Wrenda had her baby!

For those of you who know our friends, Wrenda & Justin, we just got a phone call that she had her baby last night around 11pm. They had a little boy and named him Gavin Lee. He weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce. Sounds like her labor went quickly for a first time mom. Less than twelve hours! I'm jealous! :-)

Houston's Check-up

Apparently Houston partied a little too hard for his birthday this year because he came down with a nasty cold last night. He threw up several times last night and this morning and he took three naps today. We had an appointment for his two-year check-up today. He fell asleep on the way there and it took me a good 10 minutes to get him to wake up enough to get out of the car and walk in to the doctor's office. I couldn't carry him because I had to carry Brody. Dr. Mas says he just has an upper respiratory thing ("the common cold"). Other than that she said he looks great. He weighs 30-3/4 pounds which is the 85th percentile and he is 36 inches tall which is the 93rd percentile. Big boy ... go figure! That's just how we do it.

In other news, I went to the gym tonight for the second time this week ... go me. Brett and I made a deal that every monday and wednesday he comes home and watches the kids so I can go to the gym and then when I get home I keep them out of his hair so he can study for his PE exam. The exam is October 27th so he's got a lot to do in only two months. You should see the stack of study materials and reference manuals he has to go through! Better him than me. I can't seem to stay focused on one thing for very long at all. You should see my stack of unfinished craft projects and half read self-help books. Yikes.

Houston and Brody at Houston's birthday party yesterday. Shows you how big Brody really is sitting next to a two-year-old. And Houston is big for his age too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOUSTON!!! I can't believe he's two already! We had a great birthday party yesterday afternoon. He had a great time and got lots of great presents.

The Cousins: Lindsay, Eric and Celena

Houston learned to swim in the pool at Queen's Gate. He has to have his water wings on but he can swim all the way across the pool! I'm such a proud mama!

From left to right: my cousin Lindsay, my cousin Eric, Eric's wife Tai. We had them over to our cottage at Queen's Gate for dinner. That was a fun night. Makes me miss living by some of my own family. Or at least makes me want to visit more often.

Isn't his hat just the cutest?!?! I found this outfit at Target in Gainesville. The fabric has an SPF so it was great to wear in the pool and I only had to put sunscreen on his arms and legs.

Brody is ready to go to the pool. He really enjoyed swimming in the pool. Unfortunately, he didn't get a chance to dip in the ocean because of the red tide.

Brody was getting some quality thumb sucking time in while Brett was enjoying a lazy afternoon reading a book.

Houston and I sat in the rocking chairs in front of our room at Queen's Gate waiting for Daddy to bring back some breakfast. This is where we stayed for the last three nights of our vacation. It's a great little place on Bradenton Beach. You can check it out at www.queensgateresort.com.

Me and Brody

Brody kicked back enjoying his vacation.

Austin and Houston. Got some strange flash thing going on in their eyes in this pic but it's the only one I got of them together.

Here's Tonia and Austin at my mom's house. Tonia is married to my cousin Robbie and Austin is their son. I think that makes Houston and Austin second cousins.

mmm ... yummy cake

My mom had a family party for Houston and Brody the day we got back from the beach house. Here is Houston feeling a little shy as everyone sings happy birthday to him.

Here's Brett wishing he had a boat like Pappy Tom's.

Houston enjoyed the boat ride back to the mainland so much that he fell asleep and drooled on himself!

the view as we headed back to the mainland

Brody chillin' at the beach house

Pappy Tom's beach house on Little Gasperilla Island. This is where we spent the first few days of our vacation. It's a really neat place. You have to take a boat to get there. Everyone drives around the island on golf carts. And as the sign says at the dock, "this is an island. if you didn't bring it, you don't have it."

Pappy Tom and the boys

a day on the beach ... with a litte red tide ... yuck!

i'm cool

Brody's first trip to the beach

Headed to the beach

The sunset on Little Gasperilla Island

Brody's Blanket

Look at the beautiful blanket my grandma crocheted for Brody. It is sooo comfortable. I think Brody really likes it too. He likes to be wrapped up and his new blanket drapes over him nice and snug. She made up the stitch pattern herself. Isn't it pretty? It looks like ripples and ribbing at the same time. Thanks Grandma!!

Brody has become very playful and expressive over the past week or so. I love this stage, it's so much fun just to make them smile and laugh.