August 2010

It is entirely amazing to me how a fairly straightforward activity such as updating adorable baby blog can be on my honey-do list for weeks on end. Since we last talked, life with infants as James and I have known it is no longer--Will and Ada are crawling machines! Will has completely perfected his technique, army crawling all over the house. Now when left alone for a half second he can be found triumphantly waving such things as a toilet brush in the air. Ada has quickly followed suit, however her strategy is to worm her way around the house. She starts on her belly, then pulls her legs up under her, then lays out forward to scooch ahead. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Mostly after the dogs, of which she has developed a true love affair.

Also Ada and Will's teeth have sprouted! Everything still straight into the mouth. Their favorite "toys" right now are my iPhone, measuring cups, ice cube trays, dog bones, and garbage. They can find the tiniest string or clump of fur to entertain themselves. We also had an awesome time back in Wisconsin with Auntie Rachel to surprise Great Grandma Braun on her 80th birthday. Rachel, Ada, Will, and I met her and the fam at Friday fish fry with Nana Carrie and Papa Al and her jaw dropped! It was the start of a lovely weekend just hanging out with family, catching up and enjoying some fresh air! There were kids coming out of the woodwork thanks to our growing family--we met cousin Lily for the first time who lives in North Carolina. It was a memorable trip, including the plane rides (mom needs a break from flying!).



















Jam session with dad



















Goofing with mom and "Tia" Rachel



















Will frustrated with a bucket of toys he pulled over















Low key afternoon with mom. I'm able to be home with them four days a week for a while yet. With the weather here still in its desert 100s, we have to get creative to stay entertained all day long inside! Photo shoot!















...thinking of her next move















...say what















...Ada's little fingers still always going scratching the different surfaces she's on--floor, tile, carpet, entertainment system, etcetc.















...after me



















...after camera.



















Will and Amy. Airport experts!



















Rachel was super Aunt during our most recent trip home. We baby passed the whole 3+ hour flight. Here caught in a Will snooze. So sweet. Both of yous guys :)



















Surprise Grandma! Here listening to the live band at St. Mary's Picnic after Friday fish fry. Ada and Will loved watching all of their cousins dance and run! Not to mention all the snuggles.















Brauns in a beer tent--trouble!



















Farmers market with Nana and Rach.



















Sleeping at the wheel




















Cousin Lily! Here, sweet talked a farmer into an ear of corn.

















Eyes always on where the action is















Nana snuggles































This is how we knew Will was up from a floor nap at Nana's house















Hanging with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Braun on a beautiful Wisconsin day. Grandma's birthday. Backyard. Brats and beers. St. Mary's Festival across the street. Classic.















Napping under a WI shade tree
















Playing in the grass is a treat we don't get in the desert!


































Tooling around Will in driver seat. Cell phone toy from Nana in tow.
















Chilling with Uncle Tom and cuz' Cian
















Cian grin.















Tuckered out after a long day of partying















Four Braun generations

6 months old!

Will and Ada had their 6 month check up last week, and they are growing at what feels like light speed pace. Their distinct personalities are taking a life of their own these days. Will wants to be after everything with open fists--big grabs (Ada's hair often the victim!)--and on his feet standing (with help of course). He talks as he does this all day, sounding like a constant "hey, hey, hey, hey". Ada focuses on the details of life around her, her little fingers can catch the tiniest ribbon or tag. She loves to scratch her fingers on different surfaces, petting her toys, blankets, the dogs. And what a lady she is! I often catch her playing by herself legs crossed, twirling her hair. She doesn't talk all the time but boy when she does, the whole house knows it. She loves to hear herself squeal and jabber. When she gets into it, the squeals get longer and louder, mimicking dolphin talk! I wake every morning to the sound of Ada talking to the dolphins, "ay-YAY! eeeee-aaaa!" I think she must get this from me... I do love to tell a great story :)

Both Ada and Will are happiest when they are around a lot of people and activity, in the thick of exploring their worlds. They are having a great time doing it!

6 month photo shoot
Will: 15 lbs 14 oz, height 27.5 in (85 percentile!)
Ada: 15 lbs, 27.25 in (94 percentile!)
Tall kids!















Long legged















Holding hands











































Little explorer



















Little lady





















Push-up pose















Getting fussed over at Grandma Cindy's house. Had brunch with Aunt Carolyn who Will and Ada haven't seen since they were one day old!















I get to come home from work to three smiling faces. Dad and kids watching a baseball game.















Nursery scene, cribs side by side...















...much more room than sharing a crib! Here a twin pile up cat napping at Grandma Cindy's.
















Before...














...after. Someone figured out how to move!















Sweet potato face.















Morning shot with dad. Will looking like a little boy. Notice his long pant pj's going up to his knees. Mr. Longlegs.




















We had a rare cool (80s), rainy morning in the desert last week. James, Ada, Will, and I spent the morning outside in our pj's watching the raindrops.