Red, White and Blue

This time last year, I was carrying Collin around in my Tummy, feeling him kick and roll around to the sound of fireworks. It amazes me how time flies! He's such a big boy, now, with more personality than Tommy and I have put together. He has us in stitches on a regular basis. We are so thankful for him!

Can I tell you (as any mother would), what feeding this boy is like?? I swear, after each meal, I feel like I could use a nap! He's learning how to eat finger food and feed himself with a spoon. Needless to say, it can get messy. I believe this was spinach and lasagna.

His absolute favorite thing to eat is watermelon. He loves it so much that he crams as much of it in his mouth as he possibly can...


Just so everyone knows, he only recently started doing this... I am now, of course, forcing him to pace himself and cutting the melon into smaller pieces!




Drunk on watermelon... our favorite food.

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Side Note...


Should I cut my hair?

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For the holiday weekend, my mom got Collin a turtle swimming pool. Actually, I believe it is made to be a sandbox... it has a lid. It is absolutely perfect for a little swimming pool for Collin.


So, we got Collin's fabulous flag swimming trunks on and got out the camera.



I do realize his trunks are long enough to reach his ankles... but they fit perfectly around his waist!


Okay, Collin.. Mommy's gonna throw you in!



That dog better not get in my pool!!


He wasn't sure about the cold water at first, but he quickly realized what a wonderful thing a swimming pool can be on a hot day.




He LOVES to splash.


And splash...


Yep... I think the turtle pool was a hit.


Thank you, Gamma.


For those that do not know, my grandfather (a.k.a. "Big Daddy"), is a well known Tulsa architect. He is quite eccentric and a big ham.. a wonderful, charming, lovable ham. He called me the other day to ask me if Collin had "architectural hands". He tells me he's working on designing a 161 story building for Collin to help him with... when he comes of age, of course. On the Fourth, he brought us the design...

The carefully laminated copy of this great design reads;

"For my great grandson, Collin, from 'Big Daddy'... Stay at the top, you see farther and more clearly from up there... even more important than that, ALWAYS BE YOUR OWN 'ARCHITECT'!"


Collin found their office building fascinating... though he had more interest in Big Daddy's beard.



But still wanted to taste the design...


Thank you, Big Daddy.

I have to say, I wish I had taken more pictures.. believe it or not. The weekend began when my brother, Darren, his wife, Susan (Evans... ha ha!), and his daughter, Rien, came to visit. I spent more time visiting than I did taking pictures when they were here. I regret not getting a few shots of Collin with his aunt and uncle and cousin.

All in all, I think Collin had a good first 4th of July. We certainly had a good time with him. I've come to realize, over time, this is Collin's world... and we're just visiting!