exploring the woods

Ranger riding in the Chastain swamp.

Coop dog at his finest.

We found the same gopher tortoise AGAIN.

Playing in the creek at the Old Camp.

Waving to barges going down the river.

Happy times. 

5 months

This cutie turned 5 months old this week.

Have I mentioned what a good baby he is?

Or how happy he is?

 It never fails. Every time someone is around him they comment on what a happy baby Collin is. 

I can personally tell you he brings everyone in our house so much joy. 

It doesn't matter if we are having a tough day, busy day, tired, or sick…he makes everyone smile when they see his face light up.

He is much different than his brother as a baby. Which goes to show you there is only so much you can do because they are their own little people and they will be who they are. There is something freeing about that in itself. 

He is a great napper and good sleeper. For the first couple of months after I would lay him in his crib, I would hold my breath and just hope he wouldn't cry…because that was my past experience. So the fact that he just rolls over and goes to sleep blows my mind. If you have ever had a kid who is not the best sleeper, you really appreciate a good sleeper. 

 When Collin wakes up, Owen is the first one he looks for and the first to bring that big smile to his face every time. Sometimes that is because Owen can't wait to see him and will crawl right in his crib with him. These two also love playing peek-a-boo.

Collin has much more of a routine than I ever remember having with Owen…and it is not because of us. We have just followed his lead. He takes a morning nap. A nap around noon and another late afternoon. Goes to bed between 7 and 8. At the same time, he can go with the flow really easy if we are out and about.

Don't let these sweet pictures of him sitting fool you. They boy can travel. I would not say he is crawling but the boy can move and get to what he wants. 

You can set him on the floor and come back and he has moved 3 feet. He knows to go for cords, phones, remotes, iPad, magazines…you know, the good stuff when there is a basket of his toys right beside him.

He has discovered Cooper and was so excited to get to Coop and pet him earlier this week. 

 Collin had his first taste of food last week. We were making guacamole and decided to mush a little avocado for him to try. He loved it and Owen thought it was great fun to see his brother eat "guacamole." He has since had a little rice cereal and banana. 

I know this is picture overload. But we haven't been home since February so I want to share what I can with those we don't get to see often. I am going to include a few videos below.

first bites:

peek-a-boo

And on that note, I think it's time to baby proof around here.

And because everyone says my boys look alike, here is Owen's 5 month post.

river fun

We got to have a little fun on the river while we were at the camp this trip.

This was Owen's first time on the river and I think he could definitely get used to it. 

This guy was a natural as well.

Cool dude in his shades...

So much beauty on the river. We pretty much had it to ourselves seeing that we were riding on a Thursday.

Cooper would like to retire to the river. He is a woods dog at heart.

So much running through the woods, riding on the Ranger, smelling for critters, swimming. retrieving and boat riding will just wear a dog out.

Maybe this guy was worn out too. He was actually rocking me. Sweet boy loves his mama. I vividly remember this moment on the boat ride. There was a beautiful sunset right in front of us. Bright vivid colors. This little guy was hugging me and rocking me side to side. How could life get much better at a moment like that?

Bluebonnets

Last year when we came to Texas to find a home, it was bluebonnet season. One piece of advice we got from everyone was, you must take a picture of your child in the bluebonnets. It is a Texas tradition after all. 

So we set out to do just that. Luckily there is a field near our house covered in bluebonnets.

The bluebonnet is the official state flower of Texas. 

You will see them along the roadsides and in pastures throughout Texas for a few weeks from March to May.

 Of course we had to take Coop dog to experience the bluebonnets too.

I am not sure he was impressed, but he was very happy to get to tag along.

The bluebonnets are pretty special.

"The bluebonnet is to Texas what the Shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom is to Japan, the lily is to France, the rose is to England and the tulip is to Holland." --Jack Maguire, Historian

I have also been told:

and on the eighth day, God created the Texas bluebonnet...

a coop day

Poor Coop got a little neglected when we went back to Alabama.

 He didn't get to make the trip which meant no romping through the woods or swimming in the river.

So he was due for a day just for him.

David's schedule was changed at the last minute allowing him some extra time at home this morning, and we knew just what should be on our agenda for the day.

We spent the morning on Lake Waco letting Cooper run, swim, retrieve and play.

and of course and excavator came along for the excursion.

 The weather was gorgeous, a warm day here almost hitting 70 but still pretty breezy.

I am still not sure who had a better time, this guy...

or this guy. 

I would say it's a pretty close tie. 

no nap day

...usually that phrase would have a much different meaning, but when David got home surprisingly early we embraced our afternoon together.

First up: happy hour at Sonic

With a cherry limeade and slushes in hand we headed for the lake.

God blessed us with a gorgeous day. Cooper got to swim, Owen played in the dirt and mud, we picked up shells...life was good.

and that little boy who didn't have time to nap...well, he crashed that night.

He slept almost as hard as Coop dog.