{feeling a bit random}

I'm starting to wonder if I will ever in my life say the words "not much is going on around here". I'm constantly amazed at how life manages to get busier and busier, yet somehow I still make it through the days...

So, since this particular day has left me feeling quite disjointed, here are some random things going on with us:

• We're feeling very blessed by Brandon's new job...excellent company + excellent benefits + excellent management = Happy Husband!

• Jericho is doing a lot better...his glucose is almost down to the normal range and most all of his symptoms have disappeared! He LOVES going to the vet every week and the staff there cannot get enough of him...so, he gets the royal treatment on every visit!

• My aunt & sister both came to TX for a visit earlier this month. We had tons of fun as usual, both here and in San Antonio...my camera was at Nikon during their entire time here...soooo depressing!!!

• Speaking of the camera, it is back and working so much better! My 50mm lens and the camera body were both in need of repair and the whole thing was done under warranty! So, the wait was worth it in the end because my warranty expired this month!

• Cole is both crawling AND pulling up! He started crawling on the anniversary of his due date (6/2) and picked up speed very quickly. Now he flies around the house like a wild man...If he is missing for one second, I always know where to find him though - the laundry room dumping out the dog's water! He pulled up for the first time about a week ago and now pulls up on anything he can find! Here he is in the kitchen window (please ignore the filthy window and floor - I can't keep either clean!)

• It is so amazing to me how mobility brings out the toddler personality! Cole has become Dr. Demando (as Brandon would say)...he really wants to walk and get's super frustrated when he can't or thinks he's stuck somewhere...and, oh how he will let you know! He takes the cutest steps too (with help) he looks like he's trying to climb stairs! Oh, and yes, he can do that already by crawling - the two into our media room from the upstairs gameroom at least...watch out world!

• We've been to our neighborhood pool a few times so far...it is awesome! Our neighborhood is relatively small, so it isn't busy at all and there's a nice, big toddler pool. I brought my camera one day thinking I would be able to get some pictures and quickly realized that was not a smart move - it literally takes every ounce of my attention to keep up with the two of them constantly moving in two different directions! I am so glad every day that we do not have a pool at home anymore !

• I love, love, love our house....My absolute favorite thing about this house is my office! I haven't had an office of my own since we lived in Houston pre-kids. Here is a picture from my iPhone of my space after I finally finished getting it unpacked...

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• Caden's language skills have dramatically improved in the past month or so. When we were at my parent's house in May, they couldn't understand much of what he was saying, but just 4 weeks later, they were able to understand most of what he was saying!

• This improved language ability has also led to greater awareness of being left alone, etc. A few weeks ago he decided being in his room for naps or bed was terrifying. At first we thought it was a manipulative thing, but we figured out that he was actually scared and had to change our tactics a bit. The thing that finally worked was putting the dog in his room! Poor Jericho isn't too sure of this change since he's been sleeping in our room since he was a puppy, but he's taking the task seriously at least...we found him like this the other night after Caden had fallen asleep! (I shot this wide open (f1.4) at ISO 1600 and still had to underexpose to be able to handhold the camera - so, I embraced the noise, it's the moment that matters!)

• With Cole's newfound mobility, Caden has decided he's much more interesting and the two have started bonding and even rough housing! It is the CUTEST most precious thing in the whole world to see my boys playing together! Here is a picture of them playing together in the waiting room at Gymboree...

(I promise, there are lots of smiles too - this was after our open gym time, so they we're really tired!)

Well, that is all of the randomness I can muster for now - back to watching Old School with Brandon....love that movie!