the sweetest sound

Yesterday I heard my babe's heartbeat for the first time. Nothing in this world like that sound. Nothing. So spiritual and reassuring. Since then I've felt a new level of connection to this little person. A connection that will only grow stronger. Love you already, sweet baby of mine.

Another August Adventure

A great trip to see the fam in Vegas! First we attended my Granny's 80th birthday celebration in Utah...but she's NOT 80 yet. She wanted to be sure that we knew she was still 79 and wouldn't be 80 until the end of October. I, however, forgot my camera and thus have zero pictures of the very fun event! Ugh! Suffice it to say, good times were had by all and it was fun to reunite with long-lost aunts, uncles and cousins. My dad made his famous ribs for everyone and they were absolutely perfect.

We travelled from there to Vegas with Adri, Trent, Lily and Jack. Jack and Max LOVE each other. I wish that I'd had a video camera when they first saw each other at the airport in Salt Lake. They just stood and smiled and kept leaning in for kisses and hugs. I mean, for a long time. They couldn't stop smiling at each other. It was so cute. Max even says "Ack", which is his version of Jack's name. He said Cole and Mak while we were on this trip too. Cole is "Co" and Mak is "Ma", but it's something! :) We spent a lot of time in Vegas with Adri and Fam since

poor Beth's kids were all sick. But we did get some good, quality time in with her family on Sunday evening and all day Monday. Here are a few pictures of the buds:

See? They love each other!

On Wednesday we took Max, Jack and Lily to a park that has some water spouting dinosaurs (the only kind of park you can go to in the summer in Vegas...it MUST have water!). Grammy came too and we had a great time. The boys loved it and we kept Lily cool in the shade.

Grammy and Max on the slide...Max's favorite activity

On Wednesday night we stopped by Beth and Jeff's to see them and the kids one more time before we left. The boys took every toy out of the closet to show to us. Man, I love my nieces and nephews! They do and say so many funny things. Beth's little lady (who was just 9 days old in these pictures) is SO beautiful! We are loving all of these little women we are finally getting in the Mann Clan! (We are now at 11 with 7 boys and 4 girls...) This was a big reason for the trip - to meet Lily Ranae and Delaney Marie. I am totally sold on having a little girl this time around!

Beth is such a great mom and is going to handle 4 beautifully! From left to right, there's Grant, Beth, Coleman, Me, Delaney, Haden and Max. Delaney has three older brothers who love her so much. Haden is especially loving and oh, so adorable with her! Good luck, Beha! You're going to do great.

After Beth and Jeff's, we headed over to have dinner with Nate and Jenn and their kids. They have such a great little family! It was so fun to see them and Max has so much fun with all of his cousins! Nate had to leave right after dinner, he just started med school last week and has a lot to do. I am so amazed at Jenn and at Nate who do so well with so much going on! The twins are getting so big and have a lot more personality now. Katie Bug didn't want to be photographed, but I did get one picture of her adorable face and wonderful curly locks. Ethan seems to be so grown-up lately. He is a very, very good little guy and helps his mom a lot. I sure wish that we lived a little closer to everyone...but trips like these are so great! I sure love you, Mann Fam!

Papa Dan with the twins, Gentry and Wilson..such a cute grandpa!

I love my sister-in-law! I want to be just like her when I grow up.

In other news...Max sat up to the table in a booster seat for lunch and dinner yesterday! We'd left it set up since his friend Adam had used it a few weeks ago. I guess Max decided it was time for him to move up from the high chair. *sniff* Why do I have such an emotional time with every milestone?!

love the sneaky little man!

Lately I've caught Max in some funny places and thought I would share a few pictures...

First, he (like most kiddos his age, I'm sure) loves the regrigerator. We have to be quick getting in and out of it if Max is around. I think that I hadn't closed it all the way or something because I came back in the room and he was standing up on that little "step" and checking everything out. I let him play there for a while since he was obviously in heaven. :) When he got down there were little dirty shoes prints that I actually left for a few days because I thought it was cute.

"Please, Mom, don't make me get out!"

Then yesterday Max had asked (with pointing and then signing "please") to hang out in our coat closet. This is a favorite area to play in. It's got tons of stuff on the ground since we haven't gotten to the project of putting shelves in there just yet. Don't judge us! :) There's nothing that can hurt him in there, and nothing he can hurt, so I just leave it open and let him have at it. Well, I heard a lot of rustling around for a while and I would check in on him every few minutes. Then there was silence. I peeked my head around the corner and he was sitting on this little booster seat and had piled a bunch of stuff on top of him. He was just hanging out with his arms resting on the booster and when he saw me he started laughing. He totally knows when he's done something funny even before I laugh. Luckily he stayed there while I ran upstairs for the camera.

Love this little dude!