Bonding

Summer Solstice

What better place to celebrate the first day of summer than at the pool?

Hillsong United

So I cashed in my Mother's Day gift last week.  Let me just say that my husband rocks.  Seriously.
Two of my gal pals and I headed up to Minneapolis on Monday.  We got checked into our hotel and had dinner at an Irish Pub which was across the street from the Target Center.  Prime location so we could just mosey on over in time for the concert.  Our tickets were in the floor pit, which couldn't have been better!  It was so awesome to have space to dance around, lift our hands and praise Jesus at the top of our lungs!  One of my favorite songs right now is "Oceans" and we could hardly believe our ears when the girl on vocals hit some insane notes the last time through the bridge.  I'm telling you, it was supernatural.
Oh, and I must mention that competing for top spot of the trip highlights was sleeping in until 9:30am the next morning.  How blissful it was. :)  And what would a trip to Minneapolis be without a stop at IKEA?  Sorry, I failed to take any pictures at the concert or IKEA so you'll just have to imagine how awesome it was.

 Me and Kristen

 Mel and I

Yay for quality time with friends!

Silas @ 6 Months

Boy oh boy have the past 6 months been an adventure!  We have discovered for ourselves that no 2 kids are alike.  I mean, sure we had heard everyone say that over the years but now we know how true it really is. I sort of thought that we'd parent the same way we did when Lily was a baby and pretty much get the same results.  Not the case.  I have to admit, it has been rather difficult adjusting to parenting a baby that does not sleep well like his sister did.  Through this process, I've been humbled.  I don't have it even close to figured out and that's ok (being a perfectionist by nature, it took me awhile to be able to say that).  Other moms have been such an encouragement to me!  And I think I've bonded with this little guy in a completely different way than I did with Lily.  I've learned - and am still learning - to choose joy and gratitude even when the day or week or month aren't turning out how I'd hoped.  God never gives up on me and is faithful to stick to his master plan even when there are moments where I might even be begging him for it to be different.  I love that about Him.  
So, all that to say...Silas is a very smiley guy and has a way of tugging at my heart strings.  He has a distinct cry when I put him down or leave the room.  I'd guess he's a mama's boy.  He is also super active, just like Lily was.  I joke that I will probably never know the experience of having a calm, chill, mellow baby.  He's not interested in sitting still for any length of time!  He also adores his big sister.  He loves watching her and interacting with her.  He is not a fan of teeth coming in - so much so that he was rather fussy for a few weeks with teething symptoms that we didn't even realize 2 teeth had come in until they were all the way through!  He is close to crawling.  He'll get up on all-fours and rock but just hasn't quite gotten the crawling motion down yet.  A-Ok with me! :)  He prefers to be held for all of his waketimes but is slowly starting to be content playing on the floor by himself.  Silas loves to reach out and grab things. I have to be careful what I'm doing while carrying him in the Baby Bjorn because he is known to snatch whatever it is I have in my hands - makes cooking a challenge! :)  That boy is quick.  He's enjoying avocado and sweet potatoes right now and eats like a champ.  Here are some other basics about our sweet baby boy:

• Sleeps 8 hours at night
• 4 naps a day
• Makes the "mmmm" sound. (I think he's close to saying mama)
• Rolls, scoots and gets up on all-fours
• Prefers to sleep on his tummy
• Grasps and plays with small toys
• Occasional thumb sucker
• Has fun watching Jax
• Loves being outside

Rarin' to Go

Silas started scooting last week and now frequently gets up on his hands and knees.  No crawling yet, thank goodness.  Am I ready for 2 mobile kids?!  Well ready or not, it's about to happen!  Here are a few of my favorite recent shots of him working on his new position.

Do you see those 2 bottom teeth?
They snuck in sometime when we weren't looking.

Whether He Likes it or Not

Creativity Abounds

Lily has been taking an interest in the arts lately.  She's been asking me to take pictures of her dancing, making art with her play dough and pictures she's made at church.