Sea World San Antonio

My sister had a few friends visiting and they were headed to Sea World one day so the kids and I tagged along. I have been wanting to take them there for awhile and finally decided to do it. I knew they would love it and I was not disappointed. We had a great day.

Sea World!

Our first stop was the Sea Lion and Otter show. This was a typical July day in Texas - hot and sunny! So, we tried our best to keep everyone cool. This show though, we sat in the full sun and we were melting by the end (I actually took Ryan up to the shade for most of it).  But, the best part was that after the show, we got to head back stage. One of Becca's friends works for Busch Gardens so she had arranged all these special things for us.

First was meeting the Walrus. We all got to get our picture taken with him and even feed him some fish... it was so cool.

And we met the Sea Lion too. I wish I remembered their names. The trainers also showed us around and answered lots of questions about the animals.

Next up, we went to the Dolphin/Beluga area. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the show or go back stage like we were supposed to. One of the Beluga's had a baby just 2 days before our visit so they were closed to the public. We did get to see the dolphins though.

After some lunch, we let the kids splash around at the Sesame Street water park.

Caitlin got to meet Zoe

And Evan got to meet Bert and Ernie!

Then, we headed to the Shamu show. Evan loves orcas so he was very thrilled with the show. We got a little closer after to say hi.

Then we headed to the wildlife and conservation area where we met lots of new friends!

Here we got our own private tour of some of the back areas where we met lots of interesting animals. Above is an owl.

And here is a Kookaburra. We even got to hear him laugh!

And then the cockatoo which we got to hold.

Even Caitlin held the bird (with some help)

And both Baba and Evan let the bird sit on their heads!

After, we went inside to pet a python...

Caitlin LOVED petting the python. She does NOT get that from me!

And I took the kids on a few rides.

The last stop of the day was the sharks... it was nice and cool in there and they both enjoyed that. A great place for breastfeeding too (both dark and cool)! After that, we had some ice cream before saying goodbye to Shamu and heading home.

Overall, it was a super day and we loved getting the VIP treatment.  Thanks Megan!

July Happenings

Sorry for not posting much lately but since starting work, I find I'm a little more tired with less free time! But, I haven't completely abandoned you all so here are some of the things we've been up to.  

We joined our friends the Isaacsons at the Round Rock Express game. This was our first time with all 3 kids and it was fun! We sat on the lawn near the kids area with a playscape and bounce house. Plus, they weren't confined to any seats and could move around... perfect for little ones who don't want to sit still for 2 hours!

Photo of the 4 older kids - we called this our "prom picture" because o the way Ellie/Caitlin were hugging each other... totally a prom pose!

The kids enjoyed playing on the playscape

Ryan and Daddy

We have been continuing our swim lessons. I seem to get more photos of Caitlin than Evan since I have to watch her a lot more in the pool than Evan. Caitlin is so close to swimming on her own and Evan's freestyle has really progressed (breathing to the side now). He can also dive for his dive toys in the deep end now!

Caitlin jumping in

Caitlin floating on her own

The other news from July is that Ryan got RSV (a respiratory virus that is not good in infants). After a few days of what seemed like a cold and worsening cough, I took him to the Dr. We were shocked to discover it was RSV since it is not common in the summer. Poor boy! 

We had to do breathing treatments for about a week but it never got beyond a little wheezing so we were thankful for that. He was not happy though for about a week - not eating, up a lot more at night. We are only now starting to get back into our routine.

Here he is a happy camper! Loves to pull on his toys on his car seat.

I actually got to go on a little mommy retreat. I went with a few friends to Galveston and the beach. It was right after Ryan was sick so I was a little nervous leaving Bryce with all 3 and considering this was my first trip EVER away from my kids (except when having another baby).  That's five years of never spending a night apart from them. Crazy!! It was great to relax, talk, and have fun with some wonderful ladies. 

Me - getting to relax on the beach with a book.. unheard of with kids!

I have a great husband who let me take these 2 days to get some me time which is pretty difficult with 3 kids under 5! And just so you know, he and the kids did great! The one bummer is that I missed Evan losing his first tooth and the tooth fairy coming for the first time. I need to post a picture. Unfortunately, he swallowed the tooth but he wrote a note to the tooth fairy so he did receive a little money anyway. 

Ryan - Four Months!

Last week, Ryan turned 4 months old. It certainly has flown by and I had to go back to work this week (sad).  But, he is doing well and we are figuring out this 3 kid circus I think. We just love having him as part of our family. He is so adorable and loves to smile, laugh, and coo. Makes me sad to leave him everyday but I know he is in good hands with our nanny.

The stats for four months from the Drs office:

Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz

Height: 26 inches

He came down a little in percentages, but he is just fine! He seems like a big boy to me. I looked back and at 4 months, Caitlin was 13lbs, 8oz and 24 inches. Evan was 25.5 inches and 16lbs.

This month, he rolled from tummy to back (if you'll remember, this was just after he turned 3 months while we were in Michigan).  He also has great head control and really pushes up. He loves to stand and push on those legs. He has not rolled back to tummy yet but he's getting close... he loves to grab his feet.

Sleeping wise, he finally started to sleep through the night this month! Thank goodness! I think it coincided with him finding his thumb. Looks like we have another thumb sucker but it totally works for self soothing. Ryan also will take a  pacifier pretty well... very similar to Evan.

We were starting bath around 8:30pm and then he'd get up around 7:30am. Lately he has been going to bed even earlier (like bath at 7:30-8pm). We've started to get a bit of a routine. He usually takes about an 1-1.5 hour nap in the morning (usually about 2 hours after he gets up). Then in the afternoon, he will take a longer nap (2-3 hours).   If he's in his swing, he's been known to nap for even longer!  Then when get starts to get fussy in the evenings, rather than put him down for another nap, we just start the bed time routine.

As you can see above, he likes to stick his tongue out. And we've started using the bumbo/bebe pod to help practice sitting up.

And I thought I'd put up some pictures for comparison again... people seemed to like that last time.

Caitlin 4 months

Evan 4 months

Happy Four Months Ryan!

Fourth of July

We are usually in Michigan around the 4th of July it seems, but this year we were actually in Texas. So, we joined a bunch of friends on the 3rd to watch a local neighborhood's fireworks. They do a really great show, and we went to a nearby park where it's easy to get in/out and see it.

Ryan chilling on our blanket

We got there about an hour early so the kids could play. They had a blast running around with friends. Even the Dads enjoyed some games.

Avery and Addison playing with Ryan

Caitlin waving the flag

Ready for fireworks! Needless to say, this was before they started. Once they did, Caitlin was in Daddy's lap with her ears covered. She is not a fan of fireworks.

On the actual 4th of July, we went to Baba and Casey's house for a BBQ, pool time, and more fireworks. They live right off Lake Pflugerville where the fireworks are shot from.

Evan and Chelsea

Ryan's first 4th of July!

Caitlin loved getting to hold Ali

Family of 5!

The cousins! So cute.

We left as the fireworks were starting to beat the traffic. Plus, Caitlin was freaking out about the fireworks that the neighbors were lighting off. Overall, it was a great 4th with lots of family. Hope everyone else had a wonderful 4th of July!

More Pictures

I found some more pictures from Father's Day and of Cousins so thought I'd do a quick post with those.

Here was Father's Day morning when the kids gave Bryce all the things we made for him (and the new tie we bought him).

Daddy and Ryan

Caitlin giving him a card...

Daddy and all the kids

The 3 cousins at our playdate

Ali and Ryan

Chelsea trying solid (non-cereal) food for the first time... green beans!

I think she likes them!

Yum!

That's it. Next up is July 4th celebrations and Ryan turns 4 months!

June 2013

June has been a fun and busy month! I thought I'd just do some pictures from some things we've been up to. After we returned from our trip, we have had some busy weeks.  First, Caitlin started a ballet/tap class. She loves it! 

Picture from her first day

We also got to have a playdate with the Cousins while the big kids were at VBS (just Ali, Chelsea, and Ryan but I took pictures after Chelsea left).

Hard to believe Ryan is only 2 weeks older! He's a big boy.

Ryan doing some tummy time - so good at holding his head!

For Father's Day, we went to Breakfast at a favorite restaurant - Monument Cafe. Here's Baba and Caitlin by one of their signs while we waited for a table.

Becca came over one day and we put together some things for Father's Day. Here's a picture from a little photo shoot we did and collage we made for Bryce.

And Ryan loves bath time! I think it's probably because he knows it's almost bed time. Such a happy boy in the tub. And this will come in his 4 month update, but he's been sleeping through the night for about 2 weeks now!

At least a few times a week we head to the pool. 

 It's definitely not easy to take all 3 but it's not bad. Evan is a pretty good swimmer and I make Caitlin wear her swim vest. Half the time Ryan sleeps in his stroller (I put an ice pack under him to keep him cool) so I can actually get in for a little bit.

The kids also have been doing swim lessons with Ms. Hannah twice a week. Caitlin is really improving and getting more confident. Evan is working on his strokes.

And a lot of evenings after dinner, we will head outside to play with friends and visit with neighbors.

Ryan taking a snooze one evening.

All the kids enjoying a Popsicle treat!

And one last pic of Ryan taking a nap on his play mat one day...

Happy June!

Oh, and if you have Instagram, let me know! I now post a lot of pictures on there (you can find me under khammeltx). It's a great app/site for just sharing random pictures throughout the day.