Chugga Choo Choo!

Before another weekend gets underway, I wanted to post some snapshots from last weekend's adventure. After selling it in as Sam's first real train ride, we checked out the Harriet Calhoun Streetcar Line. Sam was tentative at first - he's used to his Thomas cars and the trains in his imagination, but after we settled in, he loved it. Elliott was a real trooper, just like always, with a smile on his face the entire time.

I love this picture -- Sam and Steve have the exact same expression on their faces!

Elliott at Seven Months

Here's our not-so-little guy at seven months. He spends most of his time on his tummy and it's easy to see that he really wants to get moving. I find myself cheering him on and holding him back at the same time. I know our lives will get even crazier the minute that kid's on the go, but crawling is one of my favorite stages and I can't wait to see him get going.

He also watches Sam like a hawk! He literally studies his movements all day long! Sometimes the two of them will look at each other and burst into laughter. It brings a smile to my face every time. I think it's safe to say that the two of them are going to have a lot of fun growing up together.

Someone at the coffee shop the other day described Elliott as the "big little guy." That pretty much hit the mark as evidenced by the 12-18 month onesie and 6-12 month shorts Elliott's wearing in these photos!

Happy Father's Day?

A Father's Day post seems a little silly a week after the fact, but I have to share a story that will be told every Father's Day for as long as Steve and I are around.

When Sam woke up for the day, Steve was out on a walk with Elliott, which gave me a chance to explain to Sam that it was a special day for Daddy and we had to be very nice to him all day long. I told him that he should say "Happy Father's Day" when he saw him.

I called Steve and agreed to meet him and Elliott at the coffee shop. When they walked up, Sam gave them a big grin and said, "Daddy I have something to say to you." He paused, and then right on cue said, "Happy Mother's Day!"

Parktacular!

Sam and Elliott got their first taste of a hometown parade this weekend at the St. Louis Park Parktacular. We went with a big crew of other Bennies and Johnnies and had a ton of fun. Sam was transfixed and Elliott was pretty into it too. It's hard to beat a morning of firetrucks, school buses and marching bands!

Elliott at Six Months

I just started a post about Elliott hitting seven months and realized that this has been sitting in my "drafts" for a few weeks. Oops! Shame on me because these pics are too cute to go unnoticed!

*********************

Elliott passed the six-month marker a week or two ago, and in honor of his half birthday we had a little photo shoot following bathtime. These pics are certainly a window into his personality -- to say he has a sunny disposition is an understatement! He's also a blondie through and through - from the hair that's finally starting to come in to his bright blue eyes and fair skin.

Elliott's been hitting his milestones right on time and as he becomes more sure of himself, he has started to explore Sam's toys. We're already hearing Sam say "no Elliott!" and it's a reminder to enjoy this stage when they can't really get into it. That said, big brother Sam has lots of hugs for Elliott or "baby" as he likes to call him.

It seems impossible that little Elliott has been in the world for six months -- it's so short and so long at the same time -- and I can't wait to see what's in store for him in the days and weeks ahead!

Bedtime

You know what they say --- good things come to those who wait. Well, that's the case with Sam's transition to a big boy bed. We tried to make the transition before Elliott was born. I went out and bought a fancy bed with lots of over-priced bedding. Sam loved it as a trampoline and a place to read books, but when nightfall came, he was all too eager to get into his crib. Unlike most kids, he never started scaling the sides of his crib, so after losing the battle the first time, we decided to ride it out and let nature take its course.

Nature came calling last Friday night when some neighbors were hosting a yard sale. We went over to check it out and Sam spied the big boy bed right away. He was immediately taken by the red and blue plastic! I saw the opening and took it! I explained that we could take the bed home, but he'd have to say a permanent good bye to his crib. He was very open to the idea, so when Steve got home, I sent the two of them back to fork over $10 and carry it home.

Steve deconstructed Sam's crib while we cleaned it off and talked about how much we loved the colors. Then we carried it into his room and set it in its place. For the next 20 minutes he picked out stickers and chose the perfect places to put them. That's the beauty in a $10 bed....stickers make it even better.

He jumped right in, and we haven't looked back since then. I still think about the expensive bed that's sitting idle in the basement, but I figure if I wait long enough he'll be ready for that too.

Happy Birthday to Meghan!

Meghan turned four today! She's turning into quite the little lady! We were so happy to be at her party to help her celebrate.