James at 18 months

At his 18 month doctor appointment James continued his 90th percentile run on height and weight. The little guy (cause he's still little to me) is a big boy, and regularly outweighs the playground competition.

And, he has a big personality to match. In the last few months James' personality has blossomed and it's evident he wants to be noticed and entertain those around him with his persistent jolly nature.

He is a ham and appears to have the makings of a potential class clown. For example, he has a face he makes that we call "going electric". And, his speaking is starting to improve, and he's picked up some funny phrases.

Any question you ask is answered with "I dunno", and he smirkily says, "Muse me" (excuse me) after any err...bodily function.

What amazes me is how "boy" James is. He loves trucks and cars and balls and jumping and yelling and watching football and expresses everything physically. He is constantly head butting, stomping, pulling, pushing, patting, jumping, clapping and yelling. All in a good way - an active big boy.

He also has a proclivity for annoying his sister.  And, adoring her.  Both often in the same minute.  In 18 months he's definitely learned how to be a little brother.

Practicing his words...

"Electric" in action.

The big boy with his beloved cows.

Electric mohawk!

Wearing Anna's headbands.

Twirling on the playground.

Anna's headbands, again.

Sleepover!

Jason remarked this weekend that all of a sudden Anna looked so big to him. All traces of baby features are gone from her face. She certainly has been acting like a "big girl" of late and more and more wants to take control of her activities and, well, her life.

Anna has always been independent, and that was definitely apparent this weekend when she had what I consider to be a major milestone in every little girl's life…the first sleepover!

It was an impromptu event, which in hindsight was probably better than one that was planned and much discussed before taking place. As soon as I told Anna that she was going to spend the night at her friends Sophie's and Olivia's house, she dashed upstairs to pack a bag - "without help, mama!"

She was so excited to go to their house that she couldn't sit still (but she had to get through a soccer game first which was like death to her). When we arrived at their house, I may as well have not been there for all the attention that she showed me on this "monumental" occasion.

She had her trusty bear, Bunny and Rosie (yes a trio of lovies she sleeps with every night, to "keep her safe"). And, they appeared to do the trick. She made it through the night with no incidents and, when we went to pick her up the next morning, of course did not want to leave.

Part of me is relieved that she did so well spending the night at someone else's house without Jason or me around, but of course, there's a part of me that wanted to receive that middle of the night "you need to come pick up Anna call."

I know in the long run this independent vein of hers will serve her well, but why does she have to be so grown up at 4??

Deja vu - In a really good way

When Labor Day rolls around, the Bergstroms head up to Wellfleet for our annual Cape Cod trip.  We were a little nervous about the weather considering how rainy our week was in 2011, but we were treated to a near perfect week (one rainy day, but we'll take it!).  Here are some (a lot of ) shots from the week - no need for words when the pictures say so much.

Always an amazing view.

Sweet, sweet boy (who took a head-first spill on the first day we arrived).

Daisy crown ;)

Impromptu photo session with Grammy & Fafa

Beach bonfire - a first, and oh so fun!

Collecting treasures.

Wish lanterns

Beach love

Fishing lesson with daddy.

Mr. Crab

An amazing rainbow

Rainy beach days bring out the curls.

Anna taking photos on the rainy day.

Blondie cousins

Enjoying a beautiful day

I like this place!

Beach friends are the best.

Buried Anna.

Love this boy.

Catching crabs.

Love this girl.

Old friends are the best.

August 365