franz's first trip to bear lake.

Bear Lake this year was awesome with a baby in tow. I've learned that you've got to be flexible while traveling with a baby, and to be ready to throw all your plans out the window at any given second, which we did a few times when we drove around the lake, trying to get him to take a nap (he didn't), forgoing taking pictures on the beach as a family, because it was just too much work (although we did a couple of me and Franz on my phone), and skipping out on a local play because of an early bedtime.

But most parts were down right fun, like hanging out on the beach (where Franz napped on me for an hour or so) and showing him the water and sand and boats, leaving him with grandma Jill while Zac and I took a wave runner out on the lake, pushing Franz in the porch swing for a while (where he almost fell asleep), and playing Phase 10 with everyone late at night while the kids slept. I am really liking going places with this little boy. He makes things more hectic, but much more enjoyable.

Bear Lake was good this year, and I think Franz enjoyed it, as well. 

...

a day at the farm.

^^^Look at that horse's crazy eye!

At the end of June, we took Franz up to Wheeler Farm to see all the animals! In my mind, I imagined that Franz would be excited as all get out about all the animals moving around, with all the different sounds they make. When we got there, Franz didn't give a hoot about anything. In fact, I took him right up to where the horses were hanging out, and he didn't even flinch. Now that's he's almost 9 months old (what?!), I feel like he would find them more amazing than he did those few weeks ago.

The day was really hot, but it was so much fun seeing the turkey, goats (my favorite, because babies!), pigs, sheep, and horses while eating some apple-flavored salt water taffy that we got from the little shop at the farm. I think another trip in the cool fall weather is in our future. :)

...

franz's first 4th of july.

Our Fourth of July this year was a really good one. Zac worked the whole morning and into the afternoon, and at the very last minute, I decided to take Franz to the parade! He loved it, and his favorite part was the giant balloon that floated past.

When Zac got home, we headed up to my parents' house for a BBQ with chicken and veggie kebabs, salad, and homemade salsa. We didn't stay long, though, and headed back down to put Franz to bed on time. 

Once he was asleep, Zac and I took the baby moniter out of our front steps and made some s'mores over a little fire in a clay pot and listened to the fireworks going off all around us. I was bummed that Franz didn't get to see them, but that babe was so tired. Next year, for sure!

...

little bottom teeth.

A couple of week ago, one of Franz's bottom teeth popped through, and the other followed a few days later, so now my little boy's got both his bottom teeth, and he loves to chew on things like toys and fingers (ouch) and cups and whatever else he can get his little, dimpled hands on. 

I want so badly to stop time and enjoy this 7-month-old (?!?!) baby of mine. He is so much fun. He makes me happy, and he makes me genuinely laugh my head off. I love going into his bedroom and picking him up after his nap, when he greets me with the biggest smiles. I love that he does excited/anxious grunts when he knows I'm going to breastfeed him. I love that he loves to watch the world around him, and is amazed by new things that are normal and mundane to me. 

Yesterday, we sat on the door step and watched a storm roll in. The wind was blowing the branches on the trees and leaves were skipping across the parking lot. The sky was filled with gray storm clouds, and it was raining just the littlest bit. He sat on my lap and looked around at everything as the wind blew his hair back. It seems so simple, but it was the best part of my day, sitting there with him, watching him take everything in. 

This boy is growing and changing so much, and I love it, but it also makes my heart hurt. Not because I hate seeing him grow, but because I know that in a blink of an eye, he won't be my little chubby baby anymore. I wish so bad that he would stay little for a little longer. I love this baby of mine.

...

franz's first vacation: our trip to st. george.

We took a few days over the weekend after our anniversary and drove down to St. George for a little vacation with my family. The first full day we were down there, we all drove up to Sand Hollow reservoir and spent the afternoon playing on the beach. Have you ever seen a beach with red sand? It was so pretty up against the blue water! We watched my niece and nephews play in the water and let Franz dip his feet in! He was amazed, I think. 

The next day, we woke up early and headed to the Farmers' Market. Note to self: the Farmers' Market at Ancestor Square is not stroller friendly. We say in the grass and watched some old guy sing and play his guitar while we ate some bread we got from one of the booths.

After that, we walked a few blocks over to 25 Main for some real breakfast and shared a smoothie while Franz took a nap, and then crossed the street to a toy store and bought Franz the only shiny thing we could find (he's really into things that shine--watches, my wedding ring, necklaces), a Mickey Mouse toy with glittery gloves, shorts, and shoes.

For lunch, we met my family back over at 25 Main and I had a cupcake for dessert. I would make a trip down to St. George for their cupcakes alone. My favorite! I took some funny pictures of Franz and Zac, and found out that Franz is apparently a wizard.

That night, we threw a surprise birthday party for my dad. The theme? Pink and girly. Props to Emily for thinking that one up. :) We played Minute to Win It games, ate KFC, and had birthday cupcakes! 

We stayed a couple more days, and somewhere in there, we took Franz swimming for the very first time (he LOVED it), went on a long drive all over St. George and surrounding areas while Franz napped in his car seat, hung out on the bed a few times as a family making Franz crack up, got frozen yogurt, and found a really good pizza place for lunch called Riggatti's. 

We were sad to leave and go back to normal life where Zac's gone most of the time and there are no 25 Main cupcakes. It was such a fun trip! And we survived it with a baby who's not a very good sleeper! I'm already looking forward to our next vacation, whenever that will be.

...