A Broadmoor Kind of 4th!

We went to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs for the 4th. We had a fabulous time and loved every second of being with family and out of the heat. I won't bore you with all of the details, rather let you see the fun we had from our pictures!

The Jodry clan

Gami and Gampi with Wells

My precious little one all dressed up in his seer sucker suit!

The view from our balcony! Look at that face!

Uncle Al - poolside

And, this is our new face. Scrunched nose, big smile, showing of those teeth.

Below is evidence that he will at least put some solid food in his mouth. Baby steps to solid food in our household.

Really enjoyed those green beans, mom!

So cute. Who me?

This was my view as I sat by the pool.

And this little guy decided he would take his nap by the pool.

I look tired, I know! I was exhausted and did not realize how tired I was until I went on vacation.

Just want to be like daddy.

And, in other news, Wells said his first word on July 3 - "dada." We are now actively working on "mama."

Praise Jesus, It's the Weekend.

I don't know how else to say it, but I am so thankful it is the weekend. We had a long week last week. Max was in finals and also finishing his last week at his current job. He will start his new job on July 6! We are praising the Lord for this opportunity and for the Lord sustaining him through all the stress that work and school has put on him and us!

So, to start the weekend off, Wells put on his seersucker finest to go and celebrate with his daddy! There is a lot to celebrate! I, for one, am very relieved to have finals behind us. And I did not have to even take them :)

Our Saturday started with this precious face smiling and wanting to play. So, we went on a walk in his "go cart." (Thank you, Jeanine)!

And then we went to the pool! Wells loves the pool!

And our friends, who have a little girl 3-days older than Wells, met us to play in the pool too! (Little Morgan and Wells)

We have discovered that when we play and throw Wells in the air, Annie (Richard's dog), becomes very protective and jumps in to rescue Wells. Hilarious!

And, in other news, this little peanut (McCall) spent her Saturday at the barn riding with her mama! I loved this picture and wanted to share it with you!

Off to enjoy the rest of the weekend with my precious hubby and little boy! Hope you are enjoying your family this weekend too!

Lately...

We've been swamped. Here is a small picture of what we have been up to....

We spent last Saturday night with several of our couple friends (several of the girls I work with and their husbands). We had a great time laughing and playing with the babies. As you can see below...

Wells was interested in stealing a kiss. But only one! Just. ONE. Aubrey (my friend Kimberlee's little girl) thought maybe she would like more. Wells, well he was only willing to give up one!

So, they settled to snuggle in Jeanine's arms. And...

Miss Aubrey thought she would try Wells' pacifier! That was hilarious!

It has been triple-digit heat temperatures in Texas. So, we have been spending a lot of time inside. And as you can see, Mama has had to get creative about how to include Wells into cooking, when I am...

Chef Wells really enjoys his tools and enjoys "helping" mama!

In other news, Wells has decided to "test out" his fake cry to see if it gets him anywhere. So far, it has only afforded him hearing me say "Wells, Mama can't hear you when you whine." So ready for this bad habit to stop. Any tips?

Oh, and yes, Wells loves to try and crawl into the dishwasher. Have I told you that he is beginning to be into everything.

So ready for the weekend! Post more soon. Have a great and restful weekend.

Daddys and a Day of Celebration and Dedication!

Father's Day is always a precious time for me to remember all the incredible fathers in my life. First and foremost, I am blessed to be called a Child of God and have the most incredible Heavenly Father!

Second, I am blessed to have the most amazing earthly father! Daddy, never forget how much I love you. I also have a wonderful father-in-law who richly blesses my life.

I am now blessed to have the most amazing husband who we celebrated being a father for the first time! Max, you are an incredible daddy! Wells and I love you so much!

Below are my boys....

and, my daddy with my little one...

How can you resist this face? I can't!

We also celebrated with Shelby and McCall! Father's Day was simply not the same without Jake, who is bravely off serving our country. Thank you for your commitment to our freedom, brother! We love you and miss you so much!

So many incredible life lessons, I have learned from this man! My daddy! And now, I am thrilled to see him teaching our little one so many great things!

Silly things sometimes!

But, mostly unconditional love!

Our Father's Day started with getting ready for church and our big baby dedication. It was such a wonderful day as Max and I stood before our church and pledged to raise Wells in a Christian household and to love, honor and fear the Lord. Many special thanks to our family and friends who were there to support us! We love you guys.

As we waited for our turn, Wells passed the time by teething.

Wells was perfectly behaved. He kicked his little leg - just happy as a lark. Totally unaware of the large crowd that stood before him. I had a bit of a wardrobe crisis. Still nursing, nothing fits up top and down below. So, I realize that this dress looks like a nightgown! Ugh! So ready for all my pre-pregnancy clothes to fit up top! Guess I will have to stop nursing for that to happen.

Terrible picture of me, below. But I had to post it. I love how Wells just reached over and held his daddy's arm! Such a sweet little boy!

It is a privilege to raise children with my precious husband and man of God!

Max, we love you so much and are so proud of you! You are not only a man of God but also a man that deeply loves and is devoted to his family - and it shows! You are so precious to us!

Food Faux Pas!

At our 9-month appointment, our doctor asked us "Is Wells eating finger food and is he holding his own bottle?" The answer was "No and No."

I did not think anything about it. He is only 9 months old and has only 2 teeth. Surely he could not be ready to eat finger foods yet. Could he? He loves his baby food, but surely he is not ready for "solid" solid food. And then the "bad mom" syndrome started to kick in.

I questioned why I had not been preparing him to take the next step to solid foods. I questioned why I had not been making him hold his own bottle. I questioned, questioned, questioned. And then I realized that my child is uniquely and wonderfully made and he would get there - IN HIS OWN TIME.

I find myself trying to push him to eat solids. And to no avail, he gags or shows a face of disgust for even putting solids up to his lips. So, I just revert back to good ole' baby food and his bottle.

I have been told that getting your child to eat solids is in some way similar to potty training. They have to be ready.

If you are reading this and have struggled with getting your child to eat finger foods and drink their bottle or sippy cup on their own, please let me know what "tricks of the trade" you used to get your child over the hump and to this next milestone.

9 months

Wells is such a joy at 9 months of life!
At 9 months, Wells is:
- usually all smiles

- a little pensive and starting to exert his will

- recovering from having his adenoids taken out and ear tubes put in. Hopefully we are saying "goodbye" to all these ear infections!

- still an amazing sleeper. He sleeps 12 hours at night and then an 1.5 hour nap in the morning and 1.5 hour nap in the afternoon.

- he is starting to get into everything! He has learned and enjoys drinking water out of a bottle or mama's cup. He has mastered how to drink out of a straw.

- if it is possible, he continues to get more beautiful by the day (or handsome should I say). And, yes, I know I am biased.

- still teething to beat the band. I think those top two teeth are getting closer to busting through.

Other things of note:

- he is pulling up on things and trying to learn to stand by himself

- he is crawling EVERYWHERE

- he still cannot stand the taste of peas

- he loves squash, pears, bananas, green beans, sweet potatoes, apples, blueberries, etc.

- he is struggling with solid foods (like cheerios)

- he wears a size 4 diaper

- he wears 12 - 18 month clothing

- he blows bubbles with his lips

- he has learned how to fake cry

- he has learned the meaning of "no"

- he does not like to sit still while I am changing his diaper

- he still loves the bath and has mastered the art of "splish splash"

- he is learning to love the pool

- he has an affinity for the dogs

- he loves his bed and is content to play quietly in there if he is not quite ready for bed. Thank you, Baby Wise.

Wells, you are pure joy! We are so thankful to our good Lord above for sending you to us to nurture, teach and love. We love you so much and cannot wait to see what wonderful things you accomplish in your life!

Cousinly Love

McCall and Wells recently played together and had a ball. They both look a lot alike to me. Don't they to you?

Watching Baby Einstein and fascinated!

Then, McCall decided she wanted to be a "big girl" and play in her MommaSissy's shoes...


Oh so pretty!

OOOOOH Girl, look at those legs!