The Duck Tour

As every good tour guide knows, visitors to Austin will have a great time on land and sea on The Duck Tour.

Driving the duck tour 'boat'

Around the House

Spending time in the sandbox Playing t-ball with Courtney. What a hit!

Grammy bought a new juicer and we had to try it out....daily. She is so excited about the juicer that she sounds like an info-mercial. She's good though, because mommy ended up getting one too. Yum!

Tasting the carrots before they become juice

Family Cookout

We have a lot of family in Texas and when they found out Gramps, Grammy and Aunt Courtney were coming, they wanted to see them too. So.....we had them all to Austin for a family cookout. It was a lot of fun and I always enjoy seeing my cousins and other family.

Grammy and Tatie

Girl Power
Cousins John and Thomas, Uncle Rob and Courtney

Being silly after eating way too much

Family Visit

My Grammy, Gramps and Aunt Courtney came to visit us all the way from Wyoming and stayed for a whole week! We had such a good time and I made sure to show them all around Austin and keep them really, really busy. Mommy says it was their 'recruiting trip' because Gramps retires next year and they're considering moving here to Austin to be closer to us. I would L.O.V.E that and I know mommy and daddy would, too. Here are some of our adventures from this past week.

Aunt Courtney meeting Tate for the 1st time

Gramps meeting my baby for the 1st time.

All aboard! On the Zilker Train.

Grammy giving me my first sno-cone

Riding with Aunt Courtney

Furry Friend

Look what my daddy found in the garage at my house today. Mommy says we're moving....now!

Friday night Trippism

We went to dinner tonight and since it was Friday, a band was playing in the restaurant courtyard. Tripp really wanted to go outside and see the band and dance but he was told that we would all go hear the band after dinner. So, after dinner he excitedly runs out to the band stage and realizes the band is on a break.

Tripp: The band isn't playing anymore, damn it!

Well, all I can say is he at least used the word correctly.

8 months

Tatie -

Another month has flown by and this one has been a big one for you. You've had many 'firsts' to note and your personality continues to blossom with each passing day. Not only are you crawlng but you're pulling yourself up on everything. Your brother didn't start crawling on his knees until he was 12 months old (although he had perfected the army crawl) and didn't really pull up on things until 13 months. I have a feeling you're going to also beat him in the walking department as he didn't walk until 15.5 months. You're quick and you watch your brother constantly. I think you're just ready to keep up with him and can't wait for the day when you can. You ADORE your brother! I do get a bit teary eyed seeing this because it's something I never had with my brother. Or, maybe I did but I just don't remember it and it was definitely not something that continued. I think you and your brother are always going to be tight and will always have a special bond. He is so incredibly protective of you and is super sweet when he's trying to calm you down or make you smile when you're sad. He's always telling mommy and daddy that he's 'so lucky to have his baby' and we think you're pretty lucky to have him as a big brother. There are times when he likes to aggravate you and I don't think you care for it much when he pets you and calls you his 'pet rabbit', but for the most part you tolerate him and think he's the coolest thing around. Every morning, he runs up to you and gives you hugs and kisses and you squeal with delight. You love to wrestle with him and go for rides on the train. It's beyond precious to see. You love to eat and you make it known if we're not shoveling the food in fast enough. I've been making my own food and you've been enjoying broccoli, mangos, avocados, sweet potatoes, squash, peaches, watermelon, pancakes and we can't forget PUFFS! Who doesn't love puffs? It's instant 'quiet food' and I must remember to carry them at all times. You're even tolerating pears more than you were before. You've also tried apple juice and had a complete melt down when I tried to take the cup away. There really isn't anything you don't like but when you've had enough of something, the fun new thing is to spit it out all over mommy. I've been splattered with peas too many times now to count. I'll keep trying new things and maybe next month I'll be able to report the addition of teeth. Until then, it's mashed up mushy food for you.

Baby girl, you are a very sweet little girl and I hope you always know how much you're loved and adored. In one way, I'm looking forward to the coming months to see what new developments are in store but at the same time, it's a constant reminder how quickly you're growing and before too long, you won't be a baby anymore but a little girl. Between you and me, let's push that off for as long as we can. Ok?

Much love,

Mommy