Brenna - A Glimpse of the Future?

Last night Brenna said, "I want to be on TV when I grow up." This video is the answer to the question, "What do you want to do on TV?"



Don't ask me where the accent came from, because I have no idea. I think we broke her spirit a little when we told her that no one claps for the people who do the weather. Today she's been working on her Taylor Swift performance instead. She's not quite ready to go on video for that yet. Maybe later.

Austin at 1 Year

These are a few of the pictures we had taken of Austin to commemorate the completion of his first year of life. These photos will also serve as my visual go-to place to decompress when life is getting to me. There's just something about staring into those baby blues that makes everything right with the world over and over again.

1st Tooth Lost

Brenna lost her first tooth today. She was eating a snack and said, "Mommy, my tooth!" I looked over and sure enough there was a gap in her smile. She was pretty freaked out at first, but has since calmed down and is pretty excited about the Tooth Fairy visiting tonight. Our little girl is growing up...too fast.

My goodness what a busy weekend. Austin turned one and Brenna is on the road to permanent teeth. I don't think my heart can stand it.

Let Him Eat Cake

Austin really got into eating his birthday cake. I think he kept wondering when we were going to take all that yummy sweet goodness away from him.

Party like a one-year-old

Friday, February 12th, marked the end of Austin's first year. A year that has flown by faster than I wanted it to. In 365 days Austin has taken 2 round trip airplane rides, learned to hold up his head, hold his own bottle, sit up, ooch on him bum, crawl, pull up, walk, drink from a sippy cup and feed himself, grown two teeth, given us his first smiles, laughs and cries, been hospitalized, been to Disney World, had his hair cut twice, and a host of other firsts my tired Mommy mind can't remember right now. Austin has made a huge, glorious addition to our family, and I can't imagine life without him. Oh, I can remember life without him, but I wouldn't want to imagine it. I think Brent and Brenna would agree.













To celebrate his birthday, Nana and Granddad flew in from Texas, and we had a few close friends over for dinner and of course, cake. Brent grilled chicken (amazing as always), and we feasted on fajitas, beans and rice. You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Tex-Mex out of the girl. At first Austin wasn't quite sure what to make of his cake, but with a little encouragement, he got into the spirit of the occasion. With all that sugar pumping through his veins, he found the energy to open a few presents and stay up past his bed time.



















To view all of the pictures of the big day click here.

A Great Idea

A conversation from the drive to school today:
Brenna: Austin, I'm going to send you to Canada to live with another family.
Mommy: That's not very nice. We would miss Austin.
Brenna: I'm just kidding. I'm going to go to Canada to live with another family.
Mommy: That's not a good idea. We would miss you too.
Brenna: I have a great idea! Let's send the doggies to Canada to live with another family.
Mommy: Now THAT is a great idea!

No offense Jennie and Chelsea, but sometimes 2 kids and 2 dogs are just too much.

A Cup of His Own

Being the 2nd child in the family can be tough. You get all the hand-me-downs...toys...bibs...crib...burp cloths, but this sippy cup is all "Austin".



















He's doing pretty good with it too. We just have to remind him to tip it up every so often. Sounds a lot like what we said to Brenna at this age.



















Brenna is proud of all of Austin's accomplishments. I'm just waiting for her to ask me, "How come I don't have a cup with MY name on it? That's not FAIR!"

(The bib reads: My Dad is cooler than your dad.)

A Right of Passage

At some point in every baby's life, the are awarded a cabinet in Mommy's kitchen. Austin wasn't awarded this one per se. It was more of a commandeering type situation.

















Who me? Yes, you, baby fish lips.

















If I grin at you like this, can I have all the cabinets in the kitchen?

Um, no, but you do have my never ending love and devotion.

Baby King Kong

I told you it was only a matter of time, and Austin isn't one to disappoint his Mommy.
The weather vane on the farm wasn't the only casualty. Baby King Kong used all of his leg strength, and the farm took a tumble off the table. Fortunately FEMA rode into town and the barn was restored to its former glory.

Of course, the local safety officer was on hand to make sure no one of a human variety got injured.

She's a Rock Star!

Brenna likes to rock it out with the microphone she got for Christmas.

She really hitting her stride here. The leg kick gives it away.

We're going to need a good PR person to explain this one!

She lays in wait

I've always known that Border Collies are smart, tenacious, strong willed, and affectionate. Jennie has added "patient" to that list since Austin joined our family.

I know they are going to feed him again soon. I want to be first in line.

And, yes, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes.
He hasn't disappointed her yet.

A little perspective goes a long, long way!

Here's a snippet of an IM chat I had with my good friend, Meredith, today. I'm so glad to have a friend that puts things into the proper perspective!

Polly: We spent roughly $11,000 for daycare in 2009. Gulp.
Meredith: $X,XXX here and this is part time. Ugh.
Polly: Ugh is right.
Meredith: However, let's compare...daycare costs or stay at home mommy?
Polly: Sanity vs insanity? You really can't put a price tag on sanity now can you?
Meredith: 'Nuff said.
Polly: K. Lump of disgust in my throat has been cleared. Moving on!
Meredith: Glad I could help.
Polly: Don't know what I'd do without you.
Meredith: Die a long and slow death.
Polly: prolly