Our Weekend Recap

It's finally fall in Austin! After a record breaking summer (hottest on record and 1 day away from most 100 + days since 1929 (68)) we are thrilled to enjoy the change in season. This past weekend we had crisp cool mornings, sunny afternoons and warm evenings. We enjoy sitting on our front patio watching the sunset over Lake Travis (not that we can see the lake, but still, we know its there)

Friday night, I spent a couple hours packing away the summer shorts, the tank tops, and rotating in the winter clothes for the boys. Brandon has a lot of "new" stuff that Nicky never wore because it was too hot when Nicky was size 3-6 months. I pulled out some puffy vests and sweat suits for the boys to wear this past weekend. Even though its not that cold, its still fun to dress them up like little sausages.

We had a lazy Saturday morning and had breakfast at Panera Bread followed by a stop at the new Nordstrom Rack that opened here in Austin.  On the way home we stopped at the park and watched some of the local boys (and girls) play flag football! Brandon hung out with daddy on the sidelines, while mommy pushed Nicky in the swing and  chased him around the park. Nicky is getting so big,  he can even go down the slide all by himself!

Saturday afternoon, Dan watched both boys while I went to my friend April's baby shower for her baby girl McKenna. She arrives in late December and we can't wait to meet her. (Speaking of new arrivals, I have 9 friends pregnant right now! Holy Cow!)

When I came home, we all went to Tara and Aaron's daughter Hayley's 1st Birthday party. Nicky's friend from school Kylie Jo and her mom Stacie were there. Nicky had a great time sharing his shoes with Kylie, looking at some 1 week old bulldog puppies, and hanging out with the rest of the kids. Lori came over around 6:30 to babysit while we went to dinner and a movie. Dan and I never made it to the movie, but we enjoyed a nice dinner at Rocco's and had some after dinner drinks at Fion while we caught the end of the Longhorn game. We were home by 9pm, but enjoyed winding down to catch up on our shows: Heroes, Desperate Housewives, Flashforward, and The Next Iron Chef.

Sunday we had plans to visit the Sweet Berry Farm Pumpkin Patch, but decided against the hour and a half drive and spent the morning hanging out at Starbucks and grocery shopping at the HEB. After naptime, we headed over to Lifetime Fitness just to LOOK. We signed on the dotted line after we discovered they provide 2 hours of free babysitting each day!! BEST MONEY SPENT EVER!!

We are excited to belong to another club, like Pacific Athletic Club and can't wait to start working out again (haha right). They even have a heated indoor pool equipped with water slides! I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time at the new club. You can check out the club here!

This is an exciting week because Brandon started at Primrose and Grandma Booba comes to visit. This upcoming weekend is Halloween and the boys have the CUTEST costumes. You'll have to wait and see!

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My Letter to Nicholas - 17 months

Dear Nicholas,

Happy 17 month birthday, my angel. I've decided to write you a letter each month to document your accomplishments and try to capture what life is like for you at this time. Needless to say, you (and your brother) have become what I live for. I love watching you develop into my little man. I wont say that these past months are easy - you are a handful! You're daddy and I never know what will come next with you. Nicky, you are wild, completely unpredictable, non-stop chaos and delight, willful and adorable, smart and playful, curious and stubborn. You test us each day, mostly Daddy...Mommy has more patience :).

At 17 months, you have become very vocal and make sure we all know. I tried making a list of all your words, but now I can't keep up. This month, you started shaking your head Yes and No. You can repeat almost any word we say. You will often throw your hands up and say "I don't know". Right now we are working on "Trick or Treat", but it's still a tongue twister. I have no doubt you will have it down pat in time for Halloween.

You can say the names of your friends at school, especially Kylee Jo. It comes out...Kaiyee. Speaking of school, I love watching you through the window before we pick you up. I can't describe the rush of emotion I feel every time I see you so independent - playing with your friends, dancing to the music, covered in paint, or even sitting by your self reading a book. I am so proud of you.

Nicholas, you must get this from me - you love books. I think most kids do, but I hope this love stays with you. It will open up a whole new world for you one day. I can't wait to read you the Harry Potter series. Mostly because I can't wait to read them again!

Right now you sit in the "book closet" before bedtime and we read all your books. We try to finish off with Good Night Moon - it seems to calm you down - if that's possible. Then we say "Good Night Daddy, Mommy, Brandon (baby), Roxy, Zeus, Grandmas and Grandpas, Alex, Val, Frank, and Amy." and then we go to your room, turn on your lullaby music, give you your nini, your blankets, and you grab all the tags and put them to your ear.

I kiss you good night and *hope* that you will lay down and go to sleep. If we are lucky you do, if not, its about 10 - 30 minutes of you crying out for us. It breaks our hearts, and many times Daddy gives in and goes up there to sing you softly to sleep. He sings "Good Night Nicky, Good Night Nicky, Good Night Nicky, goodnight, goodnight, goodnight." it works. You adore your Daddy.

At 17 months you can eat with a fork and spoon. You love to drink out of a water bottle and can even put the cap back on. At dinner time like to play with your food, and usually throw it all on the floor for the doggies to pick up. You say "Ca" for Chocolate because Daddy gives you Hershey Kisses. You tell us when you want juice or milk or water. Your favorite foods are still fruit and crackers, but you also like hot dogs, fish, chicken, pasta, anything Mexican or Thai or Chinese. Usually the best way to get you to eat EVERYTHING is to feed you on our laps. This is like a treat for you!

Nicky, you are so loving. You will kiss us and hug us. Sometimes bite us. That's fun.

Every morning when you wake up you climb up on our bed and hug the doggies. Roxy and Zeus usually respond by licking you all over. This makes you laugh. You are so ticklish and we love to rough house with you. You usually say MORE! MORE! and we have to flip you upside down until you are dizzy and we are exhausted.

I love to hear you say Mommy, to watch you sweep the floor, to hear you say Ra for Roxy. I love watching you run around the couch and wait for us to catch you. I love watching you fall asleep, and I can't wait to feel your arms around me. I love it when you smile and when you say a new word. I love your little tail, and the color of your eyes. I love it when you clap after you have accomplished something. I love when you hold my hand. I love when you draw on the new floors and when you run away from dead bugs. I love dressing you in cute clothes and watching you run around naked. I love when you kiss your brother, and when you fall asleep with Daddy. I love YOU and love being your Mommy. I am so lucky you are mine.

I love you always,

Mommy

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Poopoo in the Potty.

Yesterday marked a new chapter in Potty Training at the Abelings. It has started. We don't have an agenda. And we don't have a time line. We got a potty only because Nicky showed so much interest in the "activity" and he likes to say pee pee and poo poo. It was most likely a fluke, but for me it was a step. a BIG baby step. Yesterday Nicholas told me he had to poo poo. so we ran to the potty. and then it went in the potty. and he got a potty cookie (aka. Chocolate chips) and there was jumping and clapping and all sorts of happiness. And yes, here is a picture.Of Nicky, not the poop.

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