7 Months! and Almost 3 Years!

What is Abby up to?

*Last month was filled with trying many different baby foods, we haven't come across too many she doesn't like!  Not sure we have developed a favorite yet.  We just started twice a day.  I'm kind of behind with it, but she doesn't seem to mind.  She is still nursing great, usually 5 times a day.

*Loves her sippy cup and her straw cup

*She is moving faster and faster.  She is getting up on her hands and knees, rocking, then crawling a few, then dropping back down to scoot.  We will be there before we know it!

*She is starting to pull herself up on things, well, her upper body anyway ... when on her belly she will reach up to her crib rail and peek over the side ... stinker!  So, needless to say, daddy lowered her mattress down the other day!

*She gets to a sitting position on her own rather easily now and stops to pose on her side with her arm resting on her waist when she needs a break from "crawling" ... quite hilarious!

*She is taking at least 2 nice naps a day, sometimes 3.  She doesn't fight it as much for me, but does for Oma and DiDi.

*She giggles when you blow on her feet and when you blow her hair  fuzz.

*Starting to learn how to give kisses.  It's the best when she leans in with her mouth wide open!

*Learning to wave "Hi"

*We are teaching her sign language like we did for Gabe.  I think she will catch on quick ... more, all done, milk, eat, mommy, daddy, please

*Still loves her books and stories

*Still has only 2 lower teeth, but I know more are going to pop through soon!

*Loves swinging at the park.  She kicks her legs like crazy!

What is Gabe up to?

*LOVES fishing with his Grumpy and Opa.  He will tell you what kind of fish if you ask what he caught ... "A big Bass"  He will play in daddy's tackle box for an hour, he loves the "wormies" and he calls the hooks "ouchies"

*He wants to be outside any chance he can get.  He enjoys riding his tractor or his big wheel around the block

*He loves ALL sports and picks up on them easily

*He is getting better and better at using his manors, I don't have to remind him as much ... "Please, thank you, may I be excused, and may I" (instead of "I want")  He has also picked up on saying "what" after everything I tell him or ask of him ... so we are working on "pardon me" instead :)

*Loves to sing, dance, and play instruments ... he rocks the air guitar and air drums when we are in the car LOL.  He asks for Styx, AC/DC, and Metallica ... I think he gets bored with mama's KLOVE station

*He recently started calling me "mama" instead of mommy.  Not sure where he picked it up, but it's pretty cute ... it has a southern accent on it!

*He loved swimming this summer, NO FEAR for this little guy

*Loves watching daddy leave in the morning and asks to start his car and back it out for him ... He's obsessed with cars.  He can't let daddy leave with out giving him hugs and kisses x10 either.  Once he is gone ... "Where'd daddy go??"  even though he knows exactly where he is.  He does this with EVERYTHING ... even though he knows the answer, he still asks the question, which we make him answer himself

This little guy is a riot and so darn sweet!  Such a caring and kind heart :)  There are so many more things he enjoys, but I better keep it short!

7 Month Bunny Pics

Attempted a photo shoot outside, but I couldn't get the girl to look up at me!  She was too interested in the grass!!  Gabe was the same way at her age!

Just a random pic, she was watching her brother ride his tractor

Birthday Planning ...

We have finally decided on themes for Gabe's and Abby's birthday parties!  I'm going to try very hard to stay on top of things so I'm not rushing around at the last minute.

GABE'S 3rd BIRTHDAY BACKYARD CAMPOUT:
As much as I'd love to treat every birthday like the "1st", I can't.  It just gets to be extremely expensive.  I hope to have a BIG bash every few years.  So, this year we are going to have a small party in our backyard.  Still make it extra special, but not have the hefty price of a venue and the stress of setting up/decorating an empty space.  Gabe LOVES the outdoors and has recently be interested in the "camping" thing.  I know it's hard to count on October weather, but the past 2 years have actually been HOT around his special day, so we are hoping for the best!  I'll have a back up plan just in case.  Here are just a few of my brainstorming ideas ...

::Fire pit is a MUST with hot dogs and s'mores
::Tents set up around the yard with different activities in each
::Camping lanterns hanging up around the yard and in trees
::Possible campout in tents with a few of his close buddies???  Maybe Dads too??  They may be too young for an overnight

this is as far as I have come ... definitely a work in progress!  I've started a Pinterest board :)

I can't believe my baby boy is going to be 3.  I still remember all the crazy events that happened the day he was born like it was yesterday ... there are no words 

ABBY'S 1st BIRTHDAY:
The girl LOVES Mickey Mouse!  She grins ear to ear when she even just hears the music!  SOOO, of course we have to do a Minnie Mouse theme!  It's a super easy theme, which I'm all about.  I'm thinking about having it in the same place we had Gabe's 1st birthday, a little pricey, but worth it.

::I want more of a "classic" Minnie, so I want to go with Red and Black for the colors
::Of course she will have to be dressed like Minnie Mouse, so I'm going to attempt to make her outfit ...
::Small smash cake for Abby, cupcakes for everyone else and maybe cake pops

ANNND that's it so far ...

I have sooooo many ideas floating around in my head for both parties ... Pinterest is going to be my best friend for the next several months!!

I certainly won't for get the events that took place on the day Abby was born either!  She didn't want to be left out, so she wanted to be sure to make it memorable for me