I just can’t get over how quickly these two are growing up.

Elliot has been enjoying practicing his standing and walking… and pillow wrestling:
Check out that belly:

Here’s a pic from Reagan, being self-proclaimed “Princess Reagan”.

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Yes, yes, I don’t come around here very often, but it’s just because everything else is NUTS and, I’m doing lots of off-the-cuff picture updates through Instagram and that mostly goes to my Facebook page. However, I haven’t forgotten you, so Hi, Mom!

In addition, my little side project, Scottsdale Moms Blog is taking up a ton of my mental capacity and computer time… So, I’ve been taking up a hobby that doesn’t involve social media or electronics. Good old fashioned, sewing. Here’s my first project, a sundress for Reagan:

My goal is to become competent enough in my sewing skills that I can make thoughtful hand-made gifts for friends without feeling like I’m apologizing for my poor craftsmanship! Plus, I’m a little bit addicted to learning new things.

In other news, Elliot is now 9 months old. He’s pulling up and is strong and sturdy. He laughs out loud regularly and is learning how to be tough. Reagan and he are playing together often, and that is the most amazing thing to see. She’ll spontaneously kiss his head (or bop him on the head), she’ll play peek-a-boo with him and say “come here I-E-yette”. It’s the best.

Here are some pictures I took of these little munchkins at the train park the other day:

They are growing up so fast! And I continue to try my best to drink in their “todayness”.

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Play time these days has been mostly taking place outside. Our weather has been prefection.

Reagan’s favorite new phrase is… “Mommy, can I go outside and play, please?” I love how her language is developing and love what she picks up from me. (The picture on the left was taken after Reagan asked me to tie the baby blanket around her shoulders… which created a lovely cape which she wore for a good hour.)

She’s also lately been saying things like “exuse me Mommy” (sounds like ‘scooz me’) and then she barges through or pushes me away.  Hmmm, wonder where she learned to do that?

Oh and now she’s got the hang of “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” and often uses them in funny ways – usally appropriate, but continues to come as a surprise to me. And if I forget to say “you’re welcome” after she’s said “thank you” she will fill it in herself.

My absolute favorite thing is how she’s taken an interest in learning her numbers. Colors and shapes and letters aren’t really her thing just yet, but she gets such satisfaction in counting. And, I have to assume she gets that from her dad.

Here’s a good picture of Elliot and his two front teeth popping through the bottom. He’s slept well twice in one week (meaning he didn’t wake up at all in the middle of the night!). We are hoping this mean we can get better sleep for at least the near future as long as we can keep the colds away.

And here’s our guy standing up. I think I’m going to have to invest in collard baby shirts. With him being a little bit more verticle, I can’t help but enjoy his boyness!

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It has been a big week for Elliot, this last week of December.  Aside from the usual “first Christmas” milestones, this young lad has learned to sit up (he crawled first and then figured out sitting up).  He also popped a tooth.  And, if that weren’t enough change for one week, he also figured out how to pull up to a standing and has even attempted to move from one stationary structure to another (without luck as of this writing).

And, FYI, he’s still officially 7 months old and will turn 8 months on January 4th! (For those of you not keeping track of “average development” babies typically start sitting up at 8 months and crawling at 10 months – which would be just fine by me.

Reagan is really coming along – with visits by two sets of grandparents and her uncle this month, she’s learning names and new games – like counting to ten for example (not consistently, and I didn’t hear her do it, but that’s the report from reliable grandparenting sources.)

Here’s Mema with the kids, Granddad was making funny faces trying to get Reagan to smile.

Since I was sick for most of their visit, I was thankful to lean on their help with meals, help with diapers and entertainment. Since I only see my mom about twice a year, I was careful to unplug from this here computer and be as present with her and David as possible. It was so wonderful and refreshing to have so much time with my mom and see her build her own relationship with our kids.  The popular phrase from Reagan was “Where Mema go?” or “I want Granddad, please”.

Melt my heart.

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Kevin took the kids to the park and… Reagan pushed the stroller… Mom wasn’t present:

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That’s right, both kids are mobile!  With Elliot taking an early interest in getting around we have two kids on the move!

Here’s a video of Reagan getting in some rings practice at the gym.  Notice her strong grip and balance!

And here’s one of Elliot crawling at 6 months old!

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