Summer 09 Beach Vacation

Last Thursday we left for our annual family vacation to Port Aransas. The weather was awesome and we had a wonderful time. Dylan loves the condo, beach and ocean. My sister's family joined us for the 1st weekend and then it was just the three of us for the rest of the week. 4 kids and 4 adults in the condo was sometimes wild but Dylan had a great time playing with Layla and River and I had some bonding time with Juliet. Below are a few pics from my camera which we only used the last two days - I can hopefully add more when my sister sends pics.

Steven also went offshore fishing one day and below is a picture of the fish they caught.

Riding Horses

Last week we ran to the mall one evening to do some last minute father's day shopping. I had been telling Dylan all day he was going to get to ride the horses on the carousel. So the whole car ride to the mall and then home all he would say is ride horseys! He loves it although is very serious while on the carousel. He rode 4 times before Steven got dizzy!

We Survived Vegas

Last Thrusday Steven and I left for Vegas which was my first time to leave Dylan overnight. I naturally had a lot of anxiety about leaving him and it was definitely a tearful good bye. Steven's mom came in town to stay at our house with him and my mom came during the day to help out and ended up spending Saturday night here. Dylan was very stressed out without his mommy and I think his teething did not help his mood. Needless to say he was a fussy baby but with the help of a few neighbors Dylan and his grandma's survived. Thanks Diane, mom, Jessica, Drew & Kathy for all of your hard work.

Once I got to Vegas I was mostly fine. It was nice to have some me time! We met up with my college/PPA/EY friends and their husbands. It was nice to catch up with old friends and sleep all night all though I was exhausted from all the walking. During the day we enjoyed the fancy pool and relaxing and Friday night we saw the Beatles Love show which was very entertaining and then Saturday night we rushed (literally in limo) so we would not be late for bingo at the Gulf Coast Casino. I had a good time but was literally rushing through the airport on the way home (I would not let Steven stop to use the bathroom) to see my baby! Dylan was in rough shape when we arrived he was super tired and had a fever. He was stuck to me for the next 24 hours but is now glad to be back on his normal schedule but I do think he teeth are still bothering him. Below are some pictures from our trip. I am glad I made myself go since this will probably be my only adults only vacation for at least another 2 years. I think it will be harder to convince the grandmas to keep 2 boys!

Mess Maker and Random week

Last week and weekend we were finally at home and it was very nice although not always relaxing! Dylan did not sleep well all last week and weekend so Steven and I were at wit's end by Sunday night. Then Dylan decided to sleep all night or at least until 5:30 am so there is hope! One night last week my parents came over and brought dinner which is always appreciated and my dad took a few pictures of Steven and Dylan swimming.

Later in the week Dylan decided to but all the toys he could find into one pile in the living room and started calling it a mess! It was too funny the first time. I cleaned up the 1st mess pile on Saturday morning and when I came home Saturday afternoon Dylan had created an ever larger pile. He works very hard at it and seems to have a lot of fun so I am learning to ignore the constant mess in my living room.

Mess #1

Mess #2 - even bigger and included Steven's shoes

Over the weekend we went to Ty's 3rd birthday party (Clint and Holly's son). The live in Weston Lakes and have huge backyard and more boys toys than any kid could dream of. Dylan had a great time playing in the tree house/slide, swinging in the tire horse swing, riding the bouncy horse, playing in the sandbox and driving Ty's tractors. Needless to say he feel asleep on the way home from the party.

Dylan in the tree house

Sunday Ryan and Tyler came over to swim and Jessica brought baby Natalie so we finally we able to meet her. She is precious and slept the whole time she was over.

Busy, Busy May

Where did May go? We traveled every weekend so I am sure that is why it is already June. Since my last post we went to Austin on May 16th to celebrate Layla's 4th birthday. She is such a big girl. Her birthday party got rained out on Saturday but Dylan had a blast playing with his cousins all day. He met Juliet for the first time and was very curious about the baby. He was very good while I was holding her which was surprising to me. Sunday we headed home so Steven could catch a plane - to Vegas for work of course!

While Steven was gone I took Dylan to his swim lesson which I had some anxiety about since I have to wear my preggo swimsuit. Dylan did really well and was a good boy while Steven was gone although we are always so happy when he returns! Thursday night before we left for Atlanta - Dylan had his first sleep over. Jessica went into early labor so Tyler got to spend the night. He was so easy and Dylan really enjoyed his company.


Dylan and Tyler watching Cars before bed

Friday, May 22nd we flew to Atlanta for Steven's little brothers high school graduation. Dylan was an angel on the plane and slept most of the way and then ate snacks and looked out the window. He had a great time playing at Grandparent Zimmerman's house - they had cars, trains, bubbles, fish, cats and basket balls. He was very busy and really took a liking to Uncle Bryan. If Bryan went outside or upstairs Dylan wanted to follow him. Dylan sat through the whole high school graduation - which was impressive. Dylan also enjoyed Bryan's graduation party and spent most of his time blowing bubbles for the guest out on the patio. Dylan's only melt down while in Atlanta was when we had to leave the carousel/mall. He loved riding the animals on the carousel and was more than upset when we tried to leave and put him in the car. Again he was an angel on the airplane and we went all ready to get home even if it was only for a few days.


By the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta

Running through Chattahoochee Park

Blowing bubbles

Tough guy

Last week I had CPE training at Reliant - you can imagine how much fun that was and then Friday we left for Port A. Kim, Jason and Abby joined us. Dylan and Abby played well together and a good time was had by all. The boys were able to fish in the morning and Kim and I was at least able to have relaxing, kid free lunches at the beach hut. Dylan loved running on the beach and chasing the birds. We came home yesterday and are hoping to stay in town at least for this weekend!

Last night Steven took Dylan to swim class again and it was the first time other kids have been in the class. Dylan loved it as always and Steven says he is making progress. Today Dylan is 19 months old - he is talking more and louder than ever. He is also running and climbing on everything. This weekend we are going to take a bench and coffee table out of our house for space and so Dylan can not climb on top of them. He still loves trucks, buses and tractors and points them out on the road when we are driving. When he sees something exciting he says "eyes" which I think means I see. He is still a Mommy's boy but has been showing more interest in Steven lately and gets very excited when Daddy comes home.

Dylan on the coffee table

Dylan's 1st Swim Lessons

Dylan had his first swim lesson Monday night. He did great and was excited the whole time. Right now he is the only person in the class so he got all the attention. The teacher sings songs the whole class and Dylan had to float on his back (while being held of course) and try and learn to go under water. He still has to learn to close his mouth! We were happy he did so well and hope it continues next week. The pictures are a little blurry - I got a new camera for my b-day and Steven had it on a weird setting that I did not know how to fix at the time.

Baby Boy #2 & Happy 30th and Mother's Day

Steven and I are expecting again at the end of September and found out last Friday that it is a little boy. Poor baby does not have a name yet so we have just been referring to him as baby #2. Steven has lots of names picked out but of course I want it to be perfect so I am taking my time. I am excited to get to use all of Dylan's cute little baby stuff again. I am feeling pretty good just trying to keep up with Dylan. I think he may get quite bored having a pregnant mom this summer so I am trying to find him a lot of activities to do - Gymboree, swim lessons, please let me know if you have any other ideas!

Last Thursday I turned 30! Scary and good. I think I am at a very good/happy phase in my life. Maybe its the extra hormones but I have been very emotional lately when I think about my wonderful friends and family. Thursday night we celebrated with my parents and Steven's dad and then Friday we went to the Mucky Duck to see Bruce Robinson with friends.

Saturday Dylan had his first boys day! Steven took him to Gymboree in the morning and then after his nap they went with Ryan and Tyler to Lake Conroe. Steven said Dylan was good and happy the whole time on the boat and all. He was exhausted and super cranky when they got home but it was nice to have a day to myself. I ran lots of errands and did some shopping.

For Mother's Day they boys let me sleep late and then we had a relaxing afternoon hanging out by the pool. It was a very relaxing day and then I met my mom for dinner.


Dylan and Steven in the pool.