Marty's 60th Birthday Party

My Mom's best friend and my "second mom" had her 60th birthday party today. We lived across the street from each other since I was a year and a half old, so I don't remember ever not knowing her. I was so happy that we were able to celebrate with her! Happy 60th Marty!

Marty has two granddaughers, Libby and Lylah, who my girls just loved playing with!

Me and Jamey The party was during naptime and Harper was starting to get sleepy.
You can't see them well, but I made Delaney's headband and Harper's hair clips.

Angie, Me,
Ken, Michelle, and Jamey
We grew up across the street from each other and were as close as brothers and sisters.
So good to visit with them again!

The Bridges Family
Larry, Marty
Angie, Jamey, Michelle

Harper's First Movie

Harper actually had two "firsts" today. She had her first dentist appointment with Dr. K. He counted her teeth, brushed them and said it already looked like they were starting to self-correct with no pacifier. She was a brave girl!

She also got to go to her first movie at the movie theater! We pass by it every time we go to the pool and both girls always ask when we are going to go. Today was the day! We saw "Winnie the Pooh". Delaney loved it and sat great through the whole thing (with her earplugs in :)) and Harper sat for about half of it (of course, snacks helped keep her seated). Thankfully, we went to the 10:05 am show which was not crowded and she could move around a little bit without bothering anyone else.

Keepin' Cool

Allan came home from a hot afternoon run and jumped straight into the baby pool to cool off! Delaney woke up from her nap and joined him. Harper was still asleep.

KBK Carnival 2011

Our church's Kids Bible Kamp was this week and Delaney got to go for the first time! I taught the Pre K class and she was in the class right below me. We saw each other a lot throughout the week and she was always eager to give me hugs and kisses - probably just because I was holding a water bottle and would give her a good squirt to cool her down :) I loved watching her in the music tent seeing her dance and sing praise songs to the Lord! On the last night, we always have a little carnival at Metro and the kids go on stage to perform some of the songs they learned at KBK.

Claire and Delaney racing fish. Delaney's won!
Harper tossing pennies into the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The Toilet Bowl Toss!

Since I was one of the teachers, I was supposed to be on stage helping with the kids. It gave me a chance to get Landon, Alayna, Delaney, Claire, and Koen right up to the front so all their mommies and daddies could see them!

My Mom said Harper couldn't stand it and just had to dance in the audience! I have a similar picture of Delaney doing this from 2 years ago!

She can't wait to be up on stage in 2 years!

Shout it Out!

That I love Jesus!

Tell the World that God is Good!!

Harper looks so grown up to me :(

Bye Bye Binky!

Hooray! Harper has been paci-free for over a week now! We heard about a website called www.bye-byebinky.com and I checked it out. Basically, you cut the pacifier a little bit more everyday so that there is eventually just a nub left. The theory is that you have to convince the brain that it is no longer receiving any pleasure from the pacifier. It took about 4 days for Harper to quit and 2 more days of just needing to hold the paci nubs for comfort. It was cute and sad at the same time to hear Harper say, "Why my paci broking?" I personally felt terrible because I was the one who started her on pacifiers in the first place. Of course she was going to fall in love with it! Finally, this past Monday we bagged up the four remaining pacis and gave them to Baby Bella in our Small Group.

I wish that were the end of the story, but it's not. Unfortunately, Harper has yet to find another way to soothe herself and get herself to unwind at bedtime. It takes anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour to fall asleep whereas she used to be out within seconds with the paci. Thankfully, she doesn't cry the entire time or even ask for her pacis, but she does jump, call out for more hugs and kisses, ask for drinks and other random things, and insist that her door be left open. We've tried blankies, dolls, music, books, etc. to help with the transition. Also, she's up again in the night and her naps are shorter because she can't just roll over and pop her paci back into her mouth. I guess she just has to get used to this new "normal". Hopefully we'll have our easy-to-sleep Harper back soon!

Welcome Baby Colin!

Baby Colin arrived yesterday! We're so excited to help the Rudd family welcome their newest addition! The two big brothers spent the night at our house tonight after we visited Mommy, Daddy and Baby Colin at the hospital. My girls couldn't wait to have a sleepover with them!

The Rudds
Lucas is going to be a great big brother! He held Colin several times during the 30 minutes we were there and gave him so many kisses.

Delaney was smitten, too.

The Cochrans plus one

Allan and I were gluttons for punishment and let all three big kids sleep together in Delaney's room! Lucas got to sleep in Delaney's bed which we pushed up against the wall and Tyler and Delaney slept in little tents on the floor. Surprisingly, it only took about 15 minutes for them to all settle down and go to sleep.

Jen reads one bedtime story before lights out.

Zoo, Boat House, City Gardens

What a full day we had today! We got up early to get to the zoo before 9 am so we could see the Stringray and Shark exhibit for free, then had a delicious lunch at the Boat House in Forest Park, and squeezed in a quick trip to the City Gardens in downtown St. Louis before heading home for naps and church. I got to try three new restaurants this weekend! Our little monkey having a snack while waiting in line for the stringrays.

Waiting for something to swim by.

Delaney finally touched one!

Both girls feeling real zebra hide
We moved pretty slowly through the zoo because Delaney insisted on riding in the stroller and Harper insisted on pushing it!
The girls give the hippos kisses. Usually the hippos are swimming all around, but today all four were huddled together in the corner.
Harper gets a closer look at the cobra statue.
We were in and out of the zoo in less than two hours (my kind of trip!). I was excited to go to the Boat House for lunch because I had heard so many good things about it. We had a nice view and some cool(ish) shade.

Delaney's favorite part was the colorful chairs in the bar.

Daddy keeps a tight hold on Harper's hand while they look at the ducks.

A rare moment of Harper sitting still and chilling. I can't even begin to count how many times she climbed in and out of her chair!
Two of the many turtles that enjoyed Delaney's sandwich crusts.
Beautiful girl #1
Beautiful girl #2

Allan was ready just to go on home after lunch, but I talked him to going to the City Gardens for a little bit. I had packed the girls suits and I thought if we didn't do it today, we might not have another chance this summer. I'm so glad we stopped! The City Gardens is a sculpture park/garden/fountain oasis in the middle of the city. It is free to the public and you are allowed to swim in any of the pools!

This boat sculpture was in the middle of one of the pools.

Having fun!

Allan was a good sport and got in with Harper. She could easily touch, but we were nervous about her climbing on the rocks by herself.

Splashing around

Loving life!

I love this picture of Harper "reading" the sign. In reality she was going poo poo and went over to the sign for "privacy".

Another neat feature at the gardens is a live camera and big TV that you can watch yourself on. The girls are entertaining themselves onscreen.