Five on Friday

What's up in my world?

1.) Our crepe myrtles are going nuts. They started blooming a couple weeks ago and reached their peak this week. I still feel like most of the vegetation in Texas is foreign to me and miss a lot of the plants I associate with the Northwest, but I am loving these vibrant pops of color in our yard and throughout the neighborhood.

2.) It's going to be 106 today. And tomorrow. Hey, there summer! Can't say I've missed you. But, the weather gods are throwing us a bone next week... highs in the low to mid-90s through 4th of July weekend. Should be perfect weather to come out of A/C hibernation and enjoy the pool.

3.) Nicholas' daycare does a "Parents Night Out" about once a quarter or so. It's a nice little perk. They have pizza and a movie for the older kids, and the little kids usually just play for a bit and then hit the sack on their nap time cots. It's scheduled for tonight, so we'll dropping the little guy off around 7pm, and then Jason and I are headed out to a grown-up dinner downtown. We're thinking of trying out Seersucker.

4.) I've been taking Barre3 classes off and on for the past few months and I love them. (Barre3 is another iteration of Pure Barre / Barre Method / etc.) I feel like Barre3 classes really do help sculpt my core and tone my arms and legs. I'd love to do it regularly, but the cost is a little outrageous. Happily, one of the locations near me is offering a full day of free classes tomorrow in celebration of the 4th of July, so I've already made my reservation for an 11am class. Looking forward to it!

5.) We've gotten hooked on House of Cards on Netflix. Kevin Spacey is such a great actor. It's amazing how all the TV shows end for summer and somehow I manage watching more TV on Netflix or Amazon Prime than during the rest of the year. I'd feel a little guilty if it wasn't so ridiculously hot outside. #sorryimnotsorry

What's new with you?

Easter Weekend Rewind

In the spirit of catching up on my blog, I'm posting some photos from earlier this spring. Easter weekend, we took Nicholas to his first neighborhood egg hunt. He didn't really grasp the concept of putting the eggs in his basket, but he loved just wandering around and picking up, inspecting, and then dropping the colorful eggs. Fortunately, the egg hunt was organized by age group, so there were a bunch of other equally clueless toddlers wandering around in the grass with Nicholas.

They also had a petting zoo set up. Nicholas was fascinated by the baby goats, chickens, and ducks.

The next morning we went to Easter service at our church, and managed to get a least one shot of us all looking relatively put together (a rare occasion these days), although Nicholas was not a huge fan of having his picture taken.

Later that afternoon, we headed out to try to capture some blue bonnet photos. The blue bonnets weren't quite out in full force this year, but we found a nice patch near our neighborhood. Unfortunately, Nicholas was not having it. These are the best of the photos we captured, which either entail him trying to run away or one of us gesturing excitedly, trying to get him to look at the camera. We did succeed in capturing the essence of a 14 month old, however. Oh well. There's always next year!

Five on Friday

I'm linking up for Five on Friday again this week. In no particular order, here are a few things making me smile...

1.) Peonies: One of the things I miss most about the Northwest this time of year (aside from the beautiful, non-appallingly hot weather) are all of the gorgeous blooms-- and in particular, hydrangeas and peonies. They just don't grow in Texas. But, this week HEB had a special on bouquets of peonies-- $6.99 for 5 stems, which is a fantastic deal for this usually spendy flower. I've already enjoyed one gorgeous bouquet this week and may need to pick up another one this weekend!

2.) Free gift time: I dropped by the mall earlier this week to pick up some eye cream and my Nordstrom was having Clinique free gift week. I had no idea, but it was a nice little surprise. I love a good free sample just for the fun of it, but this particular gift set had some great products including an eye shadow color I really like and a great, long-wearing eye-liner. Sometimes it's just the little things...

3.) Date Night: Jason and I haven't been out together in alone in several months, so we lined up a sitter for tomorrow night. We're going to hit up Hill Country Galleria for dinner at All Star Burger, followed by a showing of Mud. It should be a nice, low-key night.

4.) This guy: Eating nectarines and broccoli for dinner. My picky eater is branching out! He looks a little thug-ish in this picture, but rest assured, he couldn't shovel the "neh-neh" in his mouth fast enough. Bring on the summer fruit!

5.) Predictable nap times: Our once poor napper now regularly sleeps from 12:30 or 1pm until around 3pm everyday. This means we actually get a chance to catch up on chores around the house during the weekend, or-- as I already plan to tomorrow-- take a nap ourselves. I love spending time with my little guy, but mama needs a little break on the weekend too! 

Sixteen Months: A Letter

Dear Nicholas,

You are sixteen months old. The past month was a relaxed one, although we did enjoy a visit from Gammy and Grandpa in mid-May. During their visit, you showed off your growing vocabulary, made your first visit to the pool this year, and got your first haircut.

I use the term "hair cut" lightly. You were just growing a tiny bit of a baby mullet in the back and we trimmed you up. I was concerned that you would would wiggle and squirm too much, but Grandpa held your head and you did great as I made a few quick snips. We saved your baby fine blond hair in a little baggie to remember your first hair cut.

Since Gammy and Grandpa's visit in May, we have been back to the pool several times, and you just love it. You are a bona fide water baby, and I'm looking forward to getting you into swim lessons next summer. Until then, we will let you wade in the baby pool and roam around the splash pad at one of our neighborhood pools.

During your 16th month, you also got several new teeth. It's hard to get a good look in your mouth these days, but I think you have four new molars, and your lower incisors both appear to be coming in any day. All of this teething may have contributed to some increased clinginess this past month. You want to be held or carried all of the time, and you are experiencing some increased stranger anxiety. You've always handled daycare drop offs like a champ, but lately you don't want to see us leave. You will cling fiercely to us, and then cry inconsolably when we leave. (Although I always stay in the hallway after I leave and peek in the window of your classroom, and I can tell you calm down within a few minutes.)

We've also seen an increase in the dreaded tantrums. Tantrums are par for the course at this age, so we usually just ignore you for a few minutes and let you get all those emotions out of your system. Sometimes, you lie on the floor with your face on your hands, wailing, and then I catch you taking little peeks to see if we are watching you. This is pretty funny, but I try not to laugh. Afterward, you always want a cuddle, and then you are back to your cheerful self within a few minutes.



























You are also beginning to show some empathy and more affection. Early in the month, Daddy and I both got sick with a nasty stomach virus. When you saw us lying down, you came over and gave us a snuggle or lied down with us quietly. You could sense that we didn't feel well. You also now like to give us hugs and lay your head on our shoulder when we're holding you.

You have finally become an excellent napper. You are on a good schedule at school, which fortunately carries over to the weekend. You will usually go down around 12:30 or 1pm and sleep for two hours (or sometimes longer.) We did end up pushing your bedtime back a little because you just weren't tired enough at 7pm. Now, you're going down for the night around 7:30pm and will sleep until anywhere from 6:45-7:30am.

You continue to pick up new words by the day, and it has been so much fun to interact with you as you become able to share more and more of your thoughts with us. Favorite new words include truck ("tuck, tuck, tuck" -- always said in multiples), apple, night-night ("ny-ny"), and rawr (the sound a lion makes.) You now also say "no" in response to us doing or asking certain things. You've mimicked our "no-nos" for a while, but now I can tell that you are actually sharing your opinion or desires with us. Sometimes your "no" is overruled (such as when you don't want me to wash your face), but it's good to know where you stand on things-- such as whether you want me to read you a particular book or if you want a certain stuffed animal in your bed. I love getting to know you.

Walking in our backyard to check out the "fowas."

At this age, I want to remember you excitedly pointing out the window in the car and saying, "Tuck, tuck, tuck! Oooo-oo-oooo-oo-ooooh!" I also want to remember you contentedly turning around in my lap to hug me and say "ny-ny" after you finish your sippy cup of milk before bed each night. Daddy and I regularly discuss how you are the best part of each of our days, and we marvel at how you manage to keep getting cuter, smarter, and funnier each month. 

Lots of love,

Mommy

Five on Friday

Time to get this blog jump started again! I'm linking up with a few fun bloggers today for Five on Friday to share some of things I'm been loving lately.

1.) Blogging. I've been a serious blog slacker for the last few eight months. And I think I have some legitimate excuses-- juggling a baby and a full-time job (along with managing a household and finding a little time to spend with Jason-- or alone) is no joke. But, I'm not the first woman to do it, and I certainly won't be the last. I've missed keeping up with my blog and documenting our family's life. I love looking back on previous posts to see what we were up to and I think it's such a great way to document Nicholas' milestones. I've been feeling re-energized lately and I'm ready to start making time for the things I enjoy, including blogging.

2.) Pool time. We took Nicholas to our neighborhood pool for the first time a few weeks ago, and he loved it! Even as a little 5 and 6 month old last summer, he loved the pool. I think it's safe to say we've got a water baby on our hands. I'm looking forward to taking him back to the pool this weekend. And we have to snag him some water wings so I don't need to hover quite so closely as he toddles around the baby pool.

3.) Brunch. Nicholas has proven to us several times over the past couple months that taking him out to dinner with us is just no longer an option (at least for a while). At 16 months old, he is just not OK with sitting still (or sitting quietly) for any length of time. And that is OK. But we've missed getting out of the house for the occasional restaurant meal. Lunches out interfere with nap time, but brunch is perfect. Nicholas is rested and happy in the morning, he's content to sit in a high chair for a little while, and we're home in time for his nap. And we get to enjoy tasty omelets, waffles, and other treats (cough, mimosa, cough), while catching up with friends. Plus, we can always find something that our picky, carb-loving boy will eat. We've been out to eat at the 1886 Cafe & Bakery at the Driskill Hotel twice in the past month, and we're meeting some friends this weekend for brunch at Chez Zee. I'm looking forward to it!

4.) The Killing. We finished season 2 on Amazon Prime a few weeks ago, and loved it. It's set in Seattle, which is fun, despite the excessive use of the seriously industrial-sized rain machine they must have on the set. (Stereotype, much?) Although-- fun fact-- it was actually filmed in Vancouver, BC. Maybe they get more rain?? Anyway, last week season 3 started up on AMC. It's darker and creepier than seasons 1 and 2, but we're already hooked-- inordinate rain and all.

5.) It's Friday. It's been a long week and I'm ready for some R&R. Jason is bringing home take-out tonight and I'm looking forward to catching up with last week's episode of Mad Men. Have a great weekend!