Baptism Weekend - Part 1

Caitlin's godparents and their daughter came into town for a long weekend for the baptism so we had to show them around Austin.  Their first day here, we just walked up to the park after the kids naptime and enjoyed the nice weather.

Evan and Moira on the animals

Alan and Caitlin taking a break

Marie and Caitlin taking a break

Alan and Moira on the animals

We took them to Rudy's for dinner and then headed home. The kids enjoyed sharing bath time each night.  They actually shared the toys pretty well and had a lot of fun together over the weekend. Evan also taught Moira some new phrases, most notably, "No, mine!".

Evan and Moira enjoying bath time

Evan and Moira sharing the car

On Friday, we went to Zilker to ride the train. Unfortunately, the rain cancelled the train rides so we enjoyed the playground instead (where they both got quite wet).  Then, we headed to the Science and Nature center since the sun came out.

Evan and Moira at Zilker park

Running at the Science and Nature center

Checking out the bobcat

Checking out the turtles

Playing in the dino pit

We had a great time on Friday doing all these things!  On Saturday, we had the baptism in the morning and then a little get together back at the house to celebrate Caitlin's very special day.  After naps for everyone, we headed to a local eatery called Phil's Icehouse.  It's great for kids because the food is good, they have a playground on site, and Amy's ice cream is there too!  We enjoyed eating and letting the kids play.

Evan and Caitlin riding the cow - he LOVED sitting on the cow

Moira on the little cow

Caitlin and Papa

Evan and Mema

A cow!

Another one of Moira on the cow

Caitlin's Baptism

I feel like I'm still recovering from how busy we were last weekend.  We had lots of family/friends in town to celebrate Caitlin's baptism.  It was a beautiful day and we are so thankful for all those who came to celebrate with us.  She looked just precious in her white gown and bonnet.  I wasn't sure how she would do since the baptism was right when she normally takes a morning nap.  She did pretty well though and was only a little fussy.  She actually did great when they poured the water on her head... I think she enjoyed it!  Here are some pictures from the baptism:

Our precious angel

Marie and Alan - Caitlin's godparents

Marie, Alan, and their daughter Moira with Caitlin

Aunt Baba and Uncle Casey with Caitlin

Stacer Family

Hammel Family

Caitlin being baptized with water

Group photo (almost everyone who was there)

The yummy cake

I'll post more with pics from the rest of the weekend when I get some more time.  Thanks Alan and Marie for coming all this way to be Caitlin's godparents.  And thanks to Mema, Papa, and Oma for also being here to celebrate this special day for Caitlin. 

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!