Bode's First Birthday!

Our little man turned one year old last Thursday!  Brian and I both took the day off to spend the day with Lola and Bode and then spent Friday and Saturday getting ready for his party, which was Saturday evening.  We had a few funny moments... (it really looked like he was holding his ears while we were singing happy birthday to him), but I think he enjoyed his day and is loving playing with his new big boy toys!

We made football cookies for him to take to Grandma Paula's to share with the kids.

 

Bode and his friends!

 

 

Making his cake... and getting to lick the beaters!

 

 

We asked Lola if she thought Bode would want Culvers or McDonalds for lunch and she picked Culvers.  She and Bode shared a grilled cheese and french fries.  Bode is loving eating table food!

 

 

After opening ALL of his presents (trains, trucks, Fisher Price Zoo, animals, puzzles) from Brian, Lola and I... he found the ziplock bags that he wanted to play with instead!

 

Enjoying his cupcake

 

 

 

The day of his party... our 2nd day attempting shoes (so far... he's not a fan)!

 

 

 

A big boy car seat!

 

 

My friend, Heidi, decorated Bode's cake!

 

And yes... this was during "Happy Birthday"

Goodbye Miss Stacia

A few weeks ago, Lola said good-bye to her swim teacher, Miss Stacia, who will be moving to St. Louis to go to college.  She was with her for just 7 months, but they became quite good buddies.  Lola would always pick her swimsuit for the night based on what color she thought Stacia would be wearing.  Also, Stacia would usually wear two swimsuits, one on top of the other.  Multiple times, Lola would ask if she could wear two "just like Stacia". 

Bode is 11 Months Old

This has been another exciting month for Bode Philip.  He spends most of the time standing on his feet and is able to walk along furniture and occasionally will let go and stand on his own for a few seconds.  He can climb up the steps, but just doesn't quite understand that he can't stop in the middle and play.  He'll be halfway up, stop, turnaround, do a little pat-a-cake and be teetering on the edge. 

We are trying more table food and he definitely likes that better than his baby food now.  When he likes something he'll say "mmmm" or "num".  I don't think this is really a first word, but he was standing at the shower door when I was in there and he was banging on it saying "mum! mum!"  :)

He is very good at his little basketball hoop and gets excited when he makes a basket!  Almost always I will cheer for him when he makes it, but if I don't he'll look at me and clap his hands.  He can also give 'high fives'.  I've been working on body parts, but all he has mastered is hair.  No one has seen this, but me (Brian doesn't believe me), but multiple times, I've been holding him and say "kiss" and he'll lean into me with his mouth open!  It's a wet, but adorable kiss!

He also is getting a little feisty and knows what he does and does not like.  I think he had been sitting in his high chair too long, so he was getting mad.  I gave him some cheerios and he threw them.  I wondered if it was a fluke, so I did it again… and sure enough, he threw them again. 

Pictures continue to be a challenge. 

Outtakes...

Fine... as long as you smile, you can eat the marker!

Last Minute Trip Up North

Friends of ours asked if we wanted to go to Brookfield Zoo with them on Saturday.  We ended up making a little mini vacation out of it and had a great time.  We spent Saturday at the Zoo, then checked into our hotel and swam for awhile.  Afterwards, we sat in the hotel dining area and had PF Changs take-out and McDonald's for the kiddos.  On Sunday, we went to Legoland for the Star Wars exhibit.  Our friends were planning on going and we just tagged along, not really knowing what to expect.  There was a lot of people there and it was pretty intense, so Lola was a little overwelmed.  Then there was an incident... We came to the end of a hallway where you could turn right and go around another corner or go left to another room.  Brian and Lola (he was holding her) turned right and went around the corner and came face to face with a StormTrooper.  Brian jumped and Lola burst into tears because of the "scary man".  After that, it all went down hill.  When we got home, Lola said "I had a fun vacation!  I don't like Legoland." 

Lola and Alina in the butterfly garden

There was an "Extreme Bugs" exhibit at the zoo.  Hence the gigantic bugs!

Before the StormTrooper attack...

Bode's 9 Month Pictures

I've had these for awhile, but am just getting around to posting them.  These were Bode's 9 month pictures, taken at a park nearby!

More 4th of July

I got sidetracked and forgot I had a few other pictures...

Papa Dana and Bode

And here is good ol' Illinois fireworks at their best.  You can sense the excitement from all of the family!  :)  Next year I'm taking my chances and getting some illegal ones!

Snakes...

Party Poppers

Smoky Balls

Sparklers and the BIG FINALE!!

Can't see the big finale??  I'll provide a close up!

Happy 4th of July

We had a very nice 4th of July holiday, with half of our family.  Darren's family and Denise's family were on vacation, but the Preston's, Karr's and my parents spent the afternoon in Denise's pool (we had her permission!) and then had a cookout at my parents before watching the Clinton fireworks.  

Lola was very excited for all of the fireworks and enjoyed our wimpy little fireworks that we set off at my parents.  

This getting both kids to smile ~ at the same time ~ is becoming nonsense!! 

Bode smiling... 

Lola smiling...

And finally... kind of!