What a wonderful month! Both Brian and I have had more time to hang out with the kids now that summer is here - woo hoo! I wrapped up school at the beginning of the month, although I'm taking a statistics class to prep for next school year's teaching. Brian finished his first year classes and is continuing his research this summer as well. Anna and Colin both continue to flourish at their new school, although we've kept them away more and more as the summer has progressed. Both are still the youngest in their respective classes but have no trouble keeping everyone else in line. Their teachers seem to miss them when they are gone - Anna for her personality and Colin for his snuggles!
Colin has become so much more interactive this month! Anna has begun to really engage with him in play - tickling his feet, singing him songs, feeding him - he gives her the biggest smiles, laughs and coos in return. We're going to go ahead and say "mama" is his first word. He's usually crying when he says it because he wants to be fed! Speaking of food, we've tried quite a few new things this month. Banana, peach, papaya, yogurt, avocado, spinach, chicken, green beans - Brian's been pureeing up a storm! We had quite a few grumpy days (and nights) this month, which were tough - but led to two teeth! That's right, Colin has some chompers now and seems much happier now that they've made there appearance. Additionally, Colin is getting very mobile. We're seeing the beginnings of a military crawl with attempts (failed) to get his bottom in the air. When he can't crawl to what he wants, he uses multiple rolls and turns to get where he wants. He also is having some success climbing up the sides of things - you'll see him trying to get into a toybox in one of the pictures!
Anna continues to thrive. She has entered the wonderful stage of "why." She asks that question fifty times a day! She currently loves to play board games - Candyland, bingo, and Sequence for Kids. She seems really engaged by the curriculum at her new school. This week was Bug Week, which culminated in an entomologist visit. She got to see and hold some rather impressive (scary? disgusting?) creatures. Here in our courtyard she's working hard at mastering her balance bike and the rope swing. She got a haircut this week and looks very cute with her new bangs.
We spent last week in Hawaii with Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. Anna spent practically the entire trip in the water and managed to wear the rest of us out in the process.
She's getting better and better in the pool and can almost swim (sort of)... she can definitely move a good six feet underwater holding her breath. Time for lessons! The three hour time difference was a challenge, and was Colin's teething, but our kids have gotten to be pretty good little travelers and we had a great time.
Next week we get a visit from Grandpa and Grandma Barb along with Uncle Tom, Aunt Stacey, and cousin Logan. Anna is particularly excited to show Logan all her toys and antics. Colin is just looking forward to having more people to hold him... he's a snuggler!
Click on the picture below for more, including lots of pictures from Hawaii.
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| Colin at 7 months |
