Fawn's Friday Funnies.

So between being on vacation (five glorious days in the North Carolina mountains -- more to come) and trying to get Fawn ready for his new school year I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus.  I hope to get some cute pictures and updates on here over the long weekend (you know, in between cleaning the house and sewing the boys some fall clothes!).  But, despite my blogging hiatus, Fawn has continued to be his hilarious self.

He calls Small Fry "Waa."  As in, the sound a crying baby makes.  And Small Fry thinks it's funny while Buck and I grimace.  I hope it's one nickname that doesn't stick.

We have a precious CD from Fawn's school of the music they sing in chapel and music that includes cute Christian songs for kids.  One of Fawn's favorites is "God Made Me" (for example, "God made me to swing and sway..." or "laugh and sing" you get the picture).  I asked Fawn what God made him to do.  "To sleep with my eyes open."  Funny and creepy.

My brother has been over to the house to help Fawn learn the basics of soccer since he starts in September.  (I cannot believe I have a child old enough for organized sports.)  Neither Buck nor I played soccer and really don't know the rules.  Neither does Fawn.  My brother tried and tried to explain that you can't use your hands in soccer.  Fawn's response:  "Maybe no one else can use their hands, but I can use mine."  We'll keep you posted on how U4 soccer goes.

Perhaps my favorite photo of the summer -- slightly terrified by the butterfly on his shoulder.  Check out that face.

My Dashing Duo.

Love them both with all my heart.

Love how much they love each other.

Photographer Fawn and His Photos.

My budding photographer

Has three favorite subjects

His toys

His brother

And himself



Small Fry's (HALF) Birthday.

Of course, Small Fry had not a clue.  But, we celebrated our little angel anyway.

We made brownies, which we decorated like a cake.  And, we sang happy birthday.  Though I bought Small Fry some new pajamas and a new teething ring (those little buggers still haven't popped through), I haven't managed to give him his half birthday gifts yet.  The pj's need to be washed and the teething ring needs to be cleaned too.  Oops!  Clearly, he has no idea and Fawn hasn't pushed the issue.  Speaking of Fawn, he had a little bit of a hard time that it wasn't his half birthday again (or too? -- I wasn't quite sure what the issue was).  But, he was happy to blow out Small Fry's candle.  He was insistent that he get Small Fry a gift -- specifically he wanted to get Small Fry his own "Bow Wow" (Fawn's most beloved lovie, a Gund stuffed animal).  I could tell that he wouldn't handle going into a toy store for someone else so I avoided the issue.  We will order online!  A fabulous solution to sibling shopping.

My three boys.

Birthday boy!  We love you so much sweet thing.  You are a beautiful, happy, joyous, loving, wonderful addition to our family.  We are so blessed to call you ours and can't remember life without you in it.

And, for a trip down memory lane, here's a flashback to Fawn's original half birthday:



Month Six Update.

Half a year!  Let me repeat myself: half a year!  Cannot believe Small Fry has reached the six month mark.  His personality is unfolding more and more each day -- he's vibrant and funny.  He loves to laugh and watch others laugh.  He's a constant smiler (a boy after my own heart!).  And he is so slow to anger.  While just about anyone can make him smile and laugh, he reserves his loudest belly laughs and his broadest grins for Fawn.  He is absolutely obsessed with Fawn.  It is too cute!  And, now that Small Fry is getting closer to true playing, Fawn is much more interested in hanging out with him.  Fawn loves to help Small Fry with the ball popper and stacking toys.  Shocking to me, he is happy to continuously build towers for Small Fry to knock down.  He delights when Small Fry sends the blocks flying.

We've been busy!  We've been swimming up a storm.  Many days I just let Small Fry play outside the pool with me or my mom or grandmother, but when we get him in the pool he loves it.  We've also been to the tot lot and Overton Park, where Small Fry loves in the baby swings.  We've been to the zoo, to the library, and to the McWane Center several times.  Small Fry is becoming much more aware of his surroundings and genuinely seems interested in our activities these days.  He's even more content running errands now that he can sit in the front of a shopping cart.    


Bring on the food!  I caved when Small Fry was five and a half months old and started him on solids.  I was so resistant to the idea of starting them before six months, but he was showing all of the readiness signs and also seemed starving.  Nights were become more and more fragmented with cries of hunger.  And he was trying to nurse constantly -- even once leaving my arm with a massive hickey.  Hilarious!  So, we started with rice cereal which he absolutely loves.  We're keeping the quantity pretty low for now, but he has done great.  We've also introduced bananas (loves), apples (hates -- he makes the funniest sour face), pears (pretty yummy), carrots (loves), sweet potatoes (loves) and mango (hates -- another slightly different face of disgust).  Like I did with Fawn, I'm making all of his baby food.  It really is simple, and I love doing it.  Fawn's been a big helper in this department too!  Right now I am offering food twice a day -- lunch and dinner. 


Small Fry is an active baby.  He's doing great with the sitting up and really seems eager to crawl.  He can pull up to standing.  And, several times has stood up only to immediately fall down because he stood up without holding onto anything.  Silly boy!  I guess because he watches Fawn's antics, he thinks he can do things he's not physically ready for.  He's crazy in his crib at night -- flipping and turning this way and that.  I never know in what position I'll find him!  And, he hates being flat on his back so he is constantly practicing his version of the baby crunch.  When the baby fat wears off, this boy will have some abs.

Small Fry survived his six month pediatrician appointment.  He's topping the scales at 19 pounds, 9 ounces which puts him in the 85th percentile.  His head is still huge -- 19 inches and 97th percentile.  His length -- we're just not sure.  Anyone with a baby knows how precarious the length measurements of a squirming baby are!  They measured Small Fry at the exact same length as our previous appointment (26.5 inches, which puts him in the 50th percentile).  That clearly isn't right -- just not sure if last time's measurement was too long or this time's measurement was too short.  Time will tell -- and it's really insignificant.  Small Fry is growing and thriving!

Month Six in Pictures.

Week 22.

Week 23.

Week 24.

Week 25.

Week 26.

Pool Days.

We are so lucky to live close to my maternal grandparents for so many reasons.  Only one of those reasons is the beautiful (and did I mention heated?) pool in their backyard (surrounded by a gorgeous garden).  I spent my childhood summers swimming the days away at their pool (they moved into the house while my mom was pregnant with my little brother, so it's the only house of theirs I've ever known).  It's unbelievable to me that I'm now raising a family of my own less than a mile and a half from them -- and my boys are spending their summers the same way I spent mine.  I sometimes find myself waiting for someone to tell me not to run by the pool or to let my food settle before I go back in the water.  But then I remember that I'm the grown-up. 

I'm lucky to have other grown-ups around to help -- namely my grandmother and my mom -- because swimming with a three-year old and a baby is tough work.  There's all the gear to load up, the snacks or picnic lunch to pack, and juggling two kiddos in water.  I couldn't do it alone -- and it wouldn't be near as enticing to do it anywhere other than my grandparents' pool.  For me, it's one of the places that defines summer.

Gotta love Fawn's yellow goggles.  I'm so proud of my little swimmer.  He's done great this summer after two weeks of intense lessons.  While I generally encourage swimming wings (and they are a must if I've got both boys by myself), he is definitely able to swim all by himself (just ask him).  He jumping off the side of the pool and even the diving board solo too!  You go Fawn!

Fawn with my precious grandmother -- Mema.  She looks more like his grandmother than his great grandmother!  And although he runs circles around most, he's no match for this energetic lady.

 Happy fish.

Fat baby in a bathing suit.