Braden's 6-month check-up

Last week we had Braden's 6-month appointment. He looks healthy and is growing, growing, growing! He is at 96% for weight, 85% for length and 90% for head circumference...his head has really grown!

Braden is eating more and more solids. He has tried apples, pears, carrots, peas and sweet potato. So far, he likes everything. He's been a good sleeper overall but not this past week! He woke up every night! I know it's not much, but when you are used to sleeping through the night, it's quite a change! Who knows what's going on...teething? Growth spurt? Working on something new? Let's just hope we go back to sleeping through the night SOON!

Sounders FC

Jeff took me to the Sounders FC game for my birthday! We had a blast! We met up with one of Jeff's co-workers before the games for some drinks and then headed over to the game. The weather was beautiful, a great day to be outside. We hit happy hour afterwards and then headed home to have cake with my family. Thanks to my parents for watching the kids! We had so much fun!

Puyallup Fair!

We headed to the Puyallup Fair on Friday...opening day. The whole reason Jeff took Friday off was so we could beat the crowds but what we didn't know is that the you get into the fair for free on opening day...so, it was packed! Never again will we go to the fair on opening day. That said, we tried to make the best of it. Jeff stood in line for 30+ minutes to get us the famous scones (they were delicious but not 30+ minutes of a wait delicious), Madeleine went on some rides and we saw a few animals. Four hours later, we headed home. It was an exhausting day!

Our first ride, the swings. I literally thought we were going to die...it was making a horrible noise!

I took Madeleine on the big slide, she hated it and cried the whole way down.

Hooray, we found some rides she liked!

The Boot

I officially have a fractured foot. I finally got into the podiatrist yesterday after having pain for weeks in my left foot and that was the news. I have to wear a special shoe on my left foot for 4 - 6 weeks that isn't the most comfortable or practical (especially with two kids!) contraption but I am so happy that I don't have to wear the walking boot. I tried to wear the walking boot a few weeks ago and I basically lasted a few hours. It hurt my back and knee so bad that I just took it off. Sadly, I've been condemmed to the ugly shoe club for the rest of my life since I have to wear orthodics now in all my shoes and really cute (yeah right!) indoor shoes when I am in the house. I know life could be worse so...I'll stop complaining!

Tap Shoes!

Madeleine's dance class is including tap this year! I picked up some used tap shoes off craigslist and they don't even look worn. Madeleine was out practicing early one morning...I'm sure our neighbors appreciated it.

1st Day of Preschool!

Madeleine had her 1st day of preschool yesterday and it went really well. I walked her in and she barely said good-bye...she was off in her own world, taking in all the kids and activities to play with. She was sure happy to see me at the end of the day though :) I got a really big and LONG hug!

Breakfast of champions, lots of protein to start off her BIG day!

We saw Shane there! Shane & Madeleine were in the same toddler class a few years ago and have been friends ever since!

And...she's off!

Hanging up her backpack like a big girl! Surprisingly, no tears from mom :)

I guess preschool can really wear you out. We found Madeleine asleep on her floor last night before bed. She must have been playing and just fell asleep right on the floor. This has never happened before!

Sleeping in his crib...finally!

We decided to do a little Braden bootcamp this weekend...partly inspired by a friend who has the same age baby and was doing her own baby bootcamp to get her baby sleeping through the night and partly inspired by circumstance...

Braden has been sleeping in his carseat (in the crib) ever since he was born. We've tried here and there to get him to sleep in his crib but he hated it! I think he had a little reflux and would rather feel all snuggled in his carseat while sleeping rather than sprawled out in the crib. Well, that all came to an end over the weekend when he decided to twist, turn and roll his way out of the carseat and get his legs caught between the crib slats. So, we did away with the carseat and laid him down Saturday night in his crib for the night to sleep. Next thing we knew, it was morning and he has slept all night...just like that! Same thing again last night! I am so excited! I hope I am not speaking too soon and it all changes. I guess he was just ready to sleep like a big boy in his crib :-)

Summer Campfire with Friends!

We had the Standfield family over for s'mores this weekend! This was Taylor's 1st roasted marshmallow and I think it was a hit! Madeleine enjoyed having her friend over for a fire and we had fun visiting with Conn & Shannon while sipping some wine and eating yummy s'mores!

We haven't had many fires this summer since Braden is so little and we are so busy with him and we haven't invited many friends over either because the kids used to go to bed so early or were too little to be around the fire but now that they are growing up, we realized that they are at the perfect age to have fun AND be safe. Next summer we plan to have lots of backyard campfires with lots of friends!

Remlinger Farms!

Finally...we visited Remlinger Farms! We met Audrey and Mindee there for a day of FUN! The girls had a blast riding the rides and it was so cute to watch their excitement!

Welcome Savanna Kristy!

Jonny & Andrea welcomed Savanna Kristy into the world today! She is such a cutie at 8lbs! The family is doing great!

Meet the Teacher Day at Preschool!

Madeleine had her 1st day of preschool today! She met the teacher, saw where to hang her backpack, made a name tag, met new friends, played, ect. Next week she officially starts and goes all by herself.

Before class, we stopped at Starbucks (just us girls) for a latte and pink doughnut :-)

She found the books...

And she found the playground!

On her way through the obstacle course to get her 1st day of school picture!