The kid knows how to get comfortable

Before I go to bed at night I check on Will to make sure everything is fine in his room. This past week I've found him laying like this when I come in.


Apparently once he settles down from the very loud crying that has unfortunately become routine at bedtime, he gets nice and comfortable. Anthony tells me there are some pics of Will's Uncle Matt as a child in a similar position, so it must be a John thing. Whatever it is, I think it is cute and it makes me smile as I head to bed.

Ethnic Festival and Severe Weather Adventure

Anthony's work just hired some new people and we got to hang out with one of his new co-workers and his family this week. We decided to hit up the Ethnic Festival. Food from around the world and live entertainment, sounds like a relaxing and enjoyable night, right?


Think again. Kansas City has some pretty crazy weather sometimes and Friday was no exception. When we got to the festival the sky was cloudy, but not menacing. We enjoyed some food from the Philippines (everyone but me) and Mexico (I am not very adventurous) and then headed over to the pavilion to see some dancing. A few minutes into the show it started to rain. We were glad we were under shelter and decided to wait it out. Bad idea. The rain came down and the floods came up. Then it got windy. The men stood with their backs to the rain to protect us, but we still got soaked. I took off my outer layer (thank you Downeast) to protect Will's head from the cold.

We kept thinking that it would get better, but it didn't and eventually we realized we would have to cut our losses and venture out in the storm. We ran 30 yards to the "beer tent" where people were feelin' good and happy to see us. "Look, a baby! In the beer tent!"


Anthony volunteered to run to our car and drive back as close as he could. He was successful and we were able to head home. I ended up driving because I didn't want to strap Will in his car seat all wet. It was like driving with strobe lights every time lightning stuck (which was often) because the wind shield wipers were going as fast as possible. It was quite the adventure and not exactly how we wanted to welcome our new friends to Kansas City.

8

Will is now 8 months old. Eight months doesn't seem like that long, but for some reason when you measure time by the length of your child's life it seems a lot longer.


He is growing into such a fun kid. When he smiles his whole face lights up and it's a good thing he can't talk yet because I'd probably give him whatever he wanted.


He has his four bottom teeth and is working on another on the top left. He is drooling constantly. I can't wait until it comes in because he is not himself when he's teething.


He is rolling and scooting all over the place and I'm sure will be crawling any day now. He tries to copy the things we do, like pound his hands on the computer. He "sings" along to the radio when we drive and at church if he's in a good mood. He loves to watch and interact with other babies and little kids. He still grunts when he eats. He hasn't met a food he doesn't like. He loves to chew on pizza crusts, pretzels, etc.


He throws some pretty effective tantrums, but that's just a phase, right?

We love our slimy, smiley, fuzzy-headed little mister.

(I promise he does wear clothes, sometimes).

Fun in the Sun

It has been quite hot here in the Midwest recently. The only way I have been able to survive the heat is by logging some serious pool time. Luckily, Will likes the pool as much as I do.

He loves to "swim" with my help. He has gotten really comfortable in the water and I love it!

His new thing is sticking up his legs straight in the air when floating on his back.

His aunties like to call this move "The Will." They are so impressed they have copy him.

Hanging out on the side with his dad. Anthony only gets to make it to the pool with us occasionally.
Sisters at the pool. Sometimes I feel like my life is deja vu. I have spent many hours with these two chicas at this same pool for many summers during my youth.


One of the best things about this pool is "the bench." There is a bench about 15 inches deep (Anthony is sitting on it in one of these photos). Will can easily stand on it and hold onto the side. He loves to watch the water go in and out of the drain and will hold himself there for quite a while. (I am behind him, of course.) It is great for me because I can sit by him and by submerged in the water, unlike in the baby pools that are six inches deep.

I have definitely gotten good use out of my pool pass this year.

Anthony and I also went to the Schlitterbahn water park this past weekend. We didn't take any pictures because I was afraid of ruining our camera. Our time there only cemented in my mind that my dream house will one day have a lazy river. And that tattoos are a bad idea, but that is a whole other post.

Thanks to Doug and Tina for the passes and to Melanie, Laura and Mom for watching Will so we could go!

Copy Cat

Will inherited his Dad's big mouth.

As I mentioned in the last post, Will enjoys playing games. This is a game Anthony made up tonight and Will got into it.



As usual, please excuse the adult voices. I never sound cool when I try to record Will.

Backlogged: A Night at the Park

A few weeks ago we got bored with our neighborhood and decided to take our nightly walk "on location." We ended up at the sculpture garden outside the Nelson-Atkins MOA.

It was really, really hot. Will got tired of his stroller so we got him out so he could enjoy the occasional breeze.



But he still needed to get around, so his dad volunteered his shoulders.



Taking a break (and getting tired of my picture-taking).

Lately Will loves being "chased" and playing "I'm Gonna Get You." I held Will as Tony ran past us. TJ's face was awesome and I decided he needed to see what he looked like. Some great photos resulted. No wonder Will shrieks.



Will's other favorite game--being tossed in the air.
Proof I was there too.


It was fun night. We enjoyed doing something a little out of the ordinary and making ourselves more familiar with some of the beautiful things KC has to offer.

This post is dedicated to Will's cousin, Sadie

Will has one cousin.

Her name is Sadie and she is awesome.

Will is always trying to keep up with her, because she can do cool things he can't (yet), like crawl and walk and be mischievous.

Today is her birthday.

He hopes she will get down like she did at the Red Sox game back in May.

Happy Birthday, Sadie!

Will's favorite "toys..."

...aren't toys.

It's getting hot in here...

So hot in fact, that as a side effect of my go-to method for cooling off (the pool, of course), my baby has a farmer's tan.

favorite things

I have been ignoring our blog lately because each time I look at it I am reminded of how behind we are. And also because I am enjoying a lazy summer with no school, just trying my best to enjoy being Will's mom, which isn't too hard. This is the first time since I got pregnant with Will that I haven't been working, in school, and worrying about our future. It's nice. Anthony would probably say I still worry about the future, but somebody in this house has to do it and I do the most thorough job. :) Our summer has been going really well so far.

A few weeks ago my friend Susan threw a "Favorite Things Party." I had a great time. Each guest was told to bring three of their favorite items and a favorite food to share. Then we went around and showed off our favorite things. I think what I liked about this party most (besides that fact that I got to talk about some of my favorite things and spend time with friends) is that I feel like I got to know the other girls better in a way that I normally wouldn't. Someday I think I will copy this idea and throw a "favorite things" party of my own, but it will have to be awhile since most of my local friends were at this one.

As soon as I got the invitation I started thinking about my favorite things. Here are a few of my current favorites (and this is by no means an all encompassing list):

Pentel EnerGel Needle Tip 0.5 Pen

I love these pens! They are the perfect thickness, easy to hold and write smoothly. I have made lists just to use these pens.

The Old Testament for LDS Families

I set a goal this year to read the Sunday School lesson each week. I haven't been perfect, but I've done pretty well. I've done a lot better since getting this book. I like the questions it asks, the helpful definitions and general authority quotes. Or maybe it's just the fact that it has pictures...

Smart Ones Orange Sesame Chicken

I have never been a huge fan of microwave dinners, but this meal has changed my life. I love it! I got hooked at the beginning of the year when every store was running sales on their weight loss products. Now I am constantly on the lookout for coupons and sales to justify buying them. I have been trying to come up with a recipe of orange chicken that tastes as good but is also as healthy. I haven't found it yet, so until I do, these guys will keep making their way into my cart.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

Will's sleep schedule has been a roller-coaster (not a good one). For the most part, things have been pretty good for the past few months, but things really turned the corner after I read this book. Whenever we have a set back I pull it out again and it usually has some sort of answer. This book has also convinced me how important sleep is to a person's well-being. I have pridefully resisted naps in the past, but I have since embraced naps and it is wonderful.

Yoga Capris

I love these capris. They are so comfortable and versitle. I am probably too casual and occasionally wear them to the store, but I've seen worse worn publicy by others so I'm going to go ahead and excuse myself. I love that I can wear these to go on walks, clean the house, play with Will, read on the couch, the list is endless...When it comes down to it, I think maternity pants ruined me. I really do get bugged when I have to zip and button.

Anways, to me summer = comfortable and these babies are comfy.

Anthony & Will

I love this picture because they are having so much fun. I couldn't help but smile when I looked out the window and saw this scene. Anthony is a great dad and Will adores him.

And really, how could you not love this little guy?

Well, that's all for now. I'm sure as soon as publish this post I will think of some more favorite things, so I may have to do a follow up post some time in the future. I'm not really into tags and whatnot, but I would be interested to find out what some of you consider your favorite things...so let me know.