ACL music fest!

We were so excited to be taking August to the annual Austin City Limits music festival, right in our own backyard of Zilker Park. It was 3 days jam packed with gorgeous weather, delicious festival food, and fantastic musicians. Luckily for us, my mom decided to partake in the festivities again after a 2 year reprieve. We all went down to the park on Friday, mom and Augie stayed back at the house on Saturday for a day of recovery and preparation. And Sunday we loaded up the stroller and all headed down for another great day of music. This year was as good, if not better, than some of the years past. With the purchase of a 3 day wristband, we were able to hear: Blues Traveler, Miike Snow, The Black Keys, Beach House, the Strokes, Pete Yorn, Two Door Cinema Club, Broken Bells, The xx,  Monsters of Folk, LCD Soundsystem, Lance Herbstrong, Yeasayer, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's, Band of Horses, Norah Jones, and the Eagles. We couldn't have asked for prettier weather (though it did get a bit toasty at times), or better company with Mom and Augie. Even one of my dear college friends and her husband moved back from London just in time to join us. Fun was definitely had by all, and we're already looking towards future festivals.

Week 35

This week was a monumentally stressful week around our household. The 7 day tub/shower project was still very much underway with no end in sight. Kevin had to make a quick trip to Norfolk for a few days, and the icing on the cake was when we found out that the nanny arrangement we had with the neighbors was a bit too overwhelming, so we couldn't use her services anymore. I knew that the former lifestyle of working in the evenings just wasn't sustainable for any of us. I of course immediately started panicking, and stressing, and fervently praying that we would figure out a new system when the time was right. None of the few connections we had seemed to be coming through for us, and after one not so appealing interview with a Craigslist prospect, I posted an ad on UT's job board for current students and recent graduates. Thankfully, the first response I received sounded very promising, she had great credentials, had a flexible schedule and could come to our house, and we all hit it off swimmingly in her interview. So after the end of a very long, very overwhelming week, our new nanny solution came like a ray of sunlight and reminded us that for every closed door, there is an another one open right around the corner, you just have to be patient and faithful.

the only shot of mommy's little helper this week

FIVE

October 15, 2005, The date that marked the beginning of 'us' as a family. It's been a very blessed first five, I look forward to the next 95 to be just as fun and adventurous.

Homes Tour

This weekend marked the fourth year that Kevin and I have volunteered for the Austin chapter of the AIA Home Tour . In exchange for 3 hours of volunteering to cashier at one of the houses, we get free wristbands that enable us to tour all 12 of the houses over 6 hours both Saturday and Sunday. Naturally this year we hit far fewer than in years past, but we still saw a few great houses and got to introduce August to some respectable architecture. Though maybe that was a bad idea to tease him with such great design, and then take him back to our condo!

The house that we worked was a very modern place, backing up to a ravine, not far from our own house. While there were several aspects that we both appreciated, it was not our favorite this year. That honor goes to this architect's fabulous remodel of a traditional 1930's house in central Austin, known as the Harris house. I loved that it had both very traditional and modern aspects that seemed to blend together seamlessly. Not only did Kevin and I love the architecture, but the whole house itself just felt so warm and livable. As Kevin said when we were walking away 'you can tell that's a very loving house'. I personally think that is the best compliment someone can give about your home.

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8 months!

Week 34

This week was a bit hectic. The tub/shower project was supposed to wrap up on day 7, but it seemed to trickle throughout the week, and has yet to find an end. It's just been one of those projects that seems to find one delay out of our control after another. They are using August's room as a staging area for supplies,etc., and we are using it store all of the belongings from the bathrooms that will be painted, so the contents of August's room are strewn throughout the house. Thankfully half-way through the week we decided that we would all sleep better if we started pulling his bed into an accessible location at night, and he could still nap on a palette upstairs during the day. As for bathing,Kevin was able to shower at a friend's house up the street while the grout was drying, and since I've been back, our shower has been 'operable'... just a bit more prison-like than we prefer. Thankfully August hasn't outgrown the kitchen sink yet!

In much bigger news, our little man is well on his way to toddlerhood! He's eating more variations and quantities of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain puree's throughout the day, he can crunch puffy little cereal snacks with his 3 front teeth, and we can't keep him away from our water cups! You look into those big blue eyes and have to give him a sip just so you can hear the refreshing sigh that he gives after each gulp. Most notably though, he has figured out how to pull himself up! Augie is officially on.the.move and therefore spends the entire day pulling up on, and walking along the couch, the entertainment center, the dogs, our pants legs, and any unstable toy he can possibly find. I can't lie, I've made some incredible diving saves, but let's just say he's slowly learning that falling hurts!

                                    

Shopping Spree

We realized the other day that big boy was quickly out-growing his 9-month sized wardrobe, so it was time to start focusing on 12-month apparel. I hit the Carter's store on the outskirts of town to stock up on some basics, and Augie's Nana spoiled us with a bag of adorable outfits for the colder weather. Of course there is no shortage of cute sources for baby clothes in the area (someone needs to keep me out of babyGap!!!), but there remains the lure for clothes that aren't as prevalent in these parts. So, while Kevin was in Florida, he was conveniently lodged near a mall with an H&M! We love the Old Navy-esque store, and make it a point to hit as many locations as we can when we happen to travel to lucky towns around the country. He single-handedly picked out three ridiculously cute henleys, a pair of puffy corduroy pants, a winter hat and a driving cap. Let's just say that Augie is going to be one of the most stylish baby boys in Austin this fall and winter!

Week 33

Kevin had a conference to attend this week in Orlando, as well as the work on our tub/shower was kicking-off, so the troops and I packed up and headed to my parent's house in Granbury for the week. My dad happened to be in Sweden for a couple of weeks as well, so it was nice for both my mom and myself to have some company. It was a lot of Augie watching and attempting to get work done for me, but we did have a nice surprise visit from my sister Leigh Ann and August's cousin's Noah and Emeri.