Busy, Busy and July 4th

Last Sunday (Sunday before the 4th) we were suppose to go on a family trip to Steven's dad's house. Right as we left the house my dad called and Momma Jolene's nursing home had left him a message in France. I called to check on her and she had fallen and hit her head and needed to go to the ER. So Steven and Dylan went to Wharton and I went to the ER. Momma Jolene ended up being fine just a nasty bump, two black eyes and lots of swelling. Steven and Dylan had a good time visiting his dad and Stephanie. Dylan chased chickens around and enjoyed the space to roam.

Last week Dylan had a few milestones but I have been too busy to post until now. Last week he started catching a ball - he has always been good at throwing but now can catch. He also pooped on the potty twice. Since then we are still trying but also trying not to force him. He is now telling us he has to poop but sometimes he has already gone before we make it to the potty. He went to his swim class again on Thursday and again did well with swimming but cried the whole time. My parents are in France so we picked up Bentley last Thursday from boarding and will have him until this Friday. Dylan loves him but I think he drives the dog crazy. He constantly wants to feed him or throw balls at him. We also were able to meet Grandma Clarice for dinner and briefly catch-up with her which is always nice.

For the 4th we went to the ranch with my sisters family. It was super hot but we all enjoyed the pool and Dylan enjoyed playing with his cousins, the moo cows and sitting on the tractors. Steven tried to take Dylan fishing but Dylan jumped/fell into the pond. I agree with him that it was too hot to fish! None of us made it until 10pm for the Giddings fireworks show. Who stays up that late anymore? Also the evening on July 4th there was some racing at the ranch. No one is sure how it started but first Melinda and Steven raced - Steven won but Melinda kind of quit early on. Then Steven and Nancy (Craig's mom raced) and due to uneven surfaces Steven won again and then Steven and Craig raced and Craig won! It was wild and hilarious although the kids were not too sure what was going on. We have the whole thing on video and Steven plans to post on utube eventually.

Tots swim class

Yesterday was Dylan's first Tots swim class which means without Steven or I. As anticipated he cried/screamed the entire time which everyone reassured Steven and I that was normal. The teacher was awesome with him and said he did a good job with his floating etc., but it will just take some time for him to adjust to me or Steven leaving him. Hopefully next Thursday will go better!

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