Trains, Finger Paints, Florida, Snow, and 1/2 Birthday

This post is going to be all inclusive of our past month. Mike and I love the blog freefuninaustin.com and often check it out for fun things to do around town. Recently, we found a huge toy train display set up downtown, so we invited our friends Nathan, Amber, and Abe along for our little Saturday outing. We had a great time hanging out despite the fact that we had to deal with the constant rain of the day. Trains are one of Benett's new favorite things so to him the display was pretty cool.

Getting ready to go see the trains. B was pretty excited.

Watching Thomas and Percy on the track.

Our friends.

Baby Abe sleeping...cute patoot!

Andrew was also excited about the trains.

During the cold and rainy week we had in January, I also busted out the finger paints Benett had received in his stocking this Christmas. Benett thought finger paints were pretty fun and really liked how squishy the paint was on his hands. He also kept asking me to clean his hands between colors because they were "dirty" and he didn't want to mix the paint colors. I always knew he was a bit of a clean hand child, but really...these are finger paints, have at it B! Benett also surprised me on the 12th of January by reciting the entire alphabet to me without help! I could not believe that he actually made it through all 26 letters without repeating any and without me helping him along the way. What an impressive little guy!

The last two weekends in January were all about the fam. We took a trip to Florida for a long weekend to visit Uncle Steve, Aunt Tina, Patton and Katarina. This was Andrew's first flight on an airplane and I was impressed with how well he did. He nursed on the way up and down and pretty much slept the entire time in the middle. Benett was happy playing games with us, eating his snacks, and reading his books we brought along. They are both such great little travelers. A lady on our flight approached us at baggage claim to let us know how impressed she was that our boys were so quiet during the flight. She was across the aisle from us and didn't hear them once.

Andrew's first airplane ride.

Benett and Katarina playing at the park.

"Catch Patton!"

Who was putting who down for a nap?

Snuggled up with Nana.

And finally we get to today's news. Andrew turned 6 months old today and we woke up to 1.5 inches of snow on the ground! What a day to have Andrew's well-check. We thought for sure our appointment would be cancelled, but we called the doctor's office and they reassured us that they were still open. So, we all bundled up and headed out to Andrew's appointment this morning at 8:20. The roads weren't too bad except for a couple of places on the access road where we saw several cars spinning their wheels on the ice. After we arrived at the office, we realized that many people had opted to not head out because the parking lot was empty and we went right into our appointment without a wait. Andrew's doctor was impressed with how strong he was and happy with all his recent milestones. His official stats were 16.4 pounds, 27 inches long and 45.5 cm head circ. His percentages were 29%, 72%, and 91%. Andrew is a tall, lean baby and definitely has the Trimborn large head trait just like his brother and cousins.

Andrew has also been doing great things lately. He can now sit up on his own for about 45 seconds before either reaching for something and toppling over or losing his balance and toppling to the side. Andrew has also started to move towards the person he wants to hold him so if he wants Mama and Dadda is holding him he will practically jump out of Dadda's arms to get to me. Andrew also just had his first tooth break through today! I mentioned to the doctor this morning that it seemed that his teeth might have been bothering him last night because he woke up several time screaming (not like him to scream in the middle of the night) and she felt his teeth and shook her head with a look like "no way, you are just making excuses for him." Mike even mentioned on the way home from the appointment how adamant the doctor was about Andrew's teeth not coming in. Well, I felt pretty good about how well I knew my baby when Andrew started gnawing on my finger this afternoon and I felt a sharp hard corner of a tooth against my skin. His teeth aren't even close to coming in you say? I beg to differ!

"Look at me, I am sitting!"

There was one day last week when it was 78 degrees and Benett got a hold of the hose when I was trying to water. His diaper got REALLY wet and so did his clothes.

Andrew has found his toes!

Concentrating on keeping his balance.

"A little extra help? No way, Dadda."

Andrew's first snow.

Good looking dog.

Five Months Already!

Andrew turned 5 months old on Tuesday. He is learning new things about the world and himself every week. He is now "helping" put his clothes on by straightening his arms and legs when we are getting dressed...advanced, I know! He had his first meal of rice cereal and was pretty good (for a first timer) using a spoon. Andrew also hit a huge milestone three days ago when rolled over from his belly to his back! I missed the actual first roll, but at least Aunt Patti and Mike were there to witness one of Andrew's big moments. Mike came rushing into Benett's room while I was reading him his bedtime stories and said "Andrew has something to show you." I immediately knew he had rolled over and asked if that was the case. Mike said "Yep!" I looked at Benett who had so wanted me to be the one to read to him that night and said "Let me finish reading to B and then I will go see Andrew's new trick." I quickly finished the book and Benett said "Go Mama, Andrew roll!" I couldn't believe that Benett had picked up on the fact that I was so torn between where I should be at that moment. I gave B a big hug and kiss goodnight and rushed into the living room where Aunt Patti and Andrew were waiting for me. By the time I had gotten in to the living room, Andrew was on roll number 5! I was so impressed with his new skill that I had him repeat it for me 4 more times and captured one of them on video.

Way to go Andrew! Congratulations on your new level of mobility!

"Are these skis or shoes?"

Decorating Christmas cookies with Grandma and Aunt Patti.

Brothers in their Christmas pajamas from Grandma.

"I can fly Aunt Patti!"

We were in Waco at Aunt Alisha's and Uncle Tim's for New Years and one of their neighbors has a pond and a gaggle of geese.

Sitting down for our Miso soup before the homemade sushi came out...MMM!

Andrew is getting ready to chow on his first taste of food.

I think Andrew ended up wearing more than he ate.

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas

Aunt Patti gave us these hats last year. Benett's is a bit too small. :-)

For the first time since Benett's birth, we decorated for Christmas. I have felt like such a slacker the past two years, and I am glad to say that this year I have our decorations up earlier than ever before. It is amazing how much more you look forward to Christmas when you have the house decorated. Benett, Andrew and I have been listening to my favorite Christmas albums (Christmas with Conniff and Bing Crosby's White Christmas) for the past week and a half. I am determined to make them love these albums as much as I do. You might wonder why I like such old versions of Christmas carols, but if you grew up in my house, you too would love these albums. Mom would always get out the reel to reel around Christmas and we would all dance and sing around the house while we were putting up the tree or cooking in the kitchen. It just doesn't feel like Christmas unless The Ray Conniff Singers and Bing Crosby are singing.

Benett loves this time of year already. The past two times we have been in Target he has specifically asked to go see the Christmas trees. There are a lot of family birthdays in October and November and so Benett has a new love for saying happy birthday and singing the birthday song. Last week, I explained to Benett that Christmas is the time of year we celebrate Jesus' birthday. Now he goes around saying "Hap Birtday, Esus." It is definitely one of the cutest things EVER!

Andrew turned 4 months old this past weekend and is also doing a lot of cute things. He smiles all the time especially when he makes eye contact with you and you flash him a big smile. He can reach and grab objects (or hair) and can even pull himself up to standing while I hold his hands. He is a strong little guy! His little personality is starting to show and it is so much fun watching him discover the world. When I am holding him and looking in the mirror, he will smile and then bury his face in my neck in this adorably bashful way and it just makes my heart flutter. My boys are amazing gifts from God. I love them so much!

Thanksgiving in Mansfield.

Andrew in his 1st Thanksgiving outfit.

We took family pictures at the park and I love this one of Benett. I call it "A boy stands alone."

Andrew trying out his winter gear.

Benett was so amazed by the Christmas tree and was excited to help decorate it.

Brinks hated being one of Santa's reindeer.

New Beginnings

This week I officially launched my new career as a group stroller workout instructor. My new company is called ATX Stroller Mamas (the picture above is my new bumper sticker if you want one for your ride). I am excited about this new challenge in my life. I decided that I am at the point where I feel ready to go out into the workforce once again. The great thing about this new endeavor is that I can work without compromising my desire to stay home and take care of Benett and Andrew. I will keep you all updated with the details of where this journey takes me over the following months. I am expecting ups and downs just like everything in life. My prayers are that I can keep my spirit rejoicing through it all and become a more dependent follower of God. He is my provider and courage as I venture into the unknown world of entrepreneurs. I am blessed to have seen what a successful entrepreneur can accomplish through the wonderful example of my parents. My dad started his own company when I was in grade school and has worked tirelessly to make it a success. My mom is the organization behind the scenes always balancing Dad's checkbook and keeping track of taxes and payroll. Their extra hours have paid off over the years and Dad has always been able to keep his own hours and answer only to himself.

So, here's to taking a giant leap of faith! Only my God truly knows where I will land.

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." Proverbs 31:17-18

Happy Birthday Benett

I love you so much! The past two years have gone quickly and you have grown into such a wonderful little boy. I thank God often for giving me such an incredible gift when he brought you into this world. I am blessed to be your mama. This past year you have changed from an infant into a little boy. You learned how to walk, eat with utensils, climb, wrestle Dadda, sing, talk, run, and speak your mind. You have experienced your first snow, baseball game, kiss (Lanie beat all other girls to it), Eggfest, and swimming lessons. You moved out of your crib and into a big bed and became a big brother to sweet little Andrew. I can't wait to see what this next year brings in your life and development. I have and will cherish every moment we share. Happy birthday my little one!

October 23, 2009 - First Steps

Benett loves blackberries!

Thanksgiving in Waco.

Christmas time in Florida.

First snow in Austin.

First white Christmas.