A Great Visit with Great Aunt Jan

We always look forward to visits from Aunt Jan!

The boys were very excited, and Niko decided to start leap seven while she was here, just to remind her of how much fun she had helping us with leap four!

Not sure what I'm talking about?  Babies go through developmental leaps that make them fussy, clingy, disrupt their sleep, and just different from their normal selves.  The results are some pretty amazing changes in their brain and 'leaps' in their understanding of the world as well as their abilities.

Jan immediately claimed her space in Niko's heart with a hilarious game of toss and catch the rolling water bottle

We tried the floaties on Niko while Jan was available as an extra set of eyes...he liked them for a bit, but was able to pull them off his skinny arms, so we have to wait a bit longer for these!

Jan caught a great shot of me bringing both boys downstairs after naps.

My arms and my heart are filled by this crew!

Jan's suitcase included presents for both boys, not only from her but also from Gammie.  The boys LOVE their new CamelBaks and Alexander immediately began drawing in his new notepad.

He is quite the artist.  Daniel took down the blades off the butterfly fan and offered only minor assistance as Alexander redesigned his ceiling fan.

Jan and I had much needed 'girl time' whole the guys worked hard on the fan

Mr Personality

We headed out to The Farm despite the triple digit heat (I mean, it is triple digits every day now so we can't let that stop us!) and were all eager to see how our farm loving Niko would take to seeing the animals up close and in person

It started off great.  He thought the barn cats were cool and loved the turtles

This goat made lots of noise to ensure he got the most food, and Niko thought that was quite rude!

He got a little overwhelmed, but Jan and Alexander made sure the goat was rewarded for his efforts.

Niko got pretty hot and was not interested in feeding the animals, until the end when we came upon this horse.  He reached out to pet it three or four times.  Maybe we have an equestrian enthusiast on our hands!

We celebrated National Ice Cream Day by taking ice cream to the park.

Niko has become a huge fan of splash pads!

Both boys love the water and playing together....even in tight quarters!

Making Jan's delicious banana pudding

A HUGE Hawaiian Ice at an empty Cowabunga Bay to combat Vegas summer heat

Fun in the sun was enough to knock this guy out

Jan's house went under contract while she was here!!

Jan, we love you like Niko loves watermelon!

See you soon!

Nikolai Turns Ten Months

Somehow, our baby is only two months from his first birthday

This wiggle worm is not an easy subject for a nice picture!

But this boy sleeps!!  Finally!

Into everything and always happiest outside and on the go

We can handle the heat!

Clearly function does not equate to fun

Milestones

Niko is sleeping!  Sometimes he wakes at midnight to eat, but most night's he sleeps from between 7:30 or 8 in the evening until 4 or 5 in the morning.  Sometimes I can feed him and get him back down until 6 or so.

He usually takes 2 naps, at 9am and 2pm, each for about two hours.  If he is up for the day at 4 or 5am, he will add a cat nap either after breakfast or before dinner.

He EATS

He already eats more than Alexander....like, 4 year old Alexander! Watermelon seems to be his favorite, rind and all, but like his brother, he loves a variety of food- from all food groups!

Old MacDonald is still his favorite, but he will listen to a variety of songs now, and Ready, Steady, Wiggles is his favorite show

His favorite activities are:

walks- especially in the red plastic car, stairs, electrical outlets (a constant battle), working on walking, and anything involving his brother, including wrestling, being thrown into pillows by daddy, blocks, chewing crayons.  He seems to want to swim....launching himself into the water, and he has kicking and paddling down.  I was only brave enough to let him try once.  He isn't physically ready but he is mentally ready!

We are so blessed by our crazy active boys and the fact that their princess puppy sister adores them as much as we do!

Fourth of July with Grandmomma and Grampa

We had a great visit with Grampa and Grandmomma

It has gotten very hot in Vegas, so when we were outside, we were at the water!  We are so grateful for the pool and the yard of this house!

Daniel recreated our ladder diving board that we had in Florida.  Alexander has mastered lots of jumps, including learning the can opener from Grampa

Alexander was super excited for all the fireworks he picked out with Daniel and the massive stash Grampa brought

The sparklers were a favorite!

For the fourth of July, we grilled burgers and steaks and enjoyed dinner outside.  We put Niko to bed after dinner, but the sounds of fireworks soon woke him up.

Niko wasn't sure what to think of the noise and lights at first, but we kept clapping and laughing and showing him how fun we thought it all was.  He soon decided he wanted to enjoy it too!

When we moved to the front yard to see the big show our neighbors' were putting on, Niko was all about it, and wanted to be as close to the action as he could get!

Grampa spoiled both boys with gifts throughout their visit.  Niko was all smiles over his big bouncy ball.

Zoey graciously allowed Joey to share her bed

Grampa described Joey as a sensitive boy, and it is so true.  He wants to please everyone and just wants to snuggle.

All smiles!  This kid has bumps and bruises constantly because he is always on the move.  The little road rash on his forehead made me laugh....now he really is Alexander's twin!  This mark is in almost the exact same spot as big brother's strawberry hemangioma.

Alexander was so excited to take his tackle box and his fishing rod, both presents from Grampa, to Floyd Lamb Park for his first fishing trip

While the fish were too small to bite the lures, Alexander was excited to get some bites.

Joey enjoyed watching all the geese

Niko was along for the ride, too

We may not have caught our dinner, but we enjoyed Long John Silver's for dinner which was almost like fresh caught! ;)

We look forward to seeing you guys again, soon!