Toddler Duet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2QL-xRhPFE

Sadie didn't have school this week, so we were able to play with friends we see often and some we haven't seen in a long time. We went to play at Kai's house on Thursday, who Sadie hasn't seen in over a year. Kristy, Kai's mom, is a friend of mine who is also an occupational therapist that I work with sometimes. Kai and Sadie are only about a month apart in age, so they play together really well. Click on the link to see a video of them playing piano together. I love the way they are sitting on the bench together.

Sadie's 3rd Birthday Luau

Sadie is 3. How did that happen? It didn't really hit me until her party. I think I had been so wrapped up in the planning that I didn't realize the impact it was having on me. She is definitely a little girl, no baby left in her at all.

The luau was fun, but hot. We had a heat index of 100-105 that day. Thanks to everyone who braved the heat and came on over. The kids had fun splashing in the pool and playing on the playscape (a big thank you to Nana, Bebe and Papa for Sadie's BIG gift). It was a little crazy, but at least it was contained to the backyard.

I made Paula Dean's pineapple upside-down cake and it was delicious, if I do say so myself. I will definitely make it again. I loved putting the marachino cherries in the pineapple rings, so kitchy.

Bebe made the tropical cupcakes and we had Hawaiian Punch for the kids, Wailua soda and Pina Coladas for the adults. There was a lot of sugar going on.Cashion donned his surf gear and straw fedora for the occasion (pictured below with cousin Amy).Sadie had a pink grass skirt with matching lei accessories, though she added a princess crown for good measure. The Ariel Barbie was her favorite gift. Happy birthday, Sadie. You'll always be our baby girl no matter how big you get.

Cashion at 4 months

Our baby boy is 4 months old now and about as chilled out as he appears in that picture. He is sleeping great and happy as a clam the few hours that he is awake per day. He must be going through a growth spurt, because he is taking 3 naps per day and sleeping 12 hours/night waking up only once to eat. He puts himself to sleep all by himself, which somehow happened on its own. We didn't even have to Ferberize him! And he is completely out of the swaddle now. He gets so hot, that he just sleeps in a onesie. No footy pajamas for his kid.

He is so smiley. He coos and squeals when he is excited. He can really get those arms and legs flailing, too. He is able to reach and grasp a small toy and bring it to his mouth. He prefers to suck on his two middle fingers, which apparently his Bebe favored too, as a child. He scoots backwards on his back by pushing with his feet and gets mad when he reaches the bumper on his crib or ends up off the blanket on the floor. He is rolling from his back to his side, though not all the way over yet. He sits in his Bumbo now and prefers the bouncy seat to the swing. He can kick the toys hanging down on the bouncy seat, which makes the music turn on. He is definitely starting to play, which just thrills Sadie to no end. He really gets a kick out of her, just smiling and giggling at how silly she can be.

We saw Dr. Brown today for his 4 month check-up, so here are the stats:

Weight: 16 pounds, 10 ounces (90th percentile)

Height: 26 inches (90th percentile)

Head Circumference: 43 cm (75th percentile)

He is a big boy, but not as big as we thought. I was sure he was approaching 20 pounds. We are probably going to have outgrown the infant car seat by his 6 month check-up!

Memorial Day at the Lake

We had a fun Memorial Day weekend at the lake house with Bebe, Papa and his cousin Lou. These weekends aren't as relaxing as they used to be ,with a toddler and an infant in tow, but it definitely keeps things interesting. Sadie spent a lot of time outside playing with roly-poly bugs (pictured above), splashing in the baby pool, learning to ride a tricycle by herself, making s'mores, and learning to play Bocce ball. We managed to get both kids to sleep around the same time in a room we all shared, so it worked out just fine. Sadie didn't even wake up when Cashion cried in the middle of the night, what a blessing. The funniest thing happened when she did happen to wake up when Matt turned on a light to read before falling asleep. She saw him reading and without a word picked up a book to look at until he turned off the light.

We had a little impromptu photo shoot. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Lost Pines

We had our first little vacation away from home a few weeks ago at Hyatt Lost Pines near Bastrop. I was a little hesitant about it only because I didn't know how our new little family of 4 would do in one hotel room. It worked out great! The hotel was so accomodating. They even brought us a little travel-size pack of baby shampoo and such when they delivered the pack-n-play to our room. We had given Bebe and Papa an inflatable toddler bed for Christmas which Sadie absolutely adored. She even asked to take a nap. Is this our child? We were on the ground floor and our sliding glass doors opened onto the most beautiful butterfly garden and a view of the horses and longhorns on the property.



Bebe and Papa came down to join us for dinner and smores. They have a kids buffet set up at their level that is free for kids 3 and under. Sadie even enjoyed the tricycles and ride-on toys they had out for guests. This place is really all about families, which was perfect for us.Matt and Sadie enjoyed the lazy river the next day and Cashion had his first dip in a pool.We all agreed this would be an ideal location for a family reunion or gathering of friends with kids. I hope we get to go back and enjoy the movies on the lawn some day soon.

Dana and Ian visit from NYC

We had an awesome time with Dana and Ian this weekend. I was so sad to see them go. Not only did they get to meet Cashion for the first time, but we all got to celebrate Papa's birthday, too! We did our typical meal-to-meal tour of Austin, but stepped it up a notch to show off what our great town has to offer to our Yankee-friend, Ian. He can appreciate good BBQ and Tex-Mex as much as we can. Miss you guys already! Come back soon.

Dana and Ian at the Broken Spoke where we enjoyed Chicken Fried Steak and shuffleboard

Papa and the kiddos at the Salt Lick

Dana swore she saw Cashion mimic her wink

Strawberries and Bluebonnets

I love Spring in the Hill Country. These are pictures from our day trip to Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls with Bebe. The bluebonnets were near the lake house. Lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe was just icing on the (strawberry short)cake.