Digging for Dinosaur Bones

20 Months!

On our walk to the park, James sat right down at this tree and said, "CHEESE!"(I didn't even have a camera out!). Well, photo wish granted. James is very aware of the camera (and phone, and well everything else actually!). Here he is sitting, smiling and blowing kisses like the sweet boy he is. Two seconds later he was off and running down the sidewalk to get his hands on the trucks, hoop, swing and slides, and to play in the dirt. Ah, the life of a toddler boy!

Zayden Turns 2!

 We had a blast celebrating Zayden's 2nd birthday in September. The weather was in the 80's and it was our very last day that felt like summer here in these parts of Ohio. 

We definitely enjoyed ourselves!

 Zayden and his adorable construction themed birthday cake! 

Newest sibling, baby brother Madden (4 mths) even got in on the action too!

 Happy Birthday Zayden!

Phil, James, Alan, and Matt

 James eating a piece of pizza all by himself, for the first time, which he stole from Alan

Did I mention there was a bouncy house? James LOVED it!

He also loved Z's new John Deer power wheels truck. 

He kept trying to take it on a test drive. A little boy's dream!

Library

Every week James and I visit the library to take home some new books to read. Well, who needs the children's corner at the library when there are headphones playing music by The Beatles! 

James thoroughly enjoyed his listening preview! (Good taste, little man).

Zoo Superheroes

It's not every day you get to meet Batman at the zoo! 

In early September, the hospital James was born at hosted a fundraiser and family fun day. They advertised that NICU doctors and nurses would be available to meet/greet children and families. Although this was our main draw, to be able to have the wonderful doctors and sweet nurses who fought hard for James and took such great care of him during his two week stay in the NICU, we unfortunately did not cross any paths of the ones that oversaw James' care! We were bummed; just look at him now! We hoped they could meet the sweet, strong and smart little man he is today. But, we still had a fun family day at the zoo and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

James was much more enthusiastic in real life than it appears in the picture. 

He loved seeing the Superheroes come to life and perform!

Watching Spider-Man, Batman and Captain America

Aunt Linds Visits!

I am waaay behind, but I am catching up!

Aunt Linds came to stay for a weekend in September for Katherine's baby shower. We had lots of fun and wish she could have stayed longer!

James sees a "trip!" (airplane)

Look at those muscles!

We can't wait to meet Baby Luke at the end of October!

Come visit again soon!

Little Gym

James started taking Little Gym classes with his friend Teagan last month! So far it has been pretty entertaining. This active little guy is quite the athlete, and is learning a lot! He especially loves hanging from the bar like a monkey, as he demonstrates above at one of his very first classes. He makes monkey noises when he does this too - for special effect ("Ah Ah Ah OOO OOO OOO!!)!

Balance Beam

Obstacle course

He has also warmed up to (and now looks forward to) getting a stamp after class. Mostly on his hands; or on my hand. However, once he saw "Ti-Ti" (what he calls Teagan) get a stamp on her belly, he was all about it too. Look how proud they are displaying their fishy stamps!