The Zoo!

Austin's first trip to the zoo couldn't have been any better! We felt like we had the park to ourselves! We were spoiled with cool weather and no lines. Austin loved pointing and yelling at the animals. He called almost everything a kitty!
What zoo trip would be complete without a gorilla picture? Maybe next year he'll actually look at the camera instead of being mesmerized by the giant ape.
It actually felt warm outside after we visited the penguins. Burrr!! It was cold in there! We were lucky enough to catch the sea lion's feeding...twice!
We thought were were going to be attacked by birds while we ate our $30 lunch! Dad and Austin are trying to get a closer look at the hippos in the middle picture. The last picture is a close as I'd get to any snake.What a fun day! We can't wait to go back!
Things we learned for next time:

• Pack more snacks! Animal watching makes you hungry!
• Dad needs to wear tennis shoes!
• Always go to the zoo on a Monday after school starts!

Hard Hat Area

Have we ever told you that Uncle C. has a really cool job? He gets to drive around on really big tractors all day! Uncle C. told us that safety is the number priority when it comes to operating big stuff. Good thing Austin has his very own hard hat!
Dad couldn't let Austin have all the fun!
Thanks for letting us play work with you, Uncle C. What a fun day!

13 Months Old!

You probably won't believe me, but we actually took Austin's wagon/tractor pictures on his actual 13-month birthday. Here they are, 11 days later...

We had to work fast because this was brewing behind us:
I thought we'd add in something new for year #2!
Beep, Beep, Beep!
Uhm, does anyone else notice that storm cloud?Let's go!

1 Month - 2 Months - 3 Months - 4 Months - 5 Months - 6 Months - 7 Months - 8 Months - 9 Months - 10 Months - 11 Months - 12 Months

Austin,

You are growing up so fast! It's seems like you've been non-stop action since your birthday. I've tried to remember all of the things you've learned in the past month, but I'm sure I'm missing a bunch!

You learned to drink from a straw the day after your birthday party.

We ordered you your first real meal at a restaurant - A grilled cheese and fries at Eckert's!

You started drinking whole milk

You love the kitchen cabinets and you get really upset when you can't get the pots and pans back in just the way you want them.
You learned to climb stairs!

Mommy started working from home, but you still have to go to Nana's during the day. You're still to young to understand that Mommy has to work even when she's at home.
You love to share your food. Sometimes you're nice enough to chew it for us first!

You often get yourself stuck in our bar stools. You still have $55 in diaper money on Wal-Mart gift cards!

You love hot dogs. Mama cuts them up into the tiniest pieces because she's a scaredy cat!

Your bottles were packed away on August 9.

You have to have a front row seat to watch TV.You love to stare at people to people watch when we're out and about.

You throw your arm up in the air when we say "Charge!"

Sometimes you want the most random things. Like the hand soap or a Pringles box.

You are becoming quite the little piglet. Thank goodness for stain remover!We love you, buddy!
Mama and Da

Who needs fancy sprinklers?

Nothing says summertime like a good dance in the rain.
A few weeks ago, Austin and I were looking for a way to kill time before dinner. We were hanging out on the front porch when an overflowing gutter caught his eye. A few minutes later we were both soaking wet and enjoying our homemade sprinkler. (WARNING: Playing in the rain may cause runny noses and sore throats!)

The Golden Arches

A few weekends ago, we were driving home from a birthday party around Austin's supper time. We did what any health conscious parent would do...ordered his first Happy Meal! (The sweet tea was for Dad. We're not THAT crazy!)I think I was more excited then Austin was. You see, McDonald's was a huge weakness for me every God given day when I was pregnant. It started when I had morning sickness and nothing else sounded good. I pretty much used that excuse the entire 9 months. I'd order Happy Meals on days I wanted to eat lite, often thinking about the day I'd be buying my child a Happy Meal. Well, the time has finally come...
I told him that a Happy Meal is one of the few good reason for pacey removal.
I think he really liked it! I mean, who doesn't??
He got really excited when he found there would be a toy at the end!
My favorite part was what was left over for Mom!

Wordless Wednesday: Thank You

Plate Up!

Austin is turning into such a big boy these days. The time has come to get him used to eating off of a plate. I was excited when I found one with a special "won't-come-off-the-table" suction ring on the bottom. I figured this would be perfect since I knew the first thing he'd do was throw the plate on the floor. He screamed bloody murder patently waited while I cut up his cheese, hot dogs, grapes and strawberries.Bring me the plate, woman!
Hmmm, this is interesting!
What's the big deal?
I just reach in here for my dinner.
Ah, milky...Wait, just a second! Does this thing come off of here?
And then, dinner was over...
We'll try again next time! Practice makes perfect, right?!?!