Derek is getting more personality and it's so adorable to watch him grow. He's almost one year old already! So insane! He's getting more teeth on the bottom, taking their sweet time but definitley there. He's been crawling for awhile now and is quite fast. He is also cruisin along the furniture very well. We can get him to briefly balance himself unaided, but he quickly sit's down or grabs on to something. His laughs are still irresistable. He had his first haircut at 10 months!! He jib-jabs all day, a handful of words you can even understand.
Brynn started preK today. She has a big class with many of the same kids from last year and then many new ones. She was so excited and can't wait to go back on Friday. She's a super big helper for Derek and Mia (our wonderful nanny is back with her baby). She loves playing her games on the computer - pbskids.org. She participated in the church musical about a month ago. Her age group were little bugs. She really had a great time.
These photos actually occur in reverse order, the top is the most current down to the oldest. I didn't feel like taking the time to reorder them.
I didn't think the toilet resembled anything close to being a fun toy. Yuck! Yes, we immediately washed his hands really well.
Brynn got her hair cut, a little shorter than normal,but oh so, so cute!
Can't really tell from before, but his hair was way down in his eyes when not wet, it's still super curly but now it's not down in his eyes.
Curls, curls, curls
I love bugs, hairy, scary bugs ....
Brynn, first night of the musical.
The Millers!
Derek loving the swings.
We went on a vacation/reunion to Gatlinburg. It was so much fun.
Dirt is one of the best children's toys :)
Playing outside, both kids LOVE being outside.
Brynn climbed in with Derek when he woke up from a nap.
He is so cute when he sleeps. Obvious, he likes sleeping on his side. He LOVES his little blankies and like to tuck them under his chin and snuggle.
Princess Brynn
When he was finally learning to hold is own bottle, a pro at it now. Also does really well with a sippy cup and a straw.
Until next time ....
We were taking our afternoon nap. She woke up and tried to wake us up but we were pretty much dead to the wind. I heard her playing with things and going in and out of our room. Finally, after and hour of this we woke up. Matt turned to get out of bed and started laughing....
She had created us "breakfast in bed", as she called it. Pizza and hamburger meat for breakfast, yum! Ha ha! What a sweet girl!

We made a mistake of letting Brynn eat a bunch of watermelon before bedtime. We had planned on waking her up to go potty again before we went to bed...fast forward an hour....
Brynn stumbles sleepy-eyed out of her room and into the living room. She pulls down her pants and sits on the mantle as if it's the toilet!!!!
Matt was like, No, No, No! That's not the potty! Come on lets hurry to the bathroom. She holds herself and waddles to the bathroom just in time. Whew!
She's already back asleep and probably won't even remember in the morning that she thought the mantle was the toilet. She's a funny girl!
Brynn: (a big gasp) Someone left that soccer ball out.
Me: Mmhmmm
Brynn: Now the thunder is gonna come down and BOOM it!
Me: (chuckles)
Brynn: Seriously, it's gonna boom it right up.
It was just slightly interesting. Our party was from 10-noon and we didn't rent the pavilion (not paying $200!). We were taking our chances it wasn't booked. There ended up being someone who rented it from 12-6 and they showed up at 11:50 and wanted to boot us out of there so fast. We were done eating and had just finished our cake and ice cream so we graciously moved to the grass area under some trees to do the pinata and open presents. It actually turned out to be more fun like that!
Enjoy some photos.
In the morning, the birthday countdown ends. Brynn is 4!
The best nanny ever! ... her first child will be here soon, July 11.
We are very excited to meet Mia!!
Cool Princess Castle pinata (the second of her only b-day party requests). No bats involved. Each kids takes a turn pulling a ribbon and the lucky one pulls the one that makes the bottom open and the goodies fall out.
I cannot imagine life without Brynn. She somehow makes me laugh everyday and her laugh is so contagious. It's crazy to think how much she has grown in so many ways throughout this last year. Even though some of her behavior lately has been incredibly challenging I pray that I never forget that God gave her to us, how special she is, and that each day with her is an awesome gift. Mommy and Daddy love you soooo much Brynn!
Maggie is her favorite preschool friend.
No photos of this but a few other cute pictures of the kiddos.
It was a great day and all the kids were awesome.
Munching on an apple slice. With his new teeth he wants food he can chew. He now eats Cheerios, small pieces of banana, apple, or ham and gnaws on a carrot. He's growing way too fast!
Return walk home from the park
Train ride at the Detroit Zoo