Fur Ball

Holy heartburn, Batman.

So I joked with Jared the other night that if the Old Wives' Tale is true, that heartburn during pregnancy means the baby will be born with hair, then I think I may be having a fur ball.

I have no right to complain - since heartburn is pretty much the worst pregnancy "symptom" I've ever had - but still. I had it with both other boys, but I really;y don't think it was this bad this soon. We have all of June, July, and August to get through yet. (Not that I'm trying to hurry things up.)

Oh Tums, you are my very best friends....

The latest bump shot. Taken Sunday morning.

The boy loves stickers.

Like most little kids, I'm sure, Holden loves stickers.

He doesn't usually get too many though because, frankly, he doesn't really have anywhere to stick them.

That didn't stop him yesterday.

Since we've had the kitchen torn apart for the past week or so - so that I could paint the drawers and cupboards - some things that are usually hidden in the "junk" drawer were in plain sight... i.e. the stickers.

And ever the resourceful little goof, he figured out his own place to stick them.

And then later when he fell asleep, I took his picture :)

Yup. Stickers in his hair.

Goof.

Daddy Time

For a while now, Holden has been big enough that he gets to have "Daddy Time" a lot. He plays outside with Daddy while he's lifting, he works along side with his own little tools whenever Daddy is working on the latest project around here, he helps wash cars, and he rides along whenever Jared mows. And Jared is really great about letting Holden "help" out with all these things, so he really does get to be one-on-one with Daddy quite a bit.

Bridger Dean, on the other hand, is still a bit too small to participate in most of these activities. So he usually doesn't get too much time alone with Daddy (or Mommy for that matter!).

But the other night after dinner, Holden was still inside with me finishing up while I started on the dishes, so Jared took Bridger outside just the two of them.

And as I was watching them from the window - "walk" around the yard and play airplane - I just kept smiling. I know the baby phase isn't really Jared's favorite and that the older the kids get, the more he really starts to be able to relate and bond with them. And coming up on one year, I think Bridger is starting to get there :)

So here are a few photos I snapped (paparazzi style) from the house of Daddy and Bridger ♥

Practicing his walking some more

Just Daddy and Bridger

Airplane Ride!

♥

Funny Mess

Yesterday morning I sat Bridger down to play with the toys while I got a few things done. And Holden decided he wanted to play, too.

He pulled a basket of toys off the shelf, dumped it, and Bridger laughed. That was all it took. Holden loves an audience and Bridger loves to watch his big brother - and learn some bad habits, I fear.

And apparently our little Bridger just thinks destruction is hilarious because one by one Holden pulled down every toy - and book - from the shelf as Bridger just watched and giggled like mad. (My absolute favorite sound... which is the only reason I didn't stop them.)

Now why, I ask you, can it not be as fun to pick everything all back up Sigh......

Destroying the clean, organized toy room

Rotten little boys...

Every Mother Should Feel So Blessed.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday.

Jared gave me a cute card and some chocolate in the morning - yum. Then we had the nursery at church, so Holden had lots of fun having both of us in there with him the whole time. And Bridger really just sat on the floor and watched all the kids - never wanted picked up once :)

Then we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's house quick to drop her off her card and little gift and went home to change/grab a few things. We picked up Subway for lunch and headed to the Wilderness Center for a picnic and some family time. It was beautiful and both boys really love being outside. Holden got to feed the geese and fish and then we climbed up the big look-out deck (not my favorite since heights make me kind of nervous, but Holden, Daddy, and Bridger really enjoyed it).

Then it was home for a little bit - and a nap for Holden - then over to Mom's for dinner. Mom has been wanting a bench for at her kitchen table for all the grandkids and it was so much fun to surprise her with one Jared and I had made especially for her. She has another bench in her living room made out of an old bed headboard and footboard, so I just copied that idea and my very handy, helpful, generous husband "helped" make it happen. (He did all the hard work - involving saws and drills - I just suggested where things should go and did all the finishing work.)

Of course I forgot my camera when we went to Mom's, so I think I will make a separate post all about the bench another day. It really did turn out good. And Megan gave her 2 beautiful pillows to put on it and they just make it look so pretty and cheerful. It was so much fun to give her.

So, I think it was a success... which is really how the whole day felt. It was sunny and relaxed. And I really felt happy and special and loved - which is just exactly how every mommy should feel on her day ♥

Before church on my first Mother's Day with Bridger Dean

After our picnic lunch. Holden was saying "cheese" but not smiling and Bridger was dying to stand up. They love taking pictures with me :)

Excited to be going for a carrier ride!

Me and my guys - and one more coming soon!

(And every time we take a photo, Holden says "cheese" so Bridger looks right at him.)

Whether or not he likes it, he's always going to be my baby.

Excited to go find some geese and fishies to feed!

Mommy was wearing flip flops and has seen/heard enough "geese attacking people" stories, that I was willing to steer clear of the ones on the bank.

But Daddy said he had steel toed boots on and wasn't scared :)

Holden and Bridger feeding the geese with Daddy

And now giving some bread to the fishies with Mommy

After we climbed up the "tower" - and Bridger making a goofy face

All of us on top of the look-out deck

(And Bridger looking straight at Holden, again...)

I love this expression. He was having so much fun riding around with Daddy.

My world.

Running and Jumping

Yesterday the boys and I went to watch Uncle Tyler B at his home track meet. Now, I never did track so I really don't know that much about it and was honestly not expecting to have a whole lot of fun. But it was a beautiful day, we met Mimi there, I got a couple good pictures (like I was hoping to), and both boys did really good. So I guess I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed it :)

Waiting in line for the Long Jump... apparently practicing patting his head while rubbing his tummy...

Holden making faces at Bridger to entertain him

High Jump. Thinking he cleared that height with a few inches to spare.

Jumping again

Up and Over

Think maybe he's feeling good about making it over? :)

Coming to greet his fans

And pausing for a photo with Mom between events

4x2

I asked him to strike a pose and this is what I got. The Track King. Ha.

Our Nine-Month-Old!

He's big. He's happy. He gives Mommy high fives. He shakes his head no-no - but doesn't understand why yet. He still loves eating. He's still a great sleeper. And he apparently has lead in his bottom (which could help explain why my arms are so exhausted at the end of the day...).

I can tell he's starting to get so frustrated at not being able to follow Holden around, but he just can't/won't move on his own. He sits on the ground, kicks his feet, waves his arms, and yells at me until I come over and give him my fingers so he can "walk" around. Or at least "walk" him over to the couch so he can try to cruise back and forth there for a bit. But, honestly, crawling doesn't seem like it's anywhere on his to-do list.

I really think he wants to skip straight to being as big as Holden, but he just doesn't have the skills yet.

He did pull himself up on the dishwasher the other day, so I guess he's making progress. The little lead-bottom stinker....

Got his blankie. Of course.

Loves standing!

Practicing his balance.

Nine months old already!