New (Short!) Haircut

I have always wanted to donate my hair to an organization that makes free wigs for people affected by cancer or other illnesses, but I have never grown it out long enough and cut it short enough to meet the minimum requirements. My hair was super long from all the pregnancy hormones and prenatal vitamins I had been taking over the past year (and not making time to get it cut regularly), so I decided it was time to chop if all off! I planned to cut off 8" to donate, which is the minimum for Pantene Great Lengths, but after the worst haircut experience of my life, I had over 11" to donate. The good news is that it will grow back and I will be helping women who have lost their hair to cancer receive free wigs. It takes several donated ponytails to make just one wig, so I was glad to be a part of something so big! 

Blake had a bottle of wine waiting for me when I got home... I don't know if he was prepared for the possibility of me not liking my new hairstyle, or if it was to celebrate our upcoming anniversary. Either way, smart man.  :)  

Addison - Seven Months Old

Addison turned seven months old on June 22, and her first tooth (bottom right) came in just a few days later. She hasn't been very fond of a pacifier until recently. She likes to chew on it for some relief from those hurting gums. She loves sitting up and scooting around. Addison is eating solids on a regular basis now. She's had green beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, etc. and she seems to like everything... except green beans - she's not giving in on those! She likes to sit in her high chair with us at the table (she never has liked being left out while we eat supper!). She has started hold her own bottle... but only when she wants to, and usually gets distracted by Greyson running around and drops her bottle to roll over to see him. She's still a very messy eater, usually leaking milk all down her chin, neck, the front of her shirt... sometimes even in her ears and hair! And she recently started sleeping through the night!

Seven months old and a happy girl!

Sam Houston State tutu outfit from our fellow Bearkats, Aunt Christi and the Volker boys.

First tooth! And LOTS of drool....

Sweet potatoes with Daddy.

That face!!

Smiles with Nannie

Busted! Someone got a hold of Greyson's prized possession of the moment (his train and tunnel).

Snapshots

Zoro? Texas Tech Masked Rider riding a pony? Nope, just Greyson's newest version of a super hero!

Painting starfish for Ocean Week at daycare.

Addison is sooo close getting her first two teeth!

Potty training prize! Greyson has officially started potty training - just a few weeks shy of his third birthday. He gets two M&Ms for having a dry diaper/going tee tee on the potty and a piece of the train track each time he goes poo poo on the potty! :)

Father's Day

We recently celebrated Blake's first Father's Day as a daddy of two munchkins! He had a full day to play with his new woodworking tools in the garage while the kids and I visited Grandpa the day before Father's Day. We spent a quite Father's Day at home and loaded Daddy up on some goodies, including a one-of-a-kind hand-painted mug, cards with original artwork by our very own little Picassos, a pair of Crocs (the official shoe/sandal of dads everywhere), some new Texas Rangers gear and of course plenty of hugs and kisses! We are so blessed to have such a fun and loving Daddy!   

Grandpa's Tractor

Greyson, Addison and I visited Grandpa on Saturday after his surgery earlier in the week to remove a malignant melanoma spot on his back. Tanya and Amy have been helping him out, so I wanted to give them a break and help out for the day. Grandpa is under strict instructions from the doctor (and Dr. Tanya and Nurse Amy!) to take it easy to prevent any pulling on the line of stitches he has on his back. It's been so hot outside, so we helped Grandpa with a few things inside the house, ran an errand to get him some fresh air and played with the tractors that Greyson brought to show Grandpa. Greyson loved the farming and tractor magazines that Grandpa saved for him and talking about tractors and big, BIG hay bales. He even got to sit on Grandpa's tractor and wear his cowboy hat. Talk about day made for a two-year-old! It was good to spend a few hours with Grandpa for Father's Day and smiling kiddos always seem to be the best medicine!

Happy Birthday Uncle Bryan!

My brother's birthday was June 10, and we traveled to his home near Tyler to have a Lutz Family get-together and celebrate his birthday. Aunt Jennifer has been preparing Wyatt and Caitlin for our visit and they were soooo excited to see Baby Addison. We had a photo session booked for Saturday morning with Nannie and the grandkids. I'm sure it was quite entertaining to see all of the adults trying everything to get the kiddos to smile. Jennifer came armed with jelly beans for rewards and the kids did great. Later that day we celebrated Bryan's birthday with some hamburgers, hotdogs and dessert. The kids had fun swimming and played together so well... even Greyson and Caitlin! Addison even got to join in on the water fun! She loved kicking her legs and splashing in the water. The next week at home, she didn't want to sit in her bath chair in the tub anymore. Bath time is much more fun for her... and wet for this momma!

We made a roadside pit stop for diaper changes and to let Greyson stretch his legs. It was an added bonus that the side road was right across a railroad crossing (Greyson loves trains right now) AND we got to see zebras, giraffes and camels at the drive through safari across the road.

I took a quick snapshot during the photo shoot. Can't want to see the final pictures!

Caitlin and Wyatt checking on Addison.

Caitlin loved holding Baby Addison! She was shaking with excitement and smiling from ear to ear! It looks like Addison had fun too!

Addison's first time to play in the water. She loves splashing!

Greyson is either a sweet little cousin who likes to help keep his cousins cool or he is a mischievous little boy who likes pouring water on the girls.... he was pouring water on Lilly and Hallie too!

The boys cruising in the jeep...

...and running over the slip 'n slide and getting stuck.

Greyson showing Addison how to make big splashes.

Caitlin and Nannie

Pat-a-cake with Aunt Amy

Little Momma Caitlin feeding Addison. 

Addison and Uncle Bryan

Snapshots

Greyson wanted Addison to wear his hat.

Tickle Hands!

Ready for the pool!

We found Addison's favorite food so far... apples! This was the first time she ate every bite in the container. She loved it! 

Greyson was not ready for Monday.

Greyson put one of the toy chain links on Addison's ear and showed us her new "earring"!

Greyson singing the Micky Mouse Clubhouse theme song... "Come inside, it's fun inside!"