January Snow

I, along with all the kiddos in the city, wish it would snow again.

Already.

I need a do-over snow day :: for the mere purpose of re-staging a photo.

The striped pajamas and blue hat are currently in Anderson's clothing rotation.

Alekzander {two months old} :: January 30, 2011

Anderson {six months old} :: January 29, 2014

Sleeping Love

Sweet boy sleeping with his monkey lovey.

Snow Day

An inch of snow gave Mommy and Daddy a snow day at home.

Most of the day was spent snuggling inside, 

but the snow day also brought us some snow angels,

a little snow eating,

and lots of snowball throwing!

 Smart boy collected Daddy's thrown snowballs

 for his own collection & protection

A Boy and His Dog

Chalk Creations

Chalk in hand and this kiddo is happy for hours. 

Such a proud moment! 

Getting ready for the next creation

Our Syra-Tiger-Zebra 

Matching Mommy

Love this little guy ...

and our matching stripes.

Snow Break

Little Southern boys and their mama can only take so much snow...

so we took a snow break to play in "The Barn" ...

It is always exciting to {forget about and} rediscover the toys

stashed away at the cabin.

{PS - our Gruffalo built this room.  It is a perfect addition to the cabin,

and Alekzander has claimed it as his own.}

Snow Play

 Ten minutes after arriving to the mountains on Friday evening, snow started falling!

 Catching snow flakes at sunset.

{January 16, 2014}

We woke up to just a dusting the next day, but any bit of snow meant game on 

for our little snow moose.

 He couldn't resist eating the snow.

Maximizing the yield by sweeping and 'bull dozing' snow from the porch. 

 Brother was thrilled he got to play too!

Sweet little snow angels.

Snow Plant

The thrill of documenting a "first" 

overwhelmed the necessary sense of caution needed

to stage this photo.   

Sweet boy had only been sitting on his own for one day,

but I plopped him down in the snow, with a tree behind him,

not thinking about how gravity might work

on an unstable baby facing downhill.

Bottom line :: Gravity Works.

Upon his first encounter with snow, 

Anderson face-planted in the snow and dirt,

cried for a second, and then obliged to a few pictures.

We then moved to the porch for a different background/prop:

the rocking chair. 

Not better. Not safer. Not warmer.  

Just different - because apparently

we live on the edge when we're in the mountains!

 Lounging back in Mia's rocking chair!

Sitting at Six

First attempt at sitting on his own!

Pretty stable at six months old.

Quite proud!

It's a whole new world from the seated position.

While we are at it ... we may as well try standing.

Already, he wants to keep up with big brother.

Bathtime Baby

Mama's Boys

Love.these.boys

Six Months

At six months, you are strong and sturdy, busy and babbling, content and cuddly.

You have started playing with your big brother, and he is so sweet to you.

He is your favorite person to watch; you laugh at him all day long,

but sometimes enough is enough and you push or kick him away or pull his hair

when he is in your personal space.

We laugh and encourage you to stick up for yourself!

You are a momma's boy and we have entered into a stage of separation anxiety.

It is slightly adorable the way you wail and wail 

when I put you down and step just a foot away.

But you stop instantly when I scoop back in to pick you up.

Remember our favorite book, "Owl Babies"?

"What is all the fuss about?  You know I will always return."

Mommies always do.

I had to go back to work at the beginning of January,

and luckily you love your babysitter.

I doubt you even miss me, but as soon as I walk in the door

and you realize I am not holding you, you cry big fat baby tears.

You make me feel loved.

I would put money on the fact that you know the word "Kiss".

I say, "Kiss kiss" to you, and you open your mouth 

and try to get my face with your slobbery kiss.

I let you.  Even if I have just put on make-up.  

Sometimes you even spit up on me mid-kiss.

It's gross. But you are cute, so it makes it okay.

You have turned into a sturdy little guy since starting solids.

I don't feed you solids everyday, but you don't seem to mind, 

though you do love to eat.

{I want to keep you little, so I might be a little slower 

to push you along to your next milestone.

In fact, if you start standing or pulling up more, 

I will push you down! Gently of course.}

You have tried brown rice cereal, applesauce, banana, 

avocado, peas, sweet potato and butternut squash.

Peas were not your favorite, but you ate them anyway.  

You love to nurse - sometimes for comfort more than food - 

and I love to nurse you.

There is just something about looking into your trusting blue eyes ...

I could sit and stare at you forever.

And sometimes I do.

There is a ton of guilt involved with parenthood,

but one thing I will never succumb to feeling guilt over

is the time I spend holding you, cuddling you, nursing you, loving you!

You are so precious.

Learning so fast.

Babbling so much.

{You have a 'call signal' for each of us - all different and distinct!}

Sitting so well.

Playing so happily.

Six months with you has been so wonderful!

{Photo by Alekzander}

Crazy Hat Day

A ten year old hat on its way to the donation pile

was the source of fun {and photos} this morning.  

Silly Alekzander was naturally the mastermind

behind the use of this prop!

What?! Mommy used to wear this hat in college!

{And her roomie had a matching one too?!}

Planes

These little planes are new prized possessions

purchased with his own money out of his piggy bank.

We researched, price shopped, found coupons,

and then went out to make the special purchase.

Amazing pretend scenarios have played out already.

The planes talk, race, and help each other just like in the movie.

It is pretty impressive to hear what he comes up with on his own; 

there are times where we tip-toe around him while he is deep in play

so that we don't break the magic.

Praying that his imagination continues to soar!