Ready for Summer!

When Grant was a little boy, he always got his hair cut really short for summer... and apparently he really liked it, because he tells me about it all the time.  So, the other night, when Eli's hair was completely saturated with perspiration after about 30 minutes outside (the heat index was only 100 degrees that day!), he asked if we could cut Eli's short.  I obliged.

Grant cut it last night, and Eli loves it! He was so proud to show it to everybody he saw at church this morning.   Then, we had to go out in the front yard to snap a few pictures this afternoon during Sam's nap. 

First, he found a regular old stick a really great sword!

Then, he found something even better.

The toad was a good sport about the whole thing.

I mean, how could he turn down a face like this?

(Just in case you're worried about the toad, his front left foot is propped up on a twig in the photo.  I don't know why he had it like that, but I promise he hopped away just fine, using all 4 of his extremities normally.)

Is it too early?

... to declare victory?

I hope not... but I'm SO excited! Way back when Sam was just a tiny baby, Eli and I went to Babies-R-Us and picked out his very own potty chair.  I picked the 2 that met my specifications and let him choose.  It was no contest... The frog potty was such the winner that Eli insisted on sitting on it in the buggy as we continued our shopping trip!  I thought, "He is SO ready and excited, this is going to be easy!" Hahaha.... A few short months later, though, I am proud to announce that our awesome big boy has been wearing underwear 24-7  for a week!!! That's including to church, the grocery store, nap time, and even bed time... accident-free, save the 1 evening that was plagued by accidents, but he was obviously not feeling well, so that doesn't count in my book.

So anyway, congratulations, Mr. Frog Potty.  Consider yourself officially conquered!

Home Photo Shoot #1

Sorry it's been such a long time... I've been busy playing with my new camera! Here are a few pics from our first photo shoot.  (note to all my photographer friends:  PLEASE feel free to give any advice!!!) I had a little trouble with the autofocus... I suppose I should focus manually, but I really need glasses/ contacts, so it's pretty much impossible until I break down and go see my buddy, Elizabeth, the Optometrist!

So anyway, here are some of my most recent photos of the boys... 

The day I got my first prime lens, Eli & I went outside to play in his favorite mud puddle.

Then, the next day was Sam's big 6 month (impromptu) photo shoot.  I literally grabbed the outfit out of the dryer, ironed it really quickly, grabbed a few blankets & Sam, and headed out into the front yard...  But (I think) some of the pictures actually turned out pretty well, considering the photographer!

This first one is a shout out to our Eagles... Omaha bound!!!!

Aren't they just precious?!??!?!?

Well, as far as updates go, things are going great! Sam actually learned to sit up for long periods of time during his photo shoot.  Also, he got his first tooth the next day! We're currently working on tooth #2.  I keep thinking it will pop through any second now, but so far, it hasn't.

Today, he started "scooting".... head down, bulldozer-style! He also babbles all the time.  I think he may turn out to be a talker like his brother and daddy!  Today we went for his 6 months check up... Stats: 17 pounds, 2 ounces; 26 inches tall; 44 cm head circumference.... 100% wonderful!

Eli is such a big boy! He is doing great with potty training.  Still in diapers at night, just in case, but he wakes up dry about 95% of the time! He also just behaves like such a big boy... Talking in full sentences- complete with articles, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, & pronouns... so amazing! And he loves helping taking care of "baby Sam."  He even has his own child-rearing philosophy:  More is better!