Dinoland

Sunday we took a small excursion to the Botanical Gardens so Matthew could check out “Dinoland”. It is a large scale, outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs along with some general knowledge about them. The park also had a cellphone tour available but with a 3 year old to keep up with, we didn’t get to call in!

Matthew liked it and got to romp around outside for awhile and we got to check out how pretty the gardens were.

We got lots pictures. I’ll post more soon.

Visiting Paris

Matthew and I made a whirl wind trip to Sherman to see my doctor then, since we were so close, drove on over to Paris to visit everyone we could from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 1 p.m. Thursday! It was fast and a wonderful visit, we only wish we could have stayed longer and seen everyone and that Tony could have come too! He had to work, though. I guess that’s what future visits will be for…

Here is a picture of part our visit. Matthew could not have been happier to see his family. We had never seen him so wound up!

Austin Children’s Museum Rocks!

Matthew and I had a great time at the Children’s Museum today! Then afterwards we caught up with Daddy at The Clay Pit for the best indian food we’ve ever had. I think I’m getting the hang of navigating around Austin finally, but that probably has something to do the my new gps!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of Matthew at the museum. He really did have a blast!

Cold Pool & Grocery Shopping Blind!

We took Matthew to the pool outside our apartment this afternoon and he loved it. Even though I thought the water was frigid, I believe he did better at this pool than at the swim lessons he had at Aerofit 2 months ago! The instructor frightened him, but that is a whole other post!! As always since we moved here, I forgot my camera. I want to start posting pictures soon but my mind is still a little mushy from the upheaval and I always forget it.

Speaking of forgetfulness, I went grocery shopping today by myself. I figured it was time I ventured out on my own before Tony started work. The prices here are actually for the most part, cheaper than prices in Paris and I only had to ask for the location of two things in the store, which I thought wasn’t too bad, until I left to go back home and missed my exit! As soon as I passed it I knew I had messed up. Luckily the next turn around wasn’t too far way.

Things are starting to feel more like home around here. I am having to control my shopping urges, too. There are just way too many cool place to shop and bargains to be had. Since we are in this apartment I am trying not to accumulate to many things for space reasons but we are planning on buying a house in six months, after that — look out! Just kidding, dear.

Hopefully, I’ll have pictures soon!

We Made The Big Move

In the space of twenty-four days Tony got a new job, we sold our house, and moved to Austin. What a whirlwind! We are now in a very quiet, very convenient-to-everything, beautiful apartment and though it was sad at first I know we are going to love it here. Of course it was hard leaving everything and everyone we’ve ever known behind, but you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t get out of your comfort zone and take a chance.

I know Austin is full of possibilities that, as good as things were in Paris, we would never have had if we’d stayed.

Tony and I really like the feel of the city and Matthew told us tonight that he has decided to stay in Austin. That could have something to do with the train ride at Zilker Park and the carousel at the mall! Everyone we’ve met has been extremely friendly so far and we are fortunate enough to have some great friends that live here, too. I plan on updating the site more often since we are so far away from friends and family so please check back when you have time! We miss everyone so feel free to leave a comment or email us.  We’d love to hear from you all.

Matthew Loves the Wii Fit.

You should have seen Matthew on the Wii Fit this morning. He did his body test and then some agility test and thought it was too cool. The Wii Fit told him his Wii Fit Age was 4 so now he thinks he is 4 years old, that his birthday has come and gone. I reassured him it hadn’t and that he still had a party coming. He was o.k. with it then.

So far he has score the best age out of all of us. I guess I’ll have to step up my game.

John Edwards..Not You, Too.

I was severely disappointed to hear John Edwards admit to and affair he had at one time denied. I was one of the many who thought he was”one of the few good guys” left in Washington. Even thought he would have been a reasonable president. And he may still be, but is it any wonder our society is so cynical and untrusting?

He stated in an interview that all the attention he received from his campaign for president made him feel special, deserving and arrogant. Which makes me wonder: Can anyone keep their morals in check once good fortune, power and popularity come knocking? Does even a small amount of success corrupt your moral compass? Is there anyone left who won’t come to believe that they are above it all?

For our sakes, I hope there is. Ok. Off the soap box.

Swim Lessons & A New Doctor

Matthew and I tried swimming lessons this week for him. The first couple of days went fairly well until the instructor took Matthew under the water briefly. Her intentions were good but he never recovered. Complete red faced three-year-old melt down. We had to go home after that. I plan to keep exposing him to the idea of swimming, at least on how to get out of the pool on his own but I am afraid he has his mother’s fear of going under the water….

I never heard back from the new doctor my nurse practitioner was referring me to and when I called the office to check I was told that the person that takes care of that was out and to call the new doctor myself to get thing done. Ok. The new doctor can see me this month if I go to his Sherman office. Ok. So I now have an appointment in a couple weeks but I’ll tell you what is really bothering me. No one seems to have a clue what is causing the pain in my back and now they just want to send me to pain management. I just want a diagnosis. I have had surgery, two MRI’s and have seen four doctors trying to find a cause and so far, no luck. I am afraid they think it is all in my head. Lots of people have told me to find a doctor out of town and as much as that appeals to me, I wouldn’t know who to go to. Do I just pick some random name off the internet? I guess I’ll just see what this next doctor has to say.

Vvrooom!

Here’s Matthew on his 4 wheeler from Aunt P. and Uncle B. He loves it and is surprisingly very good at steering, even in higher gears. I guess that’s just what little boys do!

Sea World

A few weeks ago we all went to Sea World. Fun was had by all. It is three theme parks in one, but we enjoyed the shows the most. The things that these intelligent creatures agree to do for their trainers are awe-inspiring! I would also recommend checking out the acrobatic show, Viva!. It is comedy, acrobatics, synchronized swimming, and beautiful whale and dolphin performances all rolled into one. Here are a couple of pictures…