Lucas' 5 Month Pic

These pictures were taken mid-June as well. It's hard to believe my sweet newborn turned into a five month old seemingly overnight! The first 3 months were a blur of busyness with round the clock feeds and sleep deprivation, and now that I'm really enjoying every sweet moment, I feel like he should only be about two months old!!! But here we are--not even a newborn anymore!!! Lucas has had this huge smile on his face practically nonstop since he first started smiling. He is so good natured and laid back. He's very active, but he's also content to lay back (in his bouncy seat, of course--still a favorite) and take it all in. He loves, Loves, LOVES watching big brother Anthony!!! And, as you can see, his hair still sticks up--what's not to love about that?!?

big 5 month old

he kept leaning forward...I was so scared he was going to nose dive off the couch while I was trying to get this picture!

loves being on his tummy now that he can roll over!!!

When he's trying to keep up with Anthony he can just roll to where he wants to go now! It's so cute how he pivots while on his tummy too. Anthony is running circles around him, and he just stays on his tummy and uses his arms to move his body around to face whichever direction Anthony happens to be playing in! Haha!

Lucas Learns to Roll!

This picture and video were taken mid-June, just days before Lucas turned 5 months. We got his roll on video--he's such a big boy now!!! He's been rolling from tummy to back since he was at most 10 weeks old. But now we have a whole new chapter in the realm of movement--the roll from back to tummy!

checking out the tempting blocks that Daddy set up for him

and here he goes...!

Summertime Fun II -- Playgroup and FingerPainting

One of the most fun things we've done this summer is join a playgroup with a bunch of mommies and kiddos from our church. Actually most of them are members of our adult fellowship class Titus II. We generally meet up once a week and do all kinds of creative activities. This group has been such a blessing to me because sometimes I need just a little extra motivation to get out of the house on these hot summer days and find some new experiences for Anthony. Building friendships with these other young moms and having the pleasure of Anthony's socializing with their kids has been the perfect motivation! He has a blast every time we go (and so do I!).


On this particular occasion we went to our friend Jill's parent's house. It's not too far from us at all! I was just amazed to see that some people actually have properties with big trees and lots of shade around here! (Since I grew up on 3 acres to run around on, I was beginning to think no one here in Dallas had this (unless they were far, far away from the city, but I was mistaken!!!) They have a trampoline, an (air-conditioned!) playhouse that Jill's dad made for her when she was a little girl, tree swings, and tons of room to roam. How fun!

An overview of the backyard...We all brought our blankets and had a picnic after the kiddos had worn themselves out! Look at all that shade!

Anthony bouncing on the trampoline with his friends

Adorable playhouse (I think Anthony felt all grown up going inside). Everything was perfectly child sized to make it extra fun!

Anthony "cooking"

Checking the oven--"Almost ready"

Here are the cookies he and his friend Izzie "made" :)

"Eating some pickles...yummy!"

Okay, this is what Anthony did 90% of the time we were there! I joked with Jill's mom that if that lawnmower had blades on it, their entire yard would have been cut!!! ;)

more mowing

and more mowing

and MORE mowing!!!

I had to tell him we'd come back another day to play with the lawnmower just to get him to say goodbye!




One hot and sunny day at home I had the bright idea of making some home made finger paints! Anthony helped me make them, but unfortunately it was SUPER hot by the time we got outside, and all our shade had gone away! Anthony still loved it though...I just don't understand how the heat does not bother kids when they are having fun!!! I think I may have used too much dish soap because the paint was a little thick, so I'll have to try again to get it just right! Of course, Anthony didn't know the difference!

mixing blue and green (we only made two colors)

"Oh yeah! I love getting messy!"

hard at work being creative

posing for the camera

"This looks about right"

getting his feet in on the action too

I love this face

Ha! Had to get a picture of this! He wiped or scratched his neck and there was paint all over it! Poor baby, it was just so hot! You can see how sweaty he is!

Sweet boy, painting the day away

Look at his hot and sticky hair! I love this though! I think it was like therapy for him!!!

John 3:16

Mario has been working with Anthony on memorizing John 3:16. Remember this was about a month and a half ago... He's now mastered this verse, and they have moved on to Ephesians 2:8-9. I just love his enthusiasm. I'm so sorry...You'll have to excuse the food hanging out of his mouth. :) I'll try to remember to post another video of him saying this verse more proficiently and without his mouth full! God's Word is amazing, and we believe it can speak even to the heart of a young child!

Summertime Fun 1 -- Friends and Drving my Hummer

I am soooooooooooooo very behind on blogging. These pictures were taken within the first two weeks of June! So, I'm going to be posting some "Summertime Fun" pictures and videos of what we've been up to this summer with just a brief description so you can get the gist of it. Here we go....

Anthony had a playdate with his friend Brody. They did all kinds of fun things together.

They rode trucks together

They played with squirt bottles

They collected rocks in buckets and drew with sidewalk chalk

Brody gave Anthony his Tigger a long time ago. Brody likes to love on his Grover. So, I got them to pose with Grover and Tigger for a few pics. In this pic I told them to give each other a hug. So sweet.

Great smiles--I love it!

Up in the windowsill trying to catch a fly

Silly boys

"He went that way!"

Chasing each other...I love all the stumbles!!!

We played a game of squirting water in the boys' mouths! They loved it!

Dr. Goebel's wife Kelley and his two girls (Suzi and Sally) were so kind to bring over their Hummer that they have outgrown. Anthony has thoroughly enjoyed practicing driving! I love how he's just looking at us so proud and not worrying about where his car is going!!!

He's great at pushing the pedal...we're still working on the steering!

More summertime fun to come! Stay tuned!

Hippopotamus???

Anthony and I found this catterpillar in the backyard a few weeks ago. I thought it was so pretty! I explained to him what a catterpillar was and how they turn into butterflies (just like in his "The Very Hungry Catterpillar" book). He was so interested, and he kept wanting to pet him. Well, we put him back where we found him and went to do something else. A few minutes later, Anthony starts talking about a hippopotamus. Then he asks "See hippopotamus?" "See hippopotamus?" I'm standing there a little dumbfounded trying to figure out what exactly he is talking about. Then he runs to the back of the yard and points to the bush where we found the catterpillar, and says "See hippopotamus?" And finally it dawns on me he has his words mixed up!!! I guess it's an easy mistake--both words have a lot of syllables! I reminded him it was a catterpillar, and now he's got it down pat! Maybe we should make a trip to the zoo soon to see the hippos and set the record straight once and for all! ;)

By the way, does anyone know if catterpillars kill parsley? I HAD two kinds of parsley in my herb garden--flat leaf Italian and curly leaf. I kept finding the catterpillars on the Italian parsley, and now my plant is pretty much dead. But they left the curly one alone--it is literally right next to the dead plant, and it is thriving! Maybe even catterpillars know that Italian flat leaf parsley is the better choice!!! ;)

Our Trip to Ashland, Ohio

During the first week of June, our family took a plane up to Ashland, Ohio. The primary purpose was to see Papa (my dad) walk for his graduation from the doctorate program at Ashland Theological Seminary. He chose this particular seminary because it was the only one that had the program of study for the field that he wanted to specialize in--formational counseling. It combines biblical/clinical couseling, spiritual direction, and healing prayer. He wrote his dissertation on the development of a healing prayer model that teaches an individual to attune to the Holy Spirit's truth in the present moment to overcome lie-based thinking. One of the "head honcho" examiners said it was the best he's ever read!!! Papa, we can't wait to see where the Lord wants to use you in this new pathway of your career. We are so proud of you and proud of the hard work it took to get here.

Here is our trip in pictures...

On the shuttle bus from the remote airport parking to the terminal! Anthony was so excited! It was his first time on a bus! This could've been the entire trip and he would've been so happy!

Lucas' first airplane ride

(Somehow, Mario and I didn't get seats right next to each other...they were across the aisle!)

Anthony in his first "bought seat" on an airplane. No more lap-baby Anthony! He got to wear the "big boy" seatbelt!

Meme and Uncle Justin picked us up from the airport in Columbus for the 1 1/2 hour drive into Ashland. Meme and I were in the back seat talking, and we look up at the kids and see this--so sweet! Anthony is just holding Lucas' hand on the long drive!

Papa spending time with his grandsons; James (Anthony's cousin) is in Papa's arms

Drink up, Papa! You'll need the caffeine from the coffee to keep up with these boys!


Anthony loved pushing James around in his stroller. This is in front of the "married couple" dorms at Ashland University. We got a good deal staying here, and they were very nice and comfy!

We took a tour of "Amish country" one day while we were there. Here is Mario and Lucas riding in the front of the horse-drawn carriage.

Me and Anthony in the back of the buggy. Anthony was being a stinker and didn't want to look at the camera!

Daddy and Lucas

Anthony pushing the stroller again...I don't think James is in it this time! This provided HOURS of entertainment for him throughout the duration of the trip!

Me and my Daddy! So proud of his accomplishments!

Aunt Michelle and Uncle Josh getting in the buggy for their turn

Aunt Michelle loving on Anthony

The Amish schoolhouse. Grades 1-12 were taught all in the same room!

I think this one was the Yoder house. We bought fresh baked cookies and homemade jam! Yum!

James is ready to drive away! Enough of the buggy stuff he says!

Sweet James giving Anthony a hug

Meme gave the boys lollipop treats after lunch! Wow!

Me and sweet hubby wearing our Greeley Estates shirts! Representing in Amish country! (Thanks, Ryan Z! We love you guys!)

James

The graduation day was June 5th. Here is the program with my sweet Dad's name "William M. Bellican". We did have to keep the kiddos occupied for 2 hours while we waited for his name to be called because he was in the last group!!! ;) It was so worth it!

Front of program

All the doctorate candidates ready to walk across the stage

My dad is officially "hooded" as a Doctor of Ministry!!!

Proud Papa with his boys after the ceremony

Only Lucas was cooperating for the photo op

Three Troublemakers, er, I mean, Muskateers

Sweet baby Lucas

Lucas loved being pulled on the blanket

Such a good baby

Anthony crawled around with James...they loved following each other!

Anthony looking through the foggy window at Papa

Brothers

Who can resist these babies?

I am the luckiest mom in the world!

I'm so sorry Uncle Justin and Uncle Josh! I managed to get pretty much no pictures with you guys in them!!! I'll do better next time, I promise! And Meme, I didn't really have many of you either! Send me some if you have them!!!

One more thing...A cute video of Anthony and James. Anthony and James were crawling and chasing one another around the dorm room. (They were a little hyper because it was past their bedtimes!) Well, James decides to go over and open the broiler under the oven. Anthony sees this and doesn't know what to think because we have a similar oven in our house, and he is not allowed to mess with it! So, at the end, you can see him stand up and start to tattle on James--too funny!