In the Land of Liam

Fun Goop!

2009-11-13T10:59:00.001-08:00

Liam and I made Fun Goop today and played with it for a while. You just mix cornstarch and water and it makes this cool concoction. It's a liquid but then you can clump it and it turns right back into a liquid. Toddlers will love playing with it! I bet this cute little chemistry teacher I know would have fun using it in a lab too (although she'd have to figure out what's going on "chemically" to make it happen b/c I have no clue.) You can add food coloring too to make it a fun color. The extra nice thing was that cleaning up with a wet rag was super easy and it cleaning up the metal pan and bowl was a breeze. Try it with your kids today!

Here's where I got the idea from:

~ Cornstarch Goop ~

1 box of cornstarch
a container of water
a bowl(s)
spoons(s)
measuring cup(s)
newspaper or plastic tablecloth
a large cookie sheet with sides
food coloring

Lay out the newspaper or tablecloth to protect your surface and provide a quick clean up if you want. We didn't do this and had no problems. (Ellen forgot :D ) Since this is an activity that's fun for multiple ages, you can do lots of stuff to keep them all interested. For the older children, they might have fun helping you measure bits of cornstarch and water. The younger children would also have fun measuring or they might just want to dump it all together. You can't go wrong: too watery add more cornstarch; too hard add a bit more water. You just mix until the cornstarch is all incorporated and you have a slimy consistency. You can have the kids mix their goops in bowls with their hands or spoons (my kids found it easier to use their hands). They then poured it out into the cookie sheet to play with it and experience it. Don't worry if the kids eat it. It's completely safe and non-toxic. If you want different colors, add food coloring. The kids really like that although, we didn't do that this time. They've had fun with this goop before.

So what's all the fuss about this super simple goop? It teaches cause and effect since it changes consistency so easily and if pushed to once side will usually form itself back together in a "solid" mass. It's really easy for the kids to see themselves changing things. It's also great for fine motor skills as well as sensory as they handle with oddly textured fun. Plus, who doesn't like something that's relatively easy to clean?

Too brave!

2009-08-07T06:46:00.000-07:00

I took Liam swimming at a pool this week with a friend. During the five minute break the life guards give we sat on the edge of the pool on this drainage thing that was right at the water level. When it was time to get back in my friend's daughter sort of jump/scooted back into the water. So Liam wanted to try it. He then proceeded to jump/scoot into the water (I would grab him with my arms) over and over and over. But he didn't always want to wait until I was for sure going to catch him. This little guy is just so brave and not scared of water at all. It makes Corey and I a little nervous because he's not old enough yet to understand his limits. He also kept wanting me to let him down in the water, not understanding that the water was much, much deeper than he was tall.

We're going camping at the Frio this weekend so we decided to buy a life jacket in case he tries to get too brave in deeper water. Water play is so fun but so scary too and I think people can tend to not have a healthy enough fear of it.

Bubbles!

2009-07-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Bubbles make bathtime so much more fun!

Fun with stickers!

2009-07-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

Gone Bananas!

2009-04-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Moms and Dads tend to do things a little differently. Mom cuts bananas up into smaller pieces to avoid any choking hazard. Not Dad though. He likes to save time and give his kid the whole banana.

As you can see, Liam doesn't mind one bit!

Liam's new bench.

2009-03-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

Liam's Grandma Nancy thought he needed his very own bench to sit on. He loves it! Of course, within a week he'd learned how to climb on top and now he gets stuck and can't figure out how to get back down. It's pretty darn cute though.

Almost 14 months old...

2009-02-19T13:31:00.000-08:00

Incredibly cute, I know!

Liam is growing up so fast and changing so much. It has been crazy to watch the changes this past month. Every day he learns new things, finds new ways to express himself, and learns new babbles too. When he drops something or spills water, he says "oh!" He's starting to mimick our behaviors more. For instance he'll try to brush his head with my hairbrush or pick up a pen and touch it to a piece of paper. He's learning to eat with a spoon (a messy process indeed!) and he tries to help put his socks and shoes on by touching them to his feet. When I put his shoes on or say something about going "bye-bye" he walks straight over to the door and reaches for the handle. He's started giving stuffed animals kisses and he blows kisses to us and to our friends when we ask him to. He loves blowing kisses to Daddy when it's time for bed. My favorite new Liam behavior is when he's playing and I reach out my arms and smile and him and he comes walking up to me and gives me a big hug. There is nothing better than that.

We are pretty sure Liam is going to be Mr. Independant and we know we've got our work cut out for us. He's already started shaking his head no, and we're pretty sure he's working at saying the phrases "uh-uh" and NO!

I'm really loving this new phase of life with Liam. It's secretly fun to get to be the mom who is chasing her son down the church aisle, and I love walking beside him, holding his tiny hands inside mine. I'm looking forward to many spring afternoons where we'll spend hours exploring the great outdoors together. And even though I know he'll be running soon and I'll spend all of my time chasing him, how cute will he be? I'm eating up these precious moments of watching my baby turn into a little boy. I'm so lucky to have Liam and daily I tell God thanks for this beautiful present he's given us.

Walking Liam.

2009-01-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

Liam just started walking last week. It's been cute to watch him gain confidence over the past week. He's already walking across the room. I think he's realizing he can get places faster if he walks instead of sitting down, crawling, and standing back up again.

Here's a short video of him. He walks like my 95 year old grandpa! I love his happy noises. So cute!

My new slide is AWESOME!

2008-12-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

Grandma & Grandpa Lamkins bought me this slide for my
birthday and it is so much fun. I love sliding down into the leaves!

1st Birthday Bash - At the Lamkins

2008-12-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

My new birthday swing!

2008-12-26T19:59:00.000-08:00

Playing at Lake Medina

2008-12-03T14:04:00.000-08:00

Captain Liam and Uncle Cole sail the world together.

Posing for a picture.

Sheer excitement to find out what's at the top of the playground.

Liam spent countless hours walking up and down the cabin walls.

Liam and Dad play with the new toy Grandma bought. The singing, lights, and colorful balls were pretty darn exciting.

I'm so cool I spit my food...

2008-11-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

Or something like that.

Just weeks ago, my little angel was scarfing down anything and everything we'd feed him in the way of baby food. Now, all of a sudden this week Liam has decided that he's too cool for baby food AND that he does not like everything we give him. So, if he does not want to eat something he SPITS out the food. I'm not just talking polite, push the food out of your mouth business either, but when he spits he actually sprays it at you. This is slightly funny, but it also ticks me off and I'm not sure how to make him stop.

I will not raise a picky eater like my mother did with all three of her children. I sure hope this is just a phase Liam is going through. I know part of the deal is that he wants to feed himself. I'm cool with that it's just hard to prepare finger foods that he can actually eat. The kid's been working on the same two front teeth since August so he doesn't have much to work it.

Drum full of blocks

2008-11-25T19:53:00.001-08:00

Today I noticed that Liam's block basket was almost empty and I started looking around for where he might have put 30+ wooden blocks. Then I saw Corey's djembe (drum) and laughed out loud because Liam had dropped all the blocks inside. When Corey got home I told him about it, so he pulled all the blocks out and for the next 30 minutes we watched Liam pick up each block and drop it inside. It was funny to watch him because he would drop the block the look inside the hole to see where it went.

My new favorite snack...

2008-11-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

Cheerio covered bananas....

yum yum!

.What I've been up to lately.

2008-11-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

I went to Lake Jackson to visit Grandma & Grandpa Lamkins, and of course Uncle Cole! We celebrated my Great-Grandpa's 95th birthday!!!

We've gone on several walks around Town Lake either with Samantha or Matt.

I went to San Antonio to visit Leslie and Chris (and play with their Lab River).

I had dinner with my Great-Grandma Mary and have gotten to play with Grandma and Grandpa West a few times. I even got to see Aunt Kristin and Uncle John a few weekends ago.

My first Halloween

2008-11-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

We went to visit Aunt Leslie and Uncle Chris in San Antonio for Halloween. It was so much fun! I dressed up as a dragon! We took lots of pictures. Here are a few of them.

My first pumpkin patch...

2008-10-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Here I am. I went to a pumpkin patch with Mom, Dad, Aunt Kristin, Uncle John, and Grandma and Grandpa West. It was really cool but I was sort of overwhelmed by all those pumpkins!

And here's our happy little family. Mom was sneaking a kiss!

Swing!

2008-10-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

I love swinging at the park, especially when people push me really fast!

Handsome boy!

2008-10-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

An apple a day...

2008-10-10T07:04:00.000-07:00

Liam and I were outside hanging out the other day. I was eating lunch, and he was eating dirt. This is his new hobby and after a while I've sort of given up on pulling leaves and dirt from his hand because he just grabs something else two seconds later.

He kept eyeing my apple, so I gave him a lick. Then he stole it and had quite the field day with it. He especially loved the way it tasted when he dropped it in the dirt.

I guess boys will be boys....

On your mark, get set...

2008-09-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

CRAWL!!!

Funny faces

2008-09-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

Tuscon, Arizona

2008-09-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

I went on yet another plane ride. This time to Arizona. Yes, I'm a traveling fool. I went to visit my Grandma Ruth's family and celebrate my Great-Grandma Potts' 80th birthday. It was lots of fun!

Right before the plane ride from Tuscon to Dallas, I got to meet the pilot. He was really impressed by my status as World Travelor, and he made a special card for me that deemed that flight "Flagship Liam." He and the other pilot signed it for me! It was pretty cool, I'll have to admit.

Silly boy!

2008-09-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Mom likes to find random things around the house for me to play with. Mom and Dad have decided I don't really need toys because I have more fun playing with stuff from around the house.

It's been a while...

2008-07-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

What can I say, I'm a busy baby.

A lot's been going on lately. I turned six months old, I celebrated my mom's 27th birthday, I went to Stacy and Tito's wedding, I visited Dad's cousins in San Marcos, I hung out with a bunch of Mom and Dad's friends, and I played a lot. That's a lot of action for a little guy. Oh, and tomorrow I'm flying across the world - to Indonesia!

Celebrity baby
At Stacy's wedding, I was definitely the hottest baby around. So hot in fact, that a whole mob of Columbians asked if they could take pictures with me! There I was, being held by this Columbian couple while their friends took pictures of them holding me. It's tough work being so darn cute.

Peaches, yum yum!
Mom and Dad let me have a tiny taste of a fresh peach a little while back, and yum yum did it taste good. I can't wait until they let me taste more food soon. Rumor on the street is that I get to taste more in August after our trip to Indo.

Bath time
Bath time is lots of fun these days now that I can sit up by myself. I love splashing my feet around!

Good morning, Sunshine
One of Mom and Dad's favorite times to play with me is when I first wake up. I'm really cute and sweet, they say, and I like to cuddle and climb on them. I also enjoying chewing on their faces.

Hanging out at Town Lake with the 'rents!

2008-07-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

Here's me, riding in the Ergo on Daddy's back. It's fun for me, because I get to sit back and enjoy the ride. I like looking around at trees and strange furry critters that pass me on our walk.

After what seems like forever, Mom and Dad take a break at Barton Springs. This parts fun because I get to put my feet in the cold, cold spring water! Oooh, it feels so good on a hot day!

The not good, very bad day.

2008-06-26T20:29:00.001-07:00

Poor Liam had a bad day today.

First, he had to get three shots at the Doctor. He cried and I felt so bad for him.

Second, his mommy did the thing that all parents fear will happen at some point...I accidentally let him fall off the couch smack onto his face. And it was a big smack. Oh, it was so horrible. I heard the thump, and saw my poor baby face down, and realized the mistake I'd made. And you know when a kid gets hurt, and they sort of get the wind knocked out of them and their face gets all red and they pause for what seems like forever...well, he did that, and it was the loudest cry he's ever cried before and I just held him and tried not to cry too.

No more unsupervised couch sitting. He's too into grabbing things so he leans over and then topples.

Poor poor Liam. If only he could eat ice cream then I'd buy him some to make him feel better.

I'm six months old today!

2008-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hooray!

In honor of this special day, Mommy made a video of lots of memories from my first six months of life.

You can watch it here.

Cheers!

My Great Grandpa Hays

2008-06-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Here's me and Great Grandpa Ray. I got to see him last weekend. He's really fun because he's been a grandpa for a really long time. He's really good at being a grandpa!

My friend Landon

2008-06-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my family went to Lake Jackson. While we were there, I finally met Landon! Boy was he fun to play with. He's a month older than me, and he taught me how to bang my plastic rings on the floor. I really liked his red hair. Maybe someday I'll have hair like him.

As you can see in the first pictures, I was very intrigued by him. Mom never could get us to both look at the camera at the same time.

So many fun adventures!

2008-06-01T20:16:00.001-07:00

Boy do I love the summertime!

Mommy and Daddy have taken me swimming three times and it's so much fun! I love kicking my legs around in the pool.

Also, they took me on two long hikes. One hike was through the woods alongside a creek bed that ended with a giant swimming hole. (We didn't swim there though)

The second hike was around Town Lake (now called LadyBird Johnson Lake). At the end of this hike, I got to put my feet in the cold Barton Springs water. That was cool!

Yay for the great outdoors!

I'm so cute...

2008-06-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Grandma Ruth took some really cute pictures of me when I was at her house last weekend. Here they are!

Fun in San Marcos with Grandma and Grandpa Lamkins and Uncle Cole

2008-05-21T10:49:00.001-07:00

We met my family in San Marcos on Sunday afternoon. Grandma helped me put my feet in the cold river water! I watched Brave Uncle Cole jump in the river and ride down the rapids. It was so much fun!

Grabbing everything!

2008-05-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm really good with my hands these days. I will grab ANYTHING in front of me. Even if it's food! The other night Mom and Dad were eating fajitas at a Mexican restaurant and I thought I was so fast and sneaky. I grabbed a handful of fajitas off Dad's plate. Alas, Mom and Dad are still faster than me and the grabbed the food from my hand before I had a chance to taste the delightful looking food.

Maybe next time.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

2008-05-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we celebrated my Mom on her special day. It was lots of fun. I love my Mommy. She takes such good care of me!

Here's a picture from our special day.

Me and Daddy

2008-05-13T15:12:00.001-07:00

I love my Pops. This is us, hanging out on Grandma and Grandpa West's back porch.

Freddie the Fat Duck

2008-05-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Jason bought Freddie for me.

I'm going on a bear hunt...

2008-05-06T09:03:00.000-07:00

Blowing bubbles

2008-05-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

I learned a new trick last week. It's so much fun!

I can blow bubbles with my mouth and I figured out that it makes a really cool sound when I do it. So now I like to do it all the time, especially when lots of people are gathered together being really quiet (you know like at church or in our training classes). Maybe if my mom is smart enough she can figure out how to put a video on here of me doing it so you can see how cool I am.

Oh how the women love me!

2008-04-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was at the grocery store with my mom, just chillin, and all of a sudden I was flocked by a crowd of older women. Boy did they love me. They thought I was adorable (which I am) and couldn't keep their eyes off of me. Mom and Dad are going to have their hands full when I get older.

In other news, I'm becoming quite the mature baby. I hardly ever cry in my car seat, and I'm learning how to put myself to sleep. I'm pretty awesome.

He's in your hands now.

2008-04-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

We dedicated Liam to God at church on Sunday. It was a really neat time for us. The whole Lamkins Clan and West Clan were there to pray and support us, which was cool. Our pastor, Ron, said something really neat about baby dedication. He said that God takes it really serious when you dedicate a baby and that he's known many adults who have been strongly pursued by the Lord when they'd fallen away from the Lord. I love that God cares so much about Liam and about us to keep his part of the covenant. It was really cool to have a whole congregation of believers lifting up Liam and other babies before God.

Expand your kingdom God and use these little ones for Your Glory.

On an nonspiritual side note, Liam found his feet on Sunday and started grabbing them and playing with them. Super cute and funny to watch!

Mr. Cool.

2008-04-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

I'm chillin' in my Bumbo.

Liam and Crazy Aunt Bev!

2008-04-16T21:20:00.001-07:00

This is Crazy Aunt Bev. She's moving to New York soon. According to Liam's expression, he must be scared of her!

Best picture ever!

2008-04-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hippos make me so happy!

2008-04-14T14:24:00.000-07:00

Look at me stand up like a big boy!

A Texas Tradition

2008-04-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

Bluebonnets, of course! He was really cute, and we got some great pictures!

In the land of Liam...

2008-04-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm Liam the Lion. I'm three and a half months old. I live in Austin. My favorite pastimes are sucking on my hands, and spitting up. Milk is my favorite food. I like sitting in my Bumbo chair and I'm learning to grab toys and anything put in front of my face. I'm a professional taste tester.