Bath Time Bubbles

We had this little toy for the longest time and honestly I forgot about it until Rob pulled it out the other day. Needless to say it was a big hit. I was surprised that he was able to catch the bubbles with his hands and they didn't pop. He tried to eat several, but after a good 20 mins of playing we shut it off the finished the bath. Someone was getting extremely wrinkly.

Water Bowl

Not a whole lot going on this week and weekend except for the fact that Baron noticed the dog's water bowl and wanted to play in it. At first I was against it, because I knew that he would end up getting wet and sure enough when I turned around, he picked the bowl up and water went all over this shorts. What's a mom to do? I just let him do whatever he wanted. Then we added more water to it. It's amazing what entertains him.

Grant's Farm

Saturday we went to Grant's Farm and was so surprised by it. I had never been, while it had been a long time since Rob had. As we pulled up, the Clydesdale Barn was right next to where we parked. As we walked into the barn, I was so amazed how big these animals were. Then walking outside to see them in the pasture, 3 adults and 1 baby were at the edge of the fence. That was such a neat sight. Of course Baron loved it however he kept going "ruff, ruff, ruff". I tried to teach him how the horse went but he still wanted to bark like a dog.
So, we had everything packed in the stroller and started the long walk from the parking lot to the entrance. I was glad that we decided to go on that particular day because it was beautiful. Anyway, as were walking in, Rob and I were noticing that you had to take a tram into the park. Lovely...because the stroller was PACKED and you had to empty it out and collapse it to ride the tram. We managed, just wish I would have done a little more research before we came.
Once we were in, we walked around spending an ample amount of time at each pen. Of course Baron got the biggest kick out of the baby goats (who wouldn't). Rob's job was to get the milk for the goats and take Baron inside the pen. My job was to film and take pictures at the same time. No easy task...I honestly think Baron liked playing in the rocks more than playing with the goats. The hardest part was to not let him drink the goats milk because Rob said he would hand the bottle to him and the first chance he got it was straight into the mouth. Once we were outside and of course under my watch, we (Baron and I) head for the fence to feed the goats through it. Again, I'm trying to do too much while trying to film him feeding them, he gives the goat the bottle and then takes a swig for himself. YUCK! Just what I didn't want to happen. I yanked it out, milk starts running down his chin, and he looks at me like I threw his Binky away. Oh well, I guess that's better than eating poop.
All in all, it was an awesome visit. I would love to go back again now knowing what it expect. I think Baron really got a kick out of all the animals and even being able to pet several of them. Walking around the park really made me realize that this is my family and I was so proud.

Me & my G-Ma James

Since it's such a far walk (right next door:), Baron and I one afternoon thought it would be nice to go see Grandma James. She loves to sit outside and enjoy the weather and has the best area to do that. It's really perfect for Baron because it's all fenced in and besides the thorny rose bushes, he really can't do much damage. So it's nice to go over there and visit, all while I can let Baron just roam free.

My Mini Castle

Baron loved his first ever play thingy. I don't know what to call it so Rob and I have named it the mini castle. I think it fits. He hasn't quite gotten the hang of being able to actually climb up either side, or be able to crawl through the tunnel without getting stuck but bless his heart, he keeps trying.

Weekend Fun!

Riley and Baron are just 3 months apart and I am so happy that they will both be able to play and be in each others lives. You wouldn't think that now because it seems like the two don't pay attention to each other but after a while they started interacting. Baron isn't used to playing with little ones his own size so he had to adjust that she can't help him up or play hard like he's used to. I think by the end of the night he got the hang of it and they got along really well.
They both enjoyed the gator and Riley was sporting Rob's mowing shades. I was surprised that she didn't mind them on. Later, we got out the cozy coupe car and they each took turns pushing the other around. That was pretty funny. Typical boy doesn't mind doing all the pushing but when it was time for Baron to ride and Riley to push, that took a little more convincing. Eventually they ended up riding together, which was really sweet but us big kids were getting worn out from pushing them along. Neither one wanted to be done. Go figure.
All in all, it was a good visit and I look forward to more in the future.

Nakai the rolling dog...

Just mentally picture this. We're all standing out in the field watching the kids run around and play. Well, as they are playing so are the two big dogs, Nakai and Reinhardt. As we are talking and the kids are climbing all over the gator, we look over and Nakai is rolling in something. Rob and I think it's funny but it's no laughing matter for Chad and Stacy since they deal with it so often. Don't know why one dog does it and the other doesn't...Nakai just likes to roll in things. So as we were standing there, with Stacy looking at Nakai in disgust, I start telling her that it's probably deer poop and the dogs invisible fence doesn't go out that far so at least it wasn't the other dogs' poop, I wander over to see what it was. Just out of curiosity, ya know.
As I peer down, expecting the dog to have smushed all the deer poop into the ground because she had been doing it for awhile, I was shocked to see what it was...It was a dead M O L E! I could not believe that Nakai was rolling on that. Why would a dog roll on a dead mole. If she liked the smell of it that much I could have attached it to her coller so we all wouldn't have to worry about the kids or us petting her. I got a kick out of it, pretty funny to me, however, Stacy wasn't too pleased.

Hangin' with Uncle Chad

It was a Chad, Stacy and Riley weekend. They made the trip down Saturday afternoon and we played, grilled out, had a few cocktails and just enjoyed watching the kiddos play. Chad pulled out the guitar we have been borrowing from Dad and started playing. The instant that Chad sat down, Baron was almost there. He is really drawn to that guitar and I hope that's a good thing. Chad was nice enough to let Baron help him play and possibly teach him a few tricks like the c7 cord.

I made it!!

Here we are again at the mall playground and alas Baron is all by himself so he can play with whatever his little heart desired. This time he was focused on getting up that little ramp by himself. His first several attempts ended with him either sliding off or rolling down the ramp. Of course that was when I didn't have the camera ready. Finally when I did, he was able to make his way up and then down with some help or we would have been dealing with a major face plant. Once that was conquered, off to the favorite tunnel.

Tunnel Fun

We have always been looking for a tunnel for Baron and finally found one at the mall surprisingly. Baron loved it right away. He still hasn't figured out that he can't just stand up in the middle of it because the poor kid keeps trying. One of these days, he's going to realize that he's not as small as he thinks he is. There are several other places in the house where he thinks he can go, but there is no way he's going to get that chunky body in there. It's fun to watch because now he grunts when he exerts a lot of energy to push his way through.

Our little Southpaw

So we think we might have a little left hander on our hands. I know it's too early to know for sure but he definitely favors the left for a lot of things. I don't really know what to think of it but Grandpa sure likes it. While we were in Springfield this weekend, Dad was having Baron throw him a crumpled piece of paper and each time Baron would pass it to his left hand to throw it. Rob says, there are no left hand discus throwers...but we'll have to change that.

Griffin's Baseball Game

Saturday we stopped to watch Griffin's baseball game along the way to Springfield. He's the catcher and did an awesome job. I was actually surprised on how well they all played. No tee or slow pitch, it's the real deal. I really enjoyed watching it.
Candon and Taylyn were there along with Amy and Baron was able to play with them all. He and Taylyn played with the rocks and Baron loved it. That's all that he wanted to do. Too funny.

Walking Machine

Baron has gotten so much better with walking. The Frankenstein walk is now starting to smooth into a nice gentle glide. No, not really...but it has improved from the rickety beginnings. He's actually starting to let his arms down instead of always looking like he's just done the "Bend and Snap". He's also trying to master how to go up hill and it's pretty funny because he knows that he has to get his arms into it in order to get his chunky butt up.

Guitar Daddy

Rob's new hobby, which I love, has been trying to play the guitar. He knew a few things from a long time ago but the with the help of dad, he's learning so much more. So several times during the week, after Baron is on his last legs of playing in his crib, Rob heads in there to practice. It's really sweet because I can hear him playing and singing and then when he stops, it seems like Baron is yelling at him to start again. Before I took this video, I crept up the stairs wanting to see what Baron was doing without him noticing me. As I peered in the door, there Baron stood, completely quiet, watching his dad strum away. So sweet.

Staycation Vacation

Usually every year since our birthday is on the same day, Rob and I plan a little vacation. Last year, with Baron being just a month old and family still visiting, we didn't do anything. This year we were talking about going somewhere but with that, would mean we would have to leave Baron. Although it sounded like a nice break, we weren't sure if we were ready...until the thought of sleeping in, taking long naps, going out to eat w/o shoveling down the food, being alone, all crept into our wee lil brains; we decided it was going to be a sure thing.

We dropped Baron off at Aunt Amy's for 2 nights and he then went to Grandma/Grandpa Louderman's for the last night. I must admit, that first night alone we were missing him more than we had ever imagined. As the days progressed (flew by), we started reverting back into our old pre-Baron routine and I'm not gonna lie, it was NICE! However, even with the old freedom, there was still something missing and by Sunday, we were itching to get him back. All in all, it was a great staycation vacation and hope to do it again.

Baron and his first taste of DiCarlo's pizza. Yum Yum!



This is the video we took as we pulled up to get Baron. Was hopeing for a little more excitement but that's ok. I got my kisses and hugs and was happy. On the way home I gave him a few pieces of taffy. He really liked that.