Butterflies

Jimmy got Danny some caterpillars so he could observe the transition to cocoons and then butterflies. It was an interesting couple weeks. I think Danny really enjoyed it! Below is Danny during the release of our new butterfly friends. Note the "Official Butterfly Keeper" badge that Jimmy added to Danny's pjs. Too sweet!

Speaking of Danny, he's quite the firecracker these days. Every day I pick him up at school his teachers tell me how outgoing he's becoming, playing with his friends and leading activities. His vocabulary has gotten so much more sophisticated as well. While all good, this also means he's becoming more defiant and, dare I say, bratty at times. Gasp! Oh well, he's still an incredibly sweet boy!

Post Bath 'Do

Crew doesn't have much hair, but it's still cute seeing what little bit he has all wet and wild after a bath!

And then looking dapper after a quick comb through!

On the Move!

As I said in Crew's 6 month update, he's a proficient crawler these days! It's nice because exploring entertains him, but crazy that I can lose sight of him in a moments notice!

Walker

Just some random pics of Crew in his new(ish) walker. I thought this thing would keep him occupied really well, but alas, he doesn't like it for more than a few minutes at a time. I think it's because he's such a peanut!

Crew at 6 Months (Almost 2 weeks late!)

Well the 5 to 6 month timeframe has been another biggie for Crew! In most recent news, he's CRAWLING! He's been sort of doing it for a couple weeks, but lately it's the real deal. Time to baby proof! He now sleeps during naps and bedtime without the swaddle and seems much happier that way. I don't know what I was so afraid of! I'm also very proud to say (considering the sleep crutches I created with Danny) that he goes down for naps and bedtime on his own - I just get him drowsy. He was sleeping through the night for a couple weeks, but now he's regressed to getting up once about 3am again. I'd make him cry-it-out, but I feel like he's thin enough that maybe he needs that night feeding. Let's see what else. Oh, he has his first tooth! Still eating solids daily and has had avocados, rice cereal, bananas, prunes and sweet potatoes so far. It's a very messy endeavor. I'd take pictures, but I'm usually too dirty to even pick up my camera or phone if that's any indication. His favorite is definitely sweet potatoes. He continues to be one of the most active babies I've ever seen. Changing his diaper and getting him dressed is like a wrestling match or a bucking bull ride. I have a couple seconds - on a good day - before he's flipping over and trying to crawl away. He thinks it's a game too - grinning and giggling every time he wins! He continues to be fascinated with Danny. I can already tell that he'll look up to him for the rest of their lives! He does a lot of consonant babbling and blowing bubbles. I just can't believe how much he's grown and changed recently. We love you so much, Crew!

Case in point: "Sure we can get dressed... oh, wait, legos!"

Girlfriends Plus Eight

This past weekend, me and three other girlfriends got together at Lindsey's house in Durham. No husbands were present, but we did have all 8 kids in tow! Shiva was there from California and she's the only one without kids at this point. Needless to say, she was helping take care of our kids all weekend! Lindsey has Henry and Libby. Sarah has Eliza. Catherine has Hazel and twins "more hair" Margot and "less hair" Louise. And, of course, I have my two boys. It was musical babies most of the day - holding and bouncing whichever one was fussy or just needed a snuggle and there were toys, toys everywhere! I LOVED getting to see all my friends' kiddos and share my sweet boys with them as well.

Danny and Henry

Loving Henry's collection of trucks!

Crew and Hazel

Danny and Hazel

(Headless) Shiva and Crew

Eliza and Crew

Libby and Crew

The stroller brigade

The mommas + Shiva + Danny

On Sunday, I went to Ali, Dieter and Colin's place to spend the day with them for Colin's birthday. I was all pictured out, so all I got was Crew taking a sink tubby and Danny hanging up way past his bedtime! It was great to see everyone!

Papa and Lita Come to Town!

Papa and Lita came to visit this weekend and brought the first load of their stuff to a local storage unit. Woo hoo! Danny was so excited to have the company and, of course, we enjoyed getting to catch up as well! It's hard to explain what a maniac Crew is, so it's great that they got to see him in person!

Early morning snuggles

Pre-beach walk to Tiki Bar

Kids burger?!?