Firsts

Most firsts are happy occasions for babies. We're excited for Sophie's first Christmas, to be followed only a few weeks later by her first birthday. We've been taking pictures and video of her first steps and it's amazing to watch her grow. But now she has the honor of a first her brother hasn't hit yet. A few weeks ago, I flew to San Antonio for my Grandfather's funeral. Daddy couldn't get time off for traveling and the last minute tickets were expensive, so he stayed in California with Austin, and I flew to Texas with Sophie, who was still young enough to fly free. I was so lucky to be able to do that. She met great uncles and aunts and even a great great uncle and a great great aunt, and my some of my mother's cousins. It was a wonderful trip, even though it was such a sad occasion. He was 95 years old and was married to my Grandmother for 71 years. He was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetary in San Antonio. Sophie cried during the gun salute, but was quiet and sweet through the service. And she held my Grandmother's hand. I was worried about bringing her to such a somber occasion, but she was really very good. And I hope someone brings a baby to my funeral, when the time comes, because everyone seemed glad to see her. I don't really know what the etiquette is for sharing pictures from funerals, but this blog is ultimately for Austin and Sophie, so someday we can all look back together at all the things we did. So, in chronological order, here are the pictures from the trip...

We love and miss you all.

Sophie Couture

Just to be absolutely clear, we actually do buy clothes for the baby occasionally. But not that many, because, OMG y'all, we get more cute little dresses, pajamas, onesies and whatnots than some starlets. It's pretty awesome. And we wanted to take a minute to share some favorites...

Thanks, Great Aunt Missy!

Thanks, Great Great Aunt Nonie!

Thanks, Kaki!

But in particular, today we want to thank Great Grandmother for this lovely dress! She wants to have a print made of Sophie wearing it, so we took a few pictures for her to choose from. A few, like a few hundred... here are our favorites :)

Look who's learned to sit up!

We also had a special request to put one of those headbands girl babies always wear on her head. So here are some of those too...

Week In Review

We welcomed some old friends to California!

We had a visit with Grandpa and Mere!

It is impossible to take a picture of Austin looking at the camera at the same time anyone else does.

Sophie did some modelling!

And discovered grass!

Zomg!

We mastered the thumbs up!

We invented a game called, "throw water on chickens." Understandably, the chickens were enthusiastic participants, because the rules required lots of running away on their part. He never got close.

 We also watered plants and danced in puddles.

Easter Weekend

Easter is one of Mom's favorite holidays... mostly because she really likes coloring eggs and setting up fun environments for Mr. Austin. We got all dressed up on Saturday to go see Kaki, who brought us this fabulous bunny ball.

And check out this Easter basket, lovingly stuffed with toys by Mom and Dad... PLUS a handmade felt board with felt Easter basket and felt eggs! We're so fancy!

Most mombloggers would probably just post those beautiful pictures and call it a day. But Mommy is not most mombloggers. She thinks there is a lack of honest toddler experiences online, which leads to crazy expectations and disappointments (um, mostly her own). So, in the interest of full disclosure, here is the actual video of Austin's Easter morning...