A hungry boy

Christopher is growing so fast these days and he must be really hungry because he's trying to eat his big sister:

He also started pulling himself up yesterday afternoon. Let the fun begin!

Nine months old!

Christopher turned 9 months old on August 4th. Hard to believe that I'll have a one-year-old in a few short months. He is crawling up a storm and getting very close to pulling himself up.

At his 9-month check-up, Christopher weighed in at 19 lbs. 4 oz. and is 30 1/2 inches long. That puts him in the 97th percentile for height and the 30th percentile for weight. His reign of "string bean man" shall continue for a while.

We are all doing well and enjoying summer. Looking forward to vacation in 12 short days!

Fishing with Daddy

We went for a little fishing trip on Saturday. Alison was set up with her Barbie fishing pole and lawn chair. However, the weather didn't cooperate very long, and neither did a two-year-old's attention span. But the kids got some fresh air and we had a good time.

The next morning, Alison decided to reflect upon her fishing expedition while reading the Sunday paper and having a cup of coffee.

World's longest infant?

Okay, he's probably not ready for the Guiness Book of World Records or anything, but boy oh boy, do I have one looooong lil' guy. I took a picture of Christopher rolling around on the floor yesterday, since he is now able to do what his sister also loved doing once she learned to roll and crawl: pull books off of the bookshelf. I snapped this photo and it really captures how long my Christopher is. (Notice his choice of book: "Big Tractor". His Papa Harley will be proud).

Alison is also intrigued with the Exersaucer again. She can't get enough of it. Crawling under it, playing with it while Christopher is in it, you name it. While Christopher was napping today, she kept asking to get in it. Mind you that this thing is getting ready for the donation pile because Christopher has nearly outgrown it; yet his big sister somehow thinks it is just right for her. So I gave in and lifted her up into it for a few minutes. Alison had a blast, but I think she finally realized that it's not intended for big kids.

Compare to when she actually DID fit into it. She's growing up way too fast.

For the first time ever...

For the first time ever, Alison (begrudgingly and with much protest) let me give me her a little hairdo today. Five hours later, it is still in her hair. It was a proud mommy moment.

Fun at the farm and park.

I spent a long weekend with the kids at Nana and Papa's farm near Luverne. We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Alison enjoyed spending time outside in her pajamas (which I've since tried to explain to her we can do at the farm but NOT at home). Alison spent much of the weekend enjoying the wide open space to run, tracking down baby kittens and watching "bireflies" (aka fireflies) at night. Christopher enjoyed sitting in the porch and looking at the big kitties.

When we got back to St. Paul, it was business as usual and we had to make our nightly walk down to the park.

Alison tried pushing Christopher in his stroller:

It's pretty serious business in her blue swing and blue airplane:

Even lil' Christopher enjoys the swings!


It's hard to believe that summer is half over already. I need to slow down and enjoy these beautiful days and wonderful times with my lil' ones.

We're still here!

The kids are growing by leaps and bounds. We're having lots of summer fun. Alison has a sand/water table in the backyard that she loves. She also loves blowing bubbles and bouncing her ball. Christopher loves watching her. He still has no teeth and really has no desire to crawl (as this would require him to actually stay on his tummy for more than three seconds without crying).

We have a new camera now so here are some new pictures.

Alison LOVES having her little brother in her bed with her:


Morning playtime - Alison requests "Baby Chris in bed too with toys" every morning when she wakes up:

8 months old already!

Alison helping her daddy wash the boat:

Me and the kids: