Happenings and Changes!

On our morning walk by the river

Earlier this week, Ken, who has never met a stranger, helped a lady at Loewe's who was fixing her lawnmower. She happened to work for the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort right here in Bastrop, and invited us to visit, so we decided to treat ourselves as a celebration. Though it's only about 10 minutes away, it felt like we were miles away from home. We naively believed that we'd be one of a couple of families sharing the pool, so we were super surprised by the number of people and kids everywhere!!

My great guys

However, we had a great time. We got an upgraded room (with a balcony), and after we ran into Cynthia the next morning, she bought me a coffee and comped our breakfast, which was a delicious buffet! I hope that Travis is as outgoing as Ken--he always meets the nicest people!

We traded off getting massages and playing with Travis in the pool. He was one tired baby, there was so much going on that he would not fall asleep for anything! After 2 hours of trying, he finally fell asleep about 10pm, but woke multiple times to throw up...of course, waking us up in the process. Poor baby got so overheated that it made him sick. He's fine now, and has slept most of the day to catch up on his sleep, and now we know that 3 hours by the pool in this heat is a bad idea. For some reason, we forgot to get photos of us in the pool, but we did get some others.

Sleepy, sleepy baby

Ready for a nap!

We had to visit the horses:  Julius and Cesear

Travis seems to really enjoy the water, though the Hyatt was not his first swimming experience. Last Saturday, we were invited to a pool party, and had a great time with some of Ken's co-workers from ASI.

In the pool!

Sylin' with hats

Bob and Travis meeting

Tuesday, May 24 was my good friend Bob's 60th birthday, and we were invited to a surprise party at the Oasis. Boy, was he ever surprised! I can't help but feel that we were the highlight of his day. As soon as Bob saw that we were there, he made a beeline straight towards us, and Travis went right to him! Later that night, I heard Bob introduce me as his daughter, which, I have to say, made my day! I used to work for Bob, and when he and his wife Candy decided to move to Austin, TX, they brought me along as part of the family, which I've been ever since. Candy passed away several years ago, but I think of her every time I use my sewing machine because it was once hers. I feel that everything I make on it is a tribute to her.

Me, Bob and Trav

Finally some of you may have already heard that Ken has accepted a position with a company called RackSpace. It is here in Austin, and promises to be a new challenge, which Ken is looking forward to. I know that he'll miss his friends at ASI, but we're excited about this new change in our lives.

Happy Easter to All

Family Photo

We had a wonderful Easter; this year, we visited Pappaw and Mimi in Baytown, and then hunted Easter eggs in Jasper. Travis had such fun with his cousins and loved being spoiled by aunts, uncles, pappaw, mimi, mawmaw, cousins and everyone else we met. That boy is going to turn out rotten!! I've been waiting for the stranger anxiety to kick in, and sometimes it seems like he's a little uncomfortable when we're not around, but I've seen family pass him around for hours, and he's still happy and giggly. I'm thankful he loves people so much, but I confess I still kept an eye out "just in case."

Travis had such fun playing with his cousin Adrian, who is a month younger. They sat in Uncle Tim and Aunt Sherryl's laps in Jasper. Adrian kept trying to take Trav's binky and finally succeeded. It was hilarious! I love watching Travis laugh with MamMaw, and the aunts and uncles. They know just what to do to make him giggle.

The nursing strike continues; we are now at day 8. My heart is no longer breaking, and I'm starting to turn to formula. I'm not entirely happy about it, but I have such trouble drawing out milk that I know I can't do it for the next 4 months. I know that he'll be fine, and that he still loves me (well, as much as an 8-month-old understands love). I will check with the Dr., but I'm preparing myself to be done with pumping when T turns 9mos.

Life rarely sticks to the plan I have mapped out in my head, and I generally try to go with the flow. But this threw me for such a loop that I was wholly unprepared for it. Ken recently reminded me that I need to be flexible; we strive to live drama-free lives, and I've been acting pretty dramatic lately (some might call it childish). There is generally a reason behind everything that happens, and though we can't see it now, someday we will. I just need to trust God that all will be well, and that Travis will still be a smart, happy, fun baby--even on formula!

Easter egg hunting mission-impossible-style

Put the egg in the basket

Yep, right here...in the basket

Yay!

With Aunt Sherryl, Uncle Tim, and cousin Adrian (who just took his binky)

Pappaw with his grandchildren 

Travis and cousin Alyssa

Fun in the Sun

Our Fam at the AZ Sonoran Desert Museum

Recently, we drove to Tucson, Arizona, to visit my family. Travis got to visit his Nana, meet his great-grandparents, his Tata, great-aunts/uncles, cousins, second cousins and some of my good friends. Luckily, he is such a sweet, happy baby and traveled really well. He is really starting to move around, and scooted around Nana and Tata's house, and we walked around the neighborhood where I grew up. It was so fun.

We traveled through a cave (Carlsbad Caverns), which Travis seemed to enjoy, and drove through the Saguaro National Monument to see cactus (apparently, it is a hot destination for out-of-towners). We got this awesome backpack that Ken used to carry Travis around all over the place. It was nifty.

The Coolest Backpack Ever!

We went shopping with Nana, traveled to Bisbee and the Arizonan Sonoran Desert Museum. T-Rav was a hit wherever we went, and I found myself so proud of our great baby. I'm glad that he also got to meet my grandparents. It was so sweet watching them together...

Travis with Nana

Travis with Grammy

Travis with Grampy

Travis with Nana and Tata

Anniversary Cruise

Well, it's time we updated our blog with news of our anniversary cruise! We had a fabulous time - met two other wonderful couples - and even ran into some fellow Bastropians!

We lounged by the pool, read books, played Blackjack, and napped, napped, napped!!!

We had a great time snorkeling in Jamaica, though none of our underwater pictures came out. Our excursion to snorkel with the stingrays in the Grand Caymans got canceled due to bad weather, so we ended up going shopping. We got Ken a new watch and me a diamond cross necklace to celebrate our anniversary.

Ken joined a blackjack tournament, and has a t-shirt to prove it. While Ken was playing, I fell on the stairs (did I mention the bad weather?) and made my way to the infirmary to have my cut cleaned up.

We made some good friends and enjoyed ourselves immensely. All in all, we had a lovely, romantic time on our anniversary cruise!

I'll post some pics soon.