Best Day EVER!!!

I kind of feel like I'm winning at motherhood when Arabelle or Bo declare that it's the "Best day ever!!!" because we did something they loved. And it's usually something really simple.

Last Thursday, our homeschool group had the first meeting of the school year at the state park. Arabelle and Bo have been wanting to go on the hiking trail for awhile. I just couldn't waddle my hugely pregnant self down the trail in the heat the last time we were there. ;)

The meeting and snack/playtime lasted until nearly 5 (started at 3!) and Zeke had been awake the whole time. I really wanted to say 'next time' to the hiking trail, but I didn't and I'm so glad!

Arabelle and Bo were so excited, which made Mae excited (she didn't care what about!). 

They were so excited that I got the BEST picture ever of the three of them and I love it!!

I put Zeke in the baby carrier, thinking he'd go to sleep, but he didn't.

We walked about 20 minutes before heading home and they were happy with that. Arabelle said it was the "best day ever!!!" and we made plans for next time. Hopefully it'll be a little cooler by then!

Zeke was so worn out that he went to sleep holding my finger when we got home.

Busy Baby

Mae has been a busy girl these last few days! She was taking several steps last week, but today she walked a lot, probably more than she crawled!

Cool baby enjoying the sunshine earlier this week:

She stays right in the middle of it all!

I can't believe how fast she has gone from an itty bitty baby to a walking girl! 

Mae is 10 months old!

Mae is 10 months old! This is way too close to a year old. :(

• Mae is still on the same schedule as last month. She's waking up between 6:30 and 7:00, napping around 9 for 1.5 hours and again around 1:30-2 for another 1.5 hours. Occasionally she'll have a short nap and will just go to bed a little early. Bedtime is around 7-7:30. 
• Mae is night weaned! Yay!!!! She will sometime still wake up and cry a little (or a lot....ugh!), but doesn't need to eat. Other times she sleeps the whole night without a peep.

• She's still nursing 4x/day. Morning, after her two naps, and at bedtime.
• Mae is such a great eater! Some of her favorites are diced grapes, cheese, and chili. She eats nearly anything offered to her. She has 3 meals and usually a small afternoon snack. 
• She has also learned a new 'trick'. She likes to drop her food off the tray on purpose, usually only when she's finished eating. We're nipping that one in the bud right now. ;)
• Still no teeth for Mae!

• Mae is a walker! She's been taking a couple of steps for a couple of weeks, but the last few days, she's been walking a lot. It's so strange to look over and see her walking, unprompted!

• She still LOVES hanging around Arabelle and Bo. 

•  Mae's hair is really coming in, especially in the back. It's pretty dark! 

• Mae still hasn't said "mama", but is a pro at saying "bye bye". :)
• Mae loves to give kisses, especially to baby dolls! 
• I've taught her to play the 'go night night game' that I've taught all my babies. I say "go night night" and she lays her head down, then I say "wake up!" and she pops her head up grinning. It's a good game because when I lay her down for naps or bedtime, I can say "go night night" and she knows to lay her head down. :)
• Mae loves to play in the tunnel with Arabelle and Bo. Here's her in action:

Happy 10 months baby Mae! 

Walking

I can't get over how quickly Bo has taken off with his walking! He walks all over the place now.

The first time Arabelle saw Bo walking she said "Wow! Bo is walking!" and she hasn't said much since then. I am still not used to seeing him walk into a room.

First Steps!

Here are some of Bo's first steps! He walked a long way this morning...at least 10-12 steps. Of course, he needs a little incentive to walk instead of crawl.