Summer is officially here!

Check out my new swimming pool. I was a little nervous at first, but now I love to splash! I have even gone swimming in a big pool with my grandma, and she says I'll jump from the side to her. I am preparing for my trip to the Florida beaches in August.

Don't worry little guy

Hey Braeden,

It's me, your big brother Austin. Don't you ever worry! I got your back from here on out. No matter what I am going to take care of you. You are the coolest thing to ever happen to me! I can't wait to play with you!

Best Buddies

Best friends from the very start!

Hugs and Kisses

Austin hugs and Braeden kisses!

Hugs for Braeden

The first of many hugs from Big Brother to Little Brother! So sweet! This one even came with a kiss from Jack.

Austin welcomes Braeden home!

Austin was very excited to welcome Braeden home!

Welcome Braeden!

Braeden William

Born May 15, 2007

10:52 p.m.

7 pounds

19 1/4 inches

Welcome to our family baby boy! We are so glad you are here and are healthy. You look so much like your big brother, but are still quite different. You scared us by coming 3 weeks early, but you are perfect! We love you!

Irish Twins

We have been told that since we are having our boys so close together, they are called Irish twins. What is so surprising is the fact that these two boys have such similar profile pictures from when they had a 32 week ultrasound picture. It will be interesting to see this second baby boy when he is born and see if he really looks like Austin. He will be here on June 1 at 12:00 noonish (a scheduled c-section) unless he decides to come a little early.

More Eggs!

When I was looking for Easter eggs, I really liked the blue ones the best. They were the same color as my shirt.

Easter Egg Hunting

Here I am in my back yard hunting for Easter Eggs with my dogs. We actually had to do this a few days after Easter since it was so cold and rainy for Easter weekend. Notice my dinosaur Easter basket that Maggie is checking out.

Hardt's Birthday Party

Hardt got a ball pit like mine for his first birthday. I had a blast playing in it with both my cousins (Hardt and Hope).

Me and Hardt

My cousin Hardt came over to my house to play. We had a great time! He is such an awesome kid! I am so glad that we will get to grow up together, and I am sure we'll get in trouble together in the future.

Texas Bluebonnets

Mom, flowers are for girls. Do I really have to sit here and take a picture in these flowers? Sigh, ok, but only because I love you.

Elephant? Where???

I saw a real elephant at the zoo, but I couldn't get as close as I could with this one. Isn't he cute?

A Day At The Zoo

I went to the zoo on a beautiful spring day with my Mommy, my "Auntie Lisa" and her daughter Mariana. We had so much fun looking at all the animals. I saw tigers, lions, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, apes, and many, many more! I can't wait to go back!

St. Patrick's Day

On St. Patrick's Day, we went to Kema and looked at the birds on the bay, walked around the carnival, and ate at a seafood restaurant. I'll tell you there were so many birds (which I call tweet tweets), I could hardly believe my eyes. I had a blast hanging out with my folks.

My Future's So Bright....

My future's so bright....I gotta wear shades! Notice the oh so cool blue flames on the side of my glasses. Mommy actually bought these for me when we lived in New York, but I couldn't wear them until now. I am just way too cool in my sunglasses!

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Once a year the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo comes to town. This is my first time to go, but I know I will be going for many years to come. I saw so many animals, including this cow. She is a milking cow, and I learned to say "moo" when I saw all the cows and heard them. I also got to take my picture with a real live cowboy. He let me get extra close to this cow.

A real, live pony ride!

Mommy and Grandma took me to ride a real live pony at the rodeo. I had such a good time. I am a natural cowboy, and I loved to bend forward and pet my pony's mane. I loved my horsey, and I am a regular Lone Ranger!

Boot scootin'

At the rodeo there were all of these huge boots! One day my foot just might fit in one this size at the rate I am growing.

No cabinet is safe from me!

If it is a cabinet you don't want me to get into, you better put a lock on it. I am an expert at opening cabinets, and I love to crawl inside. Mommy left this kitchen cabinet with things in it just for me, but I take the things out and try to get in myself. I know you like looking at my caboose!

Here a chick, there a chick...

Here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick chick! I saw so many cute, fuzzy, baby chicks at the rodeo with Grandma. When I saw the chickens, I let everyone know by saying "bock, bock."

The plane, the plane!

No, I am not a Nazi! I am pointing to the airplane in the sky. Not a single airplane goes by that I don't tell you it is there. I think this will be my seat on Daddy's boat when we go on the water. I can't wait!

A Ship Out of Water

I got to go hang out on Daddy's boat. We didn't take it in the water, but I didn't care. It was so much fun. I can't wait to go fishing with him. I already know what a fish is, and I call them by name..."ish."

Truckin'

I love riding in my Daddy's truck. He listens to the best music, and I can see for miles in front of myself! I have got to get a truck just like it when I am big enough to drive....or maybe Daddy will give me his?

Yee Haw!

Mommy took me to the mall and I got to ride a horse on a carousel. I thought it was so much fun. I only wish he bounced up and down more.

They call me the fireman...

They call me the fireman....that's my name! Makin' my rounds all over town puttin' out old flames. (It's a great country song by George Straight for those of you who don't know). I loved driving this firetruck with my buddies, Bert and Ernie.

Who knew 50 cents could be so much fun?

Coffee Table or Fort???

Coffee Table or Fort??? You decide...

Puzzled???

I am sooooo good at taking puzzle pieces out. You should see me. I am the BEST. I am not interested in putting them back in. I am way too good at taking them out.

Bubbles are magical

I can't believe there are such amazing, magical things in this world as bubbles. If you look closely you may see a few of them around me. I am also wearing my Valentine's shirt (a little early). Don't worry Emma, you are still my Valentine, but Mommy is my number one Valentine.

Elmo!

I have to say, that if you don't have an Elmo, you MUST get one. I LOVE my Elmo, and I give him lots and lots of hugs. Mommy may need to find a back up Elmo just in case this one ever goes missing. Thanks to my good buddy Will who gave Elmo to me (and Oscar) for my birthday. I rarely go anywhere without my buddy Elmo.

I'm all boy!

I am all boy. I love dirt. It feels good in your hands, in your hair, in your mouth, and anywhere else you can put it. I love dirt!

The Up Slide of Things

Crawling up the slide can be almost as fun as sliding down.....almost.

Weeeeeeeeeeee!

I love, love, love swinging at the park! Bring on the Spring weather, I am ready for the outdoors!

Rock Star Baby

Rockin' in the bathtub!!

Gotta have a blackmail bath photo

Mommy said that I may not like the fact that she has a picture of me in the bathtub later, but I don't mind sharing a picture of my favorite time of day with you.

Still Loving to Read

I am not losing any interest in books. I love this book from my Great Aunt Sheila and Great Uncle Tom. It is about Noah's Ark and it has finger puppet animals. How fun!

Exercise is Exhausting

I love to climb the stairs, but man, is it exhausting. Sometimes you just have to put your head down and take a breather on your way up. WHEW!

Adventures in Dinner...Part 2

Adventures in Dinner...Part 2

Mommy found out that I will eat a vegetable (so far just sweet potatoes) again if she lets me use a spoon. It takes a little practice, but you know, this spoon thing isn't so hard. Mommy says it is definitely something to try at dinner since I have bath time right afterwards. I don't see what the big deal is, I only got a little food in my hair and on my chin. It will dry soon enough.

Adventures in Dinner

Mommy calls this my "Adventures in Dinner" time. I guess I am pretty picky about the things I eat. I am really only into pasta with cheese and tomato sauce or grilled cheese sandwiches. I'll sample other things, but I usually spit them right out. Mommy gets frustrated for some reason at dinner when she cooks something and I won't eat it. I mean what's the big deal? If she would just make me lasagna or grilled cheese every night, everything would be fine. I guess I can add to my list of things to eat: ANYTHING sweet (cookies, cake, fruit, ice cream), cheerios, and pretty much any sweet breakfast foods. I am definitely like my Mommy here. I guess she ate too many yummy cupcakes in New York when I was in her belly. Here I am showing you just how much I love my pasta!