PUMPKIN PATCH!

We went to the Pumpkin Patch last weekend, and decided to see how tall the kiddos are this fall. Maia is growing like crazy! Chase's height may be a litte inaccurate...we may need to wait until the next doctor's visit to see how much he has really grown! Chase still isn't too sure about grass, but he's starting to get a little more curious. He was so good all day, riding around in his stroller, watching all of the kids. Maia ran the entire time we were at the patch. She pet and fed animals, tried out the slides, swings and bikes, road the train, and ran through the corn maze. It was a busy day! She was sound asleep before we hit the main road. Chase has a tooth!! Chase's first tooth busted through today. Aside from the constant changing of drool-soaked bibs, he has been doing really well so far.

Chase has been cruising all around the house for a few weeks now, but his new "trick" is to push the chair around the living room, and he actually stood unassisted for a couple seconds the other day. Watch out...this kid may be walking soon!

Chase is 8 months old!

Maia got a new tea set...and LOVES it. We have all indulged in tea and cookies every night. CHEEEESE!

LAST NIGHT SHIFT!! My last night shift was last night! It has been a long time coming. I am really looking forward to more time with Bart and the kids, as well as more SLEEP!

Maia got her hair cut last weekend. She was so good! She chose to sit in the yellow Hummer.

She picked out a pink sucker when she was finished for doing such a good job!

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.