July Monthly Update

July has come and gone, but it was a lot of fun. 

We played some silly games. 

We had delicious burgers at a place in Springfield called Black Sheep, with the Phillips'. Each of us with just our littlest. And I love to squeeze babies any chance I get!

Drew and I saw Chevelle at the Gillioz with the clan.

Also, got this very impressive photo from Super Dad one afternoon.

We spent a little time on the farm...... 

.......Cooper helped me get a pedicure.

The boys are obsessed with the hose.
 

We appreciate where we live.....and not being next to a million other people at all times.

My bad mom friends and I went to see Bad Moms.....
 

Cooper being Cooper.......
 

More shenanigans......

Griffin turned FIVE and is loving it! (Old news since it is mid August when I'm posting this)

He had his yearly well child exam and did great. Thankfully, Drew took him. I thought he was just due for 1 shot, but he ended up getting 3 and having his blood drawn. 

Weight: 42 1/2 lbs - 61.7%
Height: 43 1/4" - 54.7%
BMI 16 - 67% 

Cooper Joe is a handful at almost 2 years of age. 
He is gaining independence in leaps and bounds.....he has lots of wants/needs/opinions and he is unable to voice them. Deep frustration sets in and then comes the SCREAM!! 
Poor guy. We get so frustrated with his tantrums and then remind ourselves that Griffin went through this stage too. It is terrible, but I see where it comes from now. It just makes it extra hard when we have one child that we can completely reason with, have a discussion, and work our issues out. It will get better.

He is putting more and more words together each day, and for the most part, he is the happiest, smiling-est, sweet little boy ever. He loves to eat and play outside, especially with our cats or horses. Trucks and tractors are his thing. We had never heard him say "Griffin", and just recently we realized what he does call him....... it sounds like "Ven". So adorable!


Cooper was not feeling his picture session. 23 months makes him angry.....

 

 Birthday party this weekend, and we are excited!

Take me out to the ballgame!

We headed to St. Louis last weekend for a Cardinals game and City Museum with our friends Jimi and Tammy. LOTS of fun was had......although we made it to City Museum, we did not make it inside due to the mile long line to buy tickets. We will try again some day when it's not miserably hot. Instead we checked into the hotel early to get settled. 

I know this thing works the TV....

it's hot and I'm zonked

what do we have here?

Since we had several hours before game time, we went across the street to Union Station. Perfect for a child who is really into trains right now. 

"Choo choo"

in awe

game time!

enjoying his first train ride on the MetroLink

his favorite person, "Ta Ta"

this is the only sure way to get him to look at the camera, turn it to forward facing

cool thing that my picture storage place makes

Toward the end of the game (we were impressed Griffin made it the entire thing with NO whining or problems of any kind) they announced it was a night that kids could run the bases. So.....of course I decide we couldn't leave without doing that! We talked to a couple ushers who sent us in the right direction. I was a little afraid they would look at Griffin and say he was too young. I felt a lot better when I saw all of the stroller babies "running" the bases later on. 

entering from the outfield

no way we were getting him to look

amazed by everything!

Drew, Jimi, and Tammy got to walk along side the field and wait for us at home plate. So, party pooper Drew (who wanted to just get a head start leaving the game) was actually glad that my adventurous spirit talked them into staying for this since he got to hang on the field. It was pretty cool. 

Griffin just walked at first, holding my hand. I think he was confused about what we were doing, but when a couple kids ran past us after second base, his face lit up and the race was on! 

we are the red dot heading for third base

yay!

And here's the official photo taken by the Cardinals photography people.......genius, by the way, to allow the kids to do the base running since 200 parents will pay for a picture like this.