1/2 a year!

Darren boy is officially 6 months old. Unbelievable. The cliche "you blink and they're grown" is beyond true for Darren. These last 6 months truly went by too quickly. They have been full and busy, but not that full and busy. Right? But then again, Winnie is going to be TWO next month... oh man.

They have been the best 6 months with our boy. He is the best second child around. He is so chill and doesn't "complain" about anything. He lays around or sleeps and is cheerful most of the day. And he is officially in his crib and sleeping through the night!!!

Over the last few months he has started smiling and laughing, rolling over both ways[!!!], and is starting to scoot, but mostly spins around on his belly or back... my little break dancer. He has tried his first solid food, avocado, only twice. He had mixed feelings about it, which I'm sure he was just extremely confused. haha. 

Mother's Day with my kiddos

Over the last few months, he has fallen off the couch, has been "rolled over" by Winnie [without his arms being properly placed... eeek], and has gotten his first cold. :( He's been such a trooper through it all. 

At his last appointment he weighed 14 lbs. So I am positive he weighs at least 16 by now. [He has his 6 month appointment tomorrow so I will update stats as needed tomorrow]. As big as he's getting I still squeeze him into some of his 3 months clothes but he is mostly in 3-6 month size. Stay little my baby!

Winnie and Darren get along so well together. He is so unbelievably loved by his big sister. She smooches him and hugs squeezes him and plays pretend with him ALL.THE.TIME. and I LOVE IT!!!!!!

The pictures below are of their first bath together. Winnie thought it was so fun and Darren laughed a lot. It will be even more enjoyable and easier once Darren can sit up on his own because bumbos don't work well in water. ;) 

Speaking of Winnie, she is going to be TWO next month you guys. NEXT MONTH. 

With that said, party planning is in full swing and I am so so excited about throwing her a bubble party. Miss Win loves bubbles so it only seemed right to make that this years theme. That or a yellow school bus party since that's her other obsession.... bubbles it is!

An update on Winnie will be after her party with all of the fun details and pictures of her special day. There is so much to tell you already!! She is our big ball of energy child and it's so much fun. 

Hope everyone has a fantastic week. 

xoxo

Easter Shenanigans & a visit from Grandma and Bumpa

Before April leaves us I thought I'd give an update on our Easter fun. It was full and I am loving this toddler age where we can do things with Winnie. It is simply the best. 

Our neighborhood held an Easter egg hunt with face painting, balloon animals, prizes, and pictures with a bunny. Winnie surprisingly loved the bunny. She really loved running around searching and picking up eggs this was one of three egg hunts she had, she got a balloon dog that lasted .5 seconds before it got lost? or stolen? I'm not sure. Thankfully she didn't miss it. While waiting for the egg hunt to start Winnie learned hop scotch and hopped around the whole time. I'm pretty sure that was her favorite part. 

Later that day we made Easter sugar cookies and dyed eggs. Winnie had such a blast.

We celebrated Easter Sunday at church then relaxed and ate at Gigi and Pop pop's. It was such a fun holiday and I am officially candied out. Time to take a break. Anyone else feeling the ramifications from too much candy?? haha

hop hop hop 

her dog balloon animal... proof! 

this picture is deceiving... she actually liked
the bunny. this was her second time in line to see him. 

becoming a pro at rolling out sugar dough

precious tiny hands <3 

prepping for dying eggs

decorating with stickers

it was super cold, but i'm so gad we moved
the dying party outside.... it was a fun mess. :)

making more cookies...
but mostly eating the dough.

yeeaaahh!!!

Easter Sunday <3  

Aunt Meme with Darren

The week after Easter my mom and dad came to visit. We had such a good time with them, as usual. They were able to get lots of Winnie and Darren time which is so important. Also, huge thanks to Dad for helping fix our fence. :)

Took a walk to visit the ducks

then to the park to swing and play :)

Bumpa, Winnie, & Landon

such a big boy

Grandma teaching Winnie games on her phone

love <3

Winnie & Grandma

bubbles with Grandma.

We went to our friends wedding this past weekend and are off to visit Nana & Da this weekend, so many more pictures to come. April is proving to be one fun, eventful month. :)

Update on the kiddos -

I can't believe it's been 4 months since I held my tiny boy for the first time. I know I say this all the time, but time is flying right by. Darren is such a big little boy now.

Age: 4 months old

Weight & Height: 12.12 lbs [10th percentile for weight] & 24.5 inches [25-50th percentile for height] 

Sleep: 6-7 hours at night, then up every 2-3 hours. During the day he has one good nap then 10 minute naps throughout the day. Mostly because he likes to be held and I can't always hold him and so he stays awake. Bless him. 

Clothes: Wearing mostly 0-3 month clothes, every once in a while I squeeze him into a newborn onesie. :) 

Lately Darren has been playing with his hanging toys on his play mat. He loves his little Zebra and often smiles and laughs at himself in the mirror. He smiles and coos a lot. He is currently holding his head up very high, cooing, and trying to roll over. He is acting like he wants to, but can't get past his side. Ha. Darren also loves to sleep on his belly, which he gets to do during nap time. He also loves sucking his fist and typically can't keep them out of his mouth or away from his face. He is such a happy baby!! "Smiling's my favorite" 

one of Winnie's baby dolls hanging with Darren 

enjoying this weather so much

St. Patty's Day 

Winnie loves Darren more and more every day. It's beautiful to watch. She hugs him, tickles his toes, tries to flip him over we don't like that part ;) , and plays pretend baby with her dolls. Often you see her doll's laying next to Darren on his play mat. It's adorable! I hope they grow up to be best buds!! 

Winnie is doing really well. She is our busy girl, always energetic, always on the go, very busy with her imagination, which we love, talking a ton, saying 2-3 word sentences. It's so fun talking with her and asking her questions. Also, she's almost TWO! Nuts. 

Age: 21 months old

Weight: 24 lbs ... she loves stepping on our scale. haha. 

[Current] Favorite Book: Little Blue Truck ["beep beep"], Goodnight Moon, and .... really all books. Winnie loves to read!!

Favorite Animal[s]: Elephants, Dogs, & Birds

Favorites / loves: Dance parties, story time at the Library, buses, the park, slides, the movie Frozen, "me baby" [Darren] and her baby dolls, play dates with friends, playing outside, bubbles, bath time.... so much more! 

New words: bus, slide, purple, down low, up high, boo boo, doctor, elephant, heart, star, bubble, dinner, buckle, please... just to name a few. ;)

Foods: Turkey lunch meat, craisins, bananas, avocados, hot dogs, .. she's been a little pickier these last few weeks, hopefully it's just a season. :) 

reading to Darren

slides!!

walks and exploring with Dada

love this picture of Winnie sitting with Taylor.
This was a night this past month she was
cutting 4+ teeth and had a fever and was in pain...
looking beautiful! 

picking wild flowers <3

St. Patty's Day twins <3
[right after she ran face first into the kitchen door...
she has one speed- fast]

suuugaaarrrr!!!

Saturday mornings she is usually watching Frozen :)

LOVE THEM <3