July

We started off July with some swim lessons.  On the first day, James was a swim school drop-out because he just wasn't ready to participate.  I tried my best to be brave and by the end... well... I was getting there.  Check out my hair-do for my first swim lesson- double french braids!  Mom was pretty excited that I finally had enough hair for this hair-do.  She'd kind of been waiting for this moment for four years.

 

Take a good long look at the hair, because a couple of days later it was time for a hair cut for James.  I begged to have mine cut too and mom finally gave in.  

James was a little unsure of the hair cutting process.

I'm a pro.

I'm a pro... at getting a lollipop.

Next, we drove to Culpeper for a visit with Grammy and Grandad.  Cousin Wes was there helping out and Aunt Beth came out to see us too.  Granna was also up for a visit so we got to see lots of people that we love.  The best thing to do when you get together with the people you love is go out for ice cream.  So that's what we did.

Grammy loves this hat we painted for her and she wears it everywhere.  She calls it her Easter bonnet.  Grammy isn't afraid of silly things as long as they make her grand kids happy.  We love that about her.

Mint chocolate chip... as always.

Nothing but strawberry here.

I may have the smallest cone, but I'll take the longest to eat it.

Believe it or not, this is the "small" sundae that Granna ordered. 

Cousin Wes got a milkshake.  Milkshakes don't make for great pictures... but cousin Wes does.  I've heard this is where I get my dashing good looks.

 

In Culpeper, we tend to wake up about five hours before the next person in the household.  This means mom and dad get to wake up with us and rush us into town for breakfast or a trip to Knakal's Bakery or the park... and sometimes all three.  One day, Granna joined us and we walked down to the train station and got to play on Culpeper's very own Little Red Caboose.  Now that's worth getting up before the sun!

  

  

 

When we got home, it was time for one of our favorite past times... dressing up.

The mail man delivered this great box to our door.  We have no idea what was in it, but the box was so much fun.  Thanks mail man!  We could sit in there and giggle for hours... well, minutes.

We debated about whether or not to include these pictures, but really, what is cuter than two little bummies in the tub?

Granna sent us "I Spy" blankets for our dolls.  We promptly decided that they would make better smocks for when we play hairdresser.

I've been so great at doing hair that I decided I should be doing my own from now on... what do you think?

This next picture really shows what the majority of our July has been like.  Poor Caroline got a stomach bug, then I lost my voice for several days, then James got a cold and Caroline ended up getting another stomach bug.  I keep thinking that we're getting all of our sickness over and done before Henry gets here.  Certainly we have to be immune to all the summer germs at this point right??!  Knock on wood.

Speaking of Henry... poor neglected third child Henry... I realized today that we haven't asked for any guesses as far as his due date, weight, and length go.  We're usually guessing gender, which is really the fun part, but we don't want him to miss out on any of the other fun guessing.  If you have any guesses about what day he'll arrive, what time he'll be getting here, how much he'll weigh or how long he'll be please post them in the comments section and Daniel will add a handy chart on the side.  The winner's prize is always the same... braggin' rights.  In addition to that, if you live nearby or just come to visit, we'll also take you out for ice cream.  We simply don't get enough of that around here.

My original due date is August 21st, but I've heard ones as late as the 24th based on ultrasounds and such.  Caroline and James were both about four days early depending on what due date you used.  Caroline was 7 pounds 4 ounces, James was 8 pounds 3 ounces.  The rest is up to you... keep those guessing coming!