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.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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

Miss Drama

Friday, May 28, 2010

This evening I had a lovely dinner with Kyla at our favorite local restaurant, Waterloo. It's right next to the dance studio and very convenient after her Friday evening class. And bonus, they have a playpark in the back. John was out with DJ at our friend Ross' happy hour (yes, we had a baby in a bar), so it was just the girls for dinner. Everything was going great until our conversation on the ride home:

Kyla: I usually ride home from dance with Daddy

Me: Daddy's with Dylan. We had such a good dinner together and I had so much fun. I'm so glad I get to ride home with you in the car, too. Woohoo (added for emphasis)

Kyla: Don't say that!

Me: Say what?

Kyla: "woohoo." That hurts my feelings

Me: Kyla, Mommy was saying how much fun I had with you"

Kyla: You hurt Kyla's feelings. That wasn't very nice. You hurt my feelings. That's rude. You need to say sorry.

Me: I was saying something nice, but I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings

Kyla: Hurt Kyla's feelings. Very hurt.

Just call my little princess, "Miss Drama." She must get that from John. :)

Little Ladybug

Don't you just LOVE ladybugs! Well, we've had a plethora of ladybugs in the backyard this summer and the kids never get tired of "holding" them and letting them crawl over their hands, feet, legs, arms and even on Kyla's back. DJ is now old enough to get in on the action. He points excitedly at the ladybug and squeals with delight as she crawls on his hand. I think the ladybugs like it too, since we mainly see them in the evening after our nightly popsicle and Dylan's hands are full of delicious fruit juice for the ladybugs to eat.

p.s. yes, the kids are naked, it's hard to keep their clothes on them in the summer

School Pictures Spring 2010

Thursday, May 27, 2010

I just love school photos! The funny backgrounds, the poses - pure bliss. As a kid I remember picking my outfit the day before and being excited for the break in the school day routine. And now Kyla's carrying on the tradition, coming home with her packet of photos for me to order. Doesn't she look so big?

Her class photo is a classic!

A Ballerina's First Recital

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Official Portrait

After the Performance

With Her VERY Proud Parents

Kyla is the farthest dancer on the left hand side, front row

"One Night" By Our Budding Photographer

Friday, May 14, 2010

These were taken in January after bath time right as DJ is going to bed. I think it's a unique perspective of an almost 3 year old and also and insight into what she finds interesting. Did I mention she LOVES to take photographs!

A Relaxing Mother's Day

What a perfect day! Started with a nice lie-in for me followed by breakfast in bed! The kids piled in the bed and "shared" my breakfast before hubby took them downstairs again so I could drink my coffee in peace.

I'd like to say that the rest of the day was spent enjoying the day with the family, but when you stay at home with your kids, some days the "perfect" involves only three people, "me, myself and I." So my day was spent getting my hair done, having a glass of wine in the cafe next door to the salon and getting a pedicure. John took the kids to his soccer game where they ran around crazy for 2 hours, so everyone was happy!

Of course the best part was appreciating how truly blessed I am to be Kyla and Dylan's Mom.

A few pictures from the end of the day. Not an easy task with two worn out kids

The Mother's Day celebrations started with "Muffins with Mom" on Thursday morning in her class. It was a lot of fun getting to see Kyla interact in the class room. I caught a few pictures of her playing before I left. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the two of us together.

He'll probably hate me for this later....

Monday, May 10, 2010

....but I really couldn't resist!

Our Smart Cookie

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Kyla had her 3 year check today and I'm happy to report that according to the pediatrician and she is doing great! Here are her stats:

Height: 37-1/2" (75th%)

Weight: 28.6lbs (25th%)

So basically, she is tall and lean. She's also apparently a very smart cookie because when I asked about what developments we should be looking/helping her with for in the coming year, this was the list:

1. counting to 10

2. learning her colors

3. riding a tricycle (coordinated gross motor skills)

Well.... Kyla already does all of these and has for awhile. Actually, she can count to 20 in English (sometimes forgets 14 and 15), counts to 10 in Spanish (thank you, Dora), knows all her colors including variations like "light blue" vs. "dark blue" and she can pedal her tricycle.

So as the doctor said - "she's advanced!" I take no credit for this, she's just naturally smart, good genes. Some things we do need to work on are staying dry through the night and staying in her bed during the night. She's also a bit of a perfectionist. When she colors, it's mostly inside the lines - we've actually had people comment on it thinking John or I helped her. Nope, that's her personality. That she probably does get from me.

And before I end this post, a little Kyla-ism from this morning

Me: Doesn't Daddy look handsome this morning? Like Prince Eric or Prince Charming?

Kyla: I think he looks like Donkey (from Shrek)

Nice!

Happy 3rd Birthday Kyla!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

How did you get to be three years old? Seems like just yesterday that I couldn't wait until you were born, imagining what you'd look like and counting down the days. The first time I held you in my arms, it was such a miracle. You will always be my idea of perfect. Perfect, because you are uniquely "you." And how "unique" you are! You constantly inspire and amaze your dad and me. Here's a small taste of your personality from today:

"I love your buttons, mama. Those are really beautiful buttons"

"I love my brother!"

"I'm too busy right now to talk to Grandpa"

"I love cake!"

"I'm sharing with my brother, mama"

"I love that girl"

And my personal favorite:

Kyla: "I see grass out my window, mama"

Me: "Me too. What kind of animals live in the grass" (I'm thinking crickets, rabbits, etc)

Kyla: "Tapirs. Tapirs live in the grass. Diego is their friend"

Me: "True, very true"

You are one smart cookie. Every night we talk about what our favorite part of the day was. And every night, mine is always a time during the day when you and DJ and I are together. I don't just say that, it's true. No matter if the day has been a peaceful one or a challenging one, you and your brother are the best part of my day and my life (and your dad too, of course). My prayer for you each night is for health and happiness, and I wish these in abundance for you today. Happy Birthday, my sweet baby girl!