We're going to call this creative play;-)

AZ monsoon skies- love it!

Blake is 18 months!

Blake's stats
weight- 26.6 lbs (50th-75th percentile)
length- 33 1/4" (80th percentile)
head- 18 3/4" (50th percentile)

Happy Half-Birthday Blake! You are so wonderful at 18 months! You have beautiful straight blond hair that I love! Daddy took you to get it cut a few weeks ago and I was depressed for a few days. I think we will keep it longer at least while you are little. You are growing into such a big, strong boy. You wear 24 month clothes! Your favorite activities are exploring and climbing. We have to keep our eye on you! You climb on our bed, you climb onto chairs, tables and just about anywhere else you can find. The other day you dragged your little piano over to use as a step stool so that you could flip the light and fan switches. You made us all laugh:) You LOVE your toys and are very good with your hands. I was impressed when you made a tower of 6 blocks yesterday:) You are my mellow fellow. There isn't much that bothers you and you are happy just about all the time. Swimming is one of your favorite activities. You are great at blowing bubbles, hanging off the side of the pool and pulling yourself up. The cutest thing is that you like to jump off the edge into Daddy's arms. You like to do this over and over and over. You are a Daddy's boy and usually want to be where he is doing what he is doing. Of course, Daddy loves this! You give Mommy lots of hugs and kisses so she doesn't get sad that you'd rather be with Daddy:) Just keep giving me those and we'll be all good:) You are an amazing, fun little boy and you bring us such happiness. We LOVE you!

Emerson is 18 months!

Emerson's stats
weight- 21 lbs (3rd-10th percentile)
length- 31 1/4" (50th percentile)
head- 18" (35th percentile)

Happy Half-Birthday Emerson! I thought you might like to know what you were like at a year and a half...

Your hair is finally growing in! It is a beautiful strawberry blond and you get compliments on it almost everywhere I take you. It isn't long enough to put in a hair clip and it is a little too long for your cute headbands, so no bows for now (even though you ask for one sometimes). You are tall and skinny- we're hoping you're in the double digit percentile for weight at your 18 month appointment next week:) You have cute, skinny legs and still wear your 6-9 month shorts. But, you are strong for the little package you're in! You love to climb. We were at the park this morning and you climbed all the way up a really high slide! Daddy and I have to keep a close eye on you because your new favorite activity is to climb onto our bed and jump! You also love to practice forward rolls. You have done a few full ones on your own:) You have a shining smile and contagious giggle. But, you won't show that to just anyone. When you meet new people you are very serious and often stare them up and down. It can take you a while to warm up. Keep that trait- Daddy and I think it's a good one! Most of the time you are very, very sweet, but you sure have your moments. You have learned how throw a tantrum (we could do without that trait). The other day you threw a major tantrum in Target with Grammy. She was embarrassed and had to leave the store. When she got you into the car, you looked at her and started laughing...stinker!!! You are a Momma's girl and I think you would be very happy if you were permanently attached to my hip:) You love to give kisses. You kiss Sonora all the time and you give everyone kisses before night-night. You and Blake kiss each other good night and think it is very funny. I love bedtime just to watch you say good night to each other! You bring sunshine and smiles to us every day- we love you!

Back to School

I LOVE the AND part!

Our "Kids"

all set for meet the teacher night

Why haven't I blogged in a while? It's August...back to school! I'm teaching third grade this year and job sharing! I am working full time until October when my partner returns from maternity leave. Then, I will work every Monday and Tuesday and we'll work together on Wednesdays. I will have every Thursday and Friday off:) On Thursday night I met most of our 23 students. It seems like a nice group of kids and families. I'll miss my little munchkins every day but I'm looking forward to a great year!

Bu-Bye

Emerson with her paci for the last time

Saying goodbye

in the garbage

At the babies 12 month appointment our doctor told us that it was time to take away the bottles and Emerson's pacifier. Blake never used a pacifier. Over a period of about a month we were able to eliminate the bottles. A few weeks ago we decided it was time for the paci. We told Emerson that she was a big girl and it was time to say bye-bye to her ba-ba (that's what she called it). At first she was all smiles saying bu-bye to her paci. Then we opened the garbage can and told her to put it in there. That is when she realized what was happening and the tears started. She did, however, put it in the garbage. Crying she kept saying "bu-bye" over and over and waving to the garbage. We put her to bed and she cried, "Ma-Ma, Ba-Ba" for about 10 minutes. It was hard not to give in! The next day she asked for it for her nap and bedtime, but did not cry. Now she doesn't even ask for it. What a big girl!