Preschool Drop Out

I've made the decision to take Colin out of Mother's Day Out. He was having a terrible time adjusting and the separation anxiety was extremely difficult. I gave it 3 weeks, but it was taking a toll on him in other ways and that was upsetting to see. He was clinging to me at music class, at gym class, and he was having a difficult time taking naps and going to bed at night. So now my goal is to restore his confidence and get him back to his happy independent self.

As for my independence, well let's just say it was fun while it lasted. We will try again in the fall when he turns 2. I think I was more ready for preschool than Colin. :(


Happy to be home!

Colin is 18 Months

In this picture, Colin had just stolen a bag of popcorn from the kitchen table. We were having an Oscars party, and he ran to the closet to hide and eat (a slight variation of "hide and seek"). He had almost gotten away with the greedy stunt when David tracked him down due to the incessant giggling coming from our closet.

And yes, popcorn IS considered a choking hazard for kids under 2 years old. ...And the award for worst parent goes to... ME!

Well, despite my parenting flaws, Colin has made it to 1 1/2 years old! :) Here's what's new...

- He can now say about 15 words
- He walks, runs and can climb the stairs one foot at a time
- He loves to look at books and name things that he sees
- He enjoys using crayons and scribbles away
- He has discovered Disney! We have purchased the movies, "Cars," "Toy Story," and "Finding Nemo" and he loves them. In fact, at Target he now points to all the toys that are related to the movies.
- We started a class at "Little Gym" where he is learning how to swing from the bars, walk across the balance beam, and do rolls on the mat. And yes, it is ALL I can do to hold myself back from participating right along side him. I had to twirl on the beam today.
- Mother's Day Out is not going as well as I had hoped. Colin has terrible separation anxiety and I was called to pick him up early last week. :(

Colin's 18 month doc appointment:
Weight = 22 lbs 6 oz. (10%-25%)
Height = 32.375 in. (50%)
Head = 49.25 cm. (75%-90%)

Kite Festival

If you thought kites were boring (confession, I kinda did), this festival will convince you otherwise! Picture this: thousands of brightly colored kites flying high in the sky in the shadow of the Austin skyline. It made for an incredible view!

There were demonstrations by professional kite flyers, kite battles, kites choreographed to music, and massive kites ranging from 40 to 90 feet in size. There were also plenty of other activities such as face painting, a rock wall climbing, moonwalks, and plenty of tasty food. Personally, I would have gone just for the dog watching. After just two hours, I saw 4 Great Danes, 2 Italian Greyohounds, 1 Whipit, and 2 Mexican hairless dogs. Colin and I got pictures with a couple of his favorites!

Next year I'm definitely going to bring a kite, a picnic lunch and a chair and stay all day! It was SO much fun!!!

Colin and the pony (I mean Great Dane). This dog was 1.5 years old and weighed 150 lbs. Note, Colin is 1.5 years old and weighs 22.5 lbs.

Colin and the smallest dog we saw - a Chiwawa in a basket.

Colin on the volleyball court (aka, giant sand box)

David with his pinwheel!

I wish this last picture was of Colin with a kite but he still loves his BOB (Big Orange Ball) the best.