First Trip to the Dentist

Today was Taylor's first trip to the dentist. Our pediatrician gave us a referral to a pediatric dentist at Taylor's 2yr check-up in February. She thought it would be beneficial because he did use a pacifier. Well since Taylor will be 2 1/2 in August, we decided to make an appointment with Dr. Ann Dimick at Rising Stars Pediatric Dentistry. It happened to nicely coincide with his final 2yr molars coming in (a month of short naps, grumpiness, clingyness, pain, leave it to Taylor to finish the teething process off with a bang), so it was nice to get a doctors confirmation about whats been going on in there.

At his age they don't really do much (probably because most children won't let them do anything) but our ever ready boy seemed willing and actually excited to be there. They call the visit a "lap sit" because your child usually sits in your lap while the dentist trys to seek a peek. Taylor is truly a "new experience" trooper because he sat in the big chair all by himself and laid back excited for the the movie Cars to begin. He even let the hygienist put earphones on him. The doctor came in (very sweet and great with kids) and gave him a new toothbrush, which he loved! Then while he just laid there watching the movie Cars she counted all his teeth (used the alphabet to identify each one-cute) and confirmed that all molars are through but still coming in along with some others. She said that his mouth looks fine due to the pacifier use and she didn't see any other problems-yay! She gave him a little quick fluoride (bubble-gum flavored) brushing and that was it (literally probably 10 minutes total and the whole visit was free of charge)

No visit to a doctors office is complete without a sticker or a toy. Taylor chose a little toy from the treasure box and was a happy little clam about the whole experience... if only it stayed that simple once we get older:)

The big comfy dentist chair. Pooh Bear came along too!

Waching the movie on the flatscreen above him.

And the Winner is....

GREEN!!!

Taylor loves it and so did so many of you! Of course we are still going to use blue as an accent color (all the new furniture is an antique blue) and we'll use the green on all the walls. Thank you all for responding and helping out with our little polling question...it was a lot of fun and helpful. I'll keep you posted over the summer on how the room updating is going.

Sweet Berry Farm

We ventured out early today to visit a hill country farm in Marble Falls called Sweet Berry Farm to do some blackberry picking. It was about an hours drive east of where we live. It was a nice drive because Taylor and I got to enjoy the scenic views as well as watch all the construction vehicles working on highway 71. Taylor loves ANY type of truck that is large, with big wheels and loud! We met Jennifer and Graham and her cousins there (Heather we missed you and Marie) and got started right away. Once we turned the corner to head down the first aisle, Taylor knew exactly what to do and started hunting for the blackest ones to put in his basket. About half way down the row we had to take a snack and water break (thanks Jenn for bringing a wagon with a shade) plus I think my little 2yr. old was getting a little bored with only being able to pick the "low" ones while I was able to pick the "high" ones. So after an attempt to carry him while still picking, we got out the blackberry picking "gloves" which immediately renewed his interest in the whole process. We made it to the end of the first row and we were all satisifed with how many we had in our baskets. In this series of pictures watch the color of Taylor's shirt change over time... berry messy!

Nothing better than a frozen fresh strawberry Popsicle!

After a break in the shade with some cool treats it was time to find the goats, horses, and donkeys. With our goat pellets in hand, Taylor and I fed all the goats together. I was surprised that he like it and didn't get freaked out by their tongues. They were very sweet and gentle goats! He was however very sad that this farm did not have any pigs or chickens (for some reason he REALLY wanted to see some pigs today). He actually also asked, "where is the farmer?" Luckily when we were leaving a real farmer was driving a tractor and plowing a field across the sheet. I said, "look Taylor there's the farmer!" He replied, "look mom, look there he is!" The simplicity in a child's eyes is the best feeling in the world.

Taylor's overall interpretation of the morning... mmm, mmm GOOD!

After about two hours at the farm we decided to take off and meet Daddy at the golf course for some lunch, golf cart driving, and tractor mower posing! Taylor really wanted to eat lunch in the golf cart (beacuse that would be so much fun mommy!) but the AC inside is what we both really needed. Got to love the "boy" things!

So whats a boy to do after a fun filled day like this: nap ALL the way home!

Thanks Jenn for inviting us:)

Let the Polling Begin

Along with a new "big boy bed" comes a whole new room. We've been to Home Depot several times to get new paint color swatches and the new furniture continues to be ordered. I love Home Depot for 2 reasons lately... well really 3 reasons. First, they now sell small sample paint jars for $3.97 each (in the exact color that you want). You no longer have to buy a quart and then decide that it's the wrong color. Second, I love Home Depot because they now make a BEHR paint that has primer and paint all mixed together for you. I'm all for shortening the painting process. And thirdly, Home Depot rocks because Taylor is completing entertained with all the "ride-on" lawn mowers lined up outside and all the weed-eaters, power-washers, and leaf blowers inside! An easy way to kill an hour during a hot, hot summer!

So now to the polling question on the left hand side of the blog page. We finally chose two colors that match Taylor's new bed and his new bed sheets. But the hard part is choosing just one new color to paint the walls. Our little family has all voted (including Taylor) but it's not a consensus so that's where ya'll come in. Which color do you think we should paint Taylor's new "big-boy" room, Blue or Green? I'm going to miss the nursery color/theme that we've grown to love so much and outgrown over the last two years! But I'm also super excited with a new decorating project on the horizon.

Notice Taylor's handywork in the lower left:)

Construction Sheets from Pottery Barn

In Honor of the First Day of Summer...

Fun Family Water Activites!

Last weekend we celebrated Andrew's stepfather Andy's birthday in Austin with a lake house on Lake Austin and a boating trip on Lake Travis. Taylor was able to practice his swimming technique with anybody who would hold him (lake or pool he was ready to swim)! Luckily, Taylor stuck to the water while his father, uncle, and cousins decided to do a little cliff jumping-highly not recommended (I'm a safety freak and a worry wort) but whether I like it or not I know that Taylor will be up there too in a few years-scary!

Grandpa Andy, aunt Vikki, cousin Megan (May-May), GeeGee, and cousin Garrett

Happy first day of Summer!

My New Faves!

About a month ago Hey Cupcake (an Ausitn favorite) moved up to our neck of the woods (the corner of 2222 and 620). Before they moved, I had actually never tasted any of their delicious treats. Well now it seems like my family can't get enough of them. It's such a simple and delightfully delicious dessert! Taylor loves the "pink blow up thingy" that they have next to the road and asks everyday when we drive by if "it's up or if it's too early". Andrew's family was up for the weekend so we couldn't resist bringing one of each of them over to the lake house for everyone to devour. The cupcakes with the cream cheese tops are my favorite-yummy!. Taylor just wants anything with chocolate on it. Such a Curtis-Wellings!

On Saturday I had the opportunity to host a baby shower for a very special friend. Heather, who watches Taylor 3 days a week during the school year, is expecting baby #2 in July and I decided to throw her a Tea Party Baby Shower. Everyday The Four Seasons downtown serves tea from 1:30-3:30 in the lounge. Reservations are required so that they can prepare a table for you and your guests with linens and all the necessary tea place settings. I had never been before I decided to throw the shower there. Well, let me start by saying that they did a fantastic job! First, you select your tea from a list of several options, then they bring you 3 different little yummy tea sandwiches, and then lastly for the finale a plate of delicious tea cakes and a tower of chocolate covered strawberries, truffles, scones and cookies. It was a perfect afternoon for a wonderful mommy-to-be! Congratulations Heather!

Potty Talk

It must be natural to go through a stage of "potty talk"-right? We are in the thick of it now and although we are trying to discipline when and where it's acceptable to talk that way, it's just darn funny! His words of choice you wonder...? Well, let me share the list with you (yes there are more than one):

toot

tootsy

pass gas (personal favorite-ha ha)

poo-poo

pee-pee

or just a combination of all 5!

So as good parents we try not to laugh when our 2 year old thinks it's hilarious to say these words in front of us. Of course we aren't laughing at all when it happens at the dinner table. SO our newest tactic has been to tell Taylor that it's ONLY okay to use these words "on the potty" or "in the bathroom". Well true to form our very verbal son took us completely literally and now sporadically and randomly runs to the bathroom to yell out his unmentionable words to himself. Another tactic is to just jumble and mumble up your words at the dinner table in hopes that your parents don't really understand what you're saying. I can just see the wheels turning...if I whisper it does that count as saying it? Oh yes, you've got to love the twos!!!

Swim Baby, Swim...

Goggles just make you look all that much cuter!

Monday's To-Do List

(1.) Finish closing down my classroom for the summer-yay!

(2.) Take Taylor to his 1st official swim lesson with Marie

(3.) Take down the CRIB
(4.) Put up Taylor's new BIG BOY Bed

After sitting down to write this post, I'm excited that I can put a check mark next to all 4 things today! It was a busy day, but an important day of transition for Taylor. Everything at this age is still a period of transition. To ensure that Taylor continues to love to play in the water we decided to give swim lessons a try. Taylor ceases to amaze me with his growing sense of wonder and pure determination to understand everything that is going on around him. He was super pumped to go to swim lessons this morning, but also super caution when we got there. Marie was ready to get going, but Taylor took about 10-15 minutes on the side of the pool taking it all in. He wanted to know everything that was happening (and probably everything that was going to happen). With the aide of a couple of cool water toys (thank god they make cool torpedo water toys for boys), Taylor was drawn in to the first step and then finally ALL the way in. Today was a nice and easy introduction for both Taylor and Marie... get used to Mrs. Natalie (swim teacher), a new pool, and try to listen and learn about swimming. Heather and I sat off to the side of the pool (trying to not to interject any motherly worries-boy did I almost have one when Taylor was about to reach in after a toy and could have fallen in). All in all both kids did a great job-they're just so darn independent nowadays! They listened, they tried new things, and most importantly everyone was happy-no tears about anything!

So now back to transitions. A month ago we finally took Ta away for good and it's taken about that long to be reassured that Taylor was back on a regular sleeping schedule and was comfortable falling asleep on his own at naptime. So with that under our belts it was time to transition Taylor from his only bed he's ever known to a Big Boy Bed. With a few hours on the computer over the last several month searching toddler beds, twin beds, furniture stores, mattress stores, and Pottery Barn for new boy sheets, we were finally ready to take the "plunge" today and take the old crib down and put the new bed up. We've had the pieces (bed (we decided to go with a twin), sheets, and mattress) for a while now but I wanted to wait until I was home for summer to enjoy in the memory. Taylor had a blast helping Andrew out with putting it all together! Everytime he walked past his crib in pieces in the hallway he would say, "ah, my crib". It became very clear at that moment just how attached he had become to it. Two years is a long time in baby/toddler years! Once it was all put together he was so excited... bouncing on the bed already! The true test of course was if he was going to sleep in it and just as important stay in it. Well, all went well because he took a 2 hour nap. My heart did break a little when right before he fell asleep he said, "I don't want a big bed, I want my little bed". He definitely was a little nervous about the whole thing but eventually drifted off to sleep! At bedtime when I closed the door behind me, I looked back to see Talyor all wrapped up and snuggled in his new bed. He looked so small and the bed looked so big! Gosh they grow up too fast! Sorry for the blury pictures... my camera is broken and I'm using an old one:(

Do you want to ride in my little red convertable?

Summer is almost here!