Thankful

On this Mother's Day, I am thankful. I am thankful for my mama, who supports and loves me always. I am thankful for my mother-in-law who treats me like her own daughter. I am thankful for my husband who doesn't need a designated day to make me feel special. I am thankful for my boys who bring me great joy (and much stress). I am most thankful for a loving God, who has blessed me beyond measure.

21 months

I am loving this age! Well, there are definitely some aspects I'm not loving, but all in all we are having a blast! Things Zeke is up to lately:
*wearing 18 month or 24 month clothing (yes this time last year he wore 18 month, he is wearing some of the same clothes from last year, weird, huh?)
*wears a size 4 diaper, but we went back to cloth during the days while we are home (hoping this will help with the upcoming potty training)
*will sit on the potty
*LOVES Ben
*going through a clingy stage with mama
*cries when left at church, and if others are picked up before him
*still dislikes weird sounds (blenders, air conditioner, vacuum, hair dryer, etc)
*knows his colors, size words, shapes
*throws, kicks, shoots, and tries to dribble balls
*loves crafts especially coloring, but is getting into stickers, playdoh, paint
*sings along with us
*makes up songs ("Big yellow tractor", "No-nuts, no-nuts, no-nuts", "Praise Ye Crackers")
*Go Fish is his favorite group
*Baby Einstein or Little Einstein are his fave movies
*saying long phrases (like 4+ words)
and I am sure I have forgotten tons

Chilling in his car

Pondering life

Looking like a redneck

Sprinkler!

he played in this tub for 30 minutes

7 months

Ben is 7 months old. He is in such a cutie pie stage! Here are some fun things he is up to now:

*wearing 3-6 month clothes, but can wear a few 6 month/6-9 month clothes
*saying mama like crazy
*can say dada, but doesn't often
*babbles baba, beh, and some wierd sucking in his breath type thing
*eating sweet potatoes, yogurt, pears, bananas, white potatoes, mango, applesauce, green beans
*can drink from a sippy cup
* loves his walker
*rolling all over, scooting everywhere
*A-DORES Zeke, literally lights up when he sees his brother
*has some serious red hair...
* and the temper to go with it
*opens his mouth to give kisses
*sucks on my chin (weird, but something I will want to remember because it makes me laugh)
*plays with his toes
*still in size 2 diapers, but wears cloth most the time

sporting his shades

walk like a man

new way to use a paci

Lil man

Love that face

Recent awesome pics that I had nothing to do with

We have spent some time recently with people are mad skilled at taking pictures. We hung out with Pam with the Grays (these are the pics I stole from her). And then this week we hung out with Leslie and Max. So, here are some pictures that are better quality than you are used to getting around here. (oh and they are in no particular order)

It was so great to hug this neck!!!! Miss you already, Krista!


While Les and I sat with the babies, Zeke kicked the ball around the playground

Such a cutie!

Zeke and I blowing bubbles

He loved swinging with mama

Bffs (Max was born 3 days before Ben, our rooms were right down the hall from each other)

Sweet baby

I would kill for those eyes!

Yup he is such a redhead (and has the temper to match)

Matchy Matchy

I swore I wouldn't be one of "those" mamas....

But look at them!!!! How could I not?

Trip to Whitsett/McLeansville

We went in for Sophia's birthday party (rubber duck themed, it was ridiculously cute) and then ran over to the Shelton's for dinner. It was a fun family day. I stole quite a few of these pictures from my cousin, Kristin, who take fabulous pictures. I really need to get her to do some of all mama's grandbabies...

Yaya lovin'

Just gotta get that one...


I got it!

Choo Choo

Umm... seriously have you seen a cuter face?

Zeke L.O.V.E.D. Pawpaw's big tractor (especially the horn)

He also loved this "big ball" and kicked it around the yard

Ben got some good uncle Scott time

Zoo

Friday we went to the NC Zoo. We were a bit hesitant during the drive because despite the weather report of a high of 76 and a 10% chance of rain, it was totally overcast, sprinkling and definitely not 76. But the rain stopped and we had a fleece and blankets for the boys. (I froze in my tanktop and shorts). We had a lot of fun and Zeke is still talking about the animals he saw. We got to see giraffes, ostrich, lions, chimpanzees, baboons, flamingos, gorillas, rhinoceros, and elephants. The coolest part for us was a gorilla was laying down right by the glass and Spence held Zeke right beside the glass. Zeke kept saying BIG MONKEY! It was pretty cool. We only did Africa, and it was perfect. We went in, saw the animals, picnicked in the parking lot, and then headed home.

Ready to see some animals

Heading in

Elephants

Giraffes

Zeke hugged this statue

and he sat on this one

He sat in a helicopter (which I think was the highlight of the trip for him)

on the way home

both boys were wiped out