Aiden - 7 months!

Aiden is 7 months!


Getting better and better at crawling, he is regularly interested in whatever his brother is doing...

Ba Ba Va Va

Aiden is babbling, which makes us realize he is growing up so fast!

4th of July!

Growing up, a tradition of ours was to go to the local 4th of July parade with all the neighborhood kids.  We even participated in the parade multiple years in a row.  I'd love to continue this tradition with our kids in our Austin neighborhood.  This year, we invited several friends to join us on the curb to watch the parade.

Oliver brought his loader truck with him, and he and his friend received badges from the fire truck (or "siren" as he calls it).

The parade starts!

At the end of the parade, we walk to the finish, where tacos, Amy's Ice Cream, and a playground are waiting!

I love you, Mommy.

This morning, Oliver was saying, "Mine mine mine," which means, I would like it.  (We're working on rephrasing the "mine" to "May I please have it?" or "May I please have a turn?".)  When he went into "mine mine mine" this morning, though, I just tackled him with tickles.  He giggled and giggled and then said, "I love you, Mommy."  That's was the first unprompted "I love you." I have heard from him.  So sweet!

About 15 minutes later, Oliver proceeds to tell me he would like something I can't understand. He proceeds to lead me to the closet (where I keep toy rotation toys hidden) and points to the top shelf.  A muffled "instruments" comes out.  Clearly, he has been watching and knows where I store toys for toy rotation.  

We've also passed the point (several months ago) where I can sneak a piece of chocolate or other delectable treat.  He wants a taste of whatever  I am eating.

Guacamole

"Guacamole," Oliver said to Mark, as Mark opened to the car door to get him out.  "Avocado," Oliver said. Tonight, we went to an impromtu dinner gathering at a friend's house and guacamole was part of our dinner. As I served Oliver his dinner, I had explained that there was guacamole, and it is made with avocado.  Apparently, Oliver remembered this, and proceeded to repeat it to Mark just a few hours later.  We are amazed at what Oliver remembers and recounts to us on a regular basis.