Caitlin's Room

I realized I haven't posted any pictures of Caitlin's room. Probably because it wasn't completely done when she was born, and I only recently finished it by hanging her name on the wall. It was Evan's room which we repainted and redecorated.  We moved Evan to the back bedroom which was already painted blue.  It was kind of sad to move him, but it was much easier to only paint half a room (the top half was blue when Evan slept there.. the bottom has always been that same green)!  We bought a new crib for Caitlin, but otherwise, the furniture is actually my furniture from when I was a little girl.  I really like the way everything turned out.  Not that she's slept in it yet but hopefully I'll get brave enough to let her sleep in there soon.  It's always so difficult that first night... you wake up constantly, afraid you'll miss them if they are crying.  At least that's how it was for me with Evan. Maybe it won't be that way with the second kid!

Hope everyone likes it!  Thanks to our family for helping us with the painting and decorating!

The Rodeo

On Monday, I took the two kids to the rodeo.  If you aren't aware, for two weeks every year, the Rodeo comes to Austin.  I've been in the evening to the actual rodeo a couple of times, and I kind of enjoy it.  Plus, there's always a concert afterwards.  I've seen Maroon 5, Foreigner, and Ashlee Simpson just to name a few... I know, we only get the best here in Austin!  But seriously, it's a good time and makes me feel very Texan.  I wanted the kids to get to experience some of that.  So, Monday I took them to the rodeo since it was get in free with an HEB receipt... BONUS!  We met up with my friend Kara and her two kids (Micah who is two and Stella who was born a week after Caitlin).  The weather was perfect... sunny, not too hot but not too cold.  The only downside was that it was school day so there were quite a few school groups there.  It didn't really bother us too much.

The first activity was to head to the Kidzone where they had a petting zoo.  When we first went in, Evan wasn't too thrilled with the animals as you can see...

But, he warmed up to them a little bit. As we were leaving, I noticed a goat following Evan but actually, it was eating his shirt!  I have to say that the animals did start to get a little aggressive just as we were finishing up, but a big group of kids came in too.

After the petting zoo, we headed out to check out the animals in the barns.  We saw a bunch of cows, horses, sheep, and bunnies!  Evan really liked the cows.  He kept mooing.  He also liked seeing the horses since "neigh neigh" is his newest animal sound.  After the barn, we found a teepee to let the kids run around in. 

 Then, we went back for a pony ride.  Again, Evan wasn't too sure about the pony.  He kept wanting to get off and I was nervous to let him go around alone as I was sure he would slide off. But, he did great!  Didn't love it but didn't cry either.

After the pony rides, we had lunch (yeah carnival food) and then headed home. Overall, it was a great day and I think Evan enjoyed it.  Caitlin slept in the Bjorn most of the time.  I even took a bottle with us which she ate (granted, it took awhile to get her to take it but it's progress).  Hopefully, we can go again next year and maybe even Daddy can join us.

Caitlin turns 2 months!

Wow, 2 months already!  It's hard to believe that two months have passed since little Caitlin came into our lives.  It's been tiring but wonderful.  She recently went to the Dr. for her 2 month appointment.  She weighed in at 11 lbs 1 oz and was 21.5 inches tall.  The Dr. said she was doing great. Unfortunately, she had to get three shots at this appointment.  It was heartbreaking to hear her crying but she was very brave.  She was a little fussy this weekend I think due to the shots.

 Caitlin has started smiling since the last report.  She holds her head up really well and tracks with her eyes.  She enjoys her swing, especially looking up at the mirror and the turning bees.  She is sleeping pretty well at night also... usually a 5-6 hour stretch followed by a 3 hour stretch.  So, I really can't complain too much since I'm essentially getting up  just once a night.  I guess a few things that aren't going as smoothly are that she doesn't take a bottle all that well.  She also just wants to be held a lot of the time which makes it difficult to get other things done during the day.  Fingers crossed that it's just due to being fussy from the shots.  And still no pacifier.  She really just wants her mommy!

I hope you all get to meet her soon as she is just so precious.  Evan is a loving big brother (most of the time)... he loves to give her kisses and hugs.  I've uploaded new pics to the picasa site (see the link and slideshow to the right).

Kite Festival

On Sunday, I took Evan and Caitlin to the kite festival down at Zilker Park.  It was the perfect day for a kite festival... sunny, warm, and just a little windy.  We met Aunt Michelle and Uncle Brett down there since there is no way I could have managed two kids at that by myself (Bryce was working if you were curious).  I wore Caitlin in the Bjorn and put Evan in the jogging stroller.  Once we got to Zilker, he pretty much walked most of the time, and Aunt Michelle did a great job keeping track of him for me!  We bought a cheap $5 kite so he could participate.  That little kite was awesome!  Brett was the master kite flyer and got ours all the way up. We let Evan fly it once it was up and he was so cute flying the kite (see the video):

We had some lunch at the park and met up with some friends at the festival.  Then, it was time to head home since it was getting to be nap time. Overall, a great time! Thanks Brett and Michelle for helping me!!

Caitlin and I - doesn't the weather look gorgeous?

The 3 of us

Evan and Matilda

View of downtown with all the kites overhead

Evan and his balloon - who needs kites when there are balloons!

Brett, Michelle, and Evan

Caitlin taking a snooze in Matilda's wagon

Gymnastics

Today, I took Evan to gymnastics!  I know, you may think I'm crazy or that it is unmanly or whatever.  But, it was a lot of fun.  It's not a class... it's open gym where parents bring their kids and they can use the various equipment.  Evan tried the balance beam, the bars, the foam pit, the various trampolines, and running all over.  He had a blast!  He especially loved this one trampoline which is like a long runway... he'd take off from one end just bounding down it.  I think he ran non-stop for the entire hour we were there (hence why he took a 3 hour nap today!).  Our friends Cassie and Alex introduced us to the place and we had fun seeing them and meeting some other moms!  I've posted a short video and some pictures so you can see just how much fun it was.  We definitely plan on going back... especially if it gives Mom a 3 hour break that afternoon :)

Oh, and in case you were wondering how I managed with Caitlin... I just put her in my bjorn and wore her around so I could chase Evan.  She was just as happy since she slept the entire time!

Video of Evan running on the trampoline

Evan on the bars

Evan on another trampoline

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Evan in the foam

Haircut #4

It's hard to believe Evan is only 19 months old and he's already had 4 haircuts!  I took him to a new place today because I had a coupon for first-time haircuts and he desperately needed one.  He behaved really well - just sat there and let her cut, trim, and use the clippers!  Here are some pics... doesn't he look so much older?  I had them cut it pretty short since it grows so fast.  Oh, and Caitlin smiled at me today for real!  I'm marking it down in the calendar.

Before pic:

After pic:

(Sorry for the messy shirt... he had avocado for dinner!)

Reading!

Sorry for the delay in blogging, but I've been busy and when it comes to nap time, it's rare that both kids will give me the time to blog and at night, I'm just too tired.  But, for a few moments today, I'm getting that chance so I'm seizing it! 

First, things are going well.  Caitlin slept for almost 6 hours last night!  It was heavenly.  Let's hope it's a trend and not a one night deal.  Also, she has stopped taking the pacifier... that lasted a few days and now she just doesn't want anything to do with it. On one hand, yeah because it's something I won't have to worry about resolving later in life. On the other hand, it was so convenient for Evan because it would calm him down so well when you are in those situations where you just need to quiet them down.  Like the grocery store for instance where on Sunday, Caitlin cried the entire trip!  Sorry all those people shopping at HEB on Sunday morning.  Still, she's doing great health wise.  She really tracks you with her eyes now.  Not smiling just yet (except in her sleep or when she's you-know-whating) but I think she's close.  She's also holding her head up really well.

Evan is also good.  He had some stomach bug last week (which he then passed to me, then to Bryce, then to Casey, then to Becca) but otherwise has been healthy.  We bought him a soccer ball which he LOVES!  Any ball really and you can't go wrong in his eyes. The weather is finally getting nice here so we are playing outside whenever we get the chance.  He's always loved to read, but now, he just climbs in his chair and grabs a book and starts reading. It's so cute.  He blabs like he's really reading it. He knows when it's upside down.  He'll also grab a book and come sit in my lap to read.  Melts my heart! I attempted to take a video but just know that it doesn't do it justice...



 
I signed Evan up for preschool in the fall.  It's just two days a week but I thought it would be good for him to interact with other kids some of the time.  We try and go to playdates but when I'm back at work and he's with the nanny, I wasn't sure if he'd have those same opportunities.  I know a few people who go to this one and love it so hopefully he does as well!  

Lunch with Avery

Wearing Daddy's shoes (he loves to put on other peoples shoes)

My precious ones