walking!

No, Crew isn't walking...at least not on his own. He's advanced (of course), but not THAT advanced.

Several weeks ago we busted out the walker, and Crew LOVES it. He particularly likes to be in it while I'm in the kitchen cooking dinner or while we're eating. It gives him some toys to look at/play with, let's him move around a bit (although at this point he can only go backwards), and keeps my hands free! 

William and Hudson think it's great fun also to play with Crew while he's in it.

These pics were of the first time he got to take a spin...

going for a "ride"

Goings on

My sister and her family left on Friday after 10 days here. It was sad (as always) to see them go, but they'll be back FOR GOOD in just 3 short months...so it wasn't as hard as it normally is. 

We had lots of fun shopping, eating, playing, shopping, eating, playing, Girls Night Outing, socializing, birthday celebrating, etc... and did I mention shopping? Yes, it's a favorite pastime when my sister comes to town. We're going to have to get a reign on this when she's back for good, or our husbands will have to ban us from seeing each other!

Crew and Aunt Tasha did some great bonding, and he's a pretty good shopping partner as well.
His stroller was very useful for hanging bags!

The weather was perfect while they were here! The kids had a BLAST in my parent's backyard playing on the zipline, cleaning the tree house, feeding the cows, swinging, playing in the leaves, and the below: building a leaf fort (with the help of papa, of course):

Playtime

Crew has discovered the joys of playing in his high chair... He loves to be eye-level with William and Hudson, and this give him the chance. William and Hudson also think it's pretty fun to play with baby toys again! As an added bonus, it gets Crew used to the high chair for when we start solids in a month or so...

Heart Day

We (meaning, Dave and I) don't celebrate Valentine's Day. I realize that sounds a bit harsh. It's not that I don't like flowers, chocolate, gifts, etc... I'm just not a fan of spending triple the price for something I could get at normal price the very next day.

Of course, with the kids, we go bonkers. We made homemade valentines a few weeks ago for their school friends. Last Friday, we had friends over to decorate cookies.

I think Hudson and Sarah are making eyes at each other! (side note: Hudson informed us the other day that he's engaged to Sarah!)

Gracie is probably one of the most "attention to detail" crafter kids I've ever met (she comes by it honestly though)

I love how this picture shows Elizabeth stealing candies from her sister's cookie when she's not looking!

notice the icing on Hudson's mouth? Ya, he didn't save ANY of his decorated cookies.

my 2 very unimpressive, but oh-so-delicious cookies

Today the kids had Valentine parties at school, and it's been like Halloween. Our candy box has been substantially re-stocked!

I can't remember the last time we actually went out on a date for Valentine's day. I'm not complaining. I don't like the huge crowds anyway... 

One thing I do love?

A night out with my man to see my Mavs:

We went to the game last night, and it was awesome (the Mavs won...of course).
 I was going to take a picture of us, but my phone died half way through the game.

So really, who needs a Hallmark holiday to show love? Not this low-mainenance girl. (haha)

Tongues and Bellies

I think I mentioned before the Crew LOVES his tongue. Well, he loves to stick it out, and in the last few weeks he loves to lick his hands. We've really started noticing how LONG his tongue is also...

Look how long his tongue is!!

Anytime Crew wears a non-onesie shirt, he likes to grab ahold of the bottom and show us his belly. William and Hudson think it's absolutely hilarious.

"Check out my 6pack!"

Stinker!

Do I even need words for how cute this little "stinker" is?

He's definitely nothing but trouble!

My sister bought Crew this little skunk outfit, and he was able to wear it for the first time yesterday. I LOVE it!

4 months old!

What a little joy this 4 month old is!

- At his dr appointment today he weighed 14lb10oz (50%), and is 25 inches long (50%). His head circumference is 16 inches (50%). 

- He's not rolling over yet, but he's about to. When he's playing on the floor, he will roll all the way over onto his side and stretch his little head around him. It's only a matter of time before he figures it all out.

- He LOVES to be naked. He could be really irritable, and then I put him on the changing table to change his diaper, and he's immediately all smiles.

- He is very ticklish (but really, what baby isn't, right?).

- He takes 3 naps a day. His morning and afternoon naps are usually around 2.5-3 hours, and his evening nap is about 1 hour.

- He sleeps roughly 11-13 hours at night. All 3 boys now to go bed at the same time: 7:30/8pm, which makes the evening time with Dave so much more relaxing.

- He discovered his hands awhile ago, but he has now figured out that it's super fun to put them in his mouth and get them all nice and slobbery. 

- He continues to be a very good baby. Evenings are usually a little fussier than the rest of the day, but he is still a very good natured little guy.

Swings

I put Crew on the swing at my parent's house last week for the first time. He seemed a little indifferent, but William and Hudson sure had fun!

My Baby is SIX!

It's happened in a flash...just like I was warned when he was born. William turned 6 yesterday, and I'm still in denial. After he got up he said to me, "mommy, now that I'm 6, I'm going to start acting like an adult." Sure, whatever. He also proceeded to tell me "don't worry mommy, I'll always be your baby. I'll always give you hugs, kisses, and cuddles, even when I'm an adult." I have to document him saying this, as I'm sure in a few short years he will start to heavily resist!

Around here, birthdays are a big deal. It's the one day in the year that each person get "their" day. Every meal is their choice, and we just like to celebrate!

I got everything read the night before:

which was fun, because it was the first thing he saw when he got up: 

We let him open 2 of his gifts before school. First, an animal encyclopedia from my sister: 

 then, a Connect 4 game from Hudson:

He wanted donuts for breakfast, so Dave went and got everyone donuts before they got up...and it was especially a fun morning because he went into work late. Normally, he leaves so early that the kids don't get to see him in the mornings.

When it was time to pick William up from school, I left these 2 guys with Mimi:

 and I picked up William and his friend, Lilly, to have a fun afternoon together...getting Starbucks and new binoculars (and William was so sweet, he wanted to get Hudson some binoculars too!)

His dinner of choice was tomato soup from Panera (go figure). I had told him I would make him anything he wanted, or we could go to any restaurant he wanted. We went to dinner with my mom and Aunt Ami and Uncle Jeremy. And then we followed it by coming home for a few more presents!

a cool helicopter/book from Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Ami:

a new Rokenbok power sweeper from Grandma and Grandpa:

oh, and a quick birthday call from Uncle Garrett:

not pictured: sidewalk chalk, a magic set from Aunt Tasha, a boomerang from Aunt Tasha, a zoo membership from Uncle Trent and Aunt Paige, a new video game, and birthday calls from Grandma, Papa, Keira and Emery, and FaceTime with Uncle Trent and Aunt Paige.

And of course, what's a birthday celebration without CAKE?!?!