Vacation and a New Camera

Yes, that's right! I got a new camera just in time for vacation so there are a ton of pictures if you have the time. We returned on Saturday from our trip to Myrtle Beach. We spent a week there last year for my education conference and decided to do it again this year. The Resort is great with all the pools and the slides for the kids. We had a great time and did so many things. Most days were spent at the beach or pool at least for a short time. Other highlights of the trip were Austin and Dad playing golf, Ripley's Aquarium, and our time at putt putt. Caleb was great during the day but did not sleep worth 2 cent at night. Both of the kids enjoyed the water. Caleb enjoyed eating the sand more than the water at the beach. Austin had fun just being silly and not being in a structured environment all week.

Caleb now has 4 teeth, is a very fast crawler, and is pulling up to cruise around where ever he wants to go. He eats everything in sight and will steal your food right out from under your nose if he thinks that will be better than what he has got. He is trying to drink from a sippy cup but has not been as easy to break from the bottle as Austin was.

Austin is doing well and we are trying so hard with the discipline. His new class has helped us some but he is definitely a hand full! He is so proud because he can write his numbers now. He is writing things all the time. He will start soccer this week. He seems excited but we will see how it goes.

The pictures above are just a sample of what we took! Those pictures in this post are of our beach photo shoot. They were pricey but well worth it. Until next time....

9 Months and On the Move!

Caleb turned 9 months on Friday and, despite all of our efforts to tether him to the ground, is moving everywhere. He began to crawl last weekend and has not stopped to sit still since. He is also pulling up on everything. He will let go for a split second but is still pretty stationary after standing. He loves being outside and riding in his car. He is eating like a pig. He likes just about anything but we are having some problems with meat. He just does not have a taste for it yet! He had his well child visit and weighed in at 20 pounds 6 ounces. He is 29 inches long. We took him out of the baby carrier because his feet were pressing up against the back of the seat. It is a little depressing to see him growing so fast! (Not so depressing that we are considering more kids though!)

Austin is doing pretty good. He finished up T-ball and we have registered him for soccer for the Fall. He is doing great in his new class. His manners are back where they should be for the most part and he is a little bit calmer when he comes home from school! We think the teachers are really socking it too him and could not be happier. He has started liking his hair spiked up as you can see from one of the pictures. He is still playing golf and is getting pretty good with his swing. He is loving the pool and being outside. He is also looking forward to our beach trip the middle of August and talks about it every week.

About 2 weeks ago, Austin and Caleb welcomed a new cousin. Colby was born to Lauren, one of my cousins and her husband Brock. He is cute as can be and looks just like his dad.

Out to the side of the blog, I have listed several of our favorite things and links to their websites. My new rave is the Wubbanub. I know, it sounds pretty crazy but to an 8 month old it is the best thing ever! It is a little beany baby attached to a Soothie pacifier. I bought one for Caleb after he just would not sleep through the night. After getting that thing, he slept every night but 2 for the next 2 weeks. We are now back into getting up once a night every couple of nights but things are really a lot better. Click on their link if you know someone with a non-sleeper! Some of the other things listed are snacks or some cool things I have found in my conquest to go "greener." I have been trying to do some things better without becoming a crazy fanatic. I also just don't have the time to pay that much attention to everything! We are making an attempt.

On a more sad note, my grandmother lost her fight to ovarian cancer last Thursday. She has been living in a rest home and passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Things are much better this way because she suffered so much over the past 4 months. She had gone from a self-sufficient person to someone who was dependent on others for everything including eating at the end. We went to Greenville for the services and the boys got to hang out with some cousins they don't see very often. Everyone is hanging in there and just supporting one another. We got to see my sister's kid, Carter, as well and he is growing like a weed.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the summer!

Teeth and a Trip to the Beach

That's right! Caleb has not one, but two teeth. About 2 weekends ago, Caleb came home from daycare ill as could be on Friday. When I conducted my almost daily check for a tooth, I found one tooth that appeared to be trying to break through. The next day when I pulled down his lip to take a look, I realized there were 2. He has been ill off and on ever since but seems to be doing better with it all.

This past weekend we went to Myrtle Beach just to get away. We could not leave until after Austin's T-ball game Saturday morning. He got to play first base and got an out but became frustrated when he had to move to a different position the next inning. He definitely likes the action. Below is a video from the weekend before. I think it is the longest at bat in T-ball history! Just kidding, but I think me videoing him was definitely a distraction.



After the game, we went to Biscuitville before hitting the road. Insert the horror music and Dun, Dun, Dun expression here. While sitting with the tray in front of him (way to go mom and dad), Caleb proceeded to put his fingers in the piping hot grits. Yes, that lead to a screaming baby. I remained fairly calm and wiped the grits off and whisked him to the bathroom. He was tired anyway so things just got worse. Finally we were on the road with screaming baby and irritated 4 year old in tow! The area on his finger did blister up but he is doing well and seems like it does not bother him.

The ride always seems long when kids don't sleep the whole way! We made it though and Austin immediately went to the water slides at our hotel. He had a great time all weekend in the water park area and only walked down to the beach one time. Caleb had a good time in the baby pool and floating in the lazy river. Saturday night we went to play putt putt. Dad won of course but Austin and Mom had several hole-in-ones each! Austin is actually very good. Sunday we spent the day at the pool and then went for a nice dinner. Yesterday was shopping day and then returning home.

Austin has moved up into the Pre-K classroom at school. He has tolerated the transition much better than we had anticipated. He is ready for the challenge and is starting to like his new class more every day. Caleb is eating food galore and wants someone to help him pull to stand instead of sitting still. He will pull up and jump all around. He just isn't strong enough to pull up by himself yet. He wakes up every morning with a smile on his face and is only waking up 1 time a night if even that now.

Well, I am off to make bottles and prepare things for tomorrow. It is a never ending circus around here!! Until next time......

A Weekend of Firsts

This past weekend was one of many firsts for everyone. It all started on Thursday night when Shane yelled to me from the other room with something resembling "He said it, he said it!!" He assured me that Caleb had just said his first word and guess what. The boys continue to dominate in our house because Dada was Caleb's first word. There was some baba mixed in there but after several minutes, I could not deny that he had definitely said Dada.

Friday was my birthday and Austin informed me earlier in the week that he was going to get me a special cake for my birthday. He was going to buy me a princess cake because mommy was the only girl in the house and was the only one who qualified for a princess cake. So, on Friday, I received the first "princess" cake that I have had in my entire 32 years. Austin had gone shopping and decided on the cake below because it was chocolate and had a "princess" on top. It is actually Tinkerbell but was a darn good cake. Austin also had a first when they took a trip to the nail salon to get my gift certificate. Shane said that he very quietly looked up and said "Daddy, are we getting our toes painted?" After a look of relief he then asked, "Do we get to wear masks?" I thought it was really cute.











Friday night, we cooked out with our neighbors. Austin got to eat his first marshmallow that he roasted himself over the fire. (Yes, it was really 80 degrees and there was a fire. Only on Onondaga Court do such things happen!!!)












On Saturday morning, we left for Caleb's first beach trip. We went to Atlantic Beach so the boys could spend some time with their cousins. Caleb was not so sure of the ocean or the sand.













He then proceeded to eat sand in mass quantities!













He had quite a nice conversation with his sunglasses. Press play to view the video.






But then decided he had had enough!












He had a nice time just playing on the deck with the breeze in his hair. (HaHa)

Austin had his first fishing experience later that night. He was really only interested in the fish once they were caught. Sitting still for any amount of time is a challenge.

On Sunday, we returned to the beach for a little more fun before returning home that night.

I wanted to include just some cute pictures as well. Austin is really starting to help entertain Caleb more and more. He is great at getting him to laugh. They seem to do well together without major injury yet.

Click on the play button to watch their fun!

Well, it was back to the same old same old today. Everyone survived the weekend and we had a pretty good time. Hope everyone else stayed safe. Until next time.......

7 Months Old!

Yesterday, Caleb turned 7 months old. Where has the time gone? He has now mastered sitting up and is enjoying playing with more toys in the floor. He occupied himself for about 30 minutes yesterday while I did some house work. Being the horrible mom that I am, I also let him watch his first TV program yesterday. He was cranky and no one could really make him happy so I took out Bear In the Big Blue House. This had been Austin's favorite show. The big bear did it again! Caleb was mesmerized. I guess once a week is not that bad! He also got the hang of eating puffs yesterday. I had given him several a few times before but he had not gotten any in his mouth. He was successful about 3 times I think out of the 15 he was given! Oh well, he was sure cute trying!

Not so sure I like these puffs!

I missed!

Reclining to watch Bear!

Austin had T-ball on Saturday morning bright and early. They got their pictures made and then had a game. He did a great job hitting the ball but continues to be easily distracted in the field by other players not necessarily doing like they should. I accidentally had the camera on the wrong setting so there is a little video of him hitting below. Sunday we were supposed to go to the Mudcats with his team but the game was rained out. He was bumbed but enjoyed playing the Wii with Daddy instead.

Click on the picture to watch the video below:


One last crazy, weird thing. My grandmother passed away 2 years ago yesterday. It was kind of wierd when they told me Caleb would be born on the 17th of October but I knew that the date had special meaning and that things would go great. Weird enough, her birthday was the 17th of November (too many 17s)! Anyway, after her funeral I was given a calla lilly plant that had been given to the family. (This is one of my favorite flowers.) Last year, Austin and I noticed that the plant got it's first flower on May 17th. This year, I looked on the 16th and no flowers. Yesterday I went out after the rain had stopped and sure enough, there were 2 "blooms" that were not there the day before. They were still green but definitely were more flowery than the day before. It is just weird to me how mysterious things happen every day.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend! Enjoy the day off from work!!

T-Ball and Ear Infections

It has been quite a day in the 90 degree heat! Austin had his first T-ball game today. He woke up excited and wanted to dress right away but the game was not until 12:50. When he finally got dressed, he could not be cuter. Pants that are too big, socks that are too long, shirt tale to his knees but it all worked out in the end!

He did so well both in the field and hitting. The first time he hit the ball, he looked a little stunned and hesitated to run to first base. He got the hang of it fast and had a great time. Dad had a great time coaching as well. He was excited to have Nana, Grandpa and some of our neighbors there to watch! One of the moms has set up a website for his team: http://fvaabees.weebly.com/. They are going to post pictures of games there.

Caleb was not fairing quite as well today. 2 nights ago I thought something was wrong because he had given me 3 nights in a row of great sleep. He proceeded to wake up and be very grumpy several times throughout the night. I had to work late last night and when I called home, he felt warm and sure enough had a temp of 101 by the time I got home. Motrin in and off to bed. He woke up three times last night and had a temp of 102.2 at 4am. I took him to the pediatrician at my office this morning and sure enough, he has ear infection #2. He has had a fever all day, sometimes up to 104 but has hung in there and has gone from lethargic to full of smiles at different times.

The look of leaving presents in one's diaper:

After the events of the day, everyone was pooped. Dad and Austin napped on the couch...

But Caleb began to get his second wind. (Click to watch the video.)

Luckily it did not last long and he has gone off to bed tonight without difficulty. We will see how long that lasts. Hope everyone has a great Mother's Day!