Goofy boys

I think John is training Mark early to be goofy just like him! Here are some pics from bath time the other night.

Rice Cereal Delight

Just a few more pics of Mark's first "real food" experience! This one is right before the first bite. I don't know if the picture is big enough for you to see him eyeing the spoon very suspiciously.

After the first bite.

He really prefers to hold the spoon himself. I can already tell we are going to have an ongoing battle over the spoon...but don't you worry, mommy will prevail!

"This Face"

Mark turned 5 months old last Thursday the 26th and we celebrated by starting rice cereal. We couldn't wait to start it because we wanted to capture "this face" on camera with his very first bite!

As you can see it was a messy job. Its now about 4 days later and he is starting to get the hang of it and even like it!

I'm not sure what he was thinking in this next pic. He looks kind-of drunk on rice cereal! (Did I mention he looks like his daddy in this picture?!?!)

I think his favorite part is holding the spoon himself.

Jingle Bells

Mark received a gift in the mail from his aunt Brandee and cousin Lexi the other day...jingle bells. He loves them! He was so fascinated by the jingling noise coming form his hand. He tried to suck on the bells but I don't think they felt to good on his raw little gums.

Since Mark was in his future doctor outfit and I was in my scrubs we decided to get a few pictures together. Have you ever held a baby while someone was trying to get them to smile? It is hysterical and kind-of scary all in one! John's eyes were huge and un-blinking, his mouth was wide open in some sort of demonic smile and he was sqeeling in some high-pitched voice! Mark wasn't sure what to think for awhile but finally decided it was worth a smile! I, on the other hand, was dying laughing as you can see. I wish I could take a picture of him taking a picture of us! If John ever saw his face int he mirror he would never make that face again!

Last night at work I got a text message from John of this picture demonstrating how sleepy Mark was. He didn't take very long naps yesterday and apparently couldn't even make it through bath time!

Father's Day

John had a couple of special requests for his first Father's Day. The first one being a trip to Krispy Kreme donuts before church. He loved showing Mark the conveyer belt of donuts. He wants to make it an annual thing I guess! So much for teaching Mark to eat healthy!!

Jumper

Mark tried out his jumper for the first time today. Since he thinks he is so special when he stands up, he really thinks he's something when he bounces!

Another bear rug picture to track his growth. He has been Mr. Smiley today. I can't believe he doesn't fit on this thing anymore!

New Skills

Mark is moving right along in the new skills department. Although John (and his sister Lindsay) having been praying that Mark would be some sort of athletic genious, we haven't seen anything extraordinary yet! We'll keep you posted for any crazy stunts he pulls!
Since day 1 Mark hasn't been one to lay his head on your shoulder or to lean back against you and lately he is really determined to sit up by himself.

Sometimes he can sit up by himself...

and sometimes he gets to leaning a little too far forward! Sometimes when you have him leaning back on something he'll use his little abs and sit up and then promptly do a sideways faceplant! I haven't got that on film yet.

I've been working nights lately and John is in charge of bathtime. Looks like they had a photo session before bath the other night.

Mark loves to stand up or "lock 'em out" as John says. He sure thinks he is pretty special when he stands up!

When attempting to roll from his back to his tummy, his lower arm always seems to get in the way but it doesn't seem to bother him. I kind-of wish it would so he would get mad enough to roll on over!

"Cute Baby"

Everyone always says to me, "What a cute baby!" And my standard reply is, "I completely agree!" I mean seriously, he is the cutest child ever created. I'm sure some people walk around telling people their babies are cute even if they aren't, but I don't think that's the case here. Maybe I'm just a little partial! Anyway he has really been happy lately and is starting to "talk" more and more. He's always saying, "ahhh" and "gaaahhh" and "ah-goo" etc. Today he was not camera shy while doing some tummy time on his boppy.

Summertime

Summertime has officially reached Tulsa! I think the temperature has reached the 90's the last few days. We had a party to go to the other night so Mark got dressed up in some new duds that looked beach worthy!
He absolutely did NOT enjoy his first sunglasses experience...see below. We'll have to give them a try another time. I don't blame him though...we were inside and who wears sunglasses inside? silly mommy.



I recently got out his exersaucer and he really seems to like it. He especially likes the little cell phone on it(like father like son I guess)! Anyway, here are a few pics of him with his wide-eyed stare at his new toys!

Tulsa Tough

John rode in the Tulsa Tough crit races this weekend. Last year he did the 100k rides on Saturday and Sunday, but since he has joined the cycling team he wanted to take on the races. He did really well finishing fourth on Saturday and third on Sunday. He didn't get hurt which was my biggest fear. In these races they have a lot of bikers going as fast as they can in these huge groups around hairpin turns...its scary! Anyway, Mark and I had a great time cheering John on. As you can see Opa Tom and Ann helped Mark cheer.

John and Bryan before the race on Saturday.

Mark keeping it real in his jogger.

Opa, Ann, and Mark cheering for John.

We just barely made it home Saturday morning in time to let the dogs inside before the hail storm! This is some leftover hail gathered around my flower pots.