Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great weekend at home for Memorial Day weekend. We did lots of stuff as a family and had a good time!  It had a bit of a sour ending but alas, you can't win 'em all.  We went to a Sunday School party on Saturday and our friends have this great hill right in their backyard that they sled down.  Super fun but a workout for the parents.  I had to recruit my fit husband to take over.

I love this little outfit. the back is so cute!

We went to the ZOO! We became zoo members, it is actually cheaper than going twice a year to just be members, and this is already our 4th time this year. (hindsight, wish we had bought the membership a few visits back). I'm excited to go back as often as we want for free!  This visit the favorite was the penguins.  Savannah loved them and Walker just watched them swimming by!

Memorial Day obligatory photos!

We went to the mall for a little shopping...

Anna and Aaron came over for a great dinner (Walker is sitting there in his little "walker" but you can't really see him) Salmon on the grill, corn on the cob grilled, wild rice, and grilled romaine lettuce.  Berries and cool whip with angel food cake for dessert plus a watermelon too.  YUM!

The weekend was rounding out so nicely.  Then Savannah threw up all over Anna and Aaron while we were cutting up a watermelon for dessert.  This girl has only thrown up like 4 times in her life and Anna has been here for 2 of them.  UGH. Anyway, she's proceeded to vomit for 2 more days so that's the reason for lack of blogs this week.  We are all just getting back to our routine Thursday and Friday.  

I've actually never seen her more sick.  She was so lethargic and listless and just completely pitiful.  She got so weak that she wasn't even responding when I would pick her up. Not even using her muscles to grab around my neck or move her legs when I was moving her from the bed to the couch.  And let's not even talk about the laundry that Birc and I have done.  I hope she never throws up again but I know that is unrealistic so my real hope is that she learns to aim and spit before the next time she has the vomits. (ew, I know) SO MUCH laundry.

Anyway, we had a great weekend. I'm so wishing it was a 3-day weekend every weekend!

Walker's First Day at Daycare!

I mean, I am happy for him to gain social skills and learn from friends and great teachers, but I honestly am pained that my sweet boy has started daycare.  That said, it is the reality, Birc and I both work, and he cannot go to work with me.  He will learn so much more than I could teach him at home. I know Savannah has.  So I am choosing to be happy he is there even though I have a big sad lump in my throat about the whole ordeal.

That being said, he had a great first day on Wednesday! Ms. Corrie (Savannah's teacher, from way back when!) said he didn't cry much, he took several cat naps and ate his veggies and fruit well. He wasn't too interested in being rocked by Corrie or drinking his bottles but he will get better. Walker managed to cut his top left tooth while he was at daycare too, so I found that pretty impressive. :) He's the only boy (ladies man!) in his class and of course the most adorable (I'm not biased).  There's Kirby, Charlee, Zoey, and Javaya, all girls.  Corrie said he actually like the swing in her room.  I was surprised because we put our swing up two months ago because he never wanted in it. Whatever makes my boy happy, though! He also has Ms. Alicia, the teacher assistant, who Savannah had as well and we love.

looks like he's moving in.  kleenex, wipes, diapers, sheets, blankets, clothes, bibs, burp cloths, donated books, bottles, food, bowls, spoons, seriously maybe he was moving in!

Ms Corrie! We love her she is such a great teacher!!!

Already checking out Ms Charlee.

He's such a cutie and such an easy baby. I was so proud of him and hope he enjoys going and learning and playing.  

Walker at 8 Months

I can't believe my baby boy is 8 months old! Where has the time gone! He is getting SO FUN and seriously more adorable than I imagined.  He has also cut back on the drooling (praise the Lord) and is really "talking" babbling.  Walker is wearing 9 month, a select few 6-9 month, and 12 month clothes.  He's wearing a size 3 diaper. He's got 2 teeth (his first left upper tooth came through today, though!) on the bottom and loves to chew on anything and everything.  He's eating all kinds of foods this month. He's had squash, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, raspberries, pears, carrots, plums, prunes, green peas, and of course his oatmeal cereal.  He loves everything so far! He is so excited about eating that he doesn't have as much interest in his bottles, which is proving to be a bit of a problem. He's waking up a little more at night than before, maybe up to 3 times, to eat because (of hunger) he is only taking like 3-5 whole bottles throughout each day.  His bottles are 6 oz each and he takes half of them as breast milk and half of them as Similac formula.  Walker really started touching peoples faces as they talk with him, cooing, smiling, and laughing at other people this month.  He weighs in at a whopping 20 pounds on the mark and is 25 3/4 inches long.  He can say a "D", "B", "T", "L" "MMM" sounds.  He was lucky and blessed to stay at home (except for those 2 pesky months in the NICU) with his mama and then his CC until he turned 8 months, and has started to daycare on 5/28/14! More on that later.  Now for pictures!

Hey mama.

Hey teddy.  I want to eat you.

yes this arm looks tasty.

It is tasty!

Even better when I squeeze it!

Well this pillow doesn't look nearly so tasty!

but my mama is funny for sure!

fine then, take the pillow. I wasn't gonna eat it!

how do I weasel my way outta this chair?

over there?

down there?

crawl up on the crib?

OOH my tag lion. I'll chew that.

love him.  You want to what? Take him away for one last picture?

I'm out. 

Branson!

We went for a long weekend in Branson this past weekend and had a great time! We went with Nana and Gran and stayed at Big Cedar Lodge, and visited Silver Dollar City.  It was a nice low-key easy get-away.  (except for the first night, Savannah was unsure of her whereabouts after not being in a hotel for like 13 months, so she woke up terrified at 1:30 and we were up until after 4:30. Rough)

Ann and Skip got us a little cake to celebrate our anniversary that was the day before! 

Savannah on the car ride up there. Cutie. She did perfectly in the car and needed almost no electronics. She watched one 25-minute Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode on my phone and the rest of the time either slept or watched outside and looked at all kinds of stuff, talking about it all non-stop.  3 1/2 hours, no stops, and she was so good!

We took this fold-up car/walker thing with us so we could have something to put Walker in and it was a lifesaver (Walker in a walker. heehee)

Our log cabin. It was so nice! Lots of dead animals around though, but it all goes with the theme.

Seriously. You guys. Walker gets the BEST BABY EVER award.  He's never stayed in a pack n play, he's only been away from home once for Christmas, yet he was such a great baby, travelled in the car perfectly on the 3 1/2 hour drive, slept great, just all around GREAT. I feel so lucky!

ballcap!

Little Miss on her horsey!

Walker's first "ride" on the bench seat on the carousel

I asked Savannah what she thought of Silver Dollar City and this is what I got. Adorbs.

Walker just watched his sister the WHOLE time he was awake in the car. He loves her so much! (you can see his face in the mirror above his feet)

Savannah wanted to ride the "hopping frogs" with Mama. 

So we get on.

She starts panicking.

Then crying and screaming.

Then the ride starts and she cries the whole time. Luckily she doesn't seem scarred by it, she has told CC how she liked riding the "frogs that were hopping hopping hopping"

Cutest Baby

What, Mom? I'm just chillin' in my undies. Catch ya later.

We had a great little getaway from the mundane and it was so nice! Great weather, great food, but mostly great company!