Summertime!

Here's what we've been up too. Lots of playing outside and lots of trying to keep cool!

6 Months

Last week Cade turned 6 months old. It's crazy to think we are already half way to his first birthday!! He has changed so much in such a brief period. When I think of him, the first thing that comes to mind is his huge smile. I love going into his room when he first awakes because he gets so excited. Sometimes I let Rylee sneak in first and I love hearing him squealing and giggling the moment he sees her. Cade is just a few ounces short of 18 lbs & quite tall for his age. When I tell people his age, the frequent response is "well he's a big boy". He is in 9 month clothes and only one diaper size away from his big sister. He has two bottom teeth just about ready to break through the gums. He has tried a huge variety of foods so far including squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, peaches and pears. He refuses to eat rice cereal, so I mix it into all his foods instead. He sits by himself pretty well & gets better each & everyday. Here are some pics of the big guy. Trying very hard to look up at the TV This is the bassinet he slept in when he was born. I keep it downstairs because it's always been a great place to lie him when I need to do dishes or shoot out an email. He was SO excited when he figured out how to sit up in it. And, his very first ferris wheel ride (it was mandatory he had his own seat)

Movin'

That's not where I left him.

Craft Time

Im loving that Rylee is getting big enough to do crafts. Last weekend we painted and decorated a little heart shaped jewelry box. She quickly went from painting her box to painting her legs and nails.

Independence Day

The kids had an awesome Fourth of July. Here are some pictures from our celebration!

Just Pictures

Cuddles


Smiles



Growing

Lessons in Parenthood

In college I took a Political Philosophy class. I've never really thought of myself as being someone interested in philosophy, but I ended up really loving the class. I was truly inspired by a quote credited to Plato and I have never forgotten it since. He said, " An unexamined life is not worth living." To me, it spoke so much about learning from your mistakes and constantly evaluating who you are and who you strive to be. 

Parenthood has been, by far, the greatest opportunity for me to evaluate myself. From small things like maturity, patience and lack of sleep, to bigger things like failing and making huge decisions that can affect your children forever, I am constantly learning. I appreciate it in the sense that I feel like I have grown so much as a human being since becoming a mother. But, at times, it can be very difficult to have to face yourself in the mirror when you realize you aren't being the best you can be.

I know this blog is about the kids, but I do have every intention of making it into a photo book/journal at some point and I want to remember the lessons and the experiences I've gone through as a mom. With that being said, here's what we've been up too. :)

Cade will not stop holding on to his feet. He grabs them every chance he has.


He is getting much closer to sitting up on his own and that is definitely his preferred position now.
 

Rylee is just as fun as ever and we are truly enjoying her expressing her own opinion and becoming a little girl!


We had a great Father's Day. Rylee loved hanging out in Papa Mike's backyard collecting rocks, playing in the water and enjoying the beautiful scenery. We went to my parent's home the next day where they set up Rylee's pool to play in. I forgot her bathing suit, but Aunt Linnie loaned us an old bikini top (which we wrapped around her a few times!) and a hat. I got a sweet picture of Cade and his Great Grandpa too!