6 Months Old...

I say this every time "Oh how fast they grow!" But this statement is so true! I LOVE seeing Garrison grow and reach new stages BUT it all goes by too fast! Today he is 6 Months Old. He is 14 lbs 9 oz. He is 26 inches long. He is still nursing but has started eating a variety of baby foods as well! So far he does NOT like bananas??!! So strange considering all the other kids LOVED bananas and still do! It just goes to show all kids are different!! He looks for you when you call his name! He smiles and giggles numerous times throughout the day. He loves when the other children talk to him. He grabs and reaches for anything that is put in front of him or that is within arm's reach! He is staying awake for much longer periods of time and taking longer naps when asleep! He prefers to be put down on his belly when tired and ready for a nap! (which I don't like doing but since I am awake when he naps, I obviously keep a close eye on him) He rolls from belly to back and even uses his legs to push himself forward or backward! Not quite crawling yet but he is getting closer by the day! He "coos" and "talks" a lot! The thing he does the most of is DROOL. He seems to be having a heck of a time cutting his first two bottom teeth! For weeks now we can see the tops of both teeth just below the gum line but nothing has broken through just yet! Hopefully they will break through soon though! He can sit up unasissted for a minute or two before grabbing for a foot and falling to that side. He LOVES to play with his toes. Don't all babies though?! He is almost pulling them to his mouth. Marc seems to think he won't ever be able to eat his own toes with his "big fat cloth diapers"! Marc also claims he won't be an early crawler either for the same reason! Fine with me. What's the rush to have him crawl anyway??!! He appears to be growing and developing wonderfully! We can only hope he continues throughout the days, months, and years to come!

Another Fun Summer Day...

Today was a fun-packed summer day. As most typical Sunday's begin, we first headed out to church. Once home, Marc and I decided to attempt the busy, crowded, packed movie theater to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. To be honest it was more for Marc and I, since the kids had seen it two days earlier with Grandma and Papa (can we say spoiled kids!!). We were going to let the kids hang out at Papa's house while we attended the movie but the kids really wanted to see the movie again. YES its that good of a movie! So off we went. As our family grows, we have to plan outings like this correctly otherwise its creates a very stressful situation. Transformers Movie=New Release=Lots of People=Not Very Nice People=Beyond Difficult To Find 5 Seats Together WITH Stroller Access! The ticket counter said the show was only 62% full but we knew that meant NO stroller friendly seating. We all were so excited to see the movie that it didn't matter, into the theater we went! We found 5 seats at the end of a row and quickly sat down as there was a crowd behind us rushing in for seating! It was not the most pleasant movie (as far as people and seating) we have attended as a family but the movie was so AWESOME that it made all the "stress of going" worth it. After the movie, we once again returned home. Soon after, Papa called asking if the kids wanted to go swimming. We loaded back into the van and once off we went! Swim suits on, pool toys inflated, and wrinkled hands. 2 hours later it was time to call it a day. Dinner time was approaching and children were cranky! It was a long day! While dinner was being prepared a game of topple was played! Its a very age friendly game in which all 3 were able to play together nicely. After dinner it was time for out bedtime routine and thank goodness! We were all definitely wiped out but it was for sure a very fun summer day!

Happy Father's Day To Marc...

Happy Father's Day To Marc,

We are so lucky to have you in our life. You truely mean the world to us. You are such a wonderful husband and an amazing father! We hope you enjoyed YOUR day...

This morning, the events of this wonderful day began with a yummy family breakfast make by the kids (with a little help from mom of course). After breakfast the kids gave Marc his gifts. They each colored a gift bag, photo magnet frame, and homemade card. In addition to the homemade items Dillon picked out a "transforming hammer" (it wasn't an item Marc needed BUT Dillon was positive "daddy needed it") and the girls picked out a new Yankees tshirt (Marc's old one was getting...well OLD). A couple weeks ago he also got a new xbox because he wore out his other one!! Boys and their toys, thats all I will say!! Lunch was nothing fancy, just another typical lunch in the Simpson household. Marc then "played" in his garden while I cleaned up the house a bit with the kids. For dinner, the request was made for lasagna! So there lasagna was, on the dinner table for the best husband and daddy there is!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY MARC! We LOVE you more than words, gifts, and meals can say!

More Dresses...

Not too long ago, the girls went with me to Joann's and picked out a ton of cute fabrics for dresses they wanted made for them! Those of you know me, know that I have a stock pile of fabric on hand at all times. I have a laundry list of items I want to sew up but don't always find the time to do with 4 kiddos running around! So for a couple weeks, the fabric has sat in my bin waiting! Today was the special day. I got out a couple patterns, cut them out, and went to town sewing! I finished 3 dresses for Liliana and 3 for Ava. The girls LOVE them. I managed to get a couple pictures of them trying them on. (The top two are halter dresses and the bottom one is a button front strap dress) For some reason they didn't want me to take their picture in all the dresses. I think they turned out really cute! Now I need to find time to make the boys their overalls and Garrison some fun summer-y rompers!

A Very 80's Night...

Tonight was the MNO (moms night out) for the MOMS Club. I joined the club in January and really LOVE being around these wonderful ladies! I haven't been able to enjoy a night out with the girls since having Garrison for the obvious reason of feedings but this night was an exception! It was at a girls house that was right around the corner so if I was needed I could run home no problem! Marc was up for the challenge of keeping all 4 kiddos for me to get a little time away! So for that A BIG HUGE THANK YOU to Marc! The theme for the party was 80's! I couldn't have been more excited! It was such a fun night and a few people snapped some cute pictures of the fun evening! Here is a group shot ...

What a Good Big Brother...

While cleaning up from dinner tonight, Dillon decided he wanted to read Garrison a story and keep him occupied! It was sweet of him, because Garrison was in the process of getting a tad bit fussy! Garrison appeared to enjoy the story but considering he is only 5 months old we can't be sure how much of the story he understood! At least he was entertained by his loving big brother!!

Fire Station Tour...

Today the Moms Club set up a fire station tour. The kids were very exicted to attend this event. The last time we took a fire station tour was when we lived in California and Liliana was Ava's age!! The fire stations out here are brand new and so much nicer. I love events like these because the kids not only get to see their friends but learn so much while having fun!

IMPORTANT...

Hi everyone,

I have decided that I want my blog to publish privately. There are way too many weirdos out there and for that reason I am changing my setting to private. Once I change the setting you will need a log in, password, and to be on my list of approved readers! It sounds more complicated than it is for those of you not that into the computer! You do NOT need to have a blog in order to create a log in and password! You will only be creating one to gain access to my blog postings! I love having this blog but I also want to be safe with the information I put on it.

Thanks
Jillian

Sippy Cup Time...

These days I am not anti-bottle but I do like to try and avoid bottles all together if I can. I was successful with Ava and I planned to be with Garrison. So just as I did with Ava, I started giving Garrison a sip or two of water after each feeding of baby food just to introduce the cup to him. He, of course, didn't get the hang of drinking from it for a few days but now can drink from it succesfully and pretty much by himself once its placed in his hands!

Getting Too Big...

Garrison is getting so big. Ava doesn't care though, she still wants to hold him as if he were still only 6 lbs! These days he is picky about when and where he lets the kids hold him if at all! Ava got lucky this afternoon however, Garrison was in a really great mood. So I put him in Ava's lap and she insisted that I put the boppy pillow in front of him. I was able to grab the camera before Garrison got grumpy and wanted up from her lap!

More Water Fun...

Not much to type about this but here are some fun pictures from swimming...

Until Next Time...

Until next time Grandma Crochere...

We will all miss you very much! We had so much fun visiting with you. We hope you enjoyed your trip and look forward to you coming back to visit again in the near future!

Love,

Marc
Jillian

Liliana

Dillon

Ava

and

Garrison

Water Fun...

Woohoo for the inflatable water slide. Bring on the water fun!

Hannah Montana Blanket...

This year Aunt Donna gave another neat gift to one of the kids... Liliana received a No-Sew Hannah Montana Blanket Kit. After opening the package she had to line up two pieces of fleece fabric, cut the corners, cut the slits, and tie each slit! It was time consuming but she enjoyed making her own blanket! So a big thank you to Aunt Donna for another fun gift!

A Day Around Southern Arizona...

Today we loaded the van and headed out to explore all that beautiful southern Arizona has to offer. This is the last weekend Grandma Crochere is here visiting! We headed southeast stopping first at the Goldfield Ghost Town. The kids love this little "town". Its got little shops, a scenic train ride, small exotic animal exhibit, panning for gold, mine tours, and live gun show! After visiting the ghost town we headed towards Superstition Mountain. At the base of Superstition Mountain is Lost Dutchman State Park. We found a perfect shaded picnic spot and enjoyed a tasty lunch! Next we headed to Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flats, and Apache Lake. The drive to all 3 places is through lots of mountains. Its a gorgeous drive. We stopped often to take pictures and to enjoy the nice breeze. The weather was perfect, about 98 degrees. The sun was shining but it wasn't an unbareable Arizona summer day. We all had a very fun and relaxing day enjoying all the beautiful places southern Arizona has to offer!