Adventures with Austin & Owen: May 2011

May 31, 2011

LAP Love

We're big fans of Lindsay Alexander Photography around here. She has photographed my family a couple times and did my sister's engagement and wedding pictures as well. We called on her again a few weeks ago for another fun family shoot and to get some pictures to document Owen's first birthday. It was a hectic and crazy day and Ryan and I were both tired and frazzled since the next day was moving day. Also, the washer and dryer and half our wardrobe had already been moved to NC and my planned outfit was a no-go the day of, so I had to literally throw something on before we headed out the door. Somehow, however, Lindsay managed to make us look great and totally put together. She's good like that....

At the end of our shoot we had wanted to do a cake smash with Owen. It pretty much proved to be an epic failure, however. He was completely uninterested in that little cupcake and just wanted to smoosh it into the ground and play with the dirt and rocks around him. It had been a long day and he had just about had enough. I'm so glad Lindsay captured this shot at the end....it makes me laugh every time I look at it!

"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!"

And here's a quick sample of a few more of our favorites from the day...

Pool Party!

On Sunday we went to Columbia for a Memorial Day cookout and pool party at my parent's house. My two water babies stayed in the pool from the time we got there until we forced them out hours later because we had to leave. They were both going on no naps and were still perfectly content as long as they were in that water.

Owen cruised around in his float a good bit and Austin once again proved himself fearless by continuously jumping off the diving board. Head under water, water up his nose...he didn't care, he loved it! I'm so excited about his swim classes coming up in June. I really think he's going to have a blast!

Owen relaxing in his car while Mimi gives him some juice

Austin loved paddling around in his float

Loving the cool water on a 90 degree day!

beep! beep!

Practicing putting his face in the water

No fear

Look at that height!

Owen was even cool with the pink princess float

I guess he wanted to be link papa!!

May 30, 2011

Owen's 1st Haircut

It was time. He was getting mistaken for a girl far too often. This weekend we just had to break down and get Owen's first haircut! I was a little nervous at first, but those nerves were for nothing because getting a haircut was a breeze for this laid back 1 year old. All he needed was a sucker in his mouth and plenty of people to watch. I have to admit, I'm pretty happy with the results. What a handsome little boy I have!!

May 27, 2011

It's Summertime!

Austin is the Costco grill master!

At the Taste of Harrisburg, Austin getting the balloon doggy that he requested...

Harrisburg Town Hall, venue for Taste of Harrisburg

Just a little afternoon baking

My silly little boy!

The boys going on a drive while daddy set up the kiddie pool

I think Owen is wondering why mommy let a 2 year old take control of the steering...

Pool party time!

I'm pretty sure Owen was more excited than Austin to play in that cold water!

Love that sweet little face...

...and that one too!!!

Nothing much to say here, just wanted to show off some pictures from the past few days and all the fun we've been having! Who doesn't just love summertime?!

May 23, 2011

Potty Training

Austin is potty trained. Pretty much. He could have been potty trained for months now, but I just never had the urge to really push it. Sometimes diapers are just more convenient...especially when you're out by yourself a lot with 2 kids to take care of! Getting out of line at a crowded grocery store to take your child potty is never fun...and neither is trying to contain a squirming 1 year old while trying to get your other one situated on a public toilet! Diapers really are easier some of the time, but it got to the point where I was embarrassed that my 2.5 year old was still in diapers and decided it was finally time.

Austin now wears his undies all day and rarely has an accident. He goes to the potty on his own, without me even asking a lot of the times. I put him in a pull-up when we leave the house, but he still tells me when he needs to go. I hate to admit it, but on few occasions I have just told him to go in his pull-up so that I wouldn't have to mess with public bathrooms. Still not sure the best way to approach that whole situation...yuck! He also wears pull-ups to bed and for his nap. Sometimes they're wet when he wakes up, and sometimes they're dry.

The biggest help in potty training Austin is the fact that he hates to get his clothes wet. He despises even the smallest drop of water falling on him when he's brushing his teeth, so the feeling of tinkle trickling down his legs was the main motivator in getting him to use the potty. However, we are having an issue with #2.

I've read the studies and psychology on boys and going poo, but I just don't get it. Austin will put himself through extreme discomfort and hold it in for days, just so he doesn't have to go in the potty. I push fiber and liquids and eventually we will achieve success, but it's torture sometimes getting there. Last night it took begging and pleading on and off for almost two hours. Today he waited until I put on his pull-up and started going, stopped to tell me, and then finished in the potty.

I'm not totally stressing yet. I'm hoping it will get better each day and I'm trying to stay patient. If we have to go to CVS for a new car or truck every night for the next week, we will. Or if I have to move Austin's bookshelf into the bathroom so we'll have plenty of books to read while we're waiting it out, that will be fine. Bottom line...he'll learn eventually.

Need for Speed

As we have quickly come to realize, we now seem to be living in NASCAR city! With the Charlotte Motor Speedway only about 5 miles away, come race week things get a little crazy around these parts. Luckily that means that there are TONS of activities for race car loving fans.....and I just so happen to have one of those. He may only be 2, but Austin loves a fast car just as much as anyone else out there.

So on our first settled weekend we took a trip over to Concord Mills and to check out the Nascar Speedpark. There were games, rides, mini golf and of course....race cars (of the miniature variety).

Please excuse the hideous picture of me, but this goes to show just how much Austin loved riding the "Kiddie Whip." We rode it 3 times. It made me nauseous, but it made Austin smile. :-)

Austin's 1st mini golf game, getting a lesson from dad

Meet the next Lucas Glover, y'all!

Like father, like son

(The matching outfits were not intentional, believe it or not)

Me and Owen hung out and watched the go-karts ride by.

Daddy and Austin had a blast.

I still don't know which one had the most fun...the little kid or the big one.

Owen's Belated 1st Birthday Bash!!

We had such a fun time celebrating Owen's 1st birthday this weekend! Both boys had an awesome day hanging out with AmMa, Mimi, Papa, Aunt CaCa, Uncle Nick, Aunt Geri and Uncle Carroll! Owen didn't do quite the damage on his cake that his big brother did, but he certainly enjoyed it and mama appreciated that there was little mess to clean up!!

It really was a fun day and I'm pretty sad that it's over and everyone has gone back home. Thanks to everyone who came up to see us and to celebrate such a big milestone.

I still can't believe my baby boy is 1!!