Road Trip to Austin & Yoakum

At the end of July, Barry went on a trip to Argentina with his dad for 5 days so the kids and I went on our own little road trip.  First stop was Austin.  My friend Emily and her family recently moved there so we went to go visit them.  Last summer we went to Galveston with the Tumis clan - I was about 6 weeks pregnant with Ty then and now a year later we have a 4 month old baby and Emily is pregnant with her #2!

I am liking our little summer get together tradition!  It was so great to catch up with Emily in person and the girls played so well together.  They picked up right where they left off last year.

Sawyer had a hard time remembering Charlotte's name so she just kept calling her "my friend."  On Friday, we took the girls to a splash pad and then they stayed with a sitter that afternoon so Emily and I could go do some shopping.

I am pretty sure Sawyer wanted to bring Bella home with us.  She was in love.

It was a quick but great visit!  Saturday morning we met up with my friend Judy and her fiancé for brunch and then we were off to Yoakum.  We went and visited with all the family, Ty made himself super comfy in Grandma Cowen's arms!

We spent the rest of the weekend playing with cousins, swimming and Sawyer had her first snow cone.  Purple with a purple straw of course.

A nice last trip of the summer with my kiddos!  But, we were all very glad for Barry to be home!

Ty: 4 Months

Ty's 4th month was a busy one!

He is finally much more agreeable to my monthly photo shoots.

His 4th month started off in Barcelona.  I am still so thankful that he was the best little traveler!

When we returned from our trip was the first time I really noticed Ty paying attention to Sawyer.  She is so sweet to him and he just watches her every move all day.  He also doesn't like to be left alone, if he can't see anyone he will quickly let you know!

Shortly after returning from Barcelona, was the 4th of July,

and then Ty's first Coast Trip, where he rolled over for the first time.  He has back to stomach down, but then just gets really mad because he can't roll back the other way.

In other tricks, he found his feet!  And they are constantly in his hands and/or mouth.  Along with any toys he can get his hands on.  I love the concentration it takes to reach for, grab, and get something into his mouth.

He started sleeping in his bed at night, but still naps in his Rock 'n Play.  He loves to snuggle things - and put them on his face which drives me crazy (and I take away as soon as he falls asleep) - while he falls asleep, especially his football.

He is still in the stage where he will sleep anywhere and through anything.

He still isn't quite sleeping through the night, up once or twice every night usually for only 15-20 minutes though so it's not too bad.  Although, I certainly wouldn't complain if he stopped!  He usually goes to bed around 8 and wakes up for good around 8 and then loves to snuggle!

He is not really on a schedule of any sort other than that, except eating at least every 3 hours.  Hence the rolls!!

At his 4 month appointment, he weighed 16 lbs 8 oz (73rd %), was 25.75 inches long (77th %) and had a head circumference of 16.8 inches (85th %).  Just big enough to wear toddler sized hats…

He is wearing size 3 diapers and 3-6 and 6 month clothes.  He loves baths, his play mat, Sawyer, pulling hair, and riding in the car - falls right to sleep every time.

Ty has the silliest grunt/giggle that we can usually get out of him if we tickle him, hold him up over our heads or pretend to drop him - he thinks thats hilarious.

As Sawyer says, "he is growing just like his sister."

Soon to be bigger than his sister.

Caroline's Birthday

July 17th started out like any other day: took Sawyer to school, ran home to do a couple things then head down town for a lunch.  But, right as I was getting on the high way Becky called.

She had texted earlier in the day that she was having a lot of contractions but she thought she had just over done it or something.  She said she would start timing then at 10:00 that morning if they didn't stop.  They never stopped.  Michael was on his way home and they were going to head to the hospital. Fortunately, Kristin was able to come hang out with the older girls until I could get there to help out.  I picked Sawyer up from school a little early and we went to Becky's house since they had decided to admit her!!  I hung out with the kids all afternoon while driving my parents and Michael crazy for updates.

We finally got the word to slowly head up to the hospital…so I loaded all the kids up (getting there slowly was not going to be a problem!)  Fortunately Becky & Michael had just bought this new car the night before so I was able to haul everyone to pick up dinner and meet Caroline!

After only an hour or two of toddler wrangling and entertaining…

Caroline Therese made her debut - so beautiful and so perfect!!

The girls thought she was just so cute!

I agree.

Ty stuck pretty close to my dad the whole time, trying to figure out how he was going to survive among all these girls!

But, being just shy of 4 months apart, these two will be best buds before too long!

I just love being an aunt, especially to little ones as sweet as this!!

Coast Trip 2014

Our trip this year was a little different than normal - we had a much smaller group than we usually do.  We missed everyone, but still had a great time.  And, it was Ty's first time to the beach.

Even though he will never remember this, I love being able to include my kids in this family tradition I love so much.  Sawyer was the only little kid there this year so she got TONS of attention and loved every second of it.

She basically spent the entire weekend asking anyone and everyone to build a castle with her.  She had quite a few takers.

Saturday morning Barry's friend Clayton brought his boat over to where we were staying to take Barry, my Dad & Jerry fishing.  Once they were done, they took Sawyer out for a ride.  I think she liked the boat, but wasn't too sure about the fish.  Although, now she is always telling me she is going to ask her dad to take her on a boat.

While Sawyer was busy building and digging all weekend, Ty spent his time totally relaxing.

The last night we were there, more cousins joined us…with lots of kids for Sawyer to play with - Emme, Miles & Zachary, who also happened to like to build castles!  She is obsessed with all things having to do with her cousins so as soon as we told her they were her cousins the shyness was gone and they were instant friends!

Ty & Chloe met for the first time too, Ty is about 3 weeks younger than her - so cute!!

Already looking forward to going back next year with the whole family next time!

Previous Years:

2011

2012

2013