David: 12 months

This has been a big month for the Big D ... or Chester Cheetah as I affectionately call him. (Don't ask me why because I don't really have a good answer.)

David is now officially walking, running, climbing ... and even talking a little bit. He says "mama" and "dada" and "uh-oh" and I've even seen him wave and say "bye" a couple of times. Other than all the constant activity, he is still a very laid back baby. This month was filled with birthday parties (his and others), Easter egg hunts and lots of other fun stuff.

He takes quite a bit of abuse from Claire now too. I guess she thinks he is no longer a baby since he started walking. She is particularly fond of tackling him.

He is quite proficient in the climbing department (see below). He did this all by himself and then got really mad when he couldn't get the refrigerator open. Did I mention that he is a very good eater too! We have actually had to put this little table and chairs away because David was pushing them all over the kitchen so that he could climb up on them and reach stuff that he probably shouldn't be getting in to.

Official stats from his 12-month well check with the pediatrician.
Weight: 21 pounds, 9 oz. (25th percentile)
Height: 29-1/4 inches (25-50th percentile)
Head circumference: 19-3/4 inches (97th percentile) (still big, but still plateauing off on the growth chart)

Sew What?: April

I have actually done quite a bit of sewing this month but really don't have much to show for it it seems.

I made both of the kids' birthday party outfits. This is a bad picture of Claire, but it is the best I got of the outfits. Claire's top is a Children's Corner Charlotte top (with added ruffle b/c it was too short) and Portabello Pixie ruffle pants. David is wearing a Children's Corner Johnny romper. I could make this thing in my sleep! I finished them both up at the midnight hour ... literally. I hate it when I do that.

Both of the kids got matching Easter bunny outfits too. David's outfit is another Johnny romper and Claire's dress is another Portabello Pixie pattern-Gracie.

Here is a better picture of Claire's dress. It's really cute, but a pain to iron. I am glad the Easter is over!

I did manage to applique a ton of stuff this month. 3 Rosie Posie rompers that my sweet friend Melissa handed down from her Big D.

A cute alligator for summer ... even though we are not Gator fans. Uncle Jon will be proud. (BTW, this is the reverse side of David's birthday outfit.)

A cute whale for summer. This is the reverse side of David's bunny outfit ... I love it. 2 outfits in one!

American Idol, Top 5

Tonight’s theme: music of the Rat Pack.

Let me just say, if I was giving out prizes for "Best Celebrity Mentor", Jaime Foxx would win HANDS DOWN. He was great!

And, too bad Anoop got send home last week because I really think this genre would have suited him well. Nonetheless, this is definitely the best top 5 EVER.

Kris Allen - “The Way You Look Tonight”: He's just such a cutie pie, you have to love everything he does. And, this is one of my favorite "rat pack" songs. (Will and I danced to this song at our wedding.) This was not the most memorable performance of the night, but it was strong.

Allison Iraheta - “Someone To Watch Over Me”: This was probably one of my favorite Allison performances. First of all, she looked beautiful ... very age appropriate too. Second of all, I liked hearing her sing something that was not so "rock", but still had a little "edge" to it. Well done Allison.

Matt Giraud - “My Funny Valentine”: Y'all know I love Matt, but I was not really sure about his performance when he first started out. It turned out much better than I expected. It was not a perfect performance by any means, but it was good and it was Matt ... and that's what we love, right?

Danny Gokey - “Come Rain or Come Shine”: I was a little bored at the beginning of this performance, but he definitely "worked it out" in the words of Randy Jackson. This was my favorite performance of the night by a landslide. He seems like such a genuinely nice guy you just gotta love him.

Adam Lambert - “It’s A New Day”: Technically, this was a good performance, but I just wasn't digging it tonight. It was a little shrieky for me. As Simon pointed out, he is definitely in it to win it, which you have to respect at this point in the competition.

No one except Danny really blew my socks off tonight, but no one really stood out as the person who clearly deserved to go home either. From past voting results, I am guessing Allison or Matt will be going home tomorrow night.

I'm off to bed ... go here for more commentary.

She's got a way ... with a camera.

Saturday morning, we met up with Jadie to have family pictures made. Here are some of our favorites.

Warm Weather Weekend

We have been loving the beautiful weather we had this weekend. From Thursday on, temps were in the 80's so we got outside A LOT to enjoy the weather.

Friday morning we went to the park to play and have a picnic. Friday night, we kicked off the summer grilling season with a cookout with our next door neighbors on their AWESOME back porch. A good time was had by all.

Saturday morning, we met our favorite photographer Jadie to take David's 1-year and Claire's 3-year pictures. The weather was perfect of course, which is good since we cancelled 2 weeks ago because it was too cold to be outside in sleeveless outfits!

After we recovered from all the picture taking, had lunch and a nap (the kids had a nap), we set David's water table up in the backyard. Thanks RiRi and DiDi for the AWESOME birthday present!! The kids would have played for hours, but we had to pull them inside because their backs were getting a little red (despite the 50 sunblock).

After another nap and a trip to the Y, we headed to the Jennings' house to ... you guessed it ... play outside some more. They have lots of cars and trucks to play with at their house and we had a blast! The daddies owe the mommies a girls' night out since they left us high and dry with 4 kids 3 and under to go to a Titan's draft party. I felt the need to document that here so no one would forget!!

April Recap: Part II

April 16

We had a little mini birthday celebration for David on his actual birthdate.


Then we went outside and took some pictures.

My Little Froggers

My mom bought these matching outfits for the kids for their birthdays. I love it!! And I love even more that they have matching outfits that I didn't have to make!! I snapped this picture after church last Sunday.

Say Cheese!

Claire got this digital camera for her birthday and she has been running around the house ever since yelling "Say Cheese"! I don't know why she thinks we have to take pictures of everything. I mean, she certainly didn't get that from me (cough, cough). Rollers are explained below.

Toddlers & Tiaras

Has anyone seen this show on TLC. I must admit that I watch it on a pretty regular basis. My sister and I were in beauty pagents when I was little, which is why I am drawn to this show. But things have definitely changed since I was 8-9 years old! I will admit to taking modeling lessons, preparing routines for different outfits/categories, wearing make-up and even tanning. However, there were no hair pieces, false eyelashes or fake nails. Well, after watching the show the other night, I decided I wanted to try to sponge-roll Claire's hair. (I spent about 75% of my elementary school age life sleeping in sponge rollers.)

On a side note. Claire got the "kitty cat boots" for her birthday and she wears them 24/7. The first night, we made her take them off to go to bed and when Will went up there to check on her later, she had put them back on and gotten into bed. The next morning, the very first words out of her mouth was ... "I want my kitty cat boots." Thanks Aunt Ashley!

Okay ... back to the rollers. I really wasn't sure she would sleep in them, but she did. I shot this picture before I woke her up the next morning.

The finished product. Not too bad. The roller on the left side of her head came out during the night which is why it is straight. I'm not too sure we will do this again anytime soon.

Avery's 3rd Birthday

Another "bouncy" birthday party. This seems to be the "thing" at Claire's age. Well, we had lots of fun at this party and Claire liked getting to see all her little friends from church.

Here is Claire and the birthday girl herself. Happy Birthday Avery!

Avery's mommy snapped this picture of Claire and me and I love it!