This is Crawling, Right?

Jackie Boy

For months now, Ella has been calling Jack, "Jackie Boy." We're not sure how it started, but it stuck, and now it seems to fit him. While Jack is by far the chill, laid-back child in our family, he's recently started taking after his sister in the "busybody" department. He's officially on the move, crawling/swimming as far as it takes to get what he wants. And what he wants is to play with his big sister, and her toys. Of course, anyone with siblings knows how this one goes, and so we've begun the "You have to share with your brother" lectures, and even the "You can't sit on your brother" speeches, too. Needless to say, he's enamored with her, and it's pretty great to see them interacting - even if it results in one or both of them crying.

He was a little hesitant at first, but then he started giggling!

When big sister is away, little brother will play (in her room, without being sat on).

Jack loves Gary the Gorilla.

Ella and Daddy at the nature museum.

Trying on Daddy's shoes.

She's determined.

He got stuck under the end table.

He's so interested in Ella's toys.

Matching monkeys.

Abbie and Eric babysat last week and took these next photos. 

We're sure going to miss Abbie and Eric when they move next month!

Hot Child(ren) in the City

It was a hot week in Chicago, and it turns out, Jack is not a big fan of the heat. While his sister never seems bothered by temperature, our little man becomes unusually irritated when faced with soaring temps. However, as illustrated in the video below, he really loves the water - and is quite the little swimmer! And Ella is now bravely jumping into the pool by herself, and isn't afraid to go under. A few days ago, Ella asked Jeritt to go on a date (she's familiar with Mommy and Daddy going on dates now and then), so this morning he took her to breakfast, and they had a great time! After that, we met our friends, JoLynn, Adam, Bennett, and Sara, at the beach for a beautiful day. 

Helping Uncle Jeff walk Pitch on our way to an outdoor concert.

Keeping up with Aunt Kristin.

Hot, sweaty, sleepy baby.

A pretend picnic during quiet time. Lately, when she's playing and I tell her its time to leave the house, she says, "I'm busy, Mommy." 

Jack planking!

Ella hanging out with our friend, Alicia, who came to visit.

Making ice cream, thanks Grandma V!

Getting ready for her date with Daddy.

A throwback to the 'serious face.'

Enjoying breakfast out with Daddy.

Building sand castles at the beach with Bennett and Sara.

The Next Michael Phelps

Two Little Fish

Maybe we shouldn't be surprised, given both of our kids' love of bath time, but we have a couple of little fish on our hands! Ella has always loved the water, but last summer she wanted nothing to do with being held in the big pool. If she couldn't do it on her own, she didn't want to do it. Thankfully, there is a fantastic life jacket that I recently heard about, and within minutes of wearing it in the pool, she was swimming around on her own! As for Jack, we unfortunately didn't catch it on camera, but his recent "froggy legs" were perfect for kicking in the water, and his other go-to move, the "worm," allowed him to sort of wiggle through the water on his belly (with us supporting him, of course). Chicago is in for a heat wave this week, so we plan to spend some time at the pool!

Ella testing her new life jacket.

Jack taking a break from swimming laps.

Pool party at Morgan's house!

Between the rain, humidity, and sunscreen, Ella was completely covered in sand after a trip to the park. Jack was just hot and grouchy.

Ella and her friend, Max, at the splash pad.

With no naps, we've instituted "quiet time." She's doing great, and on this particular day, I found her reading quietly. She had also changed her entire outfit on her own, including putting a swim diaper over her regular diaper, because she knew we were going to the pool after quiet time.

Cubs fans! Thanks for the fan gear, Aunt Erin!

You know it's time to stop using the rectal thermometer on your toddler when she starts using it on her monkey.

Ella found a pirate hat at the Pirate Park.

I tried to capture them playing together one morning. This is how it began.

Jack wants to play the piano, too, but Ella doesn't want to share.

Jack gets mad that she won't share.

Check out that face!

And finally, they played together.

Jack has been moving so much lately - rolling, doing the worm, swimming, and so close to crawling!