Fun times with GiGi

My mom was in town last week and we had a great time. It was a very laid back visit, as opposed to when she was here last for Henry's birth. Things have certainly calmed down since then. She and Aubrey spent a lot of time reading her new favorite Richard Scarey book. They must have read the "doctor" page a hundred times. They also painted with watercolors and made a trip to the park. She only wanted GiGi to read and sing to her at night. Very sweet. GiGi also spent a lot of time loving on Henry, who gave her some of his best smiles and squeals. The visit was too short. Thanks again for coming to see us GiGi!

GO HORNS

Although we won't be going to the games this year, we are still showing our longhorn pride.  

Hook 'em

3 months old

Yep, Henry just keeps getting bigger. Funny how that happens. He's doing really well. The biggest news is that he is sleeping all night. I dropped his late night feeding, so now he goes 12-13 hours! YIPPIE. His daytime naps are a little more unpredictable (this afternoon was a nightmare, yesterday was perfect), but the good days generally outnumber the bad. Although he found his thumb and can get to sleep quickly when he's really tired, he has also decided it's fun to talk to himself...and sometimes does it for a little too long, so he doesn't get the sleep he needs. He still hates the carseat and rarely falls asleep in it for more than a few minutes, which really makes it difficult for us to get out and about during the day. Oh well. This too shall pass. We're just enjoying his smiles, and the laugh is almost here. Can't wait for what.

Father-Daughter Fun

Brian and Aubrey just returned from a last minute trip to visit Brian's family in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We only had enough miles for two tickets, so Henry and I had to stay behind. Looks like we missed out on some great fun. They spent a night in St. Paul and Aubrey was able to play with her aunts, uncles and cousins. Then they headed up to Brian's parent's cabin (house) in WI where she spent her days running down the lane, taking boat rides, and playing with Grandma and Grandpa. I think she loved having some alone time with Daddy and riding on the airplane, of course. I'm certain they both loved getting out of this Texas heat for a while.  

Here are a few photos from their trip.  Although I did pack Aubrey's bag, it's apparent I had no influence on how her dad chose to dress her.  You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him dress a daughter... or fix her hair.

On the plane and ready to go.

First boat ride of the trip.  Please note she is wearing TWO jackets, yet has on shorts.  hmmmm.

The cabin.  Grandpa is hard at work.

Grandma tending the flowers

Aubrey inside the birdcage, or should I say Trucker Aubrey.  Yes, she isn't wearing pants.

Running down the lane with Buster.  Again, love this season's outerwear... footie pajamas and tennis shoes.

Our mini vacation

With summer coming to an end, Brian's internship complete, and school about to start, we decided we needed a little getaway. With gas prices so high and airline tickets even higher, we couldn't go too far. Plus, who wants to make a long car ride even longer by stopping every three hours to feed the baby. Our days of jetsetting are gone for now, and not just because we are on a student budget... who wants to be that person with the screaming kids on a long flight.

So, we packed up and headed east, about 20 miles east to be specific, to the Hyatt Lost Pines resort for two nights. It was the easiest road trip ever! Best of all, it felt like worlds away. The property is beautiful with tons of shady trees and the Colorado river too! Although it is a "spa" and golf resort, we went to enjoy the maze of pools and free smores. Anything labeled "free" is key to our happiness right now.

I was so excited about the trip, even though I knew it would be a challenge in the sleep department since we would all be in the same room. The first night was rough, for everyone but Henry. He slept like a champ in the bathroom. He's just the right size for the toilet. I'm kidding, of course. He slept in the pack-n-play with no problems. Aubrey was a different story. She is a very light sleeper, and is used to being in a dark room, by herself, with white noise to drown out the other sounds. We decided to bring her tent along, knowing that she might fall out of the big bed. Well, she just couldn't settle into sleep knowing we were still awake. So finally, we all just went to bed, and as soon as I turned off the light, she started screaming. I put her in bed with me, and finally at 10:15pm, she gave in to sleep and promptly pushed me right out of bed. I climbed in the other bed with Brian and tried to get to sleep. That didn't last as Aubrey soon woke up again. It was musical beds. I put her in bed with Brian this time . Again, she fell asleep. Just as I was starting to think about sleeping, I hear a thud. I knew instantly that she had fallen out of the bed. Luckily I had put some pillows down to soften the blow if she did roll out. I don't even think she woke up until Brian picked her up to put her back in bed. In the end, all three of us ended up sleeping in the double bed, which was tight and very uncomfortable. Needless to say, the next night we made her stay in the tent (I didn't turn off the lights until after she fell asleep) and she did much better.

All in all, we had a great time even though I spent most of the trip in the hotel room so Henry could nap. He didn't want to cooperate and sleep in the stroller by the pool. It was still too hot for that. Brian and I traded off swimming with Aubrey and she had the most fun of all of us. She enjoyed riding her little scooter around the property, swimming, rolling down the grassy lawns, eating smores and playing on the playground. I took my camera and had every intention of taking a ton of pictures. Of course, when your hands are full of baby gear it's hard to manage a camera too. Oh well. I managed to get a few bad photos of Aubrey "camping."

Babylicious

Henry is really starting to fill out, and I'm loving every little roll!

Thumb glorious thumb

Yes, sweet Aubrey still loves her thumb.  Turns out she's not alone.  Henry has been sleeping like a champ at nap time the last few days, and going down with little or no protest. It's all because of the thumb.  That's right, he has found it and I think it will be a LONG time before he gives it up.  Every time I go in to wake him (yes, I am having to wake him now when it's time to eat) he is sucking on that thing like his life depends on it.  Even when he's a little overtired and cranky right before nap time, he gets this look of excitement when I go to swaddle him because he knows I'm going to wrap his arm in just the right position for him to easily shove the thumb in his mouth.   It is indeed glorious for now.  Ask me again when our savings is drained by dental bills.

Growing up

Just when I was beginning to think she would never be potty trained, Aubrey has started wearing "big girl pants" and is making great progress. She has been using the potty off and on for almost a year, but only when we put her on it and only if she just happens to need to go at that moment. However, one thing she had never done was no. 2 in the potty. Nice potty talk, I know.   She has had a lollipop waiting as her treat when she finally decided to do it. 

I knew it was time to kick the training into gear when she started taking off her diaper more.  So here I was on Thursday, putting her on the potty after she took her diaper off, when all of a sudden... she did it! She was shocked and then, or course, very excited because she could finally have her lollipop.

Here are some pics of the proud girl and a few others from last week.

Her first lollipop.  Yum.

It's hard to believe Aubrey will be three soon.  It really hit me last week when the first of her playgroup friends celebrated her 3rd birthday.  Thanks for the cupcake Megan! 

The birthday girl, Megan, and her mom, Beth

More friends!  Christy, Alivia and Will.  (For those of you who don't know, Christy and I have known each other since Kindergarten.  Now we both have a girl and a boy, just months apart!

Henry's turn.  Love that smile.

Look who's talking

She speaks the truth

I have had a lot of job titles over the years:  camp counselor, administrative assistant (read glorified secretary), general manager, graduate student, and military officer to name a few.  My latest, of course, is mom.  

So today, Aubrey added to the list.  We were in the car on our way to play group, when in her sweet little voice she calls out... "Driver, I want my water."  So there you have it.  Just call me James.