Caitlin - Eight Months!

So I finally got some new markers (even though they aren't the same ones - I went to 3 stores trying to find them with no luck).  And that means I finished Caitlin's sign and took her 8 month pictures.  Every month when I go to write her update, I am surprised at how fast it's going and how much she's changing.  This month was filled with lots of fun around town.  We've been to many playdates in the last month.  Evan started preschool so Caitlin gets some one on one time with our nanny Elizabeth!

There was no Doctor's appt this month so it's just a guess at Caitlin's stats.  I think she's about 16.5lbs and 26 inches.  She is sleeping great still with about 1.5 hour morning nap, at least 2 hour afternoon nap, and from 8pm-7am overnight.  She's eating fruit/cereal in the morning and a vegetable in the evening.  We started giving her formula this month and she's taking it just fine.  We've been mixing it with breast milk so I think that has eased the transition so for now, she's getting both still.  I'll try to continue giving her both as long as possible. 

In the past month, Caitlin has gotten even closer to crawling.  (Well, as of the writing of this blog, she has actually started crawling, but technically by her 8 month birthday last week, we weren't counting it yet so this blog will say she hasn't crawled and the next one will say she has.)  She's gotten her two bottom teeth! They didn't seem to bother her too much. She loves to sit and play with toys.  Her hair is getting so long that I try to pull it back so it's out of her eyes.  But I'm not cutting it because I'm looking forward to putting it in pretty pigtails and ponytails.  She has really started paying attention to Evan.  He'll play peak-a-boo with her in the car and bring her toys.  It's so sweet. He likes to feed her puffs too.  She rides in the stroller without her carseat.  She loves to clap her hands. She loves to talk and makes sounds like ba, da, and ma. She is just the most precious little girl, and we love watching her grow.

I'm doing a new thing here - embedding the 8 month photo album as a slideshow.  So, if you click on it, it should pop up the window of her 8 month photo album on picasa.  It's also over on the right hand side of the blog if you want to view it there.

Caitlin - Eight Months

Quick blog entry

I know, I still haven't done Caitlin's 8 month update but I've been busy this week.  Today is Caitlin's baptism so we have had friends/family in town and been getting ready for it.  Still, I wanted to at least give you something to tide you over until I have time to post about the baptism and her 8 month birthday.  I at least got the markers for her sign!

So, we aren't really potty training yet, but we do encourage Evan to sit on his potty and go on his potty.  More just to make it a fun experience and at least get used to doing it (because I would LOVE to have one kid out of diapers).  For the most part, he just sits on it... although he wants Mommy to sit on the real potty at the same time and he wants to do it with all his clothes off.  I guess you take what you can get although at some point we'll have to correct that... can't have a 4 year old taking his clothes off in public to use the potty I think!  Still, TWICE this week he has actually gone pee pee in the potty.  So exciting!  Do I think it's going to keep happening?  No.  Did we get super excited and tell him what a great job anyway?  Yes!  Here's to our little man for at least making an effort and hoping he continues.  He likes to imitate people so we took a quick pic of him while he was sitting on it one day.  I wonder who he's imitating ;) Enjoy!

Backpack videos

Now that Evan is going to school, he loves to wear his backpack.  So, I took a video one afternoon of him wearing his backpack and doing various things he likes to do. 

First video is of him with his backpack on, feeding puffs to Caitlin!  She loves to eat them and he loves to feed her so it's super cute to watch how sweet he is.



The second video is of him saying the dog's name (Sierra) which is something new.  Before he just always called her dog but he randomly one day started saying her name!  Also, it's got him doing one of his other favorite things - dancing to the Fridge Farm!



The last video is of Daddy coming home from work.  He gets very excited (as does the dog) when he hears the garage door open.  He yells, "Daddy home!".  Also very cute.




I will post an 8 month update on Caitlin soon, as soon as I do her sign.  My markers have run out so I need to buy some new markers to finish it first.

Museum Day

Today was Austin Museum Day if you didn't know which meant that you could visit museums all over Austin for free!  We took advantage and joined Brett and Michelle at the Austin Children's Museum with the two kiddos this morning. I've been a few times before with Evan but this was Bryce's first time (and Brett and Michelle's too).  We made our way in.  It wasn't too crowded right at 10am when it opened but by the time we left about 11:30am, it was PACKED!  Glad we went early.  We headed up to the train exhibit first as that's one of Evan's favorites.  He loves to watch the train and then dance to the music. Here's a video from it:



After the trains, we checked out the "Mi Familia" exhibit. Evan enjoyed putting balls in the fish (simulates a pinata) and jumping off the platform. 

Then we headed to the toddler only area so Caitlin could get out of the ergo for a bit and enjoy some of the museum.



Then it was up to the Tinker Toys area.  They had these parachutes you attached to a rope. Then you pulled the rope and it hoiseted the parachute to a cup that caused the clip to let go and the parachute fall to the ground. Evan loved pulling on the rope with Aunt Shell! Here's a video clip:

And we of course had to stop and play with the train set.  I think we might have to get Evan one of these little tables. He could have stayed and played on it for hours I think!





And here's a picture of all of us. What a great idea Aunt Shell!  We had a fun morning with the two of you. 



Austin Science and Nature Center - Goodbye Mustico Family!

Last week, we took a trip to the Austin Science and Nature Center with some friends for a final playdate with the Musticos.  They are moving to the DC area this week, and we are very sad to see them leave.  We hope they'll come back to visit us all again soon!  We had a great time at the center.  Evan did lots of running, digging, seeing native animals, checking out a cave, and playing with friends.  Here are some pics from our adventure!

Evan next to an agave

The kids checking out the coyote

There was a little area full of water due to all the rain so they had to check it out too

RUNNING! The kids ran back and forth to this wall for like 20 minutes chasing each other. Evan LOVED it!  He kept saying, "I'm running!".

All the kids next to the pond (except Matilda who came later)

Evan at the dino pit

Digging in the dino pit

Then on Sunday, the Greenbergs hosted a little going away party for the Musticos.  The theme was Only In Texas... we had Rudy's BBQ, Chuy's Jalapeno Dip, Amy's Ice Cream, Lammes Candies, Shiner, Sweet Leaf, and more texas treats.  The kids loved playing in the pool outside. 

And playing at the water table

Caitlin and Clare playing inside

Drew and Evan playing soccer - don't you love Drew's baggy pants?

My cutie Caitlin!

Then, we had to say our goodbyes.  Best of luck to the Mustico family in their new home.  We hope to see y'all again soon so come back to visit!

A House Divided

There is one Saturday every year that brings about the division of Team Stacer.  And that is the annual contest of ND vs Michigan in college football.  The last couple of years, there hasn't been much to cheer for or get upset about in the event of a loss (being that it's just one of many that season).  But still, this is a great rivalry in college football and a difficult one for us to navigate... love of school and spouse!  The great thing about having 2 kids is that now, there's one for each of our teams :)  Congrats to Michigan on a good win.  I'd like to have seen what would have happened if Crist had played the entire game.  Regardless, a good team wins no matter what and today, Michigan had the edge.  Here are some pics of our divided household.

Caitilin wore Michigan and Evan wore ND this year - mostly a function of who had clothes that fit them in those schools.  Thanks Greenbergs for the cheerleading outfit! We don't have many ND or Michigan clothes for either kid so if you'd like to sway them in a particular direction, I can give you their sizes ;)

Our attempt at the self timer on the camera

Team Go Blue!

Are you ready for some football?

First Day of School!

Today was Evan's first day of preschool.  I debated about whether to send him to preschool this year or next, but I decided back in February that it might be good socializing for him.  Let's hope it was the right decision!  We had meet the teacher on Tuesday where we left him with the teacher for about 45 min while we went to an assembly with the director.  There was a lot of tears on his part so I was very anxious for today.  I got him all ready this morning.  He wasn't being very cooperative with the picture taking, but I managed to snap a few photos.  We saw Avery on the way in and he was happy to see her.  Then, I took him to his classroom.  As soon as we got in there, he just clinged to me and started crying.  So, I gave him a quick kiss, told him I loved him and Miss Elizabeth would pick him up, set him on the teachers lap, and headed out the door.  I spent the entire day just waiting for my nanny to pick him up and call me with how it went. The teacher told her that he did cry quite a bit that day but it was all pretty normal for kids his age.  So, we will hope that it gets better each time we go as I do think he'll enjoy it.

Anyway, here are the photos I did get.  And cute story... the kids sit in the hall while they wait for parent pickup.  I guess Evan and Avery sat next to each other.  Avery's mom arrived first and apparently she was just balling when she came out to the car.  Well, Ange didn't know what was wrong and was concerned.  She pulled over and asked her.  Avery was upset that Evan was left all alone.  She said he was calling her name, "Avery, Avery, Avery."  She called to tell me as Avery wanted to check on Evan.  So, I called her as soon as the nanny called me so she knew he got picked up okay.  Too cute!

Evan's backpack and lunch bag

Ready for school!

Maybe ready for school?

Ready or not...

Videos of what's new in our world

We are enjoying our Labor Day weekend and being lazy.  So, I thougth I'd upload some videos I've taken recently of the kids.  One is of Caitlin waving which is a new thing for her.  In the video, Bryce is holding the camera and waving at her so that is what she's looking at.



This video is of Evan running with Daddy.  It's his new favorite thing to do.  He asks to go running all the time and just laughs while he is doing it. He especially likes to do it outside.  Even the dog gets into it!



Here's one more video of Caitlin "blowing raspberries".  I have no idea why they call it that (someone can enlighten me if they know), but she loves to do it!  That and just chat to herself. 



Happy Labor Day!

Happy 6th Anniversary!

Sorry, this blog post won't have much to do with the kids and I'll keep it short. Six years ago today was when Bryce and I got married (and 10 years ago was our very first date)!  It's hard to believe it's been that long but at the same time hard to believe it hasn't been longer since I feel like I've known him forever!  Our wedding day was one of the best days of my life.  I couldn't have imagined it any differently.  All the love and support of our family and friends was incredible.  The ceremony was so touching - my Grandpa helped marry us and gave an emotional speech.  The reception was a great time. Planning for it was a lot of fun (stressful for sure at times but overall I loved it).  I know they say it's just one day but it's a day I will never forget.  Thanks to everyone who made that day possible!

We've had a crazy ten years.  We've had ups and downs and our share of difficult times but I was never worried that I didn't have Bryce's 100% support and love.  And life is even crazier now with two kids which leaves little time for the two of us between them and jobs and the demands of daily life, but I just cherish our alone time even more.  So, Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband whom I love very much.

Here's a few pics I just had on my computer... I have so many more I want to post, but that would take too much time.  So, just enjoy these couple I have!