Playdate With Lily

Emily's Bestie, Lily came over to play earlier this week. Lily is just 12 days younger than Emily and I met her mama, Kim, through a playgroup that shall remain nameless. It's been so fun seeing Emily and Lily grow this year and to compare notes! Lily is a smartie, just like her parents and is already walking proficiently. Emily is not far behind, though! It was so cute seeing them play together=) Ben just LOVED Lily and played so nicely with her and Emily. It's so fun to have friends my kids can be friends with!

Lily and Emily enjoying the foot-rest together

Lily found this brush and wouldn't put it down! Kinda funny since she's still working on that whole hair-growing thing;) She has a lot more hair than she previously did!

Emily showing Lily the joys of electronic toys. Lily's parent's are raising her semi-amish! We're getting her the loudest, flashiest toy in the store for her birthday...bwahahahaha, kim!

Uh-oh! Looks like Milly doesn't want the paparazzi documenting every aspect of her playdate=)

Walking Leads To Climbing=(

Emily learned a new trick today! She learned the cardinal rule for short people: when out of reach, use whatever means possible! Here she is climbing on a very precarious car. I think we might have a gymnist on our hands here! You'll also notice her favorite show on the TV. That is what prompted her resourcefulness.

Cars

Lately, Emily has been loving cars! Here's a cute shot of her with a monster truck=)

Sweet Walker, Emy Crocker

Here she is! Can you believe she's already walking?! Hopefully she'll show it off at her birthday party=) Enjoy!

Can You Say PACK RAT?!

For some inexplicable reason, Ben wishes to sleep in the pack 'n play. No amount of convincing, cajoling or coercing will get him to sleep in his toddler bed. We pick our battles carefully, though, so in the PnP is where he slumbers! Once we leave the room, he climbs out and gathers all manner of odds and ends. He brings books, toys, blankets, clothes, PLASTIC MILK SHAKE CUPS(?!Thanks for that, Dan=p). He packs it all in and sleeps on top of it, I guess? It can't be comfortable, but he doesn't seem to mind. He's a great sleeper, so we're just gonna go with it for now! Here are some pictures I snapped when I went to get him up from his nap yesterday.

Bedtime for Bonzo

Freshly bathed and ready for bed!

None to pleased that Ben gets to stay up later=(

Bitter tears from a tired baby

Avocados

This girl of mine loves avocados. I mean, LOVES them. It is the first thing she'll eat off her plate and she will scream for more until I replenish her supply! Of course they have to cost an arm and a leg, right? She would eat a whole one for every meal if I'd let her. So, if anyone is stumped for birth-day gift ideas look no further than your grocery store's produce section!
All decorum is out the window when she dines on her favorite, squishy green food.

Notice her gorgeous, green 'stach.

Here, she has stuffed every piece in her mouth at once. What a little lady!

Her appetite finally sated, she grins with smug satisfaction;) In other words, ALL DONE!

Benjamin Gabbard--Expert Photographer

Here are some shots my talented boy took. While they may look random to the untrained eye, they are actually a brilliant commentary on society, and it's inevitable downfall. He's just that deep, people. Enjoy!

We Have A WALKER!!!!

Emily took her first steps a few weeks ago, and has been practicing every day. For awhile, she wasn't feeling very brave and would only walk a few steps to me or Dan. Once she got a taste for it, she got more adventurous, but still had some issues. She'd get so excited and try to walk too fast, which always made her fall=( Today, she had a breakthrough and figured out that slow 'n steady is the way to go. She spent ALL day practicing! We didn't get it on camera yet, but promise to post pictures and videos soon! I can't believe my little baby is growing up so fast! She'll be one in less than a month and she's already trying to run away from me=( Wahhhhhh.

The Thomas Bike and other outdoor fun

Ben's bestie, Kai just got his very first bike. Ben is green with envy, but thankfully Kai lets Ben play with it whenever he wants. It helps that Ben has a fire-truck car that Kai loves to drive around;) Here's some shots of Ben from our outdoor fun today!
Posing on the beloved Thomas Bike!

How can he look like such a big boy and such a baby all at once?! Oh! It's the pacifier;)

Testing his boundries by playing on the stairs. He's become quite the rebel, lately.

Ben loved playing with the water in Milly's tub. he just didn't feel like joining her today!

Beating The Heat

It has been H-O-T here this weekend! We live in the world's most poorly insulated upstairs apartment, so we definitely feel the affects of global warming:( Ben isn't too bothered by inclimate weather, but Milly has been miserable. To help her cool off, I filled her ducky tub with some water and let her splash around outside!

Piano Players

Both Emily and Ben love to play the piano! This is one of the few times lately that they've sat next to each other and played with the same thing nicely. Normally, I have to break up their little tiffs and squabbles=) I know, I know...this is just the beginning of sibling rivalry!

Milly is giving her, "Do you mind? I'm trying to play" look to my cousin, Eileen.

Ben is very focused on his song. Look how he can eat a snack and play at the same time! .::Sniff, sniff::. Do I smell a piano prodigy on our hands, here? I think so!

Don't they look so cute sitting side-by-side?

I think she's ready for her first recital!

After-Bath Photo Shoot

Here's a few shots from after her bath!

Emily always needs a prop! Here she handles the baby lotion like a pro.

Feigning interest in the label, like a good little baby model

Giving me her serious face

Snacking on her favorite pink duck

"WHAAAAAAH!"

We've discovered that in addition to dogs and cats, Emily is also terrified of BIRDS. She cries and screams whenever she sees them. We're not sure why, but she seems to have an aversion to all things non-human? Curious!

"Goggy! NO!"

This is Kayla, my aunt's dog.

She loves Ben b/c he's usually sticky and dropping food on the ground.

Ben loves her because it tickles when she licks him.

Whenever they're together, fun is had by all!