Boys favorites

Look at those boys!
Sweet brothers

Proud brother Zeke

Zeke favorites

We went back to Portrait Innovations last week. Our girl, Carrie, has transferred to the Greensboro store (if you live around there, totally go see her), but Rachel knocked it out of the park. We were so pleased with the smiles she got out of our boys.

Here are some of my favorites of Zeke:

Such a big boy!

Look at his cute toes!

This is such a Zeke face, look at his little tongue sticking out

Date Night

Spence and I have instituted our date nights again. When we first got married we dated every Friday night. Everyone we knew, knew not to try to do something with us on a Friday because we always reserved those nights for each other. Since having the boys, our dates have become fewer and farther between. It's just a lot more work to have a date (not that it isn't worth it, but if we have to pay a sitter and then pay for the date things can add up quickly). I have been reading this blog and loved the idea of dating at home. Spence and I started in March. Our rules are: We are taking turns on planning by month- I did March and he is doing April (notice I took the odd months and gave him the even, MC girl at heart). We can't go out more than once a month (but are trying not to go that much). We can't spend more than $30 on the date. We have been having a lot of fun. This past Friday's date was Minute to Win It! If you haven't watched this show yet you gotta! Here are some videos of how things went down:

Intro to our date night with host Spence Shelton:

Courtney plays Face the Cookie:

Spence plays Dizzy Mummy:

Ben's 6 month stats

Last week Ben had his 6 month pictures (and some spring pics with his brother, be looking for these later this week) and his 6 month dr visit. At the doctor he got one oral vaccine and two shots. Let's just say that Benjamin does not react well to shots. He is quite pitiful for the next 24 hours (as in can't be put down AT ALL, very whiny, cries, doesn't eat well)

His stats at the doctor were:
Length: 25 inches which put him in 20%
Weight: 15 lb, 15 oz which put him in 25%
Head: 25%

Yes, he is still a little peanut. I know some of you have kiddos that are in a lower percentile, but after having Zeke who was 95% and at 6 months weighed almost 20 lbs this is a HUGE difference for us. But I love how different they are. It makes it fun for comparisons, but it keeps me from really comparing their milestones.

ANYWAY, here's the real reason you are here:

Yes, he is wearing a tie, and yes he is stinking C.U.T.E.

Ben with a "B" block and BIG bear (say that 3 times fast)

EAT HIM UP!!!

Trying to crawl

Lil man

Five minute photo shoot

I really want a good picture of my boys together. So, I happened to dress them matching. And yes before you ask these are the same shirts I put them in when we had pictures made in November, but now the shirt actually fits Ben. Here is how the pictures went down:

Smile, Zeke and Ben!!!

Zeke, give Ben knuckles

How about giving him a kiss (Ben really enjoyed that can you tell?)

High five!

4 months until 2 years old!

HOLY SMOKES! Really I have an almost 2 year old. Wow! Zeke is so so fun right now. Everyday is a blast. He is hilarious and has us rolling laughing. At other times he is precious and sweet. He talks so much and puts together things that blow me away everyday. This isn't a doctors appointment month, so we will just have to wait until August to find out those stats.
Some things he is currently doing are:
*loves crafts, he goes to the pantry where we keep those supplies and asks "color"
*he also loves snacking and goes to the pantry saying "cookie" or "cracker"
*thinks Ben should be everywhere he is at all times
*puts his hands together to pray, says pray or "God, God, God" to pray and then "Amen" when he is finished
*repeats after us recently it has been "hot mama", "bastard" (but meaning mustard), "I got it", "see ya"
*loves reading books, his favorites right now are Go, Dog, Go (he walks around saying Hello, Goodbye); an Elmo book that talks about balls (he walks around saying High Ball, Low Ball), and the story of Jonah (he's all about the BIG Pish)
*completely self suffiecient with feeding
*sits on his potty, but has not actually used it
*likes to wash his hands
*wants to be outside more than inside
*really into songs right now- Itsy Bitsy Spider, 5 Little Speckled Frogs, the Name song are favorites
*Still obsessed with airplanes, but now points out buses and trucks, especially likes being about to say "Big _____"
*names our neighbors, friends, and family through out the day
*is enjoying learning time each day where we read a Bible story and do a craft/activity

water play after talking about Jesus walking on water

riding a tractor at a park

so big going down slides by himself

playing in a neighbor's sandbox

hanging out at the museum with our buddy Samuel

we were getting ready one morning and noticed Zeke was missing and quiet,

this is how we found him

He had a blast at the farm at the museum

forget about the little slides, he wanted the "BIG slide"

Happy Half Birthday!!

My sweet boy is half way to one year! It is just crazy to think that in the next six months he will be crawling (maybe), feeding himself, learning to walk, and saying real words. The first six months with a baby are just so sweet. I love the snuggles and cuddles. I love how everyday they learn something new. BUT those first six months tend to drag by a little because those new things are things like following you with their eyes. The next six months are jam packed action! I can't wait (but I don't want it to go too fast) to see what happens next.
Here are som fun things that Ben is currently doing, we don't have his 6 month stats yet, we go to the dr on Friday:
*blows spit bubbles
*belly laughs when we sing (I'm guessing with Spence and my voices it's either laugh or cry...)
*rolls both ways
*says mama (but not directed to me yet)
*still waking up to eat, but usually only once a night
*gets in bed with me most mornings for some snuggling and sleeping
*loves food, but doesn't actually get much in
*has tried oatmeal, avocado, bananas, and sweet potatoes
*wants to drink from a sippy cup, and will grab Zeke's if it is laying close by
*thinks Zeke is the greatest thing ever
*is still pretty laid back and chill
*trying to sit up
*trying to scoot all over

Yes, this is the same shirt I made him wear at 3 weeks, but now it fits :)

is loving sitting up and playing with the mirror

it doesn't look like it, but he loved the swings

look he has chubby cheeks!

mmm...avocado!

Self portrait with mommy