Wheeler Farm & Snow Cones!

We took Cru to Wheeler Farm to introduce him to some farm animals and feed the ducks. I thought he would like the horses' and cows because how big they are. I was way wrong, anything little, he liked much more.
He wasnt sure about the geese, but who is? Those things are freaking scary!

Then we introduced him to one of my most favorite summer things...SNOW CONES!!! We couldnt feed it to him fast enough, he started grunting as soon as he swallowed what was in his mouth.

Mothers Day

Mother's Day, what it meant to me.
I have always enjoyed Mothers Day. I think it is special to have that day set aside to celebrate my own Mother and all she has done for me.
However, yesterday, as I celebrated my first Mother's Day I now understand why my mother never wanted gifts and just wanted to be with her "kids".
Yesterday as I spent my entire day with my baby and my husband, the day brought a new perspective on that Holiday. I felt complete, appreciated, grateful and extreme joy. I am a Mother.
My husband asked me what the best thing about being a mom was. As my answer really could be a novel long, I answered with one of my very favorite things... Cru, will just sit and stare at me for hours with a look of pure satisfaction and pure love radiating from his eyes. He doesnt see what I see in the mirror - he sees perfection. I know how a new mother could get down on herself for not looking how she use to or not feeling as beautiful as she once did. But when this little boy stares at me like this. I feel beautiful, I feel confident and I feel perfect.
Besides being the mother to the most perfect and happy baby in EVER... Casey spoiled me by letting me sleep in till 10:20, waking up to the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls and a high valued gift card and money to go get some new clothes.

Cru's first haircut 4.24.11

On Easter Sunday while we were at Grandma Bubba's (Caseys parents house) I went in the back room to find Cru sitting on the floor and Casey getting his dads hair shaver out! I about had a heart attack. So, I talked Casey's sister Jackie in to cutting Cru's hair for us. Cru WAS NOT happy about it AT ALL! He was screaming and throwing a fit while Casey was holding him,

then I took him and had to sing the Wheels on the bus and distract him so Jackie could finish. She did a great job!
I must admit, he did need a cut, I was in denial but it was pretty long and splotchy. Now he can wear it normal or have a little fohawk like his dad! He looks quite handsome!

Cru is 9 Months * Stats & Pictures

Where is the time going? Today as I was feeding my baby, he didnt look like a baby anymore. He looked like a little boy. His chubby cheeks are slowly getting thinner and he is getting really close to walking. Whats happening?
Thankfully, his thighs still have rolls and his chubby little hands arent missing the dimples in his knuckles, they are still there.

- 9 Month Stats -

Weight: 20 Pounds 8 ounces (50th %)
Height: 29 3/4'' (95%)
Head: 18'' (75%)

Even though my little baby is growing, our life together is getting better and better.


Some updates on you...
You still LOVE bath time, I mention this each month, but I just have to. That star toy, is by far one of your very favorites, it squirts water up and you think it is awesome!
You are such a happy baby. So content with life. You only cry when you are tired or get really frustrated trying to figure out how something works. But this is the look you usually have on your face...
I seriously love it when you sit like this. You seem to be in this, or the standing position most of the day. Your little toes, I love them so!
With that said, you pull yourself up on EVERYTHING! And are getting very close to 'cruising'.
You say Da-da and with much anticipation, you said Ma-ma April 29th (your 9 month birthday).
You love eating finger foods and any other big boy food you can get your hands on. Like, avocado, yogurt melts, puffs, watermelon and bananas. Ever since fruit came along, you don't do to great with veggies...just like your dad.
You will pass your soccer ball back and forth with me for ever.
And if you have to entertain yourself, you will grab a mini ball, pick it up above your head, drop/throw it and chase after it. So cute.
You have pulled off all but 2 of the doorstops in the house.
You push your tiger (that has wheels) on the kitchen tile and chase after him.
Your newest trick...you go into your bedroom and shut the door behind you. It doesn't matter if you are in there alone or with someone, you will close it.
You will turn off the lights when we leave a room if we hold you up to it.
You like to pull yourself up on the stove and see your 'friend' in the reflection.
You will still sit and read with me. I love how you turn the pages.
You love the jogging stroller! Anytime we take you out there you dont make a peep. You are as content as can be!!!

St George -

We went down to St George with my family. It was so nice to get away. In fact, this was our first 'vacation' since Cru was born. He was such a good too! He didnt cry once on the drive down. The only time he had a hard time was when we were in the hotel room the 2nd night, he was totally confused about taking a nap while someone was in the room. But other than that, he did SO good!

On Saturday, the boys went golfing and I introduced Cru to 'GRASS' as we ate lunch. He found it quite fascinating. He wouldn't touch it with his hands, but he would lick it - seriously. It was so funny.

On Sunday we did a little hiking and Casey and I (well mostly Casey) got a serious workout towing Cru around on our backs! Thankfully he was sheltered with a canopy and TONS of sunblock cause we got roasted in the 85 degree weather! It stunk coming home to the snow.


The boys did a TON of golfing and us girls just relaxed by the pool, went shopping and relaxed! It was a much needed trip and I wish it could have lasted even longer than it did!

Easter Parties...

Cru inst quite old enough to understand Easter yet, so Casey and I didnt do much to celebrate it this year. First we had my family Easter party, Cru got his first Easter basket FULL of finger puppets!!! He loves those puppets!!! Such a smart thing for a little baby.


At my family party...
Cru, found a couple eggs too...

Then we had the Van Wagoner Easter party ~
Casey and Corey always hide all the eggs...
Then, the kids all crowd around the front door in anticipation to go find the eggs!
Pam puts Bunny Money in some of the eggs and then after the hunt, the kids get to go to her Bunny Store and buy things with the money they found. Cru got a new book and a ball!
Our little family, not the best picture, but we got one...

8 Months!

I wish I could stop time and keep you right where you are. Each day you get bigger. Each day you become a little more independent. Each day I love you more and more.

This last month has been one of my favorites.

When I get home from work you are usually playing in the living room. I say "HELLO!!!" and you very excitingly look up from what you are doing, raise your little eyebrows, start gibberishing and army crawling over to greet me. It melts my heart. I know you miss me when I am away, but we have TONS of fun when I get home!

You know the sound of the garage door and can hear it when daddy comes home. My favorite thing about you being in your highchair, feeding you dinner is when you will randomly lean forward so you can see the garage door to see if someone is coming inside, when he learn that no one is coming inside, you lean back and pierce your lips wondering where dad (or nana) is.

You are completely obsessed with the door stops. You will play with them forever. Yesterday, you managed to pull one off and put it in your mouth...I about had a heart attack.

Its almost impossible to get you dressed on the changing table, you are too curious to just lay there now.

You still love books and will turn the pages back and forth as I read them to you. One of my favorite things that you do...is lay on your tummy looking at the pictures, turning the pages by yourself as if you are really reading. Its so sweet.
You get excited to see people that you recognize. Some get a big smile, others a little grin or twisting of your hands (you do that when you get excited and have for about 5 months now).

Your love for the bath still stands too. One night, we played for 45 minutes and you would have loved to be in there longer. I think you will love swimming and being in the water your entire life...I knew it the first time we put your head under the running water in the hospital and you closed your eyes and enjoyed every second of it.

You are completely fascinated with the laptop and power cords. Wherever I put the dang thing, you find it!

You love sitting on the front porch with me waiting for dad to come home, wrapped up in a big cozy blanket.
You love music. If the TV is on and a song comes on, you will stop whatever you are doing and just stare at the TV.
You melt my heart by reaching out to me. It reassures me, that you really do want me to hold you.

Oh, and you and dad, wrestle on the bed...he guys roll all over the place, he tosses you up and down and you think it is hysterical.

You seriously have made my life so much sweeter. We cant imagine not having you with us and sharing our life with you.

7 Months

7 months...really? Where is the time going? It feels like, just yesterday you were lying on my chest deep asleep, mouth open, just dreaming. Now, Im lucky if you even close your eyes during a feeding.

You are so curious, you watch everything with such great intent. You are really curious about the treadmill and how our feet can move that fast.

You sit up ALL BY YOURSELF now. And have such excellent posture...im jealous.

Then one day, out of the blue you started army crawling. I put something about 5 feet in front of you - and off you went!!!

You blow raspberries. Sometimes, not intentionally, you will be crying and will accidently blow a raspberry, it will totally distract you and you will sit there for 10 minutes blowing them.
Weve converted your infant bath tub to a big boy bath tub, you sit in it instead of lay. You LOVE the water and try to grab the bubbles that the faucet makes. Not to forget your rubber ducky...the little bugger is so slippery, when you drop him, your reaction is HILARIOUS.

You like to 'shake it' when I sing "Shake shake, shake shake, a shhhhake it" and if I am holding you in front of me and make you shake it - you laugh.

You could jump for hours in your jumper, you are actually quite vicious with it. I wonder if you will like the trampoline as much as your dad does.

I love saying night prayers with you. I lay you on the bed and kneel down next to you, you will usually just sit there and stare at me or put your hand on my shoulder. I think it is really sweet.

You still love bath time and car rides.

You love when 5:30 pm comes around...I place you in your high chair and you get SOLIDS!!! You love sweet potatoes, squash, pears, carrots and blueberries - you are NOT fond of green veggies, you seriously gaged when I fed you green beans.

And...you cry when I leave the room - I LOVE IT!!!

On your 7th month birthday you started saying 'bababababa' - I feel we are getting close to Mama!!! Or will it be Dada first???

Oh my little man, I love you SO much. I look forward to seeing your smiley face everyday and cherish every moment I have with you. I really didnt believe time would fly by so fast and that I would miss 'when you use to' times. But you are growing too fast...right before my eyes.
I hope you will always love me as much as you do now.

And when I say, "Little Man" - I really do mean little man, everyone thinks you are so handsome and look just like a Little Man.

Happy Valentines Day

I love Valentines Day. This year, I had two special loves. Two lovers that I love in two totally different ways. I am such a lucky girl!



Lucky Cru had 7 Valentines, lucky boy!!!

6 Months

Cru is 6 months! I just love this little boy so much I can't stand it!!! We went to the Docs yesterday and this is what we learned...

Weight: 17 pounds 14 ounces - 60th%
Height: 28 inches - 95th%
Head: 17 3/4 inches - 90th%

The poor little man got a newbie nurse, who took FOREVER giving him his shots. She poked his twice in one leg and it took her so long to get the shot ready for the other leg, that he stopped crying and then she poked him again...it was so sad. Casey picked him up off the table and Cru immediantly turned around and gave the nurse his scrunched eyebrow look...like...what the heck is wrong with you? It was pretty funny.

Some of the things Cru does now...
- He has taught himself how to blow raspberries, I think it is super cute.
- He can almost sit up all by himself without toppeling over; he is still a little top heavy and can sit there by himself, but will usually face plant it if I leave him there too long. We are still working on this one.
- He still loves story time and will sit there forever if I just keep reading. His favorite book as of now (well, at least I think) is his touch and feel animal farm book. When I turn the page he knows exactly where to touch to feel the animals fur/skin/nose ect that we are reading about. The poor dogs hair is probably going to be gone here pretty soon.
- He has found his toes, he doesn't suck on them very often like most babies...he mostly just grabs them and looks at them.
- However, he has found his little 'pee pee' if you will and if I dont distract him in the tub, he will just play with it the whole time...dad and I think it is pretty funny though.
- Still loves the tub...last night he stayed in the tub for 25 minutes while I cleaned out and organized the baskets in the lined closet...and I know he would have stayed in even longer if I would have let him. He kicks his legs like crazy in the tub, and water gets everywhere...I cant wait to take him to the pool this summer!
- Last but not least...You have 2 teeth coming in. Your bottom 2 teeth have broke through, and you are handeling it so well! I didnt even know till he started sucking on my hand.

6 months pictures...They turned out so cute! Everyone thought I was crazy for wanting to do pics with just his jeans and a tie on - little did they know how stinking cute they were going to turn out...

This is my favorite...

This is my 2nd favorite...