Cute Videos of Clay

As usual, Clayton is as cute as a button! He is learning so quickly and loves showing off all of his cute little talents. He is beginning to use more words which is helpful because it eases his frustration with communication. In the first video, he uses the word down with my assistance. In the second video he shows how he can clap along to the song "If your happy and you know it..." Earlier in the day, we were watching Barney and the song came on so I showed him how to clap. Once Chad got home, we were all sitting in the living room visiting and the taped Barney came back around to the song (I am known for turning on a television show and then accidentally having it play all day because I get busy and forget to turn it off. ) Clayton surprised us both by clapping at the right times to the song and doing a really cute shimmy dance! Unfortunately, I didn't have my flip out at the time, but I caught him again in the evening. Well, it was kind of staged because I turned the song back on especially to tape his cuteness :) He looks a little "too cool for school" but just as cute! Enjoy!

A Visit from Grandma and Granddad

This weekend we enjoyed a visit from my parents. We ate at Kirby Lane, frequented the park, and visited the water sprinklers near our house. It was perfect and Clayton had a blast! It is so wonderful to see how much he loves and enjoys my parents. His affection is reciprocated 100%, of course! It takes no time for him to warm up to them, and he is consumed with keeping their attention. For example, at breakfast on Saturday he would do his famous fake laugh and then watch everyone to make sure that they were looking at him - too cute! Later in the day, he was holding Lara's phone playing her music and dancing for Mom and Dad. It is so fun to watch him be a ham! Lara is usually the object of all of his affection, but even SHE took a backseat to his love affair with my mom and dad!! Here are some pictures from our weekend.

"I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!"

Watch me, Granddad!

I can go down on my tummy!!

Catch me!

Laughing with Granddad!

Having fun together!

Park Extravaganza!

Now that summer has FINALLY arrived, Clayton and I have loads of time to enjoy the local parks in the Austin area. My friend, Tessa, sent me a list of parks & pools that a friend compiled using a Stay-@-Home Dads website and a Moms with Multiples website. It is very extensive. I thought it would be fun to write an occasional review on the parks as we visit. Here are a couple of parks we've visited most recently.

BRENTWOOD PARK (off of Burnet Road in Austin):

This park is located next to Brentwood Elementary School. It has large shade trees, plenty of swings and a large playscape with a ramp. It is pushed back from the road with lots of field space for an energetic 16-month old. Here are a few recent pictures:

The Verdict: We really like Brentwood. The ramp on the playscape makes it very toddler friendly. Clay was able to navigate all by himself with ease (this is becoming more and more important as he pushes for independence). It has small steps that are great for short legs and lots of field space for him to run and explore without me having to protect him from traffic. We've been back 3 or 4 times! I give it 5 stars (on a 1 - 5 star rating system).

BEVERLY SHEFIELD PARK (off of Burnet in Austin)

As you drive in, the park is located around the corner from the pool and tennis courts (The pool, by the way, is fantastic. They allow floats). It has two playscapes and lots of shade trees. It has a big playscape with a ramp and a smaller playscape under a canopy of trees. The only draw-back about the big playscape was that there were a few drop offs (dangerous for fearless 16-month olds) and getting to the big slides were a challenge. You have to climb this wiggly, round ladder thingy. All in all, Clayton was very independent at this park, too.

The Verdict: Highly Recommended! It was another great park for a toddler. A lot of the newer parks that we've attempted have the playscapes too high off of the ground. This one was low to the ground, secluded from urban noise and traffic, and near a sweet pond with turtles. I also give this one 5 stars!

Check back for future park review updates!

Fun in the Sun

Late this afternoon, Chad, Clay and I visited the water sprinklers at a local park. After spending the first few minutes watching from the sidelines, there was no stopping Clayton from running in and out of the water. He has been walking (well, mostly running) now for around 3 months. This new found independence both thrills and scares him. He is pretty new to large group situations and still wants to know Mommy and Daddy are nearby. At the sprinklers today he would leave us to run through the water and then would come back for a hug and reassurance. It was really cute! After playing in the water, we walked to the sandpit. Here are pictures from our family outing.

Lunch with Lala

This morning, Clayton and I drove into Austin to visit Lara. We visited her apartment, took a trip to Brentwood Park, ate at Phil's Ice House, and went shopping at Old Navy. We had a really nice visit! The highlights for Clayton were Lala's M&Ms, ketchup on his fries, and the playground equipment at the park.

Using a Spoon

Here is a video of Clayton feeding himself with a spoon. Before tonight, he would dip his spoon in the food and then wave his spoon flinging food all over everything. This was the first time he dipped his spoon and then put it in his mouth. Can you tell Chad I are excited? We're dorks! Enjoy!

Isn't this the cutest?

This weekend, Chad and I went through Clayton's bedroom and closet. We went through his clothes, toys, bottles, bibs, and burp cloths to put in the attic until baby #2. In the process, I found a photo album of my family that Clayton got FOREVER ago. I put it in his book basket in the livingroom, and he found it this afternoon. He looked at it, and looked at it, and looked at it... Then, he brought it over to me and I named everyone in each picture several more times - at least 3. It was really sweet! Here is a photo I snapped of him.