18-19 months

 I always wanted to make sure I was documenting Crawford's life and of course here is has been 2 months without me updating. He is such a hoot and we constantly are laughing at him. He loves to run, run, and get into trouble. He has more energy and desire to explore than anything right now. He doesn't like sitting still (being in a high chair, stroller etc) He spent a week of June at Christ Episcopal summer camp while Brad's parents were away. I had to get used to packing lunch, outfit changes and it made me sooo grateful for all the the Redds do for us on a daily basis. His first day he went right in and didn't even bat an eye when I left. I got a call around 2:00 and of course I was so nervous about what could be wrong. They told me that Crawford had been bit by another kid. Obviously kids at this age don't really know what they are doing but it will go down as a great first memory of his first day at school.

Here he is with the other kids in his class stroller around campus. They always told me he did great and just always wanted to be busy playing. He had to sleep on a nap mat which of course I thought would be a nightmare but I walked in one day and there he was peaceful as could be on his nap  mat.

 Thank goodness he likes pouches again (since it's the only way we can get him to eat any veggies)

Brad has really loved watching C take to the golf clubs. I am sure he will have him outside next spring really attempting to teach him his favorite sport.

It's so cute to see your child with a bunch of other kids his age and to know that he is learning the very beginnings of socializing. I think he had a ball every day. Whenever I would pick him up he didn't want to leave.

He lovvvves being outside. He tries to get out first thing in the morning. He would much rather play in the front yard but that usually results in him running all the way up the street. We have tried to get him used to bringing his toys out back and playing in the backyard.

18-19 month Stats

• Weight- 25.8 pounds (25%)
• Height- 32 inches (75%)
• You say - mama, dada, nana, bom-pa (grandpa), yes, no, hot, dog, ice
• You now can really answer us if we say "you wanna go night night?" you will shake your head no or respond with no. It's hilarious. That is why we taught you to say yes but you can't use it quite as well as no
• You want to take our hand and bring us all over the house all.day.long
• You are such a help when we ask you to throw something in the trash, bring us a diaper, help us unload the dishwasher or the washing machine you are such a great help. You know exactly what to do.
• You love to play chase and always want someone to chase you ...when you find us or see us you laugh anad then turn and go the other way
• You are so sweet and will randomly come up to us and give us kisses.
• You are so outgoing and wave to everyone when we get places and then usually blow them kisses.
• You had your first dental visit  at 19 months. You had a little build up on your teeth that we didn't like and Dr. Jones suggested we take you to a dentist and with the quick spin of the polishing toothbrush your teeth looked great again. You did wonderful at the dentist. You kinda whined at first and then started giggling when they brushed your teeth
• You know lots of animal sounds (chicken, horse, sheep, snake, cow, cat, dog, lion, tiger, pig, duck, frog)
• You are still quite the picky eater. I can't even really say what you will always eat on a consistent basis other than fruit and plain bread
• Nana spoils you rotten and gives you lots of ice cream (you go straight to the freezer in the morning and say "ice" --and then you ask for nana all day long ---guess that's what nana's are for
• You still sleep wonderfully from about 8:30-9 - 7:30-8:30
• You wear a size 4 diaper
• You wear 18-24 month clothing and 24 month- 2t sleepers
• You are still attached to your fingers and blankies and can't go anywhere without both

I get sad when I don't see you enough or if you aren't awake before I leave for work. I constantly want to come in take a peek because I just can't get enough of you. You make us both so happy and we are sooo very proud of the happy, healthy little boy that you are. We always laugh because we can't even take you to the grocery store because you are just soo busy and can't sit  still but soon enough you will want nothing to do with us so for now we cherish the time we spend with you cuddling on the couch and running around chasing you. I can't believe you are one step closer to 2. You have gotten to enjoy a beach trip this month and we just can't wait to take you on so many more adventures in the years to come. You head back to one more week of camp next week and I will miss not seeing you all.day.long!

4th of July

The Bramhalls invited us over for the 4th and I attempted to make the cliche flag cake. It truthfully turned out better than I expected. The 3 kids had a ball chasing each other around. It was so so hot this day. Camille cut some watermelon and the kids went to town. I have never seen Craw eat watermelon so fast. He was a mess but he loved every second of it.

 We let them run around and play outside until we had to go back inside because it was just too hot.

We ate a lot of delish 4th food--grilled chicken, potato salad, baked beans, and fun 4th desserts.

When it got dark Chris and his neighbors headed out to shoot off gobbles of fireworks. We weren't sure how C would do. Poor little guy was shaking the whole time--he was definitely scared and we didn't last too long. It was a fun evening and just how I remember July 4th growing up...lots of good food, friends, and fireworks in the cul-de-sac with neighbors--we hope for many more fun times in the years to come.

Boston--girl's trip

 We were excited to get the day started. We headed to our hotel, the Colenade. We headed up to the rooftop pool before heading out for happy hour at Sonsie.

 We had a great sushi dinner at Red Lantern before heading to Harvard Square to meet up with some of Alexis's boyfriend's brother's friends. (wow a mouthful). They showed us around Boston and we laughed a good bit at people telling us we had southern accents.

 We woke up Friday and headed out to the duck tour of Boston. They usually let the children drive the boat but somehow Jenny took the captain's seat and look how excited she was!

After our tour we got ready for lunch on Newbury Street at Cafeteria. Then Matt (Alexis' boy) picked us up and took us out to Cambridge to see Harvard. I was waiting for these big welcome gates that said "Welcome to Harvard." Apparently that doesn't exist. So we saw their lucky charm and took some pictures and walked around cambridge for a bit.

Got ready for dinner round 2. We met up with Matt and Tom (who we met in Miami at Alison's bach weekend) and they took us to the liberty hotel for dinner at Scampo.

We woke up early Saturday to head out to Glosta (Gloucester -about 45 min from Boston) --where Matt lives. We got boat ready and took his boat out to check out the greasy pole fest. An italian tradition where italians try to walk this greased up pole about 10 feet in the air and try to grab a flag at the end of the pole. It was a hoot. We were supposed to get lobsters but Matt forgot to put the traps out so no lobsters while in Glosta : (

We stayed out on the water mingling with some of Matt's family before heading in and getting ready for Captain Carlos--the local beachy hangout spot.

The girls and I took a getaway up to Boston. We loved the city and had a great time touring around and hitting all the hot spots we had read about!

Cinco de Mayo

Brittany and David had us up for Cinco de Mayo weekend. We started the trip off with a charity 5K in their neighborhood. It was a tough one and I tried my  best to keep up with David and Alexis and finished at 26:30 (which is much faster than my normal pace) -so thanks to them for being so motivating. Britt ran with the stroller and did amazing. We all felt so good getting a workout in.

We could't wait to get out on the water. David took us for nice cruise on the lake and the boys and Alexis wakeboarded.

Pardon Crawford's pink lifejacket. He had an absolute ball on the water. Last year the vest swallowed him and he was pretty content but this year he LOVED it. He wanted to walk around, drive, the boat, and was in awe of the wakeboarders.

Hailey even joined of for a bit and was an angel on the boat.

We decided to warm up in the hot tub after the boat ride since it's still a bit cool out on the water.

It was soo great being with Britt and Alexis and we always have such a great time at Britt's house!

I love that we now have our own kids to bring on the boat.

I mean Craw just had a ball at the Dixons, boats, hot tubs, dogs, swings...he was in heaven

 We all got cleaned up and ready for the Dixon's Cinco de Mayo party. Everyone brought over sides to share and it was a great party.

 I mean I would die if that was my backyard---it's just beautiful up there!

I guess I forgot to post this. We had a great weekend with the Dixons and hope we can enjoy many more fun lake getaways at their house. Thanks for having us!

Hayden and Blake's birthday in Knoxville

 We were so excited to make our way to Aunt Corinne's for the weekend in Knoxville. It was Hayden's 3rd birthday and Blake's first birthday celebration! We had fun watching the kids go down the slide 100+ times in the backyard Friday night. Ryan chased fireflys and Crawford ran around the yard (Blake and Hayden were asleep when we got there Friday)

 Saturday morning we got ready for the pool by 10 and headed there. Crawford hasn't spent much time at the pool so I didn't know what he would think of it. Of course he LOVED it. There was a little mini splash pad and probably 1 foot deep pretty large baby pool. He ran around in circles and had fun following Hayden around. Ryan was a little fish swimming all over the place in the big pool. We taught her how to dive and she spent a good while perfecting it--so cute! Hayden borrowed Crawford's frog swim thing and she loved it. Blake crawled around and stayed very content. We stayed about 2.5 hours and I wish we could do it every weekend!

The 3 kiddos taking pictures out back. They all had matching outfits on and looked presh!

 Ryan in the big pool. She loves showing off and it such a hoot!--we can't get enough of her!

 Craw and I at the pool

 Brad, Hayden, and C playing in the baby pool

We let the little ones nap when we got home and then got ready for the party. Hayden loved telling everyone at the grocery store that it was her birthday and she was getting a cake. She gets cuter by the day!

 The girls in their matching pjs on Sunday morning

 Crawford and Hayden watching Mickey Mouse Sunday morning.

I love seeing them and only wish we could do things like this more often. We didn't grow up with cousins close by so I really hope that they all grow up enjoying seeing each other. I can't get enough of Ryan and Hayden and the hilarious things they say and do--they are truly precious and I love them like they are my own. It was a great weekend getaway.