Owen's First Day of Preschool!

I can't believe he is old enough to start going to preschool!

Jimmy and I decided it would be good for Owen to start some kind of preschool.  We did some research and asked around about good preschools in the area.  We came across St. Paul's School.  It's a private christian school that goes from Pre-K starting at age two all the way to third grade.  Each year they will be adding another grade, so in two years they will go through 5th grade, which is the last grade for elementary school in Prince William County.  They have grown so much over the last couple years that they have expanded to another building.  Both buildings (and the church) are located in downtown Haymarket, so it's about a 5 minute drive for us!

I have to admit, I was nervous about whether or not it was the best place for him... not that I had heard anything bad whatsoever, in fact I've only heard wonderful things!  I think it's just what us mothers go through when sending their child off to daycare, with a nanny, or to preschool.  Anyway, all of my reservations flew out the window when I picked him up from his first day!

I have been talking about going to school for about a week, so Owen would be prepared and excited about the idea.  I picked him out a backpack with planes, trains, tractors, and fire trucks - all things he loves - so he would be excited to use it!  He even gets to wear a little uniform, I mean, does it get any cuter?!?

He was SUPER excited that morning!

We had to do the whole 'first day of school' photos!  OF COURSE!

He looks so tiny with his backpack on!

I showed him where his snacks were so he would know when he is in class.  Of course, he wanted to get them out and eat them NOW!

I dropped him off at the kiss and ride and felt so weird driving off without him and leaving him with people I really don't know!  Such a weird feeling... I think I drove very slowly and watched him as far as I could without being a stalker! Haha!

He only goes from 9 - 12 on Friday mornings... just a little something to get him used to being away from me, and let him be more independent.  Next year he will go two or three times a week.

Well, he had an absolute BLAST!  I could tell he was tired when I picked him up.  The first thing he said was "Mama, I played with a school bus!"

I asked him if he liked his teachers and he nodded yes with this 'oh yeah' expression on his face!  He even asked me later on that day if he could go back!

His 'cheese' face!

It was a wonderful experience for him and I'm excited for him to keep going each Friday!  Best of all, it gives me a few hours with just one kid!  Hah!

Yeah, this totally made me cry. Haha!

Best moment:  When we got home, he ran to Dylan and said "D, I missed you!!!" and gave him a hug and kiss!  Ahhh, brotherly love!  Sweetest thing ever!

Happy School Year!

Love,

Judi

Happy FIRST Birthday Dylan!

Birthday Boy!

Dylan's first birthday was such a success!  We had all our family over for a little party to celebrate our little D. Robby.  I chose a "little man" theme.  I thought it went well with his monthly pictures being ties.  

I made mustache cookies!

I made red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.  All homemade.
I love making their birthday cakes from scratch.  To me, it's a way to show them how much I love them!

Candy 'stache' station.

He was waiting by the window watching the neighborhood bustle about.
 I think he was looking for his guests!

I love spelling things out with the classic blocks.

Cupcakes for the guests - also homemade.  And of course, had to have the mustache toppers!

We had a hot dog bar.  Grilled hot dogs with an assortment of toppings - even chili cheese!

Veggies, because we have to at least try and be healthy.

Wet your whiskers drink station!

I set up a table with his baby book that I made and his photo book.

Let the cake smash begin!

Yeahhhh!

 Dylan devoured the cake!  He dug into that thing like it was his job!  He had so much fun demolishing it, adn it was so much fun for us to watch him!

Chilling in his birthday chair with some of his gifts!

Hanging the day after - party coma!

Thank you to all our friends and family who came to his party or got him a little something special.  It warms our hearts to see how many people love and adore our son.  Dylan Robert is one lucky little guy to have so many special people in his life!

Love to you all!

-Judi

Dylan is ONE!

12 Month picture coming soon.... I know, I'm SO late!

Sleep: Dylan is sleeping 12 hours a night - nothing new there.  He sometimes takes a small cat nap in the mornings if he needs it.  He usually goes down for a nap around 12:30 and will sleep 2-3 hours.  He does not need as much sleep during the day as Owen did.  

Size:  Little man is 23 pounds and 30.5 inches long.  He is 66% for weight and 88% for height!  He is almost as big as Owen!  If people didn't already ask me if they are twins, they will surely start this coming year.  He is wearing size 4 diapers, but I will probably put him in 5's here pretty soon.  He is wearing 12 month clothes.

Firsts:  Dylan is starting to say a lot more words.  He is now saying Mama, Dada, Uh-oh, doggie, and hi.  He is a little shy about talking right now, so he won't say it when you ask him to.  The only word he will say if you ask, is "Hi" and he will wave and smile!  

We had our first apple picking trip.  We went last year and Owen absolutely loved it.  This year we were really looking forward to taking them both.  They can run around and just be free!  Here are a few pictures from our adventure...

We went early enough in the season that we could still pick some peaches too!

Reason #5634 why I love Virginia...

Mama and son moment.

I love Jimmy's face in this picture!
Dylan bit right into the apple and ate an entire one while we were picking.  He LOVED it!

This is Owen when we wen last year.  I thought it was so funny that he did the same exact thing.
I swear it must be instinct to just bite into an apple like this.  We've never given them an apple, and I don't even eat mine like that - always cut them up.  So I have no idea where they learned this!

Likes:  Dylan likes hugging, cuddling, kissing, and being close.  He is going to make some girl very happy one day - as he is such a cuddler!

He really wants to be with the big kids.  Whenever I'm with my friends with other kids, or even just a play date with Owen's friends, Dylan is following them around and wants to play with them!

Just a swinging!

Visiting my friend with four kids (two youngest are twins a month younger than D).

Fun Moments:  

The ice cream man just happened to be driving through the neighborhood when Mimi and Pops were coming over!  The boys got lucky and got some ice cream.

He loves sticking out his tongue, haha!

Soaking up the last few moments my baby is still a baby...

Ooo, ee, ooo, I look just like Buddy Holly.
(Oh, oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore)

I just couldn't resist including this picture!

Owen found some big rocks while we were apple picking and had fun playing on them.

Nakey boys chasing each other!

I hope everyone has had a great start to their fall - I know we have!

Love,

Judi

Dylan is 11 Months!

Here is a montage of just how difficult these monthly pictures have become...

I don't want to sit in this chair!!!

Oh, wait... the remote!

Yummmmy remote!

Wait a second, what is THAT?!?

Give me back the remote!!!

Oh, hey!  Daddy is playing hide and seek!

And this was with me taking the pictures and Jimmy trying to distract Dylan and make him smile.  Yeah, two people...

Sleep: Dylan still sleeps 11-12 hours a night.  He has phased out the morning nap and now only naps once a day from 12 to 2.  He does go down for bed a little earlier, more at about 7:00 instead of 7:30, since he is only taking one nap now he gets tired a little earlier.

Size:  Not sure... I am guessing he is 22 pounds and 28 inches long?  He has his one year appointment beginning of September, so I'll know for sure then.  He is wearing size 4 diapers and all 12 month clothes.

Special Visits:  We didn't have any special visits this month, but we did have a special trip!  We went to Myrtle Beach for a week with my family.  We had so much fun and loved seeing the boys explore new things.  Dylan loved the beach and the pool (he is such a water baby).  He wouldn't stop eating the sand... you'd think he would stop after he ate it once and discovered it didn't taste good!  Nope, dude kept on eating it.  Maybe he liked the salty taste!

Just sharing a banana with Pops on the balcony.

The pool has a really shallow end where little kids can play.  D loved crawling in the water!

Jimmy was so good, swimming with D most of the time!

Owen loved kicking the water and splashing in the shallow end.

Swimming with Dada!

Chillin on the balcony.

Carousel time!  D was in awe of all the things to look at.

We went to the aquarium again this time.  Owen loves watching all the fish!

Clam baby!

Clam baby #2!

I love the clouds in this picture.  No filter!

Boy on the beach.

Owen loved dumping the sand all over himself!

Car ride home from the beach, mind you, it's a 1 mile drive...

Annnd #2 is passed out as well.

Firsts:  Dylan is WALKING!!!  He took his first steps several days ago.  He has done it a couple more times since.  He likes to hold onto a piece of furniture and walk away from the furniture.  We haven't been able to catch it on video yet, but soon!  

He is officially off of all puree foods.  He started refusing them a couple weeks ago and I have been trying to use up all the stuff I made and a few things I had bought for traveling, as to not waste food.  Now and then he will let me feed him a puree.  He is Mr. Independent and only wants to eat food he can pick up and feed himself.  Right now he eats everything we eat for all meals.  I'm savoring this stage and hope it doesn't change.  Owen started out this way and slowly became pickier.

He also said his first word... MAMA!  He usually will only say it when he is upset or wants me to pick him up or feed him.  My heart melts, and of course I oblige... who could deny that little 'mama' voice!

Likes:  Dylan loves to hug.  Each time we get him up from a nap or from bed in the morning he gives us the biggest hug!  He will wrap one arm around our neck and lay his head down and sqeeeeze so tight!  I just hold him for a few minutes and savor that little moment!

He looooves chasing Owen around the house.  When he gets him he just crawls on top of him and tries to hug him.  He loves rubbing his head on Owen or the dogs, I think it's his version of a hug!

Strumming the vent.
What one boy does, the other wants to do too!

Snack time on the deck in our muscle tee's!
I love this picture, they look so much like brothers here!

Speaking of the dogs, he absolutely loves them.  He crawls all over them and grabs their ears and tail.  They are mostly patient, but sometimes get annoyed and walk away.  He cracks up at them for no reason! Haha!

Here are some more sweet moments from this month!

The many faces of D. Rob.

Rip City.
This kid is so strong and muscular.

He fell asleep at lunch today!  Just one cracker left.  :)

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Love,

Judi