" smile lately??--Here's an example of her new signature (weird) look!)

It's way more fun to watch all the people going in the doors than it is to pose and look at the camera for pictures. Here's the best we could get of the 3 of them.

Fun Day! (notice Cam's new favorite "look" again...!)

Happy Birthday Matt

Nothing to do with Matt's birthday just yet. Stand by for a Mario moment...

I know I talk a lot about how the babies love their big brother Mario. They also love Tiger...and well, any other dog they're ever around for that matter. They especially love their dog toys. And when I forget to move Mario's food and water bowls, they will literally get on all fours and lick in the water bowl. I'm still trying to get a picture/video of that--promise! In the meantime, Cole was loving this moment below over the weekend with a dog bowl (empty), dog toy, AND his favorite dog all right in his realm!

Happy Birthday (last week, June 8th) to Matt! Cam was very into opening the present she got for him. Cole is more interested in standing/cruising around the table.

They made a beer mug for him at Pottery Land here. The babies were so good as their thumbs were sponged with paint to make little bicyclists to decorate the mug with.

Cam's wishing we would actually fill the mug up with a nice adult beverage to enjoy herself probably.

Then over the weekend we celebrated his birthday again out at the pool and with a steak dinner.

Cole and Aunt Stacey

Both babies have more fun in the pool each time they go swimming this summer. We actually went over to Amanda's to swim today and both were in great spirits the whole time in the water.

They keep an eye on the dogs whenever they start running laps around the yard

Cole enjoys whatever is on someone else's plate. He's always into whatever Grandpa gives him...

Especially a big piece of steak to suck on! Instead of a milk mustache, he's going for a steak mustache.

Then we went to my Mom's and had more cake the next day

Again, wanting whatever someone else is eating, Cole wishes he was already 1 so he could have a big bite of the piece of cake Mimi's eating!

Happy 33rd Birthday!!

Graduating to all sorts of things

Our "Aunt Cheryl" recently graduated and is now an official Nurse Practitioner. We are so very proud of her. And we were also so very happy to celebrate with her! Also exciting, the Dillon's came down to celebrate too...

There were A LOT of margaritas...

...Seriously, A LOT!

Awwww, Brown Bears

The babies are now "graduating" to standing position on anything they can grip onto. Cole is ALL ABOUT standing and cruising (I think that's the term?). He prefers to stand and do things rather than sit. Camryn likes to stand too--but when we try to walk with her or when she feels the need to get from point A to point B she plops down and speed crawls instead. It's true, her super fast crawling skills get her to any destination way quicker. So we got them this walker toy. They're a little crazy with it right now, but we'll work our way into it.

Cole very much wanted to help Daddy put it together. Cam thought the box was the toy and had a lot more fun with that. She probably still would have more fun with that box than the actual toy right now.

At our 9 month doctor visit. Tearing and crinkling up the paper on the exam table is so much fun. And so loud. As mentioned in the previous post, they checked out great.

It's just too bad there's not a magic potion for teething. Poor Cam, this second round of teething we're experiencing has been quite unkind. Both babies have run 101+ fevers, experienced really strange, dirty dirty diapers, and this sweet girl got a horrifying diaper rash. The good news is that Cam has TWO top teeth to show for it now. We're still looking for Cole's to come in, but as drooly as he is we expect them any day. For a couple days, Cam would just stop mid-play and have to plop down and fuss herself into a little cat nap. Luckily they both seem to be in better spirits this week...until the next round starts, right?!

I guess Cammy girl is never too out of sorts for a fun tea party with Daddy. (Since he wouldn't pose for a real picture during this play time, he doesn't know I took one in bad phone camera quality to sneak in...)

Finally, as most everyone knows from facebook and email, I got to see my friend Kristen recently. She's an amazing photographer and we are incredibly spoiled with wonderful wonderful pictures from her. Click here to view some on her photography blog:

http://kristendukephotography.com/?p=4239

She wrote such a nice "intro" about our friendship too!

9 months

9 months old now, sweet babies!

For our record keeping purposes, here are our stats:

COLE:

Weight: 18lb. 12oz. (20%)

Height: 28 1/2 inches (55%)

Head: (45%)

CAMRYN:

Weight: 15lb. 8oz. (<5%)

Height: 26 1/2 inches (15%)

Head (5%)

At this appointment Cole screamed when the doctor broke out the stethoscope but was okay when his finger was pricked for blood work. Camryn was happy up to the point that her finger was pricked (twice) and she really screamed it out.

Last week I started a Bible study class which means they get to go play in the Church nursery for about 2 1/2 hours each week. Next week we start Kindermusik too. Unfortunately it's just too hot outside now to spend time out in our stroller--one of their favorite things. Good thing we've got some good air conditioned things going on instead, I guess!

As we start into our summer, here are some recent pictures...

Pretty Cam. We don't know exactly what color her hair is going to be yet. Or WHEN she is going to get hair! Just looking at her in normal lighting, it's coming in dark in the back. She's kind of got an old man "Frank Barone" hair pattern going on right now as we lovingly say. However, in other settings, her hair looks light. Like here. ????

And here's a little montage of Cole in a position we find him in often lately. He just plays himself to exhaustion. Sometimes rather than giving me cues by getting fussy about it, I miss my opportunity to put him in his bed and then will just let him crash wherever he happens to be. Or he's just a tired baby and wants to only fall asleep in a certain place. Here's "sleeping baby boy" to watch out for when you take a step or go to sit somewhere...