Happy Birthday Austin (2.0 years and 5 months)

The weekend before Austin's birthday was really busy.  On Saturday morning, we went with our friends and their 18 month old son to the Children's Museum.  Austin had fun playing in the museum.  He liked climbing up the farm house stairs and putting vegetables down the barn stack.  He also liked pretending to ride a bus.  Austin loves buses.  Austin also enjoyed playing in grocery store.  It was a fun morning.

Then we came home and Austin took a nap.  Meemaw (that is what Austin calls my mom) and Papa came and picked up Austin after nap  because they were taking him out for his birthday.  They took him to Chick Fil A for dinner.  He loves the playground at Chick Fil A.  Then he went to Walmart to pick out a gift.  He got a bulldozer.  He spent the night at their house too.  While Austin was doing that we went to pick up Austin's birthday cake.  Brian's cousin Lauren makes amazing cakes.  She made him a bus cake for his birthday since he loves buses.  It turned out so well.  

It's weird when Austin is not home.  Our house is so quite.  We miss him.  But we know Austin is having so much fun with Meemaw and Papa.  In the morning it is nice because we don't have to get up at 6:31 am.  That is what time his clock turns yellow and what time he gets up every morning.  We bought him a toddler alarm clock that changes color when it's time to get up.  It prevents him from getting up crazy early and thinking it is morning.  Austin rarely ever isn't awake and ready for it to go off.  Every morning we hear the jumping  up and down on his bed and the joyful shouts "Yellow!  Clock yellow!"

Sunday was Austin's birthday party.  Before the party, we had an uninvited guest that drove though our front yard!  I was feeding Sydney on the couch and Brian was taking a shower and we heard a loud bang.  We did not think much of it.  A little while later we saw a policeman across the street.  We noticed their mailbox had been hit.  Brian decided to look at our outside security cameras to see what happened.  We have cameras outside for security and to watch the kids.  Brian was very surprised when he watched the video back.  A car was driving very fast, crashed into our neighbors mailbox, though our yard, and kept on going.  It was very scary to watch.  Austin is out there all the time.  We live on a quite street that doesn't take you anywhere.  We get very little traffic so we don't think much about allowing Austin near the street (with us of course).  That made a us realize we need to be extra careful with the kids.  The police ended up taking a copy of the footage and were able to use it to track down the car and driver.

 We had a small party this year.  Meemaw, Papa, and Great Grandfather came over.  Birthdays are so important for kids.  It symbolizes so much.  I was so excited for Austin's birthday.  I wanted him to have a great party.  We had lasagna, salad, and bread for dinner.  

We wanted to get Austin's reaction to his bus cake on video.  So we had the video camera on when we showed him the cake.  The first thing Austin did was put his hands into it.  He messed up the cake just like that.  We couldn't believe it because we did not even get one picture of the cake yet.  That was a parent failure!  I was a little upset but there was nothing we could do now.   Luckily Brian still got some good pictures of Austin with his cake and we exploited the undamaged side.

Austin opened his presents.  Austin got a track with cars from Grandma and Grandpa.  Auntie Melissa and Uncle Bear got Austin some PJ's.  Then we sang happy birthday and had some cake.  Austin liked his cake a lot.  It was so much fun!  

Tuesday was his actual birthday.  I work on Tuesdays so he went to school.  I arranged for pizza to be dropped off at school for his class and we brought in some cupcakes.  I went and picked them up at school like a normally do.  I had already got Austin and I was in getting Sydney when Austin said "Daddy".  I was like Austin you are confused.  Daddy is not here.  Then I turned around and Brian was there.  He came to get Austin on his birthday too!  It was so nice!  

We came home and had dinner.  Then we gave Austin our gift to him.  We got him a kids size small table and chairs.  Brian and Austin put it together.  Austin loved it.  It was funny because when he went to sit at the table he made sure Sydney sat in one chair and Austin sat in the other.  Within a few days, the second chair got reserved for his Mickey Mouse doll instead.  Only Mickey can sit at his table with him now.  Sydney's not really big enough to use it, but we'll certainly need another 2 chairs to complete the set so both kids have a seat and room for a friend (stuffed or real).

Tuesday night, Brian, Austin, Sydney, and I all had left over cake and sang happy birthday to Austin.  Austin likes the happy birthday song.  Austin had a great birthday!

On Friday night we took Austin to a Cavs game.  Meemaw and Papa watched Sydney.  Austin hadn't been to a Cavs game since he was 3 months old.  Austin enjoys watching it on TV so we thought we would take him.  We sat in our seats for the first quarter.  We were impressed with that.  Then we walked around.  Austin made a sign.  Then he got tattoos on his hands.  He got his picture taken too in a photo booth.  He also ran up to life size pictures of the players and moondog to get photos with too.  We also took him the the gift shop.  He liked playing with a foam finger and a basketball.  There was a Moondog hat that he liked so we got him that too.  We had a lot of fun with him.  Next we'll have to bring Sydney.  We originally had planned to take both of them to this game, but we realized that we'd be largely paralyzed to do anything if we had to work around Austin's interest/disinterest and Sydney's feeding schedule.  When she gets a little older, we'll bring them both to a game.

Extra Time with the Kids (23.75 months and 4.75 months)

Last Tuesday, Austin woke up at 4:30 am crying.  Something was wrong but we did not know what.  He could not tell us what was wrong.  He only wanted me (which is very unusual for him).  We thought his stomach was upset.  He would not lay back down in his crib.  He really wanted out of his crib.  By 5:30 am we just let him get up and go downstairs.  He was still crying and wanted to be held (exclusively held while you were standing too).  That is difficult these days since he weighs 31 pounds.  We try to let him lay on the couch but he again only wanted to be up.

Why does this always happen on days I have to work?  It is a terrible feeling because we never know what to do.  Finally I got him to calm down by letting me rock him in the chair.  Then Sydney needed to be fed.  Brian held her as long as possible and even took her into the bathroom with him while he got ready for work.  Once he was done, he brought Sydney downstairs and I nursed her while rocking Austin.  I have learned to be quite the multi-tasker these days.

Then Austin wanted his Daddy. Brian carried him for a while and he finally relaxed on the couch with him.  We decided I would take Sydney to daycare and then go to work.  Hopefully Austin would feel better and Brian would take him to school.  Soon after I left Austin got up and wanted to be held again in the kitchen.  Even Brian can't hold him for long periods of time.  So Brian thought that maybe his car seat would work since he really wanted to sit up.  He asked Austin if he wanted to go for a car ride and Austin surprisingly said "yes" and was eager to get his coat and shoes on.  Brian drove around the neighborhood for 2 hours with Austin.  At first Austin was so excited because he got to see lots of buses.  He loves buses.  Then finally Austin fell asleep and Brian kept on driving.  Then he took Austin home and fed him breakfast. Austin told Brian his ear hurt.  Austin was pointing more towards his upper back molars though on the side of his head, so Brian thought it was his teeth.  It made sense since 2 year molars come in around this time.  After breakfast Austin seemed better so Brian took Austin to school.

I picked the kids up after work and when I was putting Austin in his car seat I noticed lots of drainage coming out of his right ear.  I knew right away he had an ear infection.  This is his first infection since getting tubes placed back in the summer.  I called the doctor and got the dosage information and started the ear drops.  We could not believe it took us so long to figure out what was wrong with Austin.  After all we are not new parents anymore and Austin even told us his ear hurts but we did not think of an ear infection since he hasn't had one since his tubes.  My oh my!

On Thursday, I was off work because I had to work the weekend.   It was my day to spend with Austin.  I was so excited for that.  We took Sydney to school.  We came home and played outside. Then we got ready to go to the pharmacy and then Chick Fil A for lunch.  We got to Chick Fil A and Austin ate some of his lunch and then we went to play on the playground.  He likes the playground there.  He then had a poopy diaper.  I did not bring in the diaper bag because he never has a diaper at this time.  So we then had to run to the car, get the diaper bag, change his diaper, then go back to playing.  Austin then finished all of his lunch too.  On the way out, Austin even got a balloon.  He likes balloons.  We came home and Austin took a nap.  After nap, we played outside for another hour.  Austin and I had a great day together.

It made me think of the days before Sydney was born.  When I could play outside with Austin for hours.  It was so easy with just him.  I did not realized that at the time, but it was.  Now with both of them, it is harder.  I love it though.  I can't take Austin out in the cold with Sydney so usually Brian does it after he gets home.  Next winter though, I will be able to take both of them out.  They will love playing together.  I love having Austin and Sydney and they keep us so busy.

On Friday while I was at work, I got a phone call from daycare saying Sydney was not eating and she was having diarrhea.  They wanted us to come and get her.  I called the doctor and got an appointment.  Brian left work a little early and went and picked her up and took her to the doctor.  Thankfully the doctor said she was fine.  I was so worried.  I feared they would hospitalize her for dehydration but he said she was not dehydrated.  I was so happy.  The weather was nice so after I got home we all went for a walk around the block.  I only worked two days last week and both days the kids were sick and Brian ended up going in late or leaving early to help out.  The poor timing is almost unbelievable.

Brian was home all weekend with the kids alone.  I had to work.  That meant Brian had to get up at 6:30 am so I could go to work.  He usually gets to sleep in on the weekends.  He got to spend a lot of quality time with them.  The weather was unseasonably warm so all the snow melted and he got to play outside with them and got some good pictures. They had a good weekend together!

Today is my day with Sydney.  It reminds me of my maternity leave.  We did not leave the house other than taking Austin to school.  We played and cuddled all day.  It was nice.  Now its time to go get Austin.  I have missed him!

Happy New Year (23.5 months and 4.5 months)

Brian was off from Christmas eve until January 2nd. It was so nice for him to be home. We got to spend some quality family time together. Austin really enjoyed having him home too. I had to work some of those days so Brian was home with the kids. Being at home with both of them can be challenging at times.  It is really hard when they both need you at the same time.  Luckily that doesn't happen often but when it does it makes you feel bad.  I think Brian enjoyed his time with the kids.

Over break we took Sydney to get her Passport.  We have decided that we are going on a cruise in March.  We went back and forth about if we really wanted to travel with both of them being so young but we figured we should give it a try.  Travelling with Austin usually went well.  We learned from our experiences and enjoyed the time together.   We know there could be some challenges but  we don't want to stay home forever so we might as well start now.  Our cruise leaves out of New York (same one as we did last year).  We will be gone for 7 days.  We are going alone.  We tried to get people to come with us but no one could.

Also during break, I promised Austin donuts.  There is a new Dunkin Donuts by our house.  Every time we pass it, Austin says "doughnuts".  So I told him we would go over Christmas break.  We took him there and bought the donuts back home.  We let him eat an entire doughnut.   He really liked it.

We did not do anything for New Years. We had some appetizers for dinner and put the kids to bed like usual. I fell asleep on the couch but woke up before midnight. We watched the ball drop together and then I went back to bed. I worked New Years Day. After work, we went down to my parents for Pork and Sauerkraut.

Last night we were talking to Grandma B on the phone and Austin was drawing with markers. Austin was mumbling letters and we noticed that some of them were letters in his name.  So Brian asked him to spell his name and... he did it. We could not believe it!  He is not even two yet and can spell his name. Sydney did not want to be out done so last night she decided to roll from her back to her tummy in her crib. They are growing up so fast.

Today we took Austin to the pediatric pulmonologist. We wanted a second opinion about Austin having asthma. The doctor took her time with us and got a detailed history of Austin. It is still unclear if Austin really has asthma but we are going to treat it as such for now. Austin is borderline of really having that diagnosis. She believes he will likely outgrow it anyways but its best to treat him proactively for now. So we will be starting the Pulimcort aerosols but only once a day until April. Hopefully Austin will not have anymore wheezing episodes since we will be giving this medication daily. However if he does we have all the medication at home to treat an acute attack.

I really hope this is the last of Austin's illnesses.  Even though they have been minor relative to some major medical conditions it seems like Austin has been though a lot.  Poor little guy.  He is a trooper though.  I think it bothers us more than it bothers him.

Merry Christmas (23 months and 4 months)

The week before Christmas we were busy.  On Tuesday night, Santa came to our house on a fire truck and gave Austin a present.  It is something really neat the city does.  The parents just drop off a gift at the rec center and then Santa delivers it.  We could even watch Santa's location live on the internet so we knew exactly when he was getting close (in case you couldn't hear the sirens).  Austin really like it.  It was funny because later on Christmas Eve when we told Austin that Santa was coming, he kept looking out the window and saying "Fire Truck!"  Brian got some good pictures and made this video.

On Thursday it was the kids Christmas party at school.  Brian and I made sure that we went.  We went to Austin's room first since Sydney and her room can't make cookies and such for their party since they are too young in the infant room.  Austin was happy to see us.  He enjoyed putting sprinkles on his Christmas cookie.  He liked eating all the yummy treats.  The oral prednisone (steroid) made him a little mean and crazy so he was not acting the best at times but he still had fun.  We went to Sydney's room a little later.  Then we took Sydney into Austin's room which worked out too. Austin was excited to see her and held her hand and "walked" her across the room and had her sit down and do the dishes with him.

At the daycare party, Sydney even got her picture taken with Santa. We tried to get Austin for a picture too, but he didn't want any part of Santa so we didn't force it.

It was nice to see the kids at daycare more too and interacting with their teachers and other students.  Normally we only see them for a couple of minutes when we drop them off and pick them up, so it was nice to get more a glimpse into their world away from home at school.

Over the weekend, I wrapped the presents.  Sydney was my little helper elf.  She enjoyed wrapping gifts too.  Then we also made some Christmas cookies.  Austin put sprinkles on all the cookies.  He really liked doing that.  It was cute.  Christmas time is so much fun with the kids.

Also right before Christmas it snowed.  Austin got to play in the snow.  I took the kids shopping and got Austin a snowsuit and boots.  He likes his boot but not so much his snowsuit (although it is growing on him... whatever it takes to go "out-SIDE").  Brian got some good pictures of the kids on the sled (see prior White Christmas Photoshoot post).  Sydney liked the snow too.

I worked Christmas Eve so Brian was home all day with the kids.  He took them to Walmart to get some things for Christmas Eve dinner.  Brian was nice and said he would make dinner for us and my parents.  My parents came over after nap time to help with the kids.  Brian made the same meal as my birthday.  It was really good!  We all had a nice evening.

Christmas morning Austin woke up and we thought he would be excited about the presents under the tree.  He did not seem to notice.  Recently I have let Austin watch Micky Mouse on his Kindle in the mornings.  It is so cold and dark in the mornings I don't feel like playing so early and sometimes I'm feeding Sydney then anyway.  He has been getting up at 6:30 am.  So he was confused when we had the lights on and we were not going to let him watch his Kindle.  There are priorities for Austin and his Kindle time is one of them.  Who needs Christmas when you already have a Kindle?

My parents came over for breakfast.  I made some eggs, french toast, cinnamon rolls and sausage   It was simple.  We all ate breakfast and then it was gift time.  I was so excited for Christmas this year because of the kids.   Austin would open a gift and then we wanted to play with it.  It took us well over an hour to open gifts.  It was fun though.  Austin would open presents for Sydney and give them to her.  It was very sweet.  Austin really liked his Vtech house, Vtech car loader, and his helicopter.

I made Brian a photo book from Shutterfly for Christmas from the kids.  It was neat to see all the pictures of him with the kids. He is a great dad.  Brian was surprised with that gift.  Brian made a face of Mickey Mouse for me for Christmas.  That meant he finally agreed we could go to Disney World next year.  I am so excited about that.  Brian first thought I was completely crazy when I said I wanted to take the kids to Disney next year.  Now he doesn't think I am as crazy. The kids are free since both are under 3 years old and it will be good experience to figure things out for when they're older.

We enjoy traveling and want to continue to travel with kids.  It is easier to stay home.  But the memories we have by doing it is priceless.  We won't know how to do it unless we start somewhere.  When we were first married we went to Italy on a cruise.  It was scary the first time leaving the country.  Since then we have went all around the world and are excited to take the kids places someday.

We had a wonderful Christmas! Austin and Sydney are amazing children who made it so special!