Dallas Aquarium

Last Saturday after our family photos, we headed downtown to take the kids to the Dallas Aquarium. Tom and I had gone a couple years earlier for a wedding and we thought the kids would enjoy it.

Everyone else must have had the same idea as me because there was a pretty long line to get in. Thank goodness it moved pretty fast because it was HOT outside!

Once we got in, it was still extremely crowded and if anyone knows Tom - he hates crowds and can get pretty grouchy. Luckily, since he knew how much fun Tommy would have, he kept his grumbling to a minimum. :)

Tommy loved looking at all the animals. His favorite were the penguins, flamingos & the sharks. He is on his big boy kick and instead of riding in the stroller most of the time, he wanted to walk by his mommy and daddy. Grace just hung out with daddy in the baby bjorn. She did a great job and loved looking at the animals and watching the people - yes - she's a big people watcher.

Tom and Grace hanging out

Penguins

Tommy looking up at the sharks swimming overhead

Such a big boy!

Flamingos

Family Photos & Grace's 4 Month Pictures

This morning we went in for our first official family photos with all 4 of us. :)

The session was great, both kids cooperated AND we got quite a few pictures with all 4 of us looking at the camera!

After the family photos, we took Grace's 4 month pictures. She looked cute as always and has the cutest smile.

Tom's Birthday Celebration

Last Saturday, we hired our first babysitter (we usually use grandparents or our neighbors) to watch Tommy and Grace so we could go out to dinner for Tom's birthday celebration.

We ended up going to Rick's Chophouse (http://www.rickschophouse.com/) in downtown McKinney. We love the downtown area and have been to a couple places down there (winery and Mexican restaurant), but we kept talking about going to Rick's and finally had an excuse to go.

I loved the atmosphere in the restaurant and we had a great waiter. I think we were there close to 2 hours just enjoying the food and wine. Oh, and when I called to make the reservation, they had asked if we were celebrating something special - and when we got there, the manager actually came up to introduce himself to us and gave Tom his choice of dessert on the house. Sweet!

Their famous Pecan Pie - yum!

Grace and Rice Cereal

Last week, we let Grace try rice cereal for the first time. Even though you can't tell from the pictures, she actually did a good job and managed to get some of it down.

Grace's 4 Month Appointment

Thank goodness we were able to schedule the appointments for the same time (see post below).

We took Grace in for her 4 month checkup yesterday and the doctor said that she looks good. She has some little pimple things on her chin, but he said that was from all her drooling. She had to get 2 shots and after turning really red (I think she was so mad she couldn't get the scream out fast enough), she settled down pretty fast after her daddy consoled her.

Here are the stats from Grace's appointment:

• Weight 15 lb. 1 1/2 oz. (78%)
• Height 25 in. (79%)
• Head 16 in. (39%)

I was a little surprised about the weight percentage. She isn't a big eater and goes all night without eating. Oh well, at least she is healthy.

Here are a few things that little Gracie is doing at 4 months:

• taking her pacy out of her mouth and holding it
• reaching out and grabbing things
• talking a lot
• she's a big smiler
• loves taking in everything going on - she's content just sitting in her swing looking around
• loves watching me and her daddy exercise - she even participates in the Kenpo workout
• drinks 4 oz. of formula per serving (we just switched her from 3 1/2 oz.)
• rolled over for the first time yesterday - good job Gracie!

How precious!

Tommy showing his sister some love (she loves her big brother)

Tommy's 2 Year Check-up

Yesterday, we took Tommy in for his 2 year checkup.

The doctor said he looked great and he's a smart little boy. I could have told him that. Tommy also had to get one shot and he didn't even cry. I did a great job or distracting him with questions while she gave it to him. I was so proud of him!

Here are the stats from the appointment:

• Weight 31 lb. 8 oz. (86%)
• Height 35 1/2 in. (74%)
• Head 17 3/4 in. (84%)

At least my little fellow is proportionate. :)

Dang he's cute!

What a surprise - he's jumping around.

Tommy going to Begas to get beer

This video I took of Tommy yesterday is so cute. Ever since we got back from Vegas, Tommy has a hankering to go there himself. :)

Fourth of July

On Monday, we had a few friends over to celebrate July 4th.

Everyone came over around 5:30 to we could hang out on the patio (in the 100 degree temperature), watch the kids play and barbecue.

Grace playing with her toys

Tommy and Charlie sitting at the picnic table

We headed up the street around 8:30 so we could get a good spot (which we did) and settled in to watch the fireworks. This was actually the first year that Tommy was truly interested in them and he kept putting his hands over his mouth from all the excitement and would say "They are so pretty." Grace was also really good during the fireworks. She actually sat still the whole time watching them.

Waiting for the fireworks to start

I love how Tommy has his hands

Happy 4th!

Las Vegas 2011 (Part 2)

Last Thursday, my parents came (or down I guess) to watch the kids for us so Tom and I could take a trip to Vegas. We planned this trip to celebrate our anniversary and both of our birthdays.

We got to Vegas around 12:45 am and headed straight to our hotel to check in. This trip we tried out Aria Hotel and Casino. It's one of the newer hotels and VERY nice inside. One of the guys I work with had a contact there and we were able to get a corner suite for an amazing price. We actually stayed on the top floor of the hotel and loved our room (except for the temperature - it never got below 78 - yikes!) The room was a little over 900 sq. feet, had 1 1/2 bathrooms and floor to ceiling windows in each room (including the bathroom).

Friday morning (after staying up until 3:30) we got up pretty early and headed down to the pool for a couple of hours. It was nice and hot down there. :) We went back to the room, got cleaned up and then went to the Miracle Mile mall so I could hit up the H&M Store and have lunch. After that, we pretty much walked the strip (and yes - I went to the M&M store) and gambled. We ended up having dinner around 11:00 that night at a restaurant in the hotel.

About to head to the pool

Lunch at The Cheeseburger Stand

Saturday, we got up pretty early again and headed to Mon Ami Gabi (in Paris) for our usual brunch. It was yummy as usual. We gambled a little and headed downtown - which was a mistake - we didn't have much luck at all down there. That night for dinner, I had made reservations for Serendipity 3, mainly so I could get a frozen hot chocolate. I'm not going to lie, the food wasn't that great, but the dessert was! We gambled the rest of the night (mostly at Aria - it's a nice place) and then headed up to bed at a normal time - before midnight - the lack of sleep from the other nights caught up with us.

Brunch at Mon Ami Gabi

Tom playing The Hangover Game

We had a table right on the strip

Look at that Frozen Hot Chocolate

Waiting for the tram

Sunday, we packed up and then went to do a little more gambling before heading to the airport. My dad and Tommy picked us up around 4:30 and then once we got home - visited with my parents for about an hour or so before they left.

Tommy checking my purse to see if I had any money left.