Just the Girls

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be included on a Smith girls' weekend.  Although I was a little anxious about leaving the boys (my first time leaving Austin, and only days after weaning him completely), I knew they would be fine and I was so excited to go!  I'd forgotten how leisurely travel can be.  I actually got to read on the plane!  Oh, the luxuries...

We first all met up in Reno and got to attend a fabulous Katie G thrown baby shower for Sarah, who is due in June with their first baby.  Katie is amazing and I ate way too many delicious treats.  After lots of oooing and ahhing over darling girly baby things, we headed up to Tahoe for some relaxing.  We enjoyed an incredible spa day, yummy food, and lots of reading and resting.

Rosie and I braved the cold one afternoon for some picture taking.  (Thanks to C3 for lending me his camera so I could truly enjoy light travel!)  My fingers were numb.

So nice to lay on the couch near the fire and read...

Beautiful Sarah, 30 weeks.

The morning we left had beautiful blue skies and sun.

Sarah, Rosie, and Calli.

I'm so glad to be part of your family! 

Thanks for the wonderful weekend!

This Should Make You Smile

I was so shocked the first time I saw Austin's little face peering at me over the countertop.  I really shouldn't have been, as he is SUCH a climber.  He is obsessed with Zach's step stool and I've found I have to put it up on the counter away from him now, since he doesn't always have a spotter.  Lucky for Zach, he is getting so tall he doesn't really need it much now (also a little shocking!).

Austin Turns 1

On April 5th, our sweet little Austin turned one!  I know everyone says this, but it really went unbelievably fast.  He is such a wonderful boy and we are so thankful to have him in our family!

First, a few facts about Austin:

- He is an excellent eater and will eat most anything, but somehow remains in the 5th percentile for weight.
-  At the year mark turned into a great sleeper, usually.
-  He thinks he is a "big boy" now and wants to do everything Zach does.
-  He is a climber! 
-  He is a Daddy's boy and chants "Dada, Dada," squeals with delight, and chases Cal when he gets home until he gets picked up.


We did a robot theme, just for kicks.  (you can't see the details, but it's robot paper).  I was surprised that Austin actually noticed and smiled at the banner.

After special blueberry pancakes for breakfast (he loves blueberries), Austin did a few things he loves.
Played with the vacuum, and tried to climb it.

Wrestled with Zach on the beanbag and played with an old phone.

The decor.

He loved the balloons (what's not to love?).  It made me wonder why we buy birthday presents for a one year old?  We just need a good bunch of balloons.

Cupcakes for us.

A little cake for Austin.

After my mom and I took the boys to the pool for some good splashing, we had my parents over for dinner, presents, and cake.

He was great at opening presents, knew just what to do.  He actually squealed with happiness when he saw a couple of them. 

Notice how he is sitting.  This is how he always likes to sit, with his right leg bent back.  Silly boy.

As soon as Austin saw his new elephant, he immediately gave it "loves."  Since then, he loves to give loves to this elephant and his bear he got for Christmas.

He knew the cake was going to be something he wanted.

Exploring.

Tasting.  He didn't eat much and didn't seem to care for it much, but he loved the ice cream.  (that's my boy!)

Oh boy!  My Mom's comment to me was that I had come so far since Zach's first birthday.  Look at that mess!  Ay yie yie.

Can't let the frosting between the toes go to waste!

Straight to bathtime!

We love you Austin!

 

Oh, Zach

Lately Zach is funny, imaginative, adorable, sweet, helpful, and difficult.  I sure love this boy, but I think he's giving me gray hair.  I'm so happy it's spring and our options of things to do has expanded again. 

Nice weather = sanity!

Love this.

Fun With Nana & Papa

One weekend Cal got to go home for a boys ski weekend, so the (little) boys and I spent a day with my parents.  Zach has always loved Nana & Papa's backyard, especially doing yardwork.  It was fun to see Austin get in on the fun.  He was determined to be a big boy and use the tools.

My Mom and I took them to a fun park.  Austin loves the slides and swings and Zach loves the big slides.

Sandbox Fun

Austin has been fully converted to the sandbox.  He loves it! 

It's going to be a messy summer!

"Let me go out to play!!!"

Life Gets Busy... Part 1

I feel like I have so many pictures and things to blog, but just haven't gotten to it.  I don't know why...

So here is my first attempt to catch up with various random things.

Starting in early March. 

Zach really wanted me to take pictures of them in the chair.  This was the best I got. 

I have been trying so hard to get decent pictures of Zach, but he usually does not cooperate and just makes weird faces.  I was pleased to get one that I liked!

Austin continues to love to get into everything.  Sometimes, literally.  He is always trying to climb into the oven drawer.  I try not to let him because it gets really hot there if the oven is on and I don't want him in the habit of being in there...  But this time it was just too cute to resist a picture.  Zach, of course, had to follow.  These two are going to be trouble...

For more than a month, Austin has used Zach's step stool and his highchair to walk around.  He loves the independence and really wants to take off.  He is consistantly walking short distances by himself now, but is still a bit timid and wobbly.  

"Zach's Woodshop". 

After 2+ weeks of the boys having (almost) every sickness symptom you can think of (and very little sleep!), we were grateful to get outside and play and do some yardwork.  In a corner of our yard where we keep our recycling and trash cans, we also keep scraps of wood.  Zach has claimed this as his own and still talks daily about being a workerman.  He also has an "office" in his imagination that he goes to with his imaginary helicopter or "jet pack" daily as well.  It often doesn't make sense, but it is fun to see what he comes up with.

I got really excited about following an online art class with Zach, but it hasn't gone exactly as planned.  I've decided that the projects are directed at a bit older audience and he really just wants to do his own thing right now.  I was initially dissappointed, but we can save it all for when he is more ready.  And in the mean time we still do LOTS of art projects!  He likes to say, "I'm an artist!" and "It's GORGEOUS!"

One day I was in Zach's room putting away laundry and things were just too quiet and still.  So I hunted around for Austin and found him behind the curtain playing with Zach's Mr. Potato head.  Cute boy.

And of course, it turned into peek-a-boo with both boys.