Big Boys

Clay turned 8 months last week! He is growing up right before my eyes. He has had many firsts in the last month. He is now a fast crawler, pulling to stand, babbling mama every once in a while (not consistantly, and not towards me yet), and has cut three teeth (two on top and one on bottom). He is still eating every three hours along with baby food/oatmeal 3 times a day. He takes three naps a day around an hour or more each. I was thinking about trying to adjust his feedings to every four hours with two naps a day, but he recently had a stomach bug that delayed this. Is anybody else's babies moved to every four hours, yet? Not sure if I am trying to push it, or if I'm behind. All I know is the boy loves to eat, and never denies his food. We have a house of hungry, healthy boys! Clay is doing great and I can't believe a year is creeping up on us!

Henry is enjoying his summer, but is one that needs to stay busy, busy. We went to the park today for the first time in a while due to the heat. He loved it, and it is so funny to watch him walk up to other kids and ask what they are doing, if he can play, or if they need help with anything. He is becoming a great big brother too. He loves "trying" to wrestle with Clay, and keeps him laughing all day long. Henry has also been going number 2 in the potty. I know, it's about time! We started taking away a car at a time when he went in his pants and that was all it took. I wish I would have thought of that a year ago. He also gets a reward too. After so many he gets a prize. We are currently working on a pet fish. He has already named Fin Mater Jones. We'll see... Here are some pictures from the park.

Summer Days

We spent our fourth at Jeff's aunt and uncle's lake house. Henry was able to swim in the lake, ride jet skis, and enjoy a boat ride. We had lots of yummy food and were able to catch up with cousins we don't see a lot. Monday we went to a cookout at my grandmother's and hit the pool with family and friends. It was a great long weekend. I am sad to say we were all so worn out we did not see a single firework. We heard them though, if that counts...

We have been enjoying the summer and all it brings. Even though, it has been hot we have filled our days with sprinkler parks, pools, icecream, bikerides, and outdoor fun. We also went to see Cars 2 with Henry while Nana kept Clay. He liked it but fell asleep during the last 10 minutes. It was a fun outing with Mommy and Daddy.

Clay has gone from crawling to pulling up to his feet and cutting a top and bottom tooth. I hope the other top and bottom are on their way or we are going to have a little jack a lantern for Halloween this year. Even though it is a lot of work, I am loving soaking up the summer rays with both of my boys and getting out as much as possible.


Clay in the baby pool with his cousin Charlie

Daddy and Henry taking a ride

I'll take it from here da

No we did not let him go by himself. He just wanted to sit on it and pretend

I decided to be brave and break out the finger paints. It took two minutes before all the colors were mixed together to make this lovely dark greeen.



We're standing. Don't worry I got him right after this. This is how I find him up from his naps now.

Much better standing picture.

Sweet boys on a wagon ride. Clay looks at the camera. Henry looks at Clay. Mommy gets a picture like this.

what can you do outdoors?

Ride/push cars, catch frogs, pull grass, swim, and go to baseball games. That's what we've been doing!

We put Clay in Henry's push car this week and guess who wanted to push him? It was going great until Henry thought it would be fun to push him down a hill and let go. Ride over!

Henry caught a frog in his sand box. I don't know how he catches them, but this has happened a few times. He loved this frog. He held it so tightly and did not want to let it go. He even had a good time chasing me with it around the yard. Ewww boys!

poor frog

henry thought he would like to ride on his truck

"the frog"

so proud- we still look for him everyday.

Henry has taken 3 1/2 weeks of swim lessons this summer. We are done for the year. I am so proud of how he has grown in this area. He started off still wanting to hold on to me and not go off on his own until I bought him one of the puddle jumper floats. He got brave after this and starting gaining confidence. The last week of his lessons he was swimming with one foam block and even a few times with no float at all short distances. We have come a long way!


right here he's saying mom stop taking pictures of me

I put Clay outside today while Henry was asleep for him to experience the grass. I remember doing this with Henry and it's so funny how they react. He is growing up so fast!


love this picture- he looks just like Jeff's baby pictures



Henry at 8 months in the grass

Tonight we went to the legion baseball team (the P-15's). It was the last game of the regular season and alumni night. Jeff used to play first base for them in high school so he was announced and got to stand on his base. Jeff's cousin, two uncles, and dad also played for the same team. Matt Price who plays for the Gamecocks and a fellow Sumterite was there and signed Henry's shirt. Henry had a great time, while Clay and I headed home. We are looking forward to the long weekend ahead. Happy fourth!






last year's game

Our Little Man is Growing Up

I thought this deserved a post all by itself! A few weeks ago Clay started going from all fours to a sitting position. I thought, this is great he can sit and play with toys. Well, that lasted about a day. The same week, he started putting one hand in front of the other, and realized he could MOVE. So that's what we've been doing. He is not a speed demon, but he gets where he wants which is usually someone's shoes or a cord of some sort. He no longer wants to be contained. He would rather be on the floor with freedom and independence.

He has such a sweet heart. His smile lights a room, and he is adored by us all, his brother included.

Oh, and one of his front top teeth is poking through. They have been really swollen lately, but I always thought the bottom ones came first. Nope, top teeth here we come! So far, not a lot of pain for either one of us, let's hope it stays that way. Here's the little "big" brother himself...

We love you Clay Clay!

He looks so big in this picture.

on the move

henry wants to hold him all the time now, now that Clay doesn't want to be held

clay and his favorite cousin molly

love this boy