Swinging in the Park

We finally had a nice evening to get outside and play!

Yesterday we took Will over to Hafer Park to swing. I wanted to play on the slide too, but he wasn't having any part of it. Swing only...

If this face doesn't explain how he felt about being removed from the swing; I don't know what will.

Here we are enjoying the evening on the swing.

Then dad decided he wanted to swing too. He said those swings weren't so comfortable on the tush! Silly dad, there were big kid swings right next to the baby swings! Let's hope for more days like yesterday this summer; Will loves being outside!

Who's Almost 1?

I can't believe this sweet Bear is about to be one! Time has gone by way too fast.

Seems like yesterday he was small enough for me to cradle in one arm, now he's almost walking, talking, climbing and constantly discovering new things to get into.

My little man can't be this big yet... It's been such a fun year, I believe life truly begins when these precious babies come into our life. I look forward to all the fun adventures Will takes us along for and all the discoveries around every corner. The big day is just around the corner and though I'm sad he's growing up too fast, every milestone has been more fun than the last, so I can't wait for what's in store.

Trip to Branson

We just got back from a family vacation in Branson, MO. The above condo is where we stayed. This 4 bedroom condo was amazing and on a beautiful golf course, that I don't think the Martin family will ever quit talking about.

We arrived Monday morning and spent the afternoon getting naps for the babies, settling in and relaxing. Will is playing with Uncle Corry above!

After his nap he decided to hammer out a few things around the condo...

Tuesday, while Grandpa Mike, Aunt Wendy and Uncle Corry played golf, Michael, Will and I went into town to do a little shopping. Then came back that afternoon to hang w/ Nana. This place had an amazing porch that overlooked a greenbelt and a stream that was very peaceful after the major rain we got Tuesday morning.

Then dad came out to grill the steaks, so Will "kindly" asked Nana to be quiet while he talked to his dad! ; )

And here is Aunt Wendy, Uncle Corry and Grace. Both babies did really well w/ this trip, though by the end Grace wasn't eating well and Will put up one heck of a fight to go to sleep and an even bigger fight to stay asleep.

Wednesday we took a short trip over to Table Rock lake for lunch. I was itching to get on the water, but we just enjoyed the scenery instead and had a great lunch on the deck of this nice hotel. The weather this past week (in Branson) was perfect. 80's-90's all week, so sitting outside was pleasant.

Here is Will hanging w/ his dad. We are sporting the Fauxhawk these days. His last haircut wasn't as great as the first, so it looks the best when it's spiked like this. Regardless, I think he's precious with a hawk...

So to sum it up, we had a great time, I can't wait to go back w/ Will when he's a little older to do the water parks and Silver Dollar City. There is a slide on the main strip that is calling my name next time we go! Thanks Nana and Grandpa Mike, we had a blast.

Laughing With Grandpa Mike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWzh14lObCc

I will post pictures from our trip after this, but wanted to put this video out for you to see. We had a great time in Branson w/ Michael's parents and sister's family. This video is of Will giving his Grandpa Mike a workout!

Dad The Ladder

As a Dad you take on some interesting roles. In this case, Dad is the ladder! Will is very interested in getting on the couch and dad is the perfect way to get up there!

Now it might look like Michael is helping, but he's just holding him as he climbs; so not only is he a ladder, he's a brace!

Will was almost up, then he decided to take a break, he found a toy or two he wanted to play w/, so Dad is holding position as the ladder and brace and maybe chair....

But after all the physical labor he goes thru to entertain his baby boy; he does get some serious cuddle time!

July 4th Weekend

Another relaxing weekend at Lake Eufaula. We had a very uneventful, laid back weekend. Will's 1st July 4th.....and it rained!

Friday we set up an umbrella in the water and played in it's shade for probably 2 hours. Will had a ball, grandpa went fishing, so it was just dad, mom and grammy.

Saturday there was cloud cover and a nice breeze so we played all day at the beach and in the water.

Will made a new friend this weekend; this is Kathryn, she is 8 months old. Will and Kathryn had a ball in the sand!

We tried to keep Will up for the festivities on Saturday night, if anything to watch them thru the window, but the rain delay made it too late and Will wasn't having it, so he missed the show. He was dressed for the occasion though.

We went for a boat ride Sunday. His new (bought last year) life jacket already doesn't fit him, this was the first and last time he wore it. Maybe the next baby can wear it...

We went into Eufaula Cove for lunch and to see if the store had the next size up for him, but only in pink; that clearly won't work. Will didn't take much interest in driving, probably because he couldn't move his arms, but he liked sitting in grandpa's lap.

And after lunch, he took a 2 hour nap in the back seat under the dock shade. I hated that I couldn't get the jacket off, but he was peaceful so we weren't moving him. Best naps in the world are boat naps!

Then after a good nap, we had snacks before we headed home! A nice peaceful weekend that didn't end until 7:00 this morning; we love Sunday night sleep overs at the lake!

On another note, Will's ears are clear and he passed his hearing test. So, clearly he's been ignoring me; it's not that he can't hear ; he's just already learned how to tune me out! All this fear that his ears have been infected and all it is is a case of being boy! Oh whatever...

Mom, I don't need your help...

Will has learned to feed himself!

Of course he likes to bypass the healthy stuff and go for the (in this case) pizza, so I do have to intervene a little!

Look, Look, he's feeding himself a green bean. Shhhh, I don't think he realizes he's eating healthy, I'm afraid if we tell him he'll stop!

"Let me touch her face..grrr!

Grace came over...with her mom and Nana of course, to see us friday and when I held Grace....Will wanted to help.

I don't have one of him whining his way to my lap, but you can see I was overtaken w/ babies!

He got pasted me on this one to give Grace a little poke. We had a war going on for...pretty much the entire time I held Grace, to touch her face. That severely bothers me when babies touch other babies faces, especially little babies. We are working on that, Grace is still somewhat protected from germs, at least the crawl on your hands and knees and touch everything germs, and I'd like to keep it that way..until she's crawling herself. So, this picture is not okay, we will not touch babies faces...Mr. Bear!

Trying to get her again! Watch out Will, she's just a few months from letting you have it!!! Don't underestimate that adorable face, she's special and feisty, that one!!!

Will's Collage

We have been so fortunate to have gotten to know Becky; our dear friend and wonderful photographer. She's captured some amazing pictures of Will over the past 8 months. Will is 1 month and 6 days away from being a year old...I know, I can't wrap my head around it either. And Becky being the sweat heart that she is, made me a collage of Will's pictures. It breaks my heart how much he's changed!

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN???

I'm sure everyone is getting antzy pantzy wondering why I haven't updated this little man's blog in over a week. Well, I'm sorry, I really try to keep everyone up-to-date w/ Will's whereabouts, but this little guy keeps me on my toes and it seems harder and harder to capture as much, which is awful, these are the funniest times! But I promise I won't slack off....after last week...I will keep this blog overflowing w/ Mr. Will and his big adventures.

As a lot of friends babies are dealing w/ "the bug" that seems to keep rearing it's ugly head, we've been fighting it as well. Just when I think Will is feeling better, we start all over again. I hate it because I'm not sure if it's his teeth, his ears or just "the bug", so I'm constantly second guessing myself as to what to do and as "the mom" everyone seems to think I have magical powers to read Will's mind. (Lord, that'd be nice wouldn't it???) We've seen the doctor 3 times this month and each time it's the same thing, so this week, I'm just hoping it's the same and fighting it as we have all month with the magical power of Motrin. "Da Da Da DAAAA!" We do have a ENT doctor appointment monday for a check up, so we'll have those ears checked then.

Will is very entertained w/ tuperware. I love this stage, climbing into the cabinet, throwing it all over the kitchen. (I'm not being sarcastic, I really love this stage) And wooden spoon and tuperware drum sets just complete the package of adorableness!

Who knew the ugly screen door would be such a hit w/ Will. I wanted to remove this door, but it entertains him so it's staying! He keeps tabs on what's going on on the outside!

I wanted to get a picture w/ Will last weekend; I'm rarely in front of the camera, but he wasn't having it. "No pics mom!!"

AND, someone found the laundry! Too bad it's moms pants we are using as a superman cape; it's still funny! We'll discuss appropriate boy colors later!

So that's been what we've been doing, not much, just exploring and trying to get past this nonsense called "the bug", the doctor says July is the mystery month that makes it go away, soooo...it's July, BE GONE!!!