Im not even going to apologize for the insane amount of pictures in this post

because seriously this kid cracks us up. This was his first taste of food - rice cereal back on his 4 month birthday.  He had no idea what to do or think. and 99% of it ended up on him instead in him. but it was fun and he's starting to get the hang of it now.

I added a few black & white pictures just for good measure. enjoy













































Im pretty sure he had fun.

Erie Blues & Jazz Fest

the park next to us has an annual blues & jazz fest. We went last year and loved it. So Freeland was pretty much counting down the days to this years festival. And he wanted to make sure we were able to go for as much of it as possible.

Here are some pictures from the weekend we spent out at the park.


everyone enjoying the music. (it gets pretty crowded unless youre in the back like us)


love all the food vendors




especially love all the people dancing in the front



like I said, we were in the back. People set up tents (and camp out? maybe?) but they grill out all day long, play games, make friends, and listen to music. So Freeland set up a tent for us (so River had shade) and we enjoyed all day Sat & Sun eating and listening to music with Brian & his wife Elizabeth (and their sweet daughter):














proof I was there! :)



and then Sunday we went back all day & then Jennings joined us since Adam had off work .. (not that I got any pictures of Adam to prove that)


freeland loving on Henry (before Adam & Henry went to play in the creek)




she loves her cookies


cam worked her magic and got River to sleep out in the heat! Shes a pro!

Then Freeland followed Adam & Henry's lead and took River down to the creek:



lets just say River wasnt a fan of the cold water. And Im devastated I wasnt in time to get a picture.

but after River was all smiles





This is what a hot, stinky, tired, yet happy baby looks like at the end of 2 long days:



Oh and we also definitely went to Romolo's both days & got ice cream too. Great way to end the day in the heat!

phew. if you made it through all those pictures. congratulations!

baby in one arm .. blogging with the other

with a squirmy 41/2 month old this takes talent
(the blogging w/ one hand thing .. not the kisses below)


Freeland layin a big ol fat kiss on River
I love Rivers little squished up nose .. its a new thing he is doing these days.

This weekend was great. It was Celebrate Erie.. the mega festival of all festivals in Erie.

And Bill & Christie finished off the weekend with a celebration at their house so we could all enjoy the fireworks. (thank you friends!)

I brought my camera but left the battery at the house so I have no pictures.

But trust me - it was fun. there was lots of food. lots of friends. rain. and River even liked the fireworks! (I was shocked. we thought he would be terrified)

Freeland is currently back in studying mode getting ready for his first shelf exam. (they have one every 12 weeks.) Its on Friday. And he is also finishing up all his internal rotations.

OBGYN is next. I cant wait - really. (minus the "on call" thing I guess) Im so excited to see how he likes it and how it feels doin the whole baby thing now that he has River.

(I also secretly want to know what other peoples C-Section scar looks like. Is that strange? dont tell me if it is)

Anwyay. Thats all the big stuff going on with us.. or really Freeland. My life is the same. :)

Hope to get updated on the rest of the pictures I havent posted this week once we get a break.

So get excited to see River with Rice Cereal all over his face people!! 

i know i can dance

I know not everyone has loved this season of SYTYCD. But Ive really enjoyed it. I love all the all-stars.

(I havent seen all the episdoes but I do know who won.. I have a date with the DVR this weekend to catch up)

Anyway - I LOVED these dances & have gone back multiple times to watch them.

The first one reminds me of one we would see at our old church or conference for some reason. I cry every time I watch it. And Ive made Freeland watch it like 5 times too.


So you think you can dance - Fix you - Robert & Allison from Laura U on Vimeo.

and seriously. love this:


So you think you can dance - FAME from Laura U on Vimeo.



I also loved the homeless dance too. Even though I just want to give billy some oreos to eat or something - you cant deny he is an amazing dancer.

thats all. happy friday.

sick little baby

'
i know its out of focus but we both still love this photo.  He looks so much like both of us as babies in this picture that I cant decide which one he looks the most like. Probably still Freeland if I had to say one. Or wait me. Or wait. I dont know. (of course normally he looks way more like Freeland)

Late Sunday night I got sick. Which of course meant that yesterday morning River woke up sick.

Poor little guy

Its his first time being sick. (and its ALL MY FAULT! just kidding)  I hear him sneezing all night on the monitor.

Thankfully he doesnt have a temperature and is still relatively happy. So his Dr. says he is just fine.

But he's having a hard time sleeping. (see above sentence about sneezing while he is asleep)

Im sure this is the first of many colds/yucky sickness to come. But its of course sad to see him not feel well.

oh and this morning his little nose was so runny! it was kind of cute. (and thankfully he will still let me wipe his nose at this age!) of course Freeland isnt sick and wont ever catch whatever we both have. His immune system does cartwheels over mine I guess.

One positive thing - Ive had dessert for dinner pretty much straight the last 3 nights! boo ya.

thursday nights concerts in the park

I feel like we have done a good job of getting out this summer. Even on days we dont always feel like it - we realize next year will be a lot harder than it is this year. (we can push his naps/bed time now but it will be harder next summer)

Sadly I havent done a good job posting all the festivals we have gone too. Its not easy to carry around a baby, stroller, diaper bag, AND a camera. But there are a few times I have brought it.

The other week we went over to the park next to our house to enjoy the concert in the park. We hadnt ever gone before (I normally have girls group on Thursday nights) but I was so glad we went. It wasnt a huge fight-the-crowd type of concert. Instead it felt small just like a neighborhood thing. It reminded me of something we would have done in Waco for some reason.

anyway, here are some pictures. (the others were posted on River's 4 month post)

first of all please enjoy this:

i have no idea where River gets this from (the eyebrow raise) neither of us can do it. But it cracks me up


the stage










out of focus but I still like it


listening to the band



and the roll over ..







"whoa.. howd I end up over here?"






minus the "why arent you picking me up face" he looks like such a little boy instead of a baby to me in this picture!

The park also has movies that they play on Friday nights. We havent made it to that because they start at 8:30 but it looks like so much fun! Im hoping we can go at some point!