Our baby boy is 18 months!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010




How is it possible that Dylan James is already 18 months old? Seems like just yesterday he was turning one! He has learned so much in the last 6 months and it's really startling to think about all the changes. I think having a big sister has helped his development as he wants so much to keep up with her and do all the things she does. Here are just a few of the milestones:

1. running
2. uses a spoon/fork
3. trying to jump
4. dances (where ever, when ever - soon as he hears music, he's dancing!)
5. holds a crayon/marker and "draws"
6. stacks 5 blocks
7. says about 8 words - favorites being "ball" "boo-ba" (for blueberry), "up" and "night-night"
8. signs 5 words - favorite of course being "milk" and he loves to sign "thank you" as we usually cheer for the politeness

Like Kyla he's a bit of a slow talker, but this time around I'm not as worried, since Kyla talks like mad most days. I'm blaming it on John's Scottish accent and funny Scottish words.

But other than that, nothing stops this kid. He is on the go morning, noon and night! His favorite things are kicking/throwing balls, dancing, taking his sister's things and running away so she'll chase him (he's very naughty that way), swimming, playing with cars, milk, reading books, holding his "lovey" and wearing shoes (any shoes). Is it sad to say that he even likes to dress up, wear a crown and princess shoes? But besides the cross-dressing, he's definitely ALL boy. We don't call him "Mr. Trouble" and "Destructor" for nothing!

DJ had his 18 month check-up today and he is doing great. Still tall and is getting very lean like his big sister.

Height: 33-1/2 inches (75-90th percentile)
Weight: 25lbs 11oz (50th percentile)
Head Circumference: 19inches (75th percentile)


Kyla's 3rd Year Video

Monday, June 21, 2010

It's taken a few months and many tweaks, but it's finally ready! It has been amazing to see the changes that have happened in one short year. Here are a few highlights:

1. She's become a real "chatty-cathy" putting together complex sentences and making up silly words
2. Potty-trained
3. Started preschool
4. Can swim under water for 6-7 seconds
5. Sleeps in a big-girl bed
6. Can pedal a tricycle
7. Counts to 20 in English and to 10 in Spanish
8. Recognizes all the letters of the alphabet and can draw a few
9. Started ballet and become quite the dancer
10. Fell in love with all things Disney Princess/Fairy

Hope you enjoy the stroll down memory lane with our sweet little girl.

Professional pictures courtesy of www.alisoneden.com, www.bloomaustin.com and www.endeavors.lifepics.com

First Trip to Barton Springs

Friday, June 4, 2010

Our first trip to the infamous Austin Barton Springs. I can't believe in the six years that I've lived here, I never went before today (a crime really)! Luckily, our friend Jane from Scotland, her daughter Beth and our friend Alison also from Scotland but living in the US wanted to experience an Austin tradition.

For those who don't know it's a natural spring that is 68 degrees year round. While refreshing on a very hot day for adults in water up to mid-calf, DJ and Kyla (mid-chest deep) were freezing! Kyla was all for jumping in the "blue part" (aka the deep end), but since she and DJ can't swim, I persuaded her to go to the shallow "brown part." Kyla wasn't too keen on the slippery rocks and algae in the water, but after awhile she got more accustomed and started to swim/float around.

After our dip, we took the kids on the train around Zilker Park. It was quite the highlight even though DJ kept trying to jump off every time the train stopped. Here are a few pictures post-water adventure...


Beth and Kyla

Dylan and Beth

Riding on the train around the park

Playing on the "seal" in the playground