Austin's FIRST Haircut

Well we did it, we got. . .

AUSTIN'S FIRST HAIRCUT!!!!!

Although Austin has been sportin' the "mullet look" for quite some time, Scott and I were going to wait until closer to his first day of Preschool to make that first cut. We didn't want our little baby be a "Big Boy" just yet, but we knew it was time - that and Preschool is a pretty big deal - so we had to do it before his 1st day. It was also made apparent to us that we need to do it sooner than later when kids and adults would constantly make comments about his "Billy Ray Cyrus" mullet.

As we were looking around town for a toddler backpack - which is harder than it really should be - Scott spotted a Cool Cuts 4 Kids place and casually said, "Hey lets take Austin there today." I was initally apprehensive since we already made an appointment at my salon (& it would be free thanks to Kellie!), but was swayed by the fact that this place catered specifically to little ones. So after venturing into Toys R Us, I made a sharp turn into their parking lot. We walked right in and Austin was instantly won over by the individual TV's and cars the little ones got to sit in. As long as there was a TV and something to keep his hands occupied I knew we were good to go!

Austin did A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!!!!!!!! I know all moms love to brag about their child, as they should, but wow! Even Austin's hairstylist, Tamika, was impressed constantly saying things like, "You have been blessed!', "He's amazing", "I just can't believe it - are you sure this is his first cut?!", etc... Scott and I were so proud of Austin!! He didn't squirm, fight, whine or act like he was worried --- NOT. ONE. BIT!

I was told by a few experience moms that we shouldn't expect a 'perfect' haircut but I have to disagree on this one. Austin first haircut experience was perfect and so is his new cut! We are so proud of him!!

After his haircut and the papparazi (aka Momma) were done, Scott and I took Austin to Olive Garden for a treat. After that, we came home with loads of memories, a "1st Haircut" certificate, some strands of hair in a baggy for keepsake, and one BIG BOY!!

I got my first haircut

as you can plainly see

Mom says I look handsome

And that she is proud of me

I sat so tall and proud

In that barber chair

And they even gave to Mom

A small lock of my hair

She says that she will keep it

To remind her of this day

Another milestone I’ve crossed

In my life along the way

~Poem from furallover.com

Meeting with friends

Austin and I had the privilege of meeting up with some friends a few weeks ago. Since Melissa and Maya were back in the states to visit family, we decided to get together once again for another meetup. I can't believe it has been almost one FULL year since we last saw them! WOW how time sure does fly by when you're raising children!!

Last September, Melissa and her daughter, Maya, met Austin and I at the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco. This year, we met them at Chuck E Cheese and it was so fascinating to watch them interact (or not!) with each other now that they are older. Here are some pictures of last year's visit:

(They look SO tiny! Austin: 6 mo & Maya: 8mo )

Here are a few pictures of this year's visit:

(our favorite picture!)

(Austin: 17 mo & Maya: 19 mo)

It was so much fun watching them interact with each other more than last year's visit - although they did more parallel play than anything! We hope to meet them again at the end of this year when they return for the holidays. I can't wait to see what they'll do next :-)

Great Aunt Melody Visits!!!!

Last weekend my Aunt Melody, my mom's sister, decided to take a long weekend trip to see us in Texas. We were SO freakin' excited about her visit!! I can't put it into words how hyped up we were for her to come over from Arizona. Within moments, my mom and I were planning her every second (literally!) from landing to take-off! :) Thursday was "greeting and chillin' day", Friday was the Bradshaw's day, Saturday was "sister day", Sunday was Lutz's day (Travis, Christa and Trista) and Monday was IHOP-for-breakfast-before-leaving (whew!) day!

**She's already gone and can't you tell I was excited about her visit!!!**

On Friday, my mom, Aunt Mel and I took Austin to the Play pool. The night before a cold-front came in, so the water was cold and the sky was overcast. I was a little apprehensive about going, in fear the weather would turn sour, but decided that maybe it would just blow over. Well when we got there the water was very cold! I didn't think it would be long before we left since Austin hates cold water (just like his momma). Well my decision was made for me when it started to rain, so that was that and we left. Here are a few pictures of the playpool with Great Aunt Mel:

After leaving, we went home changed, ate lunch then headed to the mall for some.... SHOPPING! Before we started on our quest of random stuff, Austin laid his eyes on the Carousel and began making all sorts of medival noises - so we had to make a pit stop first.

Then after the carousel ride x 2 and picking up some cool awesome gifts, we headed over to Toys R Us where my mom picked up a cute little kitchen for Trista and Austin to play with at her house and Great Aunt Melody bought a perfect gift for Austin ---- his very own Dirt Devil Vaccum!! Keep in mind that I find it rather difficult to vaccum since he treats it like it's his very own ride-on toy and tries to lay in front of it to watch it move. Silly boy, he needed his own. Once we got to my parents house to unload, Scott and I then realized an awesome thing --- that silly little Dirt Devil actually sucks up things!!!!! We were SO excited jumping up and down, whoopin' & hollering about Austin's toy vaccum actually. . . . vaccumming! :) Pathetic, really. . . So after we settled down from the excitement (LOL), we all went to Olive Garden (yum!) and ate entirely too much food.

Unfortunately since I work the weekend plan I didn't get to spend much more time with her as I would have liked, but we did make sure to go to IHOP on Monday before she left back to Arizona. She enjoyed her strawberry-globbed waffles, My mom, Scott and I had normal pancakes and Austin devoured 5 silver-dollar pancakes as well as stealing my bacon!

This spontaneous weekend getaway of hers was awesome! She is the bestest Aunt ever and thus naturally, is the bestest GREAT Aunt ever to Austin & my niece, Trista.

Austin Updates

It's been about a month since I've updated everyone on Austin's development. Here are a few new things:

He now has 16 teeth! So, apparently, we are "done" until he's 2 WHOO HOOO!! Unfortunately that means when he has a sleepless night or is super cranky I can't blame it on the teeth - DARN!

He is getting better and better at coloring. Although we do have a few spots on our walls that Mr. Picasso decorated. Guess it's time I try out thoses Clorox Sponges.

Now says:

-Momma, Dadda, Bye Bye, Hi, Yes, No No No,

Ball, Bible, Thank You, All Done, Dog, Uh Oh! & Nonna

He also knows where his:

Tongue and Belly Button are.

He loves showing you them - of course, when HE wants to :-)

Here are some other random pictures of this past month:

Austin is also becoming quite the soccer player. He will intentionally kick with his left foot. We are still unsure of which hand is going to be dominant but clearly he's going to be a lefty when it comes to soccer.

July Update: Breast Cancer 3Day

Oh I'm SO close!!! To date I have raised $1924.50 which means I have $375.50 left to fundraise. I can't believe how supportive ALL my family & friends have been since I signed up back in Marchto walk 60 miles in 3 days November 6-8th! I'm beyond blown away by everyone's generosity - especially in this tough economy.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, I have hundreds, YES HUNDREDS, more miles to train before the first day of the Breast Cancer 3Day. To date, I have walked ~ 166 miles and most, if not ALL of that, is pushing Austin in the stroller. I've slowed down as the summer heat is melting us to the core, so I've had to be creative in where AND how we train! My mom and I are now waking up before the sun even thinks about rising so that we can train without getting heatstroke! The heat has also forced me to walk less mileage per day therefore I must walk more frequently so ensure I get the miles I need.

I'll be updating as the offical day arrives but I still need your support! Monetarily and emotionally!! I'm also asking everyone to help support my other teammates: Creekside Cares, and MY MOM who need BIG help in their fundraising!!

Remember, if we don't raise the money, we can't walk. . .

so. . .

YOU supply the checks, WE will do the walkin' :-)

God Bless!!!!

my link: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/DallasFtWorthEvent2009?px=2907369&pg=personal&fr_id=1295

My Mom's link: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/DallasFtWorthEvent2009?px=3117783&pg=personal&fr_id=1295

Kiddie-Size Pooltime Fun!!!

This summer has been a blast watching Austin interact with water. He has always loved bathtime - even as a newborn - and he even has a daddy that is a swimmer. . . so we knew it was only a matter of time before he grew his own set of fins! :-)

This summer he has: Splashed around in his own kiddie pool, swam in Poppa/Nonna's pool as well as a friends' pool, and most impressive of all, has been dunked underwater at least 6 times (some accidental, some purposeful!). So when I heard of a "playpool" near my parents house, I jumped at the chance to take Austin!! These "playpools", there are 2 in the area, are pools designed for the kids ages 7 years old and younger. There are structures for them to climb on, beach-like entrances, slides, and the deepest part is only 1ft 6 inches. The perfect height for Austin!!

He has blown me away by his excitement the moment he first laid eyes on the pool!!! Normally he gets excited but has that nervous whine -- well NOT HERE!! The moment we walked in and set our stuff down, he took off whoopin' and hollerin'! Here's a video of him:

The first time we came to the playpool he loved to just enter and exit the beach-like area and walk around IN the pool. Today, the 2nd time, he was a little more daring! He'd enter and do things he was afraid to do the first time around. It was amazing to see this improvement. I can't wait to see what is in store for us NEXT time we go!

We will def. be going back to this place and will check out the other one too! I'm so glad to hear there are places like this. It was relatively cheap ($3 for Austin, $3.50 for me) and LOADS of fun! hmmm. . . maybe I should be their spokesperson LOL

July 4th Celebration & Nonna's Birthday!

Since July 4th was on a weekend this year, I would have normally worked. But a co-worker kindly switched days with me so that I could spend this holiday with my family. *Thanks Beth!* It was a nice relaxing day at my parents with family and friends. It also happened to be my mom's __ birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!

Here are some pictures of the cousins together. *Austin: 16 months & Trista: 18 months*

Here are some other pictures that I took of the day - there's lots (17 total)

Overall it was a very HOT but relaxing day out by the pool! I haven't been able to enjoy a weekend holiday in over 1 1/2 years due to working. . . I haven't been to my mom's birthday/July 4th party in 2 years so this was extra special!!