Camden's Birthday (3.45 years and 21 months)

We always knew we wanted to go to Camden's first birthday party.  We love first birthday parties.  I think they are the best and so much fun.  However Brian's work schedule did not work too great with the timing of his party.   I considered driving down early myself however with Austin's soccer on Mondays that did not seem reasonable.  So we left Wednesday around 3:30pm.  We drove for a while but Austin would need a potty break and we stopped for about an hour for dinner.  It seemed like it was taking forever to get half way there.  Finally around 10pm we made it to our cheap hotel.  Brian found this great deal of hotel and best of all it was clean!  We carried Austin and Sydney up to the room and luckily they stayed asleep.

The next morning we drove the rest of the way in.  We arrived at Melissa's however she was not too happy when Austin rang the doorbell and Camden was sleeping.  We did not stay there so Camden could sleep.  We went over to Nana's house.  That evening we all went out to dinner.  The kids were pretty good and it was nice that Austin was with Nana and Grandpa most of them time.

On Friday, it was cool in the morning so we couldn't go the pool until afternoon.  We went to the playground instead in the morning.  Austin got to drive the golf cart so he was so happy.  Then after nap we went to the pool and beach.  Austin and Sydney love the beach.  They like the sand and playing in it.  We were there for a few hours.  After dinner, Grandpa had to go put Camden to bed (Melissa and Jonathan went out to dinner) so the rest of us went for ice cream.  Sydney really enjoyed her ice cream!

On Saturday morning we went to a large playground park.  Austin loved it.  Sydney tried to do everything Austin did.  Sydney and Camden would play on the little slides too.  It was cute.  Then we went back to the beach after nap.  Again they had fun.  That evening we went on a long golf cart ride.  It was cool.  Austin and Nana had jokes that Grandpa left the refrigerator door open.  It was cute.

On Sunday was Camden's big party.  We all went to the big playground park in the morning  The weather was only in the 60's so the pool party was out. However the party was still at the pool. There was no way the kiddos were swimming in that cold of temperatures.  Brian and I decided since the birthday party was during their normal nap time and the drive is so long that we were leaving right after the party and driving home.

Melissa did an excellent job with his party.  The decorations and food was great.  Brian took some great pictures.  Camden seemed to like his party.  He was not sure what to do with his cake though. Finally he took a few bites but he wasn't impressed.  Towards the end of the party Austin and Sydney were getting cranky.  They wanted to be with Brian but he was busy with pictures and they didn't understand that.  And with the party at the pool I was a nervous wreck they would end up in the pool and we wouldn't notice because we would think someone else had them. So right after the party we got in the car and started driving home.  Sydney was asleep within 5 minutes of driving.  Austin fell asleep within a half hour.

We decided that we just wanted to get home so we drove all the way that night.  We got in around 2am.  We stopped for dinner but made the kids eat in the van.  Brian needed to go to work on Monday so we wanted to get home as early as possible.  Plus we knew the kids would be up at 6 am.  When we got home, Austin was awake.  He laid on the couch with me and finally feel back asleep.  We got a few hours of sleep before the day began again.  The kids had fun down there. They really enjoyed the beach and the golf cart.

Spring Fun (3.3 years and 20.5 months)

We signed Austin up for tot soccer at our local rec center.  It is a 4 week session that they learn basic skills about soccer.  We weren't sure what to expect because Austin has some issues with activities that he participates by himself.  Soccer has worked out well.  We are able to be involved but there has been many opportunities that he goes off and does what he is suppose to do.  He seems to like it.

They played a game called what time is it Mr Fox.  The kids ask what time is it and whatever number the coach says they kick the ball that number of times.  Then the coach will answer that it's lunchtime.  The coach tries to get the soccer ball and the kids try and soccer a goal.  Austin loved that.

Sydney goes to soccer too.  She does not play but runs around and does her own thing.  It is nice they allow her to do that.  I wish it was longer than 4 weeks.

Austin is finally peeing at school.  He has been potty trained since January for peeing and just within the past few weeks he is going at school.  We are so excited.  But Austin will not allow us to celebrate.  He goes by himself and it's so awesome not to have a ton of laundry to do every night after school.  He still usually doesn't use the potty to poop.  Hopefully that will be coming soon.  Potty training has been a nightmare!

Austin got his new bunk bed.  The space in his room is better used for bunk beds.  Austin can only sleep on the bottom bunk right now.  We like his bunk beds too because the bottom one is a full so it's more comfortable to lay on than lying next to him on the floor.

Brian and I decided to paint our living room and kitchen.  We have lived in our house now for 10 years.  I really can't believe it's been 10 years!  And we haven't painted since we moved in so it was time for a change.  I really wanted to do a darker tan but Brian said no.  It is a light tan color.  Or as Austin calls it, yellow.  We are putting pictures up that I am super excited about.  In the dining room it will be in a heart shaped and the living room is going to have words with pictures.  Painting was difficult with the kiddos.  My parents helped out which was nice. Then we stayed up till 1am on night to mostly finish.  I still have one small wall to complete.  I hope to do that this weekend.

The other day I took the kids to the zoo.  We have zoo passes but usually only go a few times a year.  Austin and Sydney loved the zoo this time.  I am so glad I went. I plan on going more often now.  They saw the elephants, giraffes, monkeys.  We also went to the rain forest.  Austin wanted to ride the train and since it wasn't crowded I said yes.  He really liked it.  He was sad when it was over.

Every week we have been going to story time at the library.  At first Austin wasn't too sure about it but now he seems to enjoy going.  He doesn't always participate.  He likes to sit in my lap.  Sydney likes to do it and enjoys putting things on the felt board.  After story time they get to pick out their own books to bring home for the week.  Austin loves doing that.  Then each week they put bring them back and put them in the slot to return it.  That is probably their favorite part.  The library is  on a 6 week break from story time though.  We are sad about that.  It starts back up in June so we are looking forward to that.

Sydney likes to be rocked to sleep in the rocking chair.  She likes it when I sing rock a bye Elmo while rocking her and Elmo.  Sydney loves Elmo.  Then she will want rock a bye Sydney.  It is very cute.  Sydney is getting opinionated these days.  She is starting to have tantrums too.  I really don't like this stage.  I hope she goes though it fast.  She is talking a lot but still hard to understand her at times.  Hopefully once her vocabulary increases the tantrums will decrease.

Easter (3.2 years and 20 months)

Austin has been waiting for Easter for a long time.  He loves watching videos on YouTube of people opening Easter eggs.  On Saturday morning we took him and Sydney to our local outdoor Easter egg hunt.  It was a little cool but over all the weather was nice.  Austin was with the 3-4 age group kids and Sydney was with the 2 and under.  Brian took Austin and I took Sydney.  Because the weather was nice it was more crowded.  The egg hunt was over in a minute.  Luckily they both got a few eggs so they were happy.  After it was over, we played in the field throwing the eggs and picking them back up again.  They had fun.

On Easter morning, the kids got to find their Easter baskets.  They were under the kitchen table.  They needed help finding it but they finally did.  Austin got gears that he loved.  Sydney got an Elmo doll that she absolutely loves.  Then we had an egg hunt outside in the front yard.  It was so cute watching them run for the eggs.  Sydney realized that there was candy inside the eggs.  She decided to eat the candy while Austin was more interested in getting more eggs.

The Easter bunny hid a few more toys for them outside by the swingset.   A soccer ball was inside the slide, a gas pump was on the swingset, and a scooter was hanging from a tree.  It was something to see.  Austin had fun lowering the scooter down.  They really had a great time.  These toys are their favorites right now.

After nap we went down to my parents for dinner.  They got to find Easter baskets at their house.  Then they had an egg hunt outside too.  Again they had a lot of fun.  The weather was beautiful.  We could not of asked for a better Easter.  We walked to the park before dinner.  It was fun.

Austin has a new trick on how to put on his own coat.  He lays it down on the floor and stands behind the hood.  He puts his arms in and flips it over his head.  Then it's on.  It is pretty cool.  He has shown Sydney how to do it.  She loves to do it and refuses any help getting on her coat.

The other day Austin decided he needed to go to the bathroom alone.  He would keep telling me "don't bother me".  I respected his need for privacy.  Austin is a very private person.  I thought he was pooping in the potty.  I then realized he was teaching himself to stand and go pee.  This came out of nowhere.  He did really good with it.  Now he loves to go pee completely by himself.  We have bought him a child's urinal too to help.  He is really good a peeing in the potty all the time.  He even stays dry at nap.  He still wears a diaper at night but other than that he wears his underpants that he loves.  Most of his underpants are basic colors and he likes that.  His favorite pair is the green pair.

Sydney has moved up to the toddler room.  Since she likes to use the potty like Austin we wanted her moved up.  We are just encouraging her to use the potty right now.  Hopefully by this summer he can take a weekend and potty train her too.  I will be very excited to be out of diapers!

Nana and Grandpa come to visit and Easter Fun (3.2 and 19.5 months)

Spring is suppose to be here.  We've had a cold and snowy winter.  I love winter in the wintertime but I am so ready for spring.  The kids are too!  Austin would ask if he could drive his Jeep and I would say we need the snow to melt.  Finally the snow has melted.  This past weekend it was beautiful. It was in the 70's.  We played outside all weekend.  Everyone loved it!

Last weekend Nana and Grandpa came up for a visit.  It was good to see them.  Austin and Sydney warmed up to them well with was nice.  We went to Mike's son Patrick's house on Sunday for a family get together.  Austin did so well playing there.  Austin is slow to warm up at times but it was refreshing to see him do well there.  They had an indoor jumping house.  Austin and Sydney had fun in it.

Nana and Grandpa stayed with us all day Monday.  Austin was excited for them to come over and play.  We went to JoAnn's to get a blanket for Sydney.  Nana made her an Elmo blanket.  Sydney loves Elmo right now.  It is crazy how much she loves Elmo.  She doesn't even watch much of Elmo but she loves wearing Elmo socks and pants.  In fact one day Sydney went to school in her Elmo pajama pants because she refused to wear another pair of pants.  Austin and Nana made banana bread.  Austin enjoys cooking.  He is good at it too.  Everyone had a good day.

We took the kids to eat breakfast with the Easter Bunny at our rec center.  My mom came with us too.  Kaitlyn and her family was there too.  We ate pancakes and eggs.  Austin really likes eggs.  Then we took them up to see the Easter Bunny.  We were pleasantly surprised on how well they did.  They wanted to sit on our laps at first but later on they sat next to the Easter Bunny by themselves.  Then they colored pictures and made plants with sunflower seeds.  We have the plants on our windowsill and they are growing nicely.

Austin and Sydney also went to an aquatic Easter egg hunt at our rec center.  They placed lots of eggs in the pool and they had to go get them.  They enjoyed that.  They had to do it separately because they are in different age groups but it worked out well.  Austin even gave the Easter bunny a hug there.  It was awesome!  Austin really likes Easter eggs.  He watches egg videos on his Kindle.

Austin doesn't watch is Kindle that much anymore.  He likes watching shows on the TV.  Since we don't have cable we have Amazon Prime.  They watch Dora, Caillou, Thomas the Train, and Daniel Tiger.  We recently bought the movie Frozen.  They like that too.  But they have only watched it once in parts.

Sydney has another ear infection.  She has had 7 ear infections in 10 months.  If she gets another one we will need to see the ENT.  We are hoping she can make it though this spring/summer without tubes.  If she needs them winter then we will do that to help them last longer.  When she gets ear infections she doesn't sleep at night well at night.  Sometimes she gets a fever.  She also has a bad cough too.  I feel bad when the kiddos are sick.

Austin is starting to do a little better in swim classes.  He is still very worried about us leaving him there.  Brian moved from one spot to another one class and Austin didn't see him anymore and freaked out.  That set him back a little.  We think he's just afraid we're going to disappear while he's in class. He's okay at school, but he knows how that works.  He seems to be slowly getting better, but it's taken a long time to figure out what was going on.

We even had a parent-teacher conference to see if he was upset at school or acting unusually shy.  They said everything was fine, so it's really just been Little Gym and now Swim Class.  We have slowly been working through it, but it's been quite a challenge to isolate what we think is the cause so we could try to address it.  He's starting to have fun at swim class... as long as he knows we're not going to disappear!

NCL Breakaway Cruise - NYC to Bahamas (3.15 years and 19 months)

We went on our annual Bahamas cruise last week.  This is the third year in a row that we have done the same cruise.  Each year we have been on a different ship though.  We like leaving out of New York because we can drive.  We don't have to worry about how much we pack.  It is only a 7 hour drive too.  We left Sunday morning at 2:30am.  Austin knew we were going to the "Big Boat" but I am sure Sydney thought we were crazy for waking her up and driving.

The drive was fine.  We stopped for breakfast and then for gas.  Austin really wanted a map so Brian stopped at CVS and Auto Zone looking for a map for him but they did not sell them.  Austin was really sad.  Then I thought I forgot my makeup so we took a side trip to Walmart.  I actually had my make-up as I later found out.  Sometimes I think I am going crazy.  First I forget my purse in the shuttle in Dallas and then I can't remember that I packed my make up 6 hours prior.

Anyways we finally made it to the ship.  We got on fairly quickly after Brian dropped off our luggage.  The luggage elevator was really slow.  Once we got on board we went straight to shore excursions because we needed to buy transportation to Sea World and a clam shell on the private island.  We found out we couldn't go to Sea World because of some engine problem!  The ship would not arrive to Port Caranval until 3pm.  Brian and I were not happy at all.  We had just bought tickets to Sea World literally the night before that are non-refundable.  It was really annoying.  I was really looking forward to our day at Sea World too.

Once we got in our room and had lunch, Brian set up the camera to get our family picture on our balcony.  We really liked last year's picture so I was hoping for another great picture.  And we did get another great picture.  I also wanted a picture with the Statue of Liberty in the background.  Brian managed to get that picture too while being on hold with Sea World trying to resolve our ticket problem.  We had to pay the difference to convert our promotional spring tickets into a general one that we could use within the next year.

The first day at sea was a bit stressful.  We were still trying to figure out what worked best for the kids and the weather was still crappy.  Our room steward did not tell us we had two extra beds (bunk beds) so we thought we only had 1 twin mattress that we were forcing Austin and Sydney to sleep on.  It did not go well.  Finally we found out we had another mattress from the bunk beds so we could put that by the bathroom door. Sydney slept there and Austin slept in the pull out bed. That worked so much better.  The kids weren't bumping into each other any more.

Meal times were always challenging too.  We got better as the week went on though.  We ate every breakfast and lunch at the buffet.  Brian and Austin would usually get the food and Sydney and I would wait at the table.  Then I would get my food last.  Sydney likes to eat so she would usually eat okay if she got what she wanted.  Austin is slower to start eating so sometimes that is a problem because Sydney would be done and ready to leave and Austin would just have started.

We had dinner every night in the formal dinning room.  We learned it is better to go around 6:30 because they would play music so if they kids were loud it wasn't as big of a deal.  I brought coloring books, crayons, and stickers to keep them busy while we waited for our food.  Most of the time the staff were great and the food came out pretty quick.  We learned we can't have appetizers or desserts there though.  Only the main course.  The kids don't have time or patience for that.

There were two formal nights that we got dressed up for.  We actually only got dressed up for pictures.  We went around the ship and got our pictures taken.  Then after pictures we would go change for dinner.  I did not want the kids ruining their nice clothes at dinner.  Sydney usually refused to wear a bib so her clothes got really messy.  Austin enjoyed taking pictures too.  He would help daddy take pictures of Sydney.  He also liked carrying around our small video camera and pretending to take pictures.

In Port Canaveral we did not even leave the ship.  It was okay though because the weather was nicer and they went to the ship pool. They had a little kids' pool with a slide.  The first day at the pool they were not too sure of it yet.  Austin went in the big adult pool with daddy and he really liked that too.

In the private island we took a tender and went to our clam shell.  We picked the same section of beach we were at the prior year.  We think it's the best beach on the island after looking at all of them this year.  We set up the sand toys for the kids.  They loved playing in the sand.  Austin liked going to get water and bringing it back.  We played in the ocean for a while throughout the day too.  Everyone loved the water.  The water was cool at first but you got use to it quickly.  We had lunch on the island too.  We went early before the crowd and it worked out great.  We had a wonderful time that day.  It was my favorite part of our trip.

Sydney took a little nap while we were at the beach.  She did that last year too.  It was cute.  Austin fell asleep on the boat ride back to the ship.  That evening they had face painting so we let the kids get their faces painted.  Sydney got flowers and Austin was a pirate.  Then they had fireworks off of our cruise ship.  It was awesome to see fireworks on a cruise ship.  We had ice cream that night and you could tell they were so tired. It was a great day!

In Nassau we got off the ship and took our family picture there.  Then we just walked around the straw market.  We got T-shirts for the kids.  Then got back on the ship and took them swimming again.  The pool wasn't crowded so they had more fun.  They went down the water slide more times than we could count.  They had fun in the pool.

The ship was a nice ship.  It had a lot of things to do especially for older kids.  They had a rope course.  There was even a small one for little kids.  Austin could go on it but Sydney was too little.  Austin was hesitant at first but then he really liked it.  They also enjoyed playing putt-putt golf.  Austin's favorite thing to do on the ship was shuffle board.  They also enjoyed playing chess.  They would play chess after dinner. They would move all the pieces around.  Then when it was time to be done they would say good night to all the pieces and give them hugs.  It was so cute!

We did express walk off the ship which means we carry our own luggage off.  We have done it every year.  This year was by far the fastest.  We were in our car by 7:30 am.  It was awesome.  The longest wait was for the elevator.  We were doing great until Sydney puked in the car about  30 minutes into our drive home.  She puked everywhere.  Luckily I had blankets out and I was able to catch some of it.  We are not sure what was wrong because she was fine afterwards but it was gross with the car seat and car.  When we got home everything got a really good bath.

We had a great time together as a family.  Even though it is a lot of work to travel with young kids the memories are priceless and I am very grateful we can do this.  Brian took videos throughout the trip and edited them into a highlight video we uploaded to YouTube.  Here is the link:

Austin is growing up and Sydney is 18 months

Two weeks ago, it was Austin's last swim class with daddy.  Austin and Daddy have been taking swim class almost non stop since he was 6 months old.  We all went to the rec center around noon for swim class.  We even went when Sydney was a few weeks old.  Austin has always loved the water. We wanted to encourage swimming at a young age.  It was sad for us to know this was his last swim class with us. He's now old enough to go in the classes without parent involvement.  However we will continue to go swimming on Sunday's as a family.

Brian took Austin to his first swim class with his new teacher on Saturday. He did not participate much until the teacher got out the rings.  Austin wanted to make sure his daddy was always right next to him.  Austin has been extremely shy recently.  We are not sure what to make of it yet.

Austin has gone to the Little Gym with Kaitlyn a few times.  Since the weather is still cold, I thought we should sign Austin up for a month. I thought that Austin would love it.  Because he is 3 years old the class is for kids only.  The parents sit outside the gym and watch.  Austin does not like that at all.  He has been to 4 classes and he has never really participated.  Brian or I have had to be in the gym against a wall by the door just sitting with Austin. Many times we have had Sydney with us.  She wants to play but is not allowed due to her age.  It has been a nightmare.  He would sometimes play around us but never with the class.  Again we don't know what to make of it. Is it a stage he is going though? Does he simply not like it there?  We don't know.  During the first week, I was there alone and had to slip into the bathroom to change Sydney.  He got upset when he realized I was gone.  One theory of ours is that this got him worried that we'd just leave him there and that's why he doesn't leave our side.

Now that Austin is 3 he is doing more and more things.  He can now dress himself.  Most of the time we still do it for him but he can put on his own pants, shirts, socks, and shoes.  He is starting to like picking out his own clothes too.  Austin is growing up fast.  He is more independent with using the potty too.  At home he will go upstairs and use the potty by himself.  He likes doing it alone now.  He has even went poopy in the potty once this weekend.  We were super excited about that.  Hopefully that will continue.

Sydney is now 18 months old.  She weighs 22 pounds.  At her 18 month appointment she was in the 55 percentile for height and 45 percentile for weight.  Her growth curve looks great.  She is meeting all the expected milestones for 18 months.  She has really started talking this month too.  She likes to say ice, apple, ladder, straw, tissue, boots, shoes, yogurt, cheese stick, milk, Austin, turtle, frog, and Elmo.  Today she even said, "Mama where are you?"  Sydney likes to call us Ma-ma and Da-da.  Austin is now calling us that too.



Right before Sydney turned 18 months I stopped giving her mommy milk.  Sydney loved mommy milk.  The date I stopped wasn't planned.  We were busy that night so I did not give it to her.  She went to sleep fine.  So I thought this was my opportunity.  The next night I did the same thing.  It was like she did not notice unless I had a tank top on or it was mentioned.  I have wanted to stop for a while now but Sydney did not so I kept going.

It is amazing how I had two totally different experiences with nursing.  With Austin I strictly pumped for 6 months and I could not wait to stop pumping.  It was so much work.  Sydney it was so natural.  It was hard for about a month but then it was so easy.  I loved not having bottles to wash or warm up.  Feeding on demand was great.  I wish I would of tried harder with Austin.  I am happy with how it worked out with Sydney.  I would of never imaged that I did it until almost 18 months.

Sydney can run now.  She is not as fast as Austin but she certainly tries.  She climbs stairs standing up alone now.  She is also starting to jump up and down.  She loves playing ring around the rosy with Austin and Kaitlyn.  One day I think they did that for 20 minutes straight.  Sydney loves music and books.  Her favorite books are Brown Bear, Leap Frog Colors, books with music or touch and baby feel books.  She also likes the baby can read books.  For a while she would make us read all 5 of them every night.  Sydney is very happy if someone is reading to her.

Sydney is sick again.  We are afraid she has another ear infection.  If so, that is going to be 3 in 4 months.  We really don't want her to get ear tubes until the fall so they will last her all next winter.  Spring is almost here and hopefully we can all be healthy for a while.