Eight Months!

Jack was eight months, well a few weeks ago.  The craziness of birthdays and baptisms and Thanksgiving kind of delayed this post.  He is growing and developing so quickly.  I feel like he might walk tomorrow!  Ahh!

 

Happy 8 months to our littlest monkey!

Jack may be the happiest baby on the planet.  He is a smiley giggly little guy.  Jack continues to be so easy going.  He loves his brother and sister.  His favorite game right now is to chase them around our downstairs.  Jack laughs while they hide from him.  He is pretty fast too.  I love watching them play together.

Two big milestones happened this month.  Jack's first was starting some real food.  He enjoys eating baby cereal called puffs.  He likes small pieces of banana and broken ritz crackers.  We will continue to add food to this list.  Jack is still toothless so all food must be easily mushed.  Once he has a few teeth this list will expand and I can't wait for that.  We are also completely finished with nursing.  Jack made that decision and I was just fine with weaning.  He has all formula now and baby food throughout the day too. 

 

His other big milestone was pulling up.  Jack can get to a standing position by pulling himself up on just about anything.  He tries to cruise along the couch but usually falls.  He hasn't figured out the foot work yet.  Jack is pretty proud of himself when he pulls himself up.  Pretty cute!

Jack raises his hands above his head when you say, "So big!" Jack waves to everyone. He can also give high fives.  Jack is quite the social little guy.  We are often approached while out by strangers who say that he has the best smile.  We think so!

Jack also talks a lot.  John swears his first word is Momma.  He does say, "Momomomom" when is upset.  He says it when he crawls towards me too.  I don't know if it really counts but I do love that he seems to call out for me.  

 

We've had some pretty chilly days in Texas.  It is unusual for this time of year.  We've spent many days bundled up playing in front of our fire.  Jack doesn't seem to mind!

We love you Mr. Jack!  Slow down with the growing, would you?  I can't believe your first birthday is just four months away.  

A Fourth Birthday Party, Superhero Style!

It's a bird!  It's a plane!  It's Super George and Super Clara!

We celebrated at Kids In Action.  All of the kiddos wore capes and they trained to become superheroes!

 

The Superheroes In Training rode the super fast roller coaster.

 

George even practiced his wall crawling skills.

 

Then the Superheroes played some fun games.

Before we went into our party room there was some pretty sweet twin love.

Then it was snack and cake time!

Happy Super Fourth Birthday George and Clara!  We had a wonderful day celebrating you!

Dear George,

My monkey.  My Georgie.  You are officially a little boy now.  No more toddler days.  No more baby face.  You have grown into a sweet smart funny little boy.  

There is a constant twinkle in your eye that sets my heart on fire.  Accompanying that twinkle is usually a big belly laugh and a look that tells me you might be up to something.  And you usually are.  You love to make people laugh.  Your own laugh is infectious.  It is loud and boisterous and wonderful.  It fills our house most days, along with your squeals and sound effects and shouts.  You make sure there is never a dull moment around here.   

Your energy abounds.  I wish I had one tenth of your energy.  You love to move.  You love to run.  You love any kind of sport.  Outside is your favorite place to be.  You swing high.  You run fast.  You throw hard.  You do everything to the fullest.  You put all of yourself into whatever physical activity you are doing.  I love that intensity about you.

You are curious.  Oh so very curious.  You question everything.  I mean EVERYTHING.  And while it is sometimes hard for me to find the right answer, I love that you want to know the why and what of life.  You have to know how it all works.  Who made it that way and when.  On top of this insatiable need for information, you have an amazing memory.  You remember most of our answers to your millions of questions.  I just hope Dad and I are giving you mostly right answers.  :)

George you are an awesome little guy.  You have a big heart to match your big personality.  You love our family so much.  Pop-pops, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandmas are some of the most important people in your life.  I love that about you.  The past four years with you have been exciting and a little crazy and precious.  I am so lucky to be your Momma.  Happy fourth birthday Georgie man.  I love you so much!

Dear Clara,

My little love you are four years old.  All of your baby-ness is gone.  You are our one and only little girl.  We adore your long curly hair, honey colored eyes, and sweet smile.  And while those things make you beautiful on the outside, there is so much more on the inside that makes you even more beautiful. 

Your feelings are always BIG.  You laugh big.  You hurt big.  You worry big.  And you love big.  That passion in your personality is one of my favorite things.  It reminds me of what I was like as a little girl.  That big heart of yours pushes you to help others, to seek lots of cuddles, to give amazing hugs, to be a good friend, to be a good sister, and to love all of us with your whole heart.  There is such beauty in that, my love.

You are a leader.  When you play with your friends and your siblings, you are usually directing the play.  Dare I say it...being slightly bossy.  You have big ideas with a great imagination.  When you aren't watching I love to see you completely immersed in pretend play.  I often find you cooking a meal for everyone or helping George fight off evil or teaching every single doll and stuffed animal in your room.  Your need for control also causes some disagreements especially with your brother and your Dad and I.  While that may be tough now, I know this part of you will be such an asset as you grow and take on this world.

You are creative.  A day doesn't go by that you don't spend time coloring or drawing or constructing.  You love to create.  We love your masterpieces.  I hope this love of creativity continues as you grow up because right now you seem to be the happiest when armed with a marker and piece of paper.

You enjoy school.  You happily walk into your classroom each day ready for whatever adventure your teachers have in store for you.  We are just starting to get to know your "school personality."  Your teachers tell us you are a rule follower.  You are sweet to everyone.  You love numbers.  And just like we see at home,  you love to be creative. They enjoy having you as a student and I truly think you enjoy learning.

Life with you in it is pretty fantastic.  You keep us on our toes some days but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Clara, I can't wait to see what life has in store for you.  I am so blessed to be along for the ride.  Happy fourth birthday my sweet girl.  You make me one proud Momma. I love you to the moon and back.

Happy Fourth Birthday George and Clara!

Gone are the toddler days.  I no longer see even a trace of baby left in these two.  It is exciting and sad all at the same time.  I am so proud of these two little people.  Words can't adequately express how much I love them and how priceless these last four years have been.  We are blessed by you every single day George and Clara.  Happy 4th birthday!

On the twins birthday we had a dinner with our whole family.  I think George and Clara had a fun night celebrating!

 

They also had a celebration at school.  During chapel the whole school sang happy birthday to them.  We ordered their class pizza for lunch and they enjoyed some birthday cookies too.