When I looked at the display on my phone after snapping these photos, I was actually surprised that the lens didn't capture the light, life, and joy just bursting from this little boy, like a shimmery aura bubble circling around him--can't you see it? It's there. I feel it every single day.
My little Joey baby is 6 months old! Of course I think that Joey is an absolute doll, but I have actual proof of his cuteness: even living here in Utah, baby capital of the world, people stop me all over the place to comment on what a cute baby Joey is. That is saying something.
Besides just plain cute, Joey is...
... a blondie! Who knows where he found his fair hair in our gene pool?
... not a great napper, but he just began sleeping through the night 4 nights ago. Finally!
... a little monkey. He loves to be held and carried around as I go about my chores, just clinging to my shoulder
... skinny, well, relatively. Compared to some of his, umm, husky big brothers, Joey seems skinny.
... eating puffs and yogurt melts. He has a very strong tongue thrust reflex, so the baby food just spits right back out, but he really likes little puffs...when he can manage to extricate them from his own tight little fist.
...loved. Joey gets so many loves from his big brothers, particularly Ben, who likes to hug him, kiss him, and sit on him (in an affectionate way, I'm sure).
Bath time = Squeaky-clean, fresh-scrubbed behind his ears and under his roly-poly neck, baby shampoo smelling, smooth and lotion soft skin, rosy pink, nakey, and wiggly!
I would be the happiest Mom on earth if the boys decided to attend my alma mater, BYU. Aside from being a solid university....it's only 20 minutes from home! I would consider allowing the boys to move away from home post-graduation...all the way to Provo....if they agreed to come home each weekend for Sunday dinner. Hmmm, maybe I should write this up in a contract now. Annnyway, we took the boys to the BYU campus yesterday to get the family dudded up in BYU apparell and stopped at the BYU creamery while we were there.
Happy Birthday to my sweetheart Max! I love this special little boy. Max is a lover. He loves to hold my hand, cuddle with me in the evening, and will randomly state, "Mom, you're the best!" I always say, if I'm ever feeling a little grouchy, the best medicine is spending ten minutes with Max--he just has a way of lightening my mood. Max is awesome at sharing. If he is given a cookie, he will always ask if he can have another to give to Hank. If he is playing with a toy, he willingly gives it to his brother to have a turn first. Max has the best smile, and, 99% of the time is just a happy kid. But that only 1%, look out. Max has a stubborn streak and can throw a fit like a champ--going stark-raving crazy in the middle of a busy checkout lane when denied the purchase of a snorkel mask, of all things. Max loves to be my helper--he is my right-hand man when it comes to baking cookies and making dinner and he loves to help me dust the furniture and clean the windows (I know he secretly thinks the cleaner is a next-best quirt gun). Max is our best eater and loves to eat whatever Daddy is eating; his favorite is pizza and hotdogs, just like Dad. Which, I guess isn't surprising since Max has become a Daddy's boy. Traitor. Max adores his Dad and jumps at the opportunity to ride in Dad's truck, sit on Dad's lap, or watch Dad mow the lawn. Dad is pretty happy that Max has taken an interest in golfing--Max loves his hit his "golfs," as he likes to say. In our home Max is loud and rambunctious. At school or at church, Max turns ultra-shy and has to be pried from my legs, kicking and screaming. Max has always been a great sleeper. We never have to fight Max to go to bed. In fact, he usually has to be carried to bed because he claims he is too tired to climb up the stairs to his bedroom. Max is one special little boy and we love him to peices! Happy Birthday Maxy-boy!
Classic. If you are ever in need of a good laugh, come check out these boys play soccer. It's hilarious. Max flat out refused to play during his first game unless Aaron held his hand, so we're just thrilled that he is even willing to step on the field--forget dribbling, passing, and scoring goals. Max is absolutely oblivious to the game going on around him, he just rans from one side of the field to the other, giving Aaron and I big "thumbs up" signs.
Little Joey has been giving Mommy a run for her money these days. He hasn't got the hang of sleeping through the night, he isn't so interested in baby food, and he complains unless he is being carried and in constant motion. Tired Mommy told Joey he better shape up--or else. Smart Joey figured out this new trick--sitting up--and is a much, much happier baby...making Mommy happy, too.
