Christmas

So, we had some camera problems on Christmas day, but we do have some pictures from our trip to Dallas, thanks to the advanced camera technology there.

T got in the spirit thanks to a new hat courtesy of Grandmommy and Granddad:

We had a a couple of days there, so we spread out the gifting. One day it was a very cool slide thingy from Uncle Harvey and Aunt Linda. It features balls and penquins and frogs and gravity. It was a big hit:

The next morning it was a toy truck from Grandmommy and Granddady. Also check out T's new pajamas that arrived just in time for the cold snap.

Also while we were in Dallas we did some visiting. Mrs. Rees came by to see us. Although as you can tell T doesn't like to be interrupted by the paparazzi while he's eating, he did have a good time showing off all his toys to Mrs. Rees and discussing the ins and outs of Sesame Street.

We also went by Caren Prothro's house to see her and Vincey. I'm not sure what Vincey is pointing at, but it got a laugh out of T. Perhaps he was pointing at Santa as he flew back up to the North Pole.

We had a nice time over there and even got some free snacks out of the deal. Plus, T got a t-shirt from Mrs. P which will make an appearance in a future post.

Hope everybody had as merry a Christmas as we did!

New Year, Old Photos

The holidays were a blur of work, holiday-ing, and no blogging (obviously). Christmas photos to come. In the meantime, here are a few from the vault (well, from last year). Enjoy!



Our friend (and author and former NJ neighbor) Amy Schapiro made an unexpected trip to Austin in early December and generously fit a visit into her busy work schedule. She and Truman hit it off easily.

We updated (upgraded?) Truman's footwear last month and added a pair of rain boots to his closet. He insisted on trying them on the night they were delivered (thus, the bedtime attire).


And continued to want to wear them the next morning. Yes, he actually put this ensemble together himself. And wore it out of the house on his morning walk.


A more recent photo of Truman enjoying his Radio Flyer fire engine, a Christmas gift from Grand Judy and Pop George.



Finally, we just had to share this photo of our wonderful Japanese Maple, which flowered for the first time since the two hail storms in 2008. We're so glad it's still alive. (The photos don't do it justice, but the leaves were really something.)

Hats!

Truman loves hats. He loves to wear them, and he likes to say the word (sounds like "at"). Here, a few of his recent favorites.


Yes, another version of the Thanksgiving Day crown. He didn't love this one so much. He made it at daycare, so maybe there was some traumatic episode during the creative process. We'll never know.


Cheerfully modeling his new winter hat. (He could be an extra in the Coen Brothers' movie Fargo.)


A more reflective pose.


Modeling Dad's cable knit cap (after having swiped it off the kitchen table).


Dad's hat and the calculator pencil sharpener. Life doesn't get any better than this.

T-Day

It's December already, but we're still celebrating Thanksgiving. (Well, we're still eating leftovers.) Paul's parents and our good friend Wilson joined us for a lovely meal. Truman rejected all of it (even the apple pie and whipped cream! Whose child is this?), but that might be because he helped himself to the cheese, crackers, and hot appetizers we served first. Oh well. We still had fun.



Our holiday "wreath," courtesy of Truman.



Hanging out with Granddad and Grandmommy on the stairs. (Finger in mouth thanks to those pesky 2-year molars coming in!)



A couple of days after Thanksgiving we went to the annual Chuy's Children's Parade. It's a benefit parade put on by a popular local restaurant, and it's essentially Austin's version of the Macy's Day Parade (which Truman enjoyed watching this year, by the way). Truman was a bit overwhelmed by all of the people, bands, floats, etc. It was LOUD.



Paul and Truman take in Horton as he glides through downtown.



Hooray, we found Cooper! Unfortunately we didn't meet up with him until the end of the parade, but he and Truman enjoyed running around on the grounds of the Capitol, which is out of frame behind the black fence.


Hope you had a terrific holiday!

Cooper's Birthday

Truman's friend Cooper (daycare alum, frequent playdate pal) had an awesome 2nd birthday party at a ranch just north of downtown Austin this weekend. Check out Cowboy Truman out on the range:



But first, a photo of Cooper, the birthday boy!


Truman and Cooper checking out the goats. (I think Truman was feeding the goat horse feed in this photo, but the ranch "foreman" told us it was okay.)


Feeding (and chasing) the chickens.



Riding a pony!



He's a natural!


Petting a rabbit! (Although in the interest of full disclosure, Truman unceremoniously dumped this poor bunny on the ground seconds after this photo was taken.)


Trying to rope "Bob," an immobile calf. Made of steel.



Success!


Exploring the "back 80." (In actuality, the ranch was located at the end of a suburban cul-de-sac. So, it was a small ranch. More of a field, actually. But still a lot of fun!)


Enjoying snacks (first juicebox!) and a delicious cupcake.



I was trying to capture Truman's prowess with the juicebox, but I think the appropriate caption should be, "Mom! Enough with the camera!"

Thanks for a great day, Cooper! You've definitely upped the bar for birthday parties.

Padre!

It's hard to believe that nearly a month has passed since our annual trip to South Padre. We flew this year, which made the trip easier overall, and we think Truman had a better time although a fall in the Gulf (fully clothed, covered in sand and saltwater) within the first 30 minutes of arriving meant that he was a little water-shy for most of the trip.


Despite the very balmy temps, Truman insisted on wearing his graffiti jacket pretty much everywhere. He probably sweated off a pound or two during the vacation. (Maybe he's onto something?)



He was also quite enamored of this decorative cabinet in the condo. He spent a lot (I mean A LOT) of time going in and out of it. (We can post this photo now that our security deposit has been refunded.)


Almost the perfect size for him to completely conceal himself from view.



The Palmetto Inn, one of Padre's oldest Mexican restaurants and one of our favorites. Or so we thought. Turns out, Paul thought I loved it, while I thought he loved it. We used to plan our trip around its opening times, but now, who knows? Truman liked it, though, so maybe we'll keep going.



The Palmetto's famous homemade tortilla chips. They're really thick and crispy and good. Maybe they're reason enough to keep going back?


As I mentioned, Truman wasn't a big fan of the "ocean" water, but we're not sure if it was the fall or just the general wildness of the waves. By the last day, though, he enjoyed running into the surf a bit. We managed to lure him into the water for this photo, which is almost a replica of last year's.



Truman and Mom coming off the beach and into the dunes, which was really Truman's favorite hangout.


On our last day we went into Port Isabel (the mainland) to see the pirate ship that's docked there. Truman was not a fan of this pirate.


Nor this one.


On the bridge that extends beyond the docked pirate ship and into the bay. You can just barely make out the Padre "skyline" behind us and to our right.


Truman on the last day. A bit of algae bloom blew in (Red Tide, it's called), and poor Truman developed a pretty bad rash on his legs. So most of our last afternoon was spent in the condo, letting Truman run around in a diaper and doing pretty much whatever he wanted, which included going up and down a step stool (pictured) and watching way too much Elmo on DVD. But that's what a vacation's all about, right?

H'ween

Yes, we hear you grumbling. There WILL be Padre photos. Someday soon. We hope.

In the meantime, here's a brief Halloween update. Truman went as a robot although he didn't really go door to door. But he got a lot of mileage out of the robot costume (very Cold War, in my opinion) at his daycare's Fall Fest and from a brief visit to our friend Wilson's house on Halloween.


In early October, when the idea of wearing a robot costume seemed really exciting and fun.


At Fall Fest with his BFF, Will (a dinosaur), who seems a little happier to be photographed than the robot.



At Wilson's house, and not happy to be in the costume. I think he was in mid-sentence in this shot.


The back view.


After eating a piece of the dark chocolate bar Wilson so generously gave him. It's official: he's addicted.