Ayden is 9 Months

Ayden had his 9 month well visit is weighs 17 lbs, 2 oz.  We had to move his jump-a-roo and exersaucer up to the next height level.  Ayden has become very verbal.  He is "talking" a ton and learned how to scream.  He loves to listen to himself make noises.  Ayden is beginning to crawl.  He can get up on all fours and rock back and forth.  Ayden started clapping.  We have been practicing baby sign language, but Ayden hasn't picked it up quite yet.  Ayden still enjoys eating.  His favorite foods are yogurt, bananas, graham crackers and prunes.  Ayden has started to recognize strangers and will cry if someone he doesn't know holds him.  Ayden is sleeping all night and nursing 4 times a day.  He is also eating breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Ayden dropped down to only two naps a day.  Ayden got another ear infection and pink eye this month.  He was treated with antibiotics and eye drops.

Happy Father's Day

Father's day this year was celebrated a week early...because we will be cruise'n our way to Bermuda come next Sunday!  Whoo-hooo!  This family is in well need of a vacation...a much earned and deserved vacation by this work'n mama.  Ayden will celebrate his first Father's Day sailing along on the Atlantic Ocean.

Allie and Ayden brought home a little surprise for Todd last week from day care...a handmade tray for "Daddy to keep his keys and his phone and his wallet." (Allie's words)

Of course we gave Papa Ray his gift and went out to dinner.  Allie loves showing Papa all her new goodies and tricks...and she especially LOVES when Papa takes her out for ICE CREAM!!!  Ayden loves to try and grab Papa's glasses.  They seem like the coolest toy ever!

We also celebrated with Todd's dad and let him know how much we appreciate him, as well.  Ayden loves when Papa makes funny faces at him...and of course he loves to try and grab his glasses too.  Three generations of Hammerick's!

 

 

Father's Day part two coming soon...aboard the Explorer of the Seas!

Allie is 3.5

Our spunky, sassy and sweet baby girl turned 3-and-a-half today.  Allie is one beautiful girl I just cannot take enough photos of.  She was as willing as ever to have her mini photo session out on our front lawn.  All dressed and hair curled, this mini model hammed it up for my camera.

 

Allie has been into the movie FROZEN lately.  She can pretty much sing every song in the movie by heart and quote almost any line.  Allie loves anything to do with Disney princesses.  Allie is still into cheerleading and loves to stunt with Todd.  She would make him throw her around all afternoon if he would let her.  Allie likes to paint and do crafts with me.  She like to play restaurant and have tea parties.  Allie hates bugs and will cry when one comes by her. Allie is such a wonderful big sister and LOVES to be with Ayden.  She is caring, protective and so loving to him.  She comforts him when he is sad and her laugh is always contagious.  Allie enjoys playing outside...riding her bike, playing at the park and driving her red Power Wheels car.  Allie and I have the most wonderful conversations on the way to day care.  She is curious about everything she sets her eyes on and wants to learn all she can.  Allie is still working on writing her name independently.  She recognizes all the letters in the alphabet and can write many of them.

 

 

Little Patriots

Memorial Day is the first "unofficial" day of summer.  It means the school year is coming to a close and summer vacation is right around the corner.  Memorial day was a bit challenging to explain to my Allie girl.  When Allie questioned what Memorial Day was...I replied with..."On Memorial Day we remember to appreciate all the important people in America."  We talked about our county "America" and what our country's flag looks like. 

This weekend Allie was invited to her first ever Memorial Day pool party.  I didn't take any photos at the party, but snapped this one just before we left.

While Todd went off to enjoy his holiday Monday morning on the golf course, my two little patriots and I dressed in our finest red, white and blue and headed to the Novi Memorial Day parade. 

 

Allie and Ayden loved the parade.  Lots of candy was thrown our way.  Allie collected for Ayden too.
 

Austin joined Allie for some parade watching fun.  Check out those cool sparkly star headbands!
 

Ayden watched all the festivities from his Go-Pod (love this thing)!  He was a happy guy.
 

Big Girl Bedroom

Personally, I would have been fine keeping Allie in her toddler bed for a little bit longer...however, Todd was ready to convert.  Allie's little girl bedroom with her giant pink bean bag will forever be a memory.  Because today, Allie got a brand new big girl bed.  Her once little baby girl crib, turned into a little girl bed...is now a BIG girl bed that will grow with her until the one day she decides to move out of her childhood home...and probably take her childhood furniture with her. 

Allie's crib when she was a baby...

...converted to a toddler bed when Allie was two-and-a-half...

 

 

...and now to a REAL BIG GIRL BED  when Allie was three-and-a-half.  A bed that will grow with her through her high school years...and some!

We are so glad Papa Ray decided to buy a new mattress...because we inherited his old one!  Allie is very appreciative. 

Allie and I absolutely LOVE how her quilt came out.  I had the same person who made her crib quilt and bedding, make her full size quilt for her new bed.  Now everything matches just right and we didn't have to redo her whole room.  It's perfect!

Allie's Baptism Birthday

This little angel was a gift from the heavens.  3 years ago today, she was baptized and welcomed with open arms into the church.  We celebrated with a special family dinner and a special DESSERT too (picked out by Allie)...thanks Nana and Auntie for picking up a LEMON cupcake from the mall.  Allie helped decorated the table with her candle, baptism photo and bonnet. 

 

 

 

We sang "Happy Baptism to you..." and Allie blew out her candle (once before dinner...and again after dinner...twice).  Allie was also super excited to wear her cross necklace.  She knows she can only wear it for "fancy" occasions. 

 



 

 

Allied liked the frosting best (as usual)...and she was so sweet to share with her dad.

 

 

 

Just to make Allie's special day a little more wonderful...Todd and I gave her a little gift we've been saving for a rainy day...lots of Sofia surprises.

 



 

Allie, God welcomes your pure, sweet heart into his church.  We love you...and the kind loving girl you have become.  God is proud of you.

Ayden is 8 Months

Ayden is so happy!  He smiles and giggles ALL the time.  Ayden learned how to scoot around. He will push himself backwards and can turn in a full circle.  He started to get up on his knees too.  Ayden can sit up well and play with his toys.  Ayden took many walks in the stroller now that the weather is getting warmer.  Ayden celebrated his first Easter this month.  He still loves to jump in the jump-a-room and he loves to play peek-a-boo.  Ayden is getting really good at feeding himself. Although he gets lazy sometimes and would rather me put the food in his mouth for him.  Ayden is nursing four times a day and eating 3 meals a day.  Ayden loves to listen to his big sister read to him before bed.  He continues to sleep all night long and will usually wakes up around 7:00 am.