Another Late Birthday Post

A Late Birthday Post

So I am over a month late on posting Penn's birthday and two months on Darwin's. I'll post Penn's now because I want to put a video up of Darwin.

Brent was out of town at a conference so we pushed celebrating for awhile. Then colds hit, Brent had to go to another conference, and while he was gone Darwin threw a sharp wooden object at Penn's head and gave him five stitches. So that is the reason for the band aid above his eyebrow. Anyway, we finally got to celebrate Penn's first birthday.

What can I say about this boy besides that I LOVE LOVE LOVE him. He's just the sweetest thing I can get my hands on. He's been all around the perfect baby and he brings so much joy into our lives I can hardly stand it. He has the happiest disposition and for that probably gets a hundred kisses on those cheeks a day. My dad would probably say, "Stop muggin the kid." like he did when Riley was little and I would kiss him lots too. But I don't care because soon he won't be my little boy and I'll miss him terribly.

Facts about Penn:
He loves to eat frozen blueberries in the morning and motions and grunts towards the freezer so I will get them out.
He also loves strawberries and pomegranate seeds.
Eats, eats and eats. Is hungry almost every two to three hours and spends a lot of time in his high chair.
Loves snuggling or sitting in our laps when he's tired.
Is obsessed with peek-a-boo and dogs that he sees through our front window.
Loves Darwin so much despite the abuse he's received.(Luckily, Darwin seems to have turned a new leaf recently and instead of beating his brother he wants to now smother him and make him do what he wants him to.)
Is very good at mimicking sounds.
Loves music and waiving his hands and bopping his head to the beat.
Is a champion pooer. For a while he was consistently making a dirty diaper three or four times a day. Recently it has slowed down for which I am thankful for.
Has eight teeth that he uses to bite my shoulder and legs repeatedly.

Remembering Summer

There is just something so comforting when you mother holds your children.

Dart Family Reunion July 2011

We took a trip to Utah last July. Brent stayed with us a week and then flew back for work and I stayed to go to my family reunion. They planned family pictures so I got to look like the single mom in the family for the pictures. I think they turned out pretty cute of the boys. I tried to dress us like we belonged on the farm.
My brother Russell, his wife Yuliya, and their four boys weren't able to make it either.

Fall time fun

The North Shore

We took a three day trip up to the north shore of Lake Superior last weekend. Brent did all the planning and it turned out to be a fantastic trip. The weather was great and the waterfalls were spectacular. I was so amazed by the landscape. The lake felt so ocean-esk with lighthouses and sail boats and all.

Warning: Photo overload


Best camera face




The view from our hotel



So this picture is funny because we were just sitting there on the rocks and a guy came up behind us on the trail and asks if we would like our picture taken sitting there and we said sure. Then after he took it he said, "Now lets do one of you looking at each other." Genius. I was trying hard not to laugh and I love that Brent is all Baby Bjorned up.

brothers

twinners

First Day of Preschool

10 months of Penn

1 tooth(almost two)
round head(thanks helmet)
eating solid foods and still breastfeeding like a champ
poops on average three times a day
hair is almost a copper color, like Edward Cullen ladies.
no crawling
loves Darwin so much
takes his brother's battering very well, must have a hard skull
loves everyone he comes in contact with, will often put his arms out for strangers to hold him

Best baby in the universe. I can't imagine my life without this little guy, he is just SO sweet.

On a sad note, I came down with Mastitis on Sunday evening. Luckily my OB had given me a prescription that I had filled just in case. I thought I was going to go through the whole way without getting it with Penn. I got it twice in four months with Darwin and he quit breastfeeding at four and a half months, so for me not to have it for almost ten months was really nice. I know many moms haven't gotten it and all I can say is lucky you because it knocks me down really fast and zaps my strength entirely. The weather here has been fabulous so its nice to be better so we can get out and enjoy it.

Penn and Betty

lounging on a furry rug at the Dart casa.

Baby City

The past year it seemed like everyone had a baby. Every June some of our ward moves away so the Taggarts had the great idea to take a picture of all of the babies born within the year. Here there are thirteen of us, but really there were four babies missing. And I'll add that everyone in the picture except the last person on the right were born within an eight month time span. There were a lot of pregnant ladies running around our ward.


And I just love this picture. After we held the babies for a picture we put them on the ground by themselves for a shot or two. If you click on the picture you will see that almost all of the babies started crying. Not Penn, he was his usual happy self.

Helmet Head

Penn got his helmet on Friday afternoon and we are slowly wearing it more everyday. He'll most likely have to have it on for two months. The first day he didn't mind it at all but the last couple of days you can tell he's getting more irritated with it. Hopefully when we aren't putting it on and taking it off so much he will just get used to it.
I feel sorry for the little guy. These helmets are hot and the physical therapist says that no matter what he will sweat a lot and just to expect sweat dripping from his head.
I do have to say he is the cutest little thing I've ever seen in a helmet.

The Zoo

On Monday the weather was great so we headed to the zoo with some friends.


I love how this picture captures Penn's total admiration for Darwin. He loves him. Also, you can see Penn's flat head. The doctor this week said he needs a helmet, so in two weeks my boy will be sportin a big chunk of plastic. The doctor pointed out that it may actually protect him from his brother for awhile. So there's a bonus.
Brent has been calling him 'Flathead' the last few days. Poor kid.

This picture shows Darwin's new haircut courtesy of his dad. We're hoping it grows out soon:)

Fun Song

Six months of fun

My little boy turns six months in a few days and I can hardly believe it. I'm pretty sure I'm the luckiest mom around. This guy makes me smile everyday.

What a difference a haircut can make

These pictures were taken within a week of each other. He looks so grown up now.

I recently found this picture that Darwin took on Brent's iphone. I love everything about it from the ABC blanket his great-grandmother made him to the pen markings on his shoes. It perfectly describes what was going on in this period of our lives.

Brothers

Just Because

I like to show these boys off.

Penn's Blessing Day

Last month was Penn's baby blessing. Brent's parents flew out and my sister Katrina and her family drove up from Chicago. It was such a nice weekend filled with good food, good company and some fun at House of Bounce.

Penn at 12 Weeks

I'm getting him started on his tryouts for BabyGap.