Delays on the Drive to Austin

We went to my college roommate’s wedding in Austin two weekends ago. The wedding was at 6pm Friday and we intended to leave Houston at noon. We finally were on the road at 1:15 and almost 30 minutes into the trip, realized we had forgotten the pack ‘n play portable crib. We debated turning around or buying a new one, since we knew we were fairly tight on time, having to drop Collin off at my aunt & uncle’s and drop the dogs off at Cas’ aunt and uncle’s. We went the buying route, and were back on the road after Cas waited through a single-cashier-open line at Babies R Us that saved us maybe 15 minutes of time compared to back-tracking for ours at home. Oh well.

As we approach Austin, we see a long line of cars braking. And that was when Collin woke up because the lulling, constant driving motion had ceased. Not a fun combination for me – traffic when we’re time constrained and a wide awake baby with an hour drive remaining. After 20 minutes, we realized the freeway was shutdown, and so we had to drive away from Austin for 45 minutes before taking a different road into town.

At this point I'm debating several scenarios for making it to the 6pm wedding – take Collin to the wedding and my parents could leave early with him, drop the dogs & Collin off at my family’s home (where they had just planted a new garden that my dogs would be itching to destroy and where they have 2 dogs of their own). Finally I resigned – Cas had made this determination earlier but just kept quiet while I stressed – that we would be late.

The last hour and a half of the car ride, I’m sitting in the backseat next to Collin. But sitting would be a generous term, as even the middle seat space where I tried to fit my body was overtaken by the pack n’ play box and Cas’ suitcase, my bag, four bags for Collin, and our wedding clothes. The dogs in the trunk area meant the two tons of equipment that we needed for our 14 month old and us for the weekend was all in the backseat. So much for our perfectly laid plan that entailed Collin sleeping the entire car ride and Cas and I enjoying quiet conversation in the front seat!

As I reluctantly expected, we arrived when the ceremony was complete, but they were still taking pictures. We rudely attended only the reception. But we had a great time. We ate Salt Lick BBQ, danced to the Aggie War Hymn, caught up with friends, and got to celebrate with my college roommate and her groom, who Cas knew through a basketball league. When we hastily dropped Collin off at my aunt & uncle’s, I failed to mention that he was getting his bottom molars and had woken up in the middle of the night the past two nights. And so my Great Aunt Cheryl was fruitlessly searching through Collin’s diaper bag in the wee hours of the morning for baby Advil (which was there, but hidden). Luckily Collin went back to sleep after a few minutes and woke up delighted to play some more with his great aunt and uncle and my parents, who were staying at their place.

Stay tuned for photos of the trip (what a shocker) in the days to come!

Playing chase in a diaper

Wednesday, after taking some early St. Patrick's Day photos, we changed Collin out of his Irish duds to be saved for the next day. Before we could get him in another outfit, he took off, with Grandma Libia "chasing" after him. He found it delightful -

Caught - Do you see that big smile?!? Happy boy playing chase with Grandma - I made the mistake of chasing after him when he headed to the street, so now unfortunately I've taught him that's part of the chase game. We can't wait to teach him to chase the dogs so all the "kids" can burn up that energy together!

Playing in Puddles

When we headed outside with the dogs after a stormy day, it should not have surprised me that Collin made a beeline for the puddles. I snatched him, went inside for the camera, and let him go to town in the standing water on our driveway.

Splashing -

Wet face & body, happy boy -

Using the dog Chuck-it tennis ball thrower to further explore -

Trying to scoop up the tennis ball

Worried Collin was getting cold outside with wet clothes, it was an early bath that night.

We tell him that he's quite a catch for a son!

Who needs bath toys when you have Tupperware?

Not sure whether to smile or frown -

He normally chooses to smile until he hears the word "no."

Walking around the Park

Grammy Lesa and Grandpa Brownie came by early Saturday morning for a trip to the park. I tagged along to document Collin's every move. Grammy Lesa was impressed at the difference two weeks made, as the last time she, GGB and Collin went to that park, he needed to be carried everywhere. This week, he tromped up and down hills, over bridges, and knew when to reach out a hand for help with a big step.

He started on the bridge and could have spent 30 minutes here, going back and forth. The adults grew bored and strongly encouraged him towards the playground equipment.

Next up, the toddler park, where he can do everything with little to no help. Up and down the baby slide -

Sometimes being independent means dirt in the face. Collin took a gymnastics roll off the slide and into the dirt. It was a 3-inch drop, but he laid there stunned at his acrobatics until Grammy Lesa scooped him up.

Posing for a photo, then heading through the tunnel to his Grandpa Brownie -

This park has a lot of shade, which will be great in the summer. But on spring days, I'm never sure how to dress Collin, and true to my father's methodology growing up, I always overdress him rather than have my skinny little guy get chilly. On this Saturday, the park was full of children and Collin was one of two wearing long sleeves. Seeing that one other boy whose parents had him sweating made me feel much better!

Making sure he has the full attention of both grandparents -

This photo caused me to have yet another sappy, "where did my baby go" reaction.

And speaking of growing up, Collin decided at dinner last night that he was tired of being spoon fed and would like to feed himself. The dogs are rejoicing over this new burst of independence, which means significantly more scraps of food hitting the floor.

Power Tools Introduction

Collin was enthralled by the drill this week, and Cas took the opportunity to give his son his first power tools lesson -

Unfortunately for Collin, the lesson involved a discouraging end product - child locks for our cabinets. We have needed these for months!

Taking a break from learning - and unbeknown to Collin, enjoying one of his last moments of cabinet freedom -

What is going on here? I'm pulling with all of my might and it won't budge.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Collin is all smiles for St. Patrick's Day! He's such a little boy now!

He loves balls, throwing and kicking them -

Protecting the ball with arms blocking out - what a face!

Happy boy with his basketball . . . and happy Daddy with his protege!

Wishing you the luck of the Irish!

Austin Kite Festival

On our way home from Austin on Sunday, we stopped by Zilker Park. Our plan was to wear Collin out on the playground before loading him in the car for our drive home. We heard there was a kite festival happening, but had no idea that it was this big of a deal in Austin.

We were so distracted by all of the kite festivities, we skipped the playground and experienced the excitement, colors, and incredible day with the locals. Collin was more entertained by the dogs than the kites, but he was wide-eyed and full of smiles. Posing for the camera -

Watching the kites from upside down -

Flying with Daddy -

Checking out the surroundings with Mommy -

Tired of sitting around, Collin was ready to move, captured in a play-by-play:

Get up, Mommy, I'm ready to continue exploring -

As soon as we made it to the highway, Collin passed out until we pulled into our driveway. The kite festival excitement had taken its toll, and Cas and I were able to enjoy a calm drive home.