Chase is 7 months old!

Chase has really been doing a lot lately. He is sitting really well by himself now, and can pull himself up in his pack-and-play, and on the ottoman in our living room. (It's a problem when he tries to pull himself up in the bathtub!) The look on his face shows how proud he is of himself! He has been eating fruits, veggies, and meats. He usually can hold his own bottle (unless he's feeling lazy), and he puts his own pacifier in his mouth. He has been sleeping through the night pretty consistently. (Just to let you know what a relief this is to Bart and me, Maia didn't sleep through the night until she was 2, and still wakes up on occasion) Yesterday, Chase said, "Da, Da". I'm pretty sure he wasn't calling for Bart because he was at work, but it's fun to hear him make new sounds, and to see Maia get so excited when he does something new. She is his biggest cheerleader. She was so happy for him yesterday when he started hitting two blocks together...they were both laughing at the noises he was making..it was so cute!

I am SO PROUD to announce that Maia has gone 36 hours without a pacifier!!! (Including nap and bed time) Many of you know how attached she is to her beloved "pappy". Bart and I thought we'd be up with her all night, but she only woke up once, and went right back to sleep. She has not even asked for it. I thought I had gathered all the pacifiers in the house, but somehow I am still finding them...I didn't realize how many she had! One by one, they are being placed in an undisclosed location. It has been a long time coming, but I think we may have broken the pacifier habit. (I think it has been just as hard for Mom and Dad as it has been for Maia!)

Last weekend, we met Grandma and Grandpa Buck, Uncle Larry, and Aunt Linda in Sedalia for the Missouri State Fair. The weather was perfect. We had a really great day!

HAPPY 30th, BART!

We celebrated Bart's 30th Birthday tonight. (Poor guy is getting more gray hair by the minute...and I know these two angels aren't the cause!) Maia sang a lovely version of "Happy To You" and Chase was mesmerized by the candles. Bart had his favorite butterfinger icecream cake, and opened presents. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BART!

Chase had his 6 month well baby visit yesterday, and here are the new stats: Weight 17lbs 11oz = 50% Length 27in = 70% The doctor said Chase is looking great! He got 3 vaccinations this time, and now he'll have a break from them until he's 12months. He took them like a champ. He cried a little while the nurse was giving him the shot, then he was fine. Maia was so concerned about her little brother's booboos. Maia saved Chase's life yesterday. We were on our way home from Chase's appointment, and I looked in the rearview mirror at Maia. She was looking a Chase, and making a funny face. I asked her what Chase was doing, and she said, "Chase has gum, Chase has gum" THANK GOD the next light was red...so I stopped and turned around to look at Chase, and he had a white thing in his mouth. I pulled it out right away. It was an entire cotton ball that the nurse had left under the bandaid on his leg. It makes me sick to think what could have happened if Maia wouldn't have been in the back seat with him and if the stop light wouldn't have been red. LESSON LEARNED: take off the bandaids and cotton balls before putting the kiddos in the car!!!

6 Months old!

Chase is 6 months old! He's sitting up on his own now. This is one of my favorite pictures of the kids...they both have silly looks on their faces.

Maia is so proud of her little brother everytime he sits up all by himself...she cheers and gives him smooches

Last weekend, the kids stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Buck. We celebrated Kodi and Uncle Matt's birthdays. Maia made Kodi a peanut butter and dog treat cake.

Will they always get along so well??

Peek-a-boo

Maia's favorite summer treat is popice. She eats at least one whenever she's playing outside.

Cereal and Jiggle Jam

Chase started eating cereal this week, and he really likes it! It's amazing how much his little tummy can hold.

Since Chase found out that he can stand, that's all he wants to do. So, we started putting him in the jumper. He has so much fun bouncing up and down on his own.

Such a cute picture

Last weekend, we went to Kansas City Jiggle Jam with the Weldy family. Maia danced and jumped, and ran all afternoon (without a nap). We couldn't believe how good she was, though. There were quite a few bands there that play kid's songs, and bubble tents and spray tattoos, and the Crown Center fountains. The kids had a lot of fun. Maia found her shadow

UPDATE

We had a fun visit to the Doctor's office this morning. Maia went in for her 2 year check up, and Chase had his 4 month well-baby visit. According to the doctor, both kids are developing really well. Maia is achieving some 3 year old activities, and Chase is doing some 6 month old skills. They both received immunizations today. Maia has one "boo boo" on her leg, and poor Chase got 4 (2 in each leg). Maia has been giving Chase's boo boos smooches and asking him if he is ok...I think she forgot about her own. We are extremely blessed to have healthy, happy children. THE STATS: Maia height = 36.5in (>95th percentile) weight = 30.5lbs (80th percentile) Chase length = 24.75in (40th percentile) weight = 16lbs (70th percentile) head circ = 13in (30th percentile)

Mother's Day at the Zoo!

We had such a wonderful Mother's Day! The kids gave me beautiful flowers. We spent the day at the Kansas City Zoo. The day started off windy and chilly, but it turned into a really pretty day. The kids were so good! Maia LOVED the animals. She spent most of the time out of her stroller, running from one exhibit to the next, or riding on Bart's shoulders. Chase was perfectly content riding in his stroller, playing with his toy elephant. On the way home, we were so hungry, so we stopped by the Ameristar Buffet...Maia ate more than most adults could handle. When we got home, we were able to join our family's Mother's Day celebration in St. Louis via our webcam. It was so nice to be able to see my Mom and Grandma on Mother's Day even though there are hundreds of miles between us. Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mommies! Chase wasn't too sure about the train...His eyes grew to the size of quarters when we went through the tunnels.

YAY! Maia and Mommy on a camel

Maia's "frowny face"

Maia switched to the 2 year-old room at school. The week before her switch, we found out that the teachers take the kids on regular potty breaks, do not use sippy cups, and a number of other fun activities that Maia needed to learn. Needless to say, she received a crash coarse in drinking out of big girl cups, and pulling up her own pants. She's doing really well with the drinking. We haven't really started potty training yet, but Maia does use her little potty chair least twice a day...she'll be ready soon. The first day Maia came home from her new classroom, we asked her how her day was and if she met any new friends. She kept saying "Abby". We asked her teachers, and sure enough, there is a little girl named Abby in her classroom that Maia plays with all day long. Our little princess is getting so big so fast!