Birthday party

We decided a while back that it would be fun to celebrate Aaron and Brynn's birthday together with my immediate family since they are only a week apart. So last night was THE party =)

Brynn ate her cupcake like a polite little lady. Aaron sort of smashed his and ate it while smearing it all over his chest....

Aaron got lots of wonderful new toys and clothes from everyone!

A cool basketball hoop from Uncle Brad, Auntie Tanya and Brynn....

From Papa Bob and Grandma, a lawn mower,

and a "busy gear" toy....

Sometimes it was hard to share all of the toys or let the adults take them to put them together properly.... =) Of course, this inevitably prompted my cheesy joke, "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to."

We got Brynn a shopping cart (it was an easy choice since she wouldn't leave it alone in the toy store Monday afternoon when we were shopping together) and it was still a hit!
It was a fun night and we had lots of good laughs and memories! Thank you all for all of your comments and phone calls for Aaron's birthday. We know he felt very loved!

Happy Birthday Aaron!

Aaron's birthday is today, but we are having our real "party" tomorrow. Lee and I decided to give him a cake tonight for fun and as I was going to look at the pictures to put up on the blog, I was laughing at the progression of messiness and intensity he had about eating it.... At first he isn't so sure what to do.....







But by the end, he was laughing and squealing like a mad scientist! Happy birthday Buddy! We love you so much and are so grateful that the Lord blessed us with you!

Shopping for bday presents....

Since the big 1st year birthdays are coming, Tanya and I took Brynn and Aaron shopping today to pick a toy out. They each had a few favorites....

Thank goodness for the TV at Gymboree for a little diversion and quiet.... =)

They were pretty good shoppers and we had fun!

New Cousin Caleb

Aaron has a new baby cousin! Caleb was born Saturday, July 26th. We are so excited he is finally here and we can't wait to until he can "play." =) Maybe next time we visit him I won't forget my stinkin' camera so I can post my own pictures. Sheesh! =)

Breakthrough

Something wonderful has happened....

Aaron is finally and consistently sleeping through the night! He would have sporadic good nights here and there, and we tried everything to keep it going - Crying it out (one night I stubbornly let him go an hour and 20 minutes) rocking, drinking water, but he would only go back to sleep after a bottle (sometimes at 2am, sometimes 4am - always before sunrise). It's been 3 weeks now of sleeping consistently anywhere from 9-11 hours at a time and I have to say, I feel like a new person. Praise God!!! Not sure why the breakthrough - probably a combination of prayer, weaning from daytime bottles, God's grace, all of the above - at any rate, we'll take it!!! =)

Pointing?

Aaron has been doing this.....
obsessively and constantly for 2 weeks now. I think it's his version of pointing but it rarely involves just his index finger - usually all of his fingers and his wrist at a funny angle. As soon as I go into his room in the morning to get him out of bed, he starts doing it, wanting me to take him to whatever object he desires to touch. It is so funny..... Did anyone else's kid(s) "point" like this?

All together

We have been partying lots and having lots of fun this weekend as our out of town Fox "family" members are all visiting, including.....

Kyle's girlfriend from California, Sarah.....

and Steve and Serina (my "blood in Christ" Sister =) ).
So the full family being around has made for good pool volleyball match ups all weekend....
Brynn has been such a great little walker now for several months so we are waiting for Aaron to try to catch her....He's still working on it. =)