Collin's First Tooth

Collins first tooth came through on Cinco de Mayo. It was a very bittersweet moment for me when I discovered it. I was very excited and cheering for him, but I also had tears in my eyes knowing that was the end of his adorable gummy smile. Collin just laughed as I touched his tooth, laughed and cried all at the same time. I am just grateful I was alone so no one had to witness my embarrassing Mommy moment. Michael and I had just been talking the day before that we were going to miss his gummy smile. We could tell that he would probably get a tooth in the near future, I just wasn't prepared for it to be the very next day! 

But as much as I miss his baby smile, I sure think he looks adorable with his little tooth!

Can you spot it?? 

Just 2 weeks later and it's come through lots more! And the one next to it is so close!
Every morning I check to see if it has cut through yet. 

And just for me to remember- teething has been a bit of a struggle, but I wouldn't say it has been terrible. We have had some naps/nights where we have had to give him some Tylenol. But mostly we have just been using teething rings and wet wash cloths for him to gnaw on. Our pediatrician doesn't recommend any numbing stuff since it can numb their throats and be dangerous. We have also had some nights where he has woken up randomly around midnight. But I don't think that was really from teething, but more from us checking on him before going to bed. He did have a week where he was waking up early at like 5:30-6...not sure if that was really teething or just a fluke. Thankfully that week is over! But overall he has been his normal happy, smiley self...with a few bouts of fussiness in there. ;)

Update: His second tooth came through on 5/24 (of course the day after I posted this). He got up from a nap and it wasn't through, and then after a super fussy hour I checked again and there it was! It amazes me how fast it happens! And makes me sad thinking of how much it must hurt :( 

Mother's Day

I had the most wonderful first Mother's Day! (although, Michael and I celebrated Mother's and Father's day before Collin was born) Michael went above and beyond- he really set the bar high for Father's Day. Perhaps that was his strategy all along ;)

I have to start out by saying that Michael did all the menu planning, shopping, cooking and clean-up all on his own! I offered to pick stuff up when I went grocery shopping but he told me not to worry, he had it under control. He went out Saturday afternoon and when he came home he told me I couldn't open the fridge and I was banned from the kitchen while he was cooking. I didn't argue and had fun trying to guess what he was making based on the smells.

I feel like I pretty much ate my way through the day! All but one of the things Michael made was a new recipe, and for the most part they all turned out really tastey. For breakfast he made an arugula and smoked salmon frittata. It turned out great, our only critique is that perhaps the smoked salmon was a little too overpowering in this context. But we will definitely be trying more frittata's in the future! He also made a yummy, frothy mango smoothie. It has a name, but I have forgotten it. Either way it was cool, refreshing, and very delicious. Dinner was such a great surprise and a little walk down memory lane! Michael made St. Louis style ribs with a dry rub- my favorite style of ribs! We both agree that the best ribs we have had were during our summer in St. Louis. We also had an arugula salad and my Grandma's fluffy rolls. And later that night Michael made Strawberry shortcake. And Michael's only mishap of the day- he tried cooking the shortcakes on wax paper instead of parchment. Thankfully I figured out his mistake pretty quickly and the shortcakes were saved! It was sweet, he thought he was being helpful by using up some of the paper in the drawer that we don't use as often, he just didn't know there was a difference between wax and parchment. :)

Breakfast in bed turned into breakfast at the table since Collin wasn't content staying in bed with me for so long.

My mouth is watering just thinking about those ribs. Let's make them again Honey!

I was also spoiled with gifts! Michael brought home a little bouquet of flowers on Saturday. He always tries to get daffodils, since those are my favorite, but they didn't have any so he picked out a yellow bouquet instead. And on Sunday he and Collin gave me a sweet card and a little box with a pretty ring in it. I told Michael that I wanted something a little sentimental to remember this first Mother's Day, and I think he did a really good job! He did say that he tried looking for something with Collin's birthstone, but I guess October isn't the best looking month.

And to top the day off Collin was a great little boy! He let us sleep in until 7! And the whole family got to nap during his morning nap. He was very well behaved during church. And he even took a late afternoon nap when we got home from church, which he rarely does. Plus, he looked extremely adorable in his sailboat romper.

I am so grateful for my happy little boy that has given me the title of Mom! I love his grins, contagious laughter, rolls, slobbery kisses, and cuddles. He brings greater purpose and light into my life! I am so content being a mom, and it brings greater joy and satisfaction than working or going to school ever did. I grateful that Michael works so hard to provide us and so that I can stay home with Collin. I am also grateful for all the women in my family and the wonderful examples they are to me. I was thinking of each one of them over the weekend and the characteristics that I want emulate. I was never really nervous or worried about becoming a mom and I know that that is in part because of the great examples I have had throughout my life. Thank you! And a special thank you to my wonderful mom who has so patiently taught and guided me through life! And thank you to my mother-in-law who raised such a wonderful young man, who is the perfect husband for me, and has become the best daddy to Collin!

 Thank you Michael for making me feel so important and loved! I love you! Now to start planning for Father's Day! ;)

Guerne, TX

San Antonio has a Fiesta celebration every year, we hear its basically an excuse to drink. Events are going on for a couple weeks, but the last Friday of Fiesta can get pretty crazy downtown so Michael got the day off! We decided to escape the crowds and headed about 40 minutes north to explore historic Guerne, TX (which is technically part of New Braunfels now). We went with the Bird's and were all able to squeeze into their mini van for the drive.

Guerne is a little historic town. I always love walking around places like that and walking in and out of the overpriced gift shops ;) Unfortunately, that can be a little tricky with kids and strollers so we only went into a couple, but it was still fun. We also checked out Guerne Hall- the oldest dance hall in Texas. It was such a unique old building and they still have shows there almost every night! Michael and I were thinking it would be fun to go one night...until we saw all the ash trays sitting around. Probably not a very pleasant environment when its crowded, but we loved it when it was empty! Oh, and it was where George Strait performed when he was just getting started with his career!

We ate lunch at the Grist Mill for lunch. Such a cool restaurant! The only way I can think of describing it is it is like you are eating among ruins. We ate outside along the river, and it was still early enough so the weather was perfect. And the food was delicious. If you are in the area I highly suggest you stop by!

We finished off the day with a few hours at the outlets in San Marcos. These outlets are huge- bigger than the Camarillo outlets I'm used to. We barely made a dent in them. But we did find some good finds- clothes for all of us and a very cute Easter basket for Collin (only 4.75 at Pottery Barn!- best find of the day!)

365 Days in Texas

Since I never posted anything about our move to Texas, I thought I would do a little post in honor of being in San Antonio for 1 year. It is really hard to believe that its already been a year! And I am happy to report that this year of living in Texas has been better than I expected. We survived a summer, I loved a snow-free winter, and we enjoyed some perfect, but short-lived, spring days! I really was not looking forward to moving here, and I still don't want to live here forever, but it's a good fit for our family for now.

The morning the guys hit the road in the truck. Becca and I flew the next day. 

We have been fortunate to live in a great ward, and have made lots of great friends! I love going to play groups, girl's nights,and book club. Michael loves his job (despite the long hours) and works with some great people. Collin and I love going downtown and meeting him for lunch and his coworkers love it when the babies come visit :)
We have been able to do some exploring and sight seeing over the last year, and there is still lots that we want to do and see! We have especially loved trying many of the BBQ places. Our favorite so far is the Salt Lick. And I have been pleasantly surprised that there is more to do outdoors in Texas Hill Country than I anticipated.

And despite the distance from our families we have been fortunate to see them multiple times over the last year. And Collin and I are looking forward to our long trip to CA this summer, while Michael is busy working hard to make sure San Antonio stays within budget ;)

My first time in SA, Feb 2013, and the weekend we decided to move here

Same spot October 2013 

All in all Texas has been good to us! Its always interesting to look back over time and see where life takes you. I can honestly say that I never thought it would bring us to Texas!