Our little good luck charm

Tuesday night we took Will to his first Cardinals baseball game! One of the reasons I love St Louis is because of Cardinals baseball, we are such a fun town when it comes to this and what most st louisians would call... "a drinking down with a baseball problem"

I grew up with my dad always having tickets and I cant wait till Will is running around the stadium like a madman! For now he decided to chill and take it all in, we weren't sure how the night was going to go... we went with Jim and Leslie and they were warned of possible meltdowns and leaving early. I am proud to say we did great and made it to the 7th inning! Our little teether is budding 3 maybe 4 NEW teeth so he was pretty squirmy, but loved watching everything, fireworks for home runs, ate yummy food, and his favorite thing was the beer men passing us by yelling. Who knew that would be a kiddie favorite!

Game stats: Tuesday July 5, 2011 6:09 PM St Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds 3 home runs! Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman homered on consecutive at bats in the first inning. Holliday hit another home run later in the game. Got to see David Freese (Luke's buddy) play also. That's a winner: final score 8-1

Mommy and Will got home from work and dressed and ready in record time!

Will's first visit to a bar (had to be documented!) Paddy O's one of our favorite baseball bars.

In awe as everyone sprung to their feet at the first home run.

WINNING!


Enjoying a game day favorite, ballpark pretzels

Fireworks! He loved watching all the cheering and didn't even flinch!

Are puffs not the biggest lifesaver ever? Seriously what did people do before puffs??!

Our first stadium family photo

Food and routine updates

Will feeding himself his red white and blue fourth of July breakfast mommy made for him
Will at aunt Michelle's house eating with his new best friend Gusgus

exploring the stairs

At about the 8 month mark things really started changing so I think its time to take note. Will really started to get interested in feeding himself so with puffs, graduates, and fruit we started to make the transition. He still gets four 8 oz bottles and three meals with baby food a day but along with this he gets food he can feed himself. Fruit, strawberry's blueberries, raspberry's, banana's, Mandarin oranges. Veggies, peas, corn, green beans, carrots (all cooked) pasta, there are all kinds of things and as the weeks went on he got better and better at his new found skills. He loves to feed himself and when it is a food he really likes {mac and cheese, cheesy puffs} he will definitely let you know when it is all gone and he wants more. I am trying to ignore these new screams so that they don't become rewarded but sometimes it is hard.

Will has been taking three naps a day since I can remember, lately he has started to cut out his third nap and make it on two. This has also cut out one bottle on some days and with a bigger dinner he really doesn't seem to miss it too much. With Jackie still in the healing process Will started to head north with me to work and go to my friend Michelle's house during the day. She is a teacher and is thinking about staying home with her three month old daughter Eliza. So far it is going great, she does art projects with him, talks about numbers, sings songs and lots of other great things! Michelle is one of the nicest people I know on.this.earth. and I am so honored she is taking such terrific care of my baby.

Will waved for the first time this weekend (on his nine month birthday) and it was just one of those moments where you think your heart might burst open from the sheer excitement. His first wave was to his mommy, and I will forever be in the stands waving and cheering back at him.

Party Plans...

Okay.Okay. I know he's not even nine months yet (omg this weekend I am going to have a nine month old!) But with Luke's brother getting married out of state just five days after Will's first birthday and mommy and daddy leaving Will for the first time just two days after his first birthday mommy did what she does best when she gets a little stressed... planning! I have been a bit under the weather so what do I do when I'm up in the middle of the night for hours? Start punching away at my phone and creating lists of things for Will's first birthday!
At first I thought I wanted to do a theme, prince or maybe elmo or something but the more I thought about it I think that is more work and will be better for when he is older and has his favorites! So I think I'm going to keep it simple with a color theme, green, blue and brown, and a few favorite jungle friends. We decided an open house type party will be best for the occasion, with some favorite foods, drinks and treats. Whew, don't we all feel better when there is a plan? No. Just me? Ohh okay :)
I know we'll need some of these yummies and of course Will will need a handsome birthday suit or maybe just a themed tee
I would love to be able to create a banner like this but not sure how it will turn out. Going to try and make some things myself to save money on the decorations. And I would love to incorporate this poem I found:
Covered in cake and icing, your smile stretched ear to ear. A single candle celebrates the joy of your first year. We sing Happy Birthday You play midst wrap and bows. We marvel at how you touched our lives, just one year ago. I remember the first time I held you, Kissed your head, whispered your name. You've changed our lives forever, our hearts will never be the same. As a child you'll love this day, for all the sweets and presents too. As parents well love your day, for the gift we got was you. Each year well add another candle, so proud to see you grow. But always with the memory, of your first day long ago.

Okay now I'm crying, Pull it together sister!
I cant believe my baby will be one year old in three months, so so bittersweet.
Here is one creation I have in mind, maybe for the favor bags or a sign for the door. Anyone have any easy crafts I can recreate, or good fun ideas for this little celebration, feel free to send em my way!!!

The Brothers

The Wilson brothers are becoming more and more alike these days. Will giggles and squeals in delight when Boomer passes him by and his favorite thing to grab is his fluffy tail. I'm sure in no time they are going to be quite the "team trouble" for now they are still learning.
Boomer is teaching Will how to sit patiently beg for food, they both love to help fill and empty the dishwasher, and the trash can is becoming a frequent interest as well. Both Boomer and Will love to lay on the guest bed, it is their favorite spot to play and be silly, and of course they both enjoy the occasional walk, or what we call at our house "W" Boomer gets so excited at the word we had to change it.
Sometimes it is hard being the only girl in a house full of men but I love my boys more than words can say, and were having so much fun watching the lil brothers together.

Will spins

Lukes dad thinks it is the funniest thing in the world to spin the kids on his lazy susan... my poor lil will got all dizied! hee hee!

Fathers Day weekend

Big boy William in his new car seat!
Will's FAVORITE FOOD to date: Mac & Cheese, insert: meltdown once it was all gone!

Spinning with papa Jim

Hanging with Daddy on Fathers Day

Showing Grandma Betty how we get mad

I figured I better post about Fathers Day and weekend before another weekend passes! I haven't had time to upload pics from our camera yet so any of these are from my phone. Luke only has one set of grandparents left and they haven't met Will yet, They live in Hutchinson KS where Luke lived when he was young and it is about 8 hours away. They were in town and we got to spend a lot of time with them which was great. I still am not accepting of what happened to my grandma ad this year, I mean I know it happened but I guess since I didn't make it to the services my heart is having a very hard time letting go. I think she is still there at her house cooking and thinking of us, which I guess is not so bad... I am just going to have a hard time going there and realizing I'm wrong.

Anywho... It just melted my heart to see Luke's grandparents interact and get to know lil William. Grandma Betty had ten children. Yes ten! Luke's dad is the oldest = LOTS of grandchildren and great grandchildren. You'd never know it by the way they were excited and fascinated with their sweet lil William. Thursday night they came over to our house to meet him and have pizza, Friday night we went to Luke's brothers Tim's for dinner. We left there about 9 so Will was in bed at 9:30, normal bed time is 7:30 or 8. This was the test to see if this would help him sleep later... if you call later 6:30 am. Not ready for that yet I guess. And then Sunday we went to Luke's dad's house for Fathers day. I am so glad we got to spend so much time with them, it was a great visit!

Monday we went to my mom and dads with my sister, Greg, Bennett, and my grandparents. We had homemade lasagna from Nana (YUM!) and the boys are getting SO cute and playing and interacting together more and more everyday!

I hope Luke had a good first Fathers Day, we made him a card complete with some pictures of William of course and a got him a new travel golf bag to use for when we go our of town. He is so excited and thinks this means he needs to plan some golf trips... ut ohh!

Saturday we took babysitter Jackie's two children Faith and Evan and went to the pool then back to our house to play, it is exhausting having three children, and two so close in age! But we were glad to be able to help them out! Will being silly with his great grandparents.

Peyton counting her "tip" grandpa gave her for being our waitress

and reading a book with grandma.

Roads to recovery!

Video of my busy little 8 month old playing hard...

So Saturday Will starting showing signs of a cold by Monday is nose was running like a river and cough was even worse so daddy took off work and took him to the doc. She said to wait and it should get better soon. By Wednesday not only was Will worse worse worse, momma was not feeling so hot either. Gigi came over to help us get better and after contemplating all day that afternoon I took Will back to the doc. His one ear was getting worse than it was Monday and since he was not getting ANY better on his own she got us some antibiotics and advised us to begin the breathing treatments to help him get over this awful cough. He takes the meds twice a day like normal and has only had 3 rounds and I can already see a HUGE improvement. Thank goodness. It was literally breaking my heart watching this little boy cough so hard. I am trying to keep a log of when Will has gotten sick and his medicines, when I have time I am going to go through the blog and document all of this. I think this is his third time on antibiotics.

While Gigi was helping Wednesday I whipped up a double batch of homemade lasagna and took that, bread, and brownies over to Jackie and her family. I love helping people out and even more so when they are so appreciative. I cant tell you how many "thank yous" I have gotten from them. I cant imagine what she is going through with two kiddos around so anything we can do I know is a huge help to them!

Torn with decisions

Mr. Will has begun the fun task of feeding himself! So far, bananas, strawberry's, raspberry's, avocado, peas, corn, wheat noodles, and pork and beans, he loves it all!
sorry for the lousy phone pics

Last weekend we went to the park and walked and swang.

And we visited with some friends at the pool....

Will LOVES the pool!

Times like these I just hate being a grown up! So many choices and decisions to make that can affect your life, and not only yours but every decision you make seems to have affect on your spouse and children as well. I am facing myself with some decisions lately that have us at a crossroads. I know God will show me the path to take through the next several weeks. I miss my little boobear so much all day and I have been pretty upset leaving him lately. It doesn't help matters at all that he is not with his usual sitter right now, we have some great girls helping us out, but you know, no one is as good as dear ol mom.

William also came down with a snotty cold, and now momma's got it too. Luke took off yesterday and took him to the doctor but we were advised to wait it out. My pedi has been irritating me lately with her "by the BOOK" procedure of medicine, debating on if it is worth it to switch. Today I am running on about four hours of sleep, tomorrow I will work from home but volunteered to take Jackie's two sweet kids for the day, I am kinda looking forward to a house full of kids. Sorry for the random sporadic post, that is the way my brain has been lately!

8 month man

My little booger turned 8 months old last Friday! So to be technical William has been in my life for about the same amount of time I knew he was in my tummy! Kinda crazy huh!
Speaking of crazy, Will  is active as ever and trying so many new things daily... today it was eating dog food, wonder what tomorrow will bring! He is my life, he is the best parts of my day, and he is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I love him too much for words to express and his smile can melt away any bad day in an instant.
William is growing like a weed and when he got weighted to be fitted for his car seat he was almost 22 pounds! He is loving swimming and summer and so are we! Arnt some things just so much more fun now that you share them with a little one?!
Sometimes it seems like a new milestone happens everyday, I am still so thankful I keep up with the blog to be able to look back on these times. Like everyone says they go by in a blink of an eye... take TOO many pictures, give TOO many kisses, and of course Wills favorite: dance like no one is watching. When Luke and I dance around and act silly he thinks it is the funniest thing in the world and it is one of those special family moments I hold dear to my heart.
Happy eight months Mr. William... your the coolest kid I know.

We now have four teeth but still teething!

mama and pookbear

8 months old

Crawling

Crazy kid!

more teething....

tee hee hee

Catching up!

Things have been pretty busy and it looks like I'm still catching up! But there are a couple things I wanted to blog about before moving on...

Last Saturday I helped host a couples shower for my dear friends Jim and Leslie, since I've last mentioned them they have moved home and put an offer on a house! Things are moving right along for them and their 9.10.11 wedding will be here before we know it! If you cant tell from this picture, THIS momma had a little too much fun with her friends!
My buddy is getting married!

Wedding party photo op

Jim and Leslie playing the newlywed version game I hosted

Blushing bride and I

note- new hair cut, and soon to be BLONDE!

A good time was had by all and I cant wait for their wedding festivities!

The next day it was off to the pool with our group of 12 for a fun swimming day, it was Williams first time in the pool and despite the chilly water he had a great time, cant wait to take him back soon. I SO wish we had a pool in our back yard!

He may have his daddys skin, but he is going to have his mommas love for the sun and water!

happy.

After all our fun Sunday we decided to try out the baby pool Monday! Crystal gave us Bennett's floatie (above) and Tara gave us Caleb's old baby pool and it works great! We are so lucky to have such generous family and friends!

Boomer got wet and excited!

Cute bootie!

My sweet sweet summer, this is one for the books! Best baby on the block and this is going to be an amazing summer I cant wait!