Things to Do in Round Rock: Round Rock Art Academy Camp.

Ava has had a blast this summer so far, between being home and playdates and camps. One of the camps that we've done for a couple weeks is a two day a week art camp at the Round Rock Art Academy. While I have my share of strengths, the creative arts - particularly drawing, painting, etc - are not amongst them. I'm lucky to ink out a decent stick figure. Thankfully, with the help of the Art Garden camp, I was wise enough to delegate Ava's art education to the pros, and I'm so glad I did. On just the first day, she painted this picture of me, and I love it. In fact, it's on my nightstand, where it will likely stay...forever. LOVE <3 p="">

Zilker Park Fun!

We've posted about Zilker Park a time or two, but it never stops being a great way to spend a summer morning, especially when you find yourself with a few hours between things to do! We ended up with some time to kill between getting our Hillary tickets and actually having to be in line on Friday, so we went over to spend some time at Zilker Park, riding the train, playing on the playscape and eating snow cones! The kiddos loved it :)

As complete as I feel our family is, it does make me a bit sad to know that my days with a baby snuggled up sleeping in the crook of my neck are numbered :(

The Little Gym of Round Rock: Jack is a Bug!

As you already know, Ava has long been taking classes at The Little Gym of Round Rock, and absolutely loves it. The teachers, the gym, the curriculum - it's been such a great fit for our family. So when Jack went mobile recently, I figured it was high time for Jack's own introduction to the gym!

The youngest class they offer is the Bugs class, starting around four months of age. We just started a couple of weeks ago while Jack was seven months old, so he'll only stay in the Bugs class for the summer (until he's ten months, when they graduate to the next level), but he's really loved it so far! 

The first week I wasn't sure of what to expect, and it could've gone better. Jack was in what might be rare form for less intense babies, but what was kind of par for the course for him, and we ended up going to sit in the multipurpose room mid-class so I could calm him down. Thankfully the instructor is used to babies and surely had seen it all, so no one even batted an eyelash.

Aside from the mid-class fit-throwing, our first class went great! It started out with us introducing ourselves and our babies, and then leading them through a series of stretches and warm-up exercises. After that, we do an activity incorporating a new motor or cognitive skill; in the case of our first class, we made music and tapped two rods together in different ways. Or, in Jack's case, he chewed on the sticks and then screamed when I took them away. Same difference.

We've also spent time exploring the gym on our own, doing front rolls over rolling gym equipment with our instructor, grabbing the rings and hanging out on the air track. So many wonderful sensory experiences! Each class ends with bubbles, easily one of Jack's favorite parts. He crawls all over the floor trying to pop (or really smash!) them. He also loves the bouncy balls that we practice rolling and playing with, except I think it's because the big white button where they get inflated has led him to believe that they are giant boobies and he attacks them as such.

One of the benefits of the class, aside from the obvious stimulation and development for Jack, is that it is a great opportunity to meet other moms with babies who are similarly-aged and who are in a similar place in their life. It can be really isolating having a young baby, and having support and knowing others are going through the same thing can really help to get you through what can be a lonely time!

We can't wait for our next class!

Wordless Wednesday: Why My Abs Are a Work in Progress.

This is what happened the other day when I got down on the ground to do my daily ab workout for June's 30-day challenge:

My abs might not be perfect, but my little family is :)

Jack: 8 Months Old!

Jack's 8 months old, y'all! 2/3 of the way to his first birthday! Holy. Moly.

In other news, he's doing some cool stuff, namely, pulling himself up and standing with support. In fact, though he's not physically capable yet, he wants so, so badly to walk, and gets so excited when he's standing! He's even attempting to cruise around a bit by reaching between the coffee table and the couch while standing and moving slowly down each. He can also now push himself into a sitting position from crawling, and can go from standing to sitting on his own. It'll be no time before he's walking, running, skipping...you name it! 

Here's my little snuggle bug on his eight month birthday:

The posed pics:

And then a dose of reality...

In case it's not obvious above, he's teething in a major way. Chewing. on. everything (and grouchy to boot!) C'mon already, teefers!

At eight months, Jack:

- weighs 18 lbs, 5 oz.

- is " long

- has two bottom teeth, as well as the beginnings of some on top

- still intolerant of milk protein in my milk, though seeming to react slightly less. WOOHOO!

- pulling up to standing, and standing with support

- still army crawling, flash lightning style

- wearing 6-9/6-12 mo. clothing

- such a mama's boy! Your face lights up anytime I come into the room or come towards you with my arms out to hold you, and you've started to put your arms up to be held. So adorable!!! I love my mama's boy!

- are starting to do some rudimentary signing and communicating, particularly "all done" during mealtimes.

- are still breastfed only, though you eat a bit of solids at breakfast and dinner. Though I try to give you baby food sometimes, you much prefer to feed yourself, and we do a majority of baby-led weaning style of solids introduction, giving you all sorts of little nibbles from our plate. Some of your current items include tomatoes, french bread, turkey, ham, watermelon (one of your favorites!), bananas, strawberries, oatmeal, eggs, bacon, toast, rice, bakes beans, black beans, pulled pork, and more! You're a great little eater!

- You nurse on demand still, which is still often during the day, and once to twice at night. 

- You sleep curled up on your left side next to me, nursing when you need and usually with your body touching mine. You're so sweet and snuggly.

I love you so much, baby boy! I can't wait to see what this month will bring!

My Little Picasso.

Ava's spent a couple half days this week at art camp, and what she made during the painting-focused day kind of blew my mind. She's been crazy into drawing pictures of me lately, so I wasn't terribly surprised when I head that she chose to paint a portrait of me, but I was, however, surprised when her art teacher handed me this:

Wow! 

For the record, her teacher helped her to trace over her drawing to make it easier to paint, but still - I was quite impressed. This framer is now sitting on my nightstand.

Happy Father's Day (A Week Belated..)

 You continuously amaze me with your attention to and love for our children, and how much they admire and adore you. I love you more every day for it. Happy Father's Day to the best father I know, and the kind of father every child should grow up with.