Yep, And Even Better

Silas and I went swimming this afternoon with our good friends Michelle & Everett and Julie & Jonah.

Silas looked very big to me all of a sudden when we got to Michelle's place and I was about to take him out of his carseat. So I had to snap a picture before we even got going. And him in those swim trunks? It was more than my heart could stand, he was so cute.

Silas and Everett got to ride in the wagon on our walk to the pool. Like how we got a picture of them both happy? Me, too, cause this was about one minute before Silas decided he didn't like the wagon, started crying, and made Everett start crying. So we loaded our bags in the wagon and carried the boys. Oh, well...



We hadn't been to a real pool since Singapore and I wasn't quite sure how it would go...

But HE LOVED IT! This floaty raft thing is great. Silas thought it was too fun...

Michelle, I have no idea why I don't have any pictures of you. You and Julie will have to send me copies of yours. We had fun, girls and are looking forward to doing it again!

The Days Just Keep Getting Better

If you have dogs that shed, you will totally relate to this post.


I think I have found the answer to our shedding problem. I recently decided the old brush I've been using was worthless and not helping at all. In the heat of the summer, our dogs shed like crazy and keeping up with all the hair has not been fun. So last week I ordered a highly-acclaimed FURMINATOR. You laugh now, but just wait. Our vet sells them but I ordered ours on Amazon for a fraction of what I would have paid at the vet (with free shipping!).

Luther and Augustine had no idea what was about to happen...


Ok, I first have to say that I usually spend about 45 minutes brushing them and get (what I thought was) quite a bit of hair. With the Furminator today I only brushed for 15 minutes total between the two of them and here is what the floor looked like after...

I'm hooked. Cause all that hair? Would have been strewn across my floors over the next days and weeks. And now it's not.

Good Day

I knew it was going to be a good day when Silas slept in till 9:30! He must have been tired from a late night Sunday and a long, fun day of playing with his friends Ian and Nate yesterday while I was at work. He was so tired when we got home last night but I didn't get him into bed until 8:30. He made a few peeps early in the morning, but went right back to sleep. When he did wake up, he talked happily in his crib until I walked in to get him up. It was delightful to get him up with us both feeling calmly relaxed and refreshed.

We had a late night Sunday because the Southern Baptist Convention is in Louisville this week and we decided to spend a few hours there at the Pastor's Conference. It was fun to see friends from here in the area but also some who had come from Missouri. We even parked right next to Dr. Jerry Rankin, the president of the International Mission Board, and his wife, Bobbye. My family has known them for years. It was a treat to hug them and show them our Silas.

Silas spent his time at the Convention crawling all over and pulling up on everything in sight. I did go check out the childcare area, but decided not to endure the emotional turmoil of the separation. Silas was happy enough with us. He loved the worship music and big screens. He pushed his own stroller back and forth at the back of the auditorium, had a snack, and leaned back in his stroller with his feet up at the end of the night. It was so cute. I forgot our camera, but we took some pictures on our phones. When I get that figured out, I'll post them.

Taking Silas to the Convention was kind of a big deal for me because I have not been since I was two weeks old. My parents took me that summer right after I was born. Now here we are, taking Silas.

We have a busy week...errands today, swimming with friends tomorrow (CAN'T WAIT TO GET PICS OF THE BOYS SWIMMING), and my grandparents come to visit on Thursday. I'm sure I'll be sharing pictures of the days to come...

First Steps!!

Silas took his first steps this morning! My sister, Tara, is in town so we were playing in his room. He took one step from his truck to the chair right before this video and we completely rejoiced! So we set him up for this one. In a house where videotaping is minimal, it was a complete miracle that we caught this milestone on tape. I am THRILLED...

ps. Please ignore me in my pjs!

Learning to Walk

Silas is getting very close to walking on his own. He will hold one of our fingers and walk several steps before giving up and crawling. This morning he and I were playing in his room and he pushed this truck back and forth across the room about 7 times.

Silas and Jonah

Our friend Jonah came to visit the past couple of days. Silas loved having a friend in the house most of the time. He wasn't sure about me constantly holding another baby when he wanted attention. But he loves friends and just wanted to get as close to Jonah as he possibly could. It was too cute. Here they are playing in the kitchen as I put dinner in the crock pot...

Then this happened while I was giving Jonah his bottle. Oh well. It was to be expected with a toddler. Especially one who now drinks from a sippy cup!

Our Eleven Month Project

Silas turned 11 months yesterday. In just one more month we will be celebrating a first birthday. I wanted to do something special to mark this footprint in our lives; something interactive and different. I wanted something Silas could have later on. Something that would remind us that he really once was a baby.

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So we decided to paint...and it was the most fun we have had in a long time! I was laughing the whole time trying to keep him from putting his fingers in his mouth. He really enjoyed it and had a blast making the paint splash and move.

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I purchased the canvases at Hobby Lobby and painted them the background colors myself earlier in the day. Then I covered Silas' entire high chair with plastic (see picture above) even though the paint is washable. I didn't want to worry that it was getting everywhere! Then I put a canvas and some paint in front of the toddler boy and let him have at it...

We got a bit on us, but nothing that a bath couldn't handle...

Didn't they turn out adorable? I couldn't be happier. Now I can't wait to get them hung in his room...