Ahhhh . . . summer at last!

The summer heat has come and the Arceos set out for a picnic at Blackwell. Here are some pictures from a wonderful day at play.

Doesn't everyone bring their rice cooker on a picnic?

Even Bailey came to enjoy some sun.

Sometimes brothers just love too much . . .

Emie is much happier when not being held down.

It was a little windy, so when we stood out on the dock, we had the sensation of movement and Nathan thought we were on a boat.

Emie enjoyed her new crawling surface, although I won't tell you the variety of things I fished out of her mouth that day.

Emie is getting pretty solid with her standing. . . crazy how fast this first year is going!

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend too! Thank you to all of those who have served our country - we are incredibly grateful!

9 months

Emie turned 9 months last Saturday and had her well-baby visit today! Mainly for my own record keeping, here are some updates on what our little girl is doing these days:

• weighs 15 lbs 6.5 oz, 28 inches tall, 17 inch head
• crawling, pulling up to stand, cruising, standing without holding on to something for around 30 seconds, gets in and out of sitting with ease, got into standing without holding onto anything once, climbing stairs
• says "babababababa", "dadadadada", "mamamamama", but no real words yet
• screams in a very high-pitched, rather blood-curdling tone frequently
• giggles at pretty much anything daddy or Kuya Nathan do
  
• feeds herself a variety of table foods - favorites are banana, avocado, pasta, rice, cheese, pears, peas, broccoli, and potato
• eats pureed versions of what we're eating - loves daddy's tamarind soup with rice!
• also eats stage II baby food at her baby sitter's house
• still has NO teeth!
  
• will give high-five sometimes, waves sometimes
• steals Kuya Nathan's toys relentlessly and is capable of out-wrestling him
  
• LOVES the bath
• loves to play with her little piano, Nathan's trucks/trains, and her nesting blocks
  
• not a fan of diaper/clothes changes - why would she want to sit still for that?
• no longer likes her exersaucer, it's far too restrictive
  
• has earned the nickname "rubber-baby" from her babysitter as she is quite the contortionist
• nurses 5 times a day
• sleeps 12 hours at night, takes 2 naps
  

We love you so much baby girl and can't wait to see what you'll do over the next few months!

Diggers and dresses

This past weekend was full of things for boys and girls alike. We are in the middle of a project to change out the sidewalk leading up to our house for one made of pavers. When we were checking out with some supplies at Home Depot we saw this little shovel, perfect for our digging boy. He has loved helping Daddy and Tito Dong with the "project".

Yes, that is my minivan in the background. Shoot, I'm caught! I'm a Mom through and through now! The worst part is that I love that van :)

While the boys were digging, I was photographing my sweet girl in her sweet little butterfly dress. Truth be told, both this tomboy Mama and her rough and tumble girl would thoroughly enjoy getting our hands in that dirt out there. And once she starts walking, we'll be out there for sure, but this day was about a girl and her dress.

Doesn't she look like such a big girl here?

Don't you just love these sweet little feet!?

"Mommy, that digging looks like a lot more fun than our little photo shoot." "Can I get in on that?"

Next time baby girl. Mommy will be happy to dig with you anytime you want!

Sick day!

Unfortunately I spent the greater part of last week with a nasty stomach virus. It was miserable! But somehow these little people still brought me some joy as I parented from the couch. (Not an easy task with these two!)

Emie did a puzzle or two.

Okay, Okay, she chewed on a puzzle or two!

Nathan preferred to play playdoh in a crocheted hat.

Why? Because it is his pwaydough hat of course!


Actually, a dear friend made a few of these hats for my Mom. She will be having surgery in June to have a deep brain stimulator placed to help control her Parkinson's symptoms. She'll have to have half of her head shaved and I'm hoping these hats will make that a little more enjoyable. What a gift from this precious friend!